bacteria - Briefly

Researchers make a plastic that includes bacteria that can digest it

Plastic waste persists due to the lack of natural degradation agents, but evolution is introducing bacteria that can digest plastics. [ more ]

Ars Technica

2 months ago

Urban humans have lost much of their ability to digest plants

Cellulose is a key component of plant cell walls and dietary fiber, but its toughness makes it difficult for humans to extract calories from.

Humans host a mix of cellulose-eating bacteria, some from primate ancestry and others from domestication of herbivores, but urban living has reduced their numbers. [ more ]

Nature

2 months ago

Daily briefing: Are gut bacteria causing eye diseases?

Certain eye diseases may be partially caused by escaping bacteria from the gut.

Live music engages emotions more strongly than recorded music. [ more ]

english.elpais.com

A legendary experiment that began in 1988 suggests that evolution is predictable

Evolution can be predictable in the short term

Lenski's experiment with bacteria has yielded surprising results [ more ]

Nature

1 month ago

Data science

DNA glycosylases provide antiviral defence in prokaryotes - Nature

Bacteria possess diverse immune systems against viruses and plasmids. Unexplored microbial dark matter can harbor new defense genes. [ more ]

BKReader

Exploring The Connection Between Oral Bacteria And UTIs

Oral bacteria can impact urinary health

Connection between oral bacteria and UTIs revealed [ more ]

Inverse

4 months ago

These Genetically Engineered Bacteria Could Usher In A New Era Of Acne Treatment

Researchers have engineered a "smart" bacteria called Cutibacterium acnes that produces acne-fighting chemicals.

The bacteria was able to produce a molecule called neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) that controls sebum production. [ more ]

Inverse

5 months ago

Microbiome Study May Have Finally Solved An Enduring Mystery In Gynecology

Bacterial vaginosis is a condition that occurs when there is an overgrowth of 'bad' bacteria in the vagina, leading to health complications.

Bacterial vaginosis doubles the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections and increases the risk of pre-term birth and pregnancy loss.

Enzymes produced by bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis may destroy protective sugar molecules in the vagina, leading to inflammation and reproductive health issues. [ more ]

www.dw.com

5 months ago

Antibiotic resistance: When UTIs turn lethal DW 11/19/2023

Bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, posing a risk to public health.

Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria resulted in approximately 1.27 million deaths in 2019. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

France news

Think Emmanuel Macron has problems? Wait until the French find out about the existential threat to camembert | Emma Beddington

Camembert cheese is facing potential extinction due to a lack of genetic diversity in the bacteria required for its production.

The industrial cheesemaking process has led to the reliance on a single strain of bacteria that cannot reproduce with other strains. [ more ]

www.independent.co.uk