A Whole New World, Starring Bacteriophages, Bacteria, Fungi, and Rotifers in a Water Droplet
A recent study discovered extraordinary cooperation between bacteriophages, bacteria, and fungi in a water droplet.
Microbiology
The Secret Life of Sourdough
What's in that sourdough starter? New research sheds light on the mysterious microbes that influence our bread.
As the Arctic Warms, Soil Bacteria May Diversify and Release More Carbon Dioxide
As the Arctic gets hotter, its landscape releases more greenhouse gases. According to a new study, the warming Arctic soil's bacteria may diversify and emit even more greenhouse gas than scientists have thought.
Atmospheric Gases on Other Planets Could Help us Find Alien Life
by Kerry McGowen
Have you ever wondered how scientists hunt for alien life on other planets? What are they looking for?
Before jumping straight into the search for aliens, scientists look for planets that could support alien life in the first…
Ketogenic Diets Alter Gut Microbiome and Potentially Reduce Inflammation
Ketones may be the key ingredient to reaping the anti-inflammatory benefits of extreme low-carb low-sugar diets, like the popular ketogenic diet.
Redesigning the polio vaccine - Lessons from evolution
Current polio vaccines have been successful in nearly eradicating polio in the world. Unfortunately, there have been emerging cases of polio in recent years. To combat this, scientists have designed a new oral poliovirus vaccine that could result in a…
Artificial Intelligence - our new MVP against infections?
In order to combat the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, a group of scientists from MIT are using artificial intelligence to discover new and effective antibiotics. They were able to predict a powerful new antibiotic compound that is effective…
Is diabetes communicable?
CIFAR Fellows’s paper questions whether diabetes, heart attacks and strokes are actually non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Microbiota (bacteria, viruses, fungi) that spread flu, HIV/AIDS, may also carry NCDs. People with NCDs have damaged microbiota,…
Some viruses can defeat CRISPR with nucleus-like compartments
CRISPR is a highly effective immune system that defends bacteria from viruses. It was recently shown that some viruses have evolved counter-defenses that protect their DNA with a nucleus-like structure.
The Key to Taming Bacteria: Mucus Sugars
Mucus is not just the awful phlegm from your cough, it actually has the ability to tame bacteria infection! Scientists at MIT recently discovered that the glycans on our mucus can actually trigger biochemical responses that protect us from pathogens.…