Bacteria News

Novel process allows microbes to harvest electrons By Tim Sandle In a new, and very novel, process researchers have shown how a species of bacteria can be used to 'eat' electricity. This involves pulling in electrons away from an electrode source.

Is it time for a ‘shocking’ new way to kill microbes? By Tim Sandle A new electrochemical approach is being developed to treat infections of metal-based implants, according to a new research study. The technology appears to be able to kill bacteria and fungi and reduce infection risk.

Hospital clean-up actually increased microbial contamination By Tim Sandle Edinburgh - A new study into the clean-up of a hospital in response to bacterial contamination reveals that the remediation process actually made matters worse, dislodging more contamination than there actually was to start with.

Mucus helps inactivate bacterial biofilms By Tim Sandle Boston - New research into mucus shows that it plays an essential role in controlling bacterial biofilms and helping to prevent infection. This is due to sugar molecules present, termed glycans and these disarm opportunistic pathogens.

Dolphins are showing cases of antibiotic resistance By Tim Sandle Antibiotic resistance and the consequential enhanced risk to from pathogenic organisms is not only something that affects humans; other animals, such as dolphins, are equally impacted, according to new research.

Rates of antimicrobial resistance rising drastically in animals By Tim Sandle New research shows that antimicrobial-resistant infections are increasing in animals across low and middle income countries at a rate far faster that earlier predictions suggested.

Microbiology News: Antimicrobials and mother's microbiome By Tim Sandle From a rise of superbugs in Southeast Asia, the earliest recorded evidence of tapeworm, and the microbial community of the mother influencing that of her child, represent three of the biggest microbiology news items this month. We delve deeper.

Why E coli knows how to produce the worst possible infection By Tim Sandle Medical microbiologists have established how the bacterium Escherichia coli knows how to cause the worst possible infection. The new insight should assist with preventing the foodborne illnesses.

Microfluidics device diagnoses sepsis in minutes By Tim Sandle Time matters greatly in hospitals and this includes undertaking diagnoses as rapidly as possible. A new automated system can detect an early biomarker for the potentially life-threatening condition sepsis within a few minutes.

Essential Science: Is anorexia partly caused by gut bacteria? By Tim Sandle Anorexia is primarily a psychological condition and there are many underlying factors. One new factor to come to light, which may well play an influence, is with the microbiome of the human gut, according to British researchers.

Will you next computer be made using graphene and bacteria? By Tim Sandle To develop more efficient computers, along with medical devices, scientists are examining nanomaterials. These are materials manipulated on the scale of atoms and which exhibit unique properties, opening a gateway to advanced technology.

Robot arm learns how to taste with engineered bacteria By Tim Sandle Biologists working with engineers have developed a robotic gripping arm which makes use of engineered bacteria in order to 'taste' for certain chemicals. This represents a new development in soft robotics.

Essential Science: Breakthrough for patients with pneumonia By Tim Sandle New research, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, presents the first clinical results with CAL02 in patients suffering from severe pneumonia, the first cause of infectious mortality in the world.

Careless disposal of medicines increases antimicrobial resistance By Tim Sandle Copenaghen - There are a number of ways by which antimicrobial resistance can spread, and one that is of growing concern is the disposal of medicines by consumers down sinks and toilets. A new technique can help to assess the extent of the spread.

Essential Science: Gum bacteria implicated in Alzheimer's disease By Tim Sandle The bacteria that inhabit the mouth, and especially the gums, if imbalanced can lead to some species dominating others. In these circumstances, there may be a connection with diseases like Alzheimer’s, according to a new study.

New materials promote natural healing methods By Tim Sandle London - Medical researchers have demonstrated how the use of new materials can be used to treat wounds by enhancing the body's natural healing processes.

Essential Science: Antimicrobial found in ancient Irish soil By Tim Sandle Swansea - A bacterium discovered in ancient Irish soil has been shown to be capable of halting the growth of certain ‘superbugs’. The discovery offers new hope for tackling antibiotic resistance.

The pathogenic skin bacterium 'no one' is talking about By Tim Sandle Bath - More high profile pathogenic bacteria regularly make news headlines, especially in relation to food recalls or to hospital hygiene. A new research paper warns that we shouldn't forget about a common bacterium that can cause harm.

Infectious bacteria on-board the International Space Station By Tim Sandle The International Space Station hosts some less desirable strains of bacteria, with the organism Enterobacter bugandensis having been identified from samples taken from the toilets used by the astronauts.

Key study seeks to improve skin infection treatment By Tim Sandle Washington - Researchers have begun undertaking examination into the effectiveness of treatments for skin diseases. The focus is with skin infections that are resistant to common antibiotics, especially diseases that are multi-drug resistant.

Farm herbicide Roundup could increase antibiotic resistance By Tim Sandle Antibiotic resistance is causing significant medical problems and while a key factor is over-prescription of antibiotic medications, there are other factors. Once factor, according to new research, could be common agricultural herbicides.

Artificial sweeteners are toxic to gut microbes By Tim Sandle Are artificial sweeteners harmful? This a question that scientists have been grappling with for several decades. While sweeteners help with weight-loss programs, new evidence suggests they affect our microbiome.

Bacteria in the human gut generate electricity By Tim Sandle An interesting discovery has been made about several species of bacteria that inhabit the human intestines and which constitute part of the human microbiome. These organisms have been shown to generate electricity.

New cellular target to weaken drug-tolerant bacteria By Tim Sandle Canadian microbiologists have located a new cellular target that can weaken the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This organism, which has a multi-drug resistant form, presents a severe threat to patients with cystic fibrosis.

New approach to fighting antibiotic resistant bacteria By Tim Sandle One of the most pressing concerns on the planet is the issue of multi-drug resistance bacteria and the risk these organisms pose to human health. One of the ways to address this could stem from a new research project.

Probiotics are essentially 'useless': Research By Tim Sandle For some years there has been disagreement among scientists and nutritionists about the value of probiotics. A new study, aiming to be the most comprehensive ever, concludes that probiotics 'are almost useless'.

Using oxygen to kill pathogenic bacteria By Tim Sandle Scientists have turned to an unusual source in order to tackle the problem of pathogenic bacteria – oxygen. This is in relation to MRSA, which is associated with hospital derive infections, in particular.

Essential Science: Killing bacteria with new biocide mist By Tim Sandle The elimination of pathogenic bacteria is a key part of contamination control. However, many disinfectants are either not available in vapor form or they are harmful to users. A new ‘breathable mist’ offers a solution.

Mother's gut health and autism connection By Tim Sandle New research draws a connection between the health of an expectant mother's gut and autism in her yet to be born child. The inference that follows is that changing an expectant mother's diet could lower autism risks. However, further research is required.

Fluorescent silk kills harmful bacteria By Tim Sandle A far-red fluorescent silk can kill harmful bacteria, as demonstrated in controlled trials. The developers see the material as both a biomedical and and an environmental remedy to combating harmful organisms and protecting patients.

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