In Jezero Crater’s Bright Angel formation, Perseverance has found rocks rich in organic molecules and minerals linked to microbial metabolism. Their arrangement hints at redox reactions that resemble Earth’s life-driven chemistry. While not proof of Martian life, the findings qualify as “potential biosignatures” and make the stored sample a top candidate for return to Earth.
Read moreRomaine lettuce has a long history of E. coli outbreaks, but scientists are zeroing in on why. A new study reveals that the way lettuce is irrigated—and how it’s kept cool afterward—can make all the difference. Spraying leaves with untreated surface water is a major risk factor, while switching to drip or furrow irrigation cuts contamination dramatically. Add in better cold storage from harvest to delivery, and the odds of an outbreak plummet. The research offers a clear, science-backed path to safer salads—one that combines smarter farming with better logistics.
Read moreBacteria that evolve in natural environments — rather than laboratory tests — may become resistant to phage treatments without losing their virulence, new research shows.
Read moreA study in humans and mice demonstrated that a fetus has its own microbiome, or communities of bacteria living in the gut, which are known to play important roles in the immune system and metabolism. Researchers also confirmed that the fetal microbiome is transmitted from the mother.
Read moreVibrio parahaemolyticus can be found in the tidal zones in estuarine areas. The marine bacterium causes acute gastroenteritis in humans and is the leading cause for seafood borne illnesses in the world. Researchers have now identified specialized "adventurer" cells that ensure the bacterium's dissemination and prevalence. Their new findings are an important basis for the future management of the disease.
Read moreHow bacteria live – whether as independent cells or in a communal biofilm – determines the course of their evolution, with implications for drug-resistant infections.
Read moreA recent study has shown that adjusting GI tract viruses by repurposing existing FDA-approved antiviral drugs offers a route for effective treatment for Gulf War Illness and its myriad of symptoms.
Read moreSwapping a single amino acid in a simple bacterial protein changes its structure and function, revealing the effects of complex gene evolution, finds a new study. The study — conducted using E. coli bacteria — can help researchers to better understand the evolution of transporter proteins and their role in drug resistance.
Read moreNew research introduces a revolutionary treatment for these infections. The group is utilizing electrochemical therapy (ECT) to enhance the ability of antibiotics to eradicate the microbes.
Read moreAntibiotic treatment is known to disrupt the community structure of intestinal microbes — the 500 to 1,000 bacterial species that have a mainly beneficial influence in humans. A study now has tracked this disruption at the level of a strain of microbes replacing another strain of the same species in 30 individuals — all of them young, healthy adults who would be expected to have stable microbial communities.
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