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Structures of important plant viruses determined 
Flexible filamentous viruses make up a large fraction of known plant viruses and are responsible for more than half the viral damage to crop plants throughout the world. New details of their structures, which were poorly understood, have been revealed by scientists using a variety of sophisticated imaging techniques .
Flexible filamentous viruses make up a large fraction of known plant viruses and are responsible for more than half the viral damage to crop plants throughout the world. New details of their structures, which were poorly understood, have been revealed by scientists using a variety of sophisticated imaging techniques .
Microbiology
Source: DOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory
Posted on: Wednesday, Oct 01, 2008, 9:53am
Rating: | Views: 1110 | Comments: 0
Source: DOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory
Posted on: Wednesday, Oct 01, 2008, 9:53am
Rating: | Views: 1110 | Comments: 0
TB bacterium uses its sugar coat to sweeten its chances of living in lungs
Common strains of tuberculosis-causing bacteria have hijacked the human body's immune response to play tricks on cells in the lungs, scientists say.
Common strains of tuberculosis-causing bacteria have hijacked the human body's immune response to play tricks on cells in the lungs, scientists say.
Microbiology
Source: Ohio State University
Posted on: Monday, Sep 29, 2008, 3:07pm
Rating: | Views: 1116 | Comments: 0
Source: Ohio State University
Posted on: Monday, Sep 29, 2008, 3:07pm
Rating: | Views: 1116 | Comments: 0
Researchers describe for first time how some bacteria kill males: They first invade the mother
Many groups of bacteria are known as "male killers" -- they target and kill just the males of a host species. Now, a Cornell scientist has helped describe for the first time just how certain male-killing bacteria manage to specifically kill off males of a parasitic wasp.
Many groups of bacteria are known as "male killers" -- they target and kill just the males of a host species. Now, a Cornell scientist has helped describe for the first time just how certain male-killing bacteria manage to specifically kill off males of a parasitic wasp.
Microbiology
Source: Cornell University
Posted on: Monday, Sep 29, 2008, 12:41pm
Rating: | Views: 1091 | Comments: 0
Source: Cornell University
Posted on: Monday, Sep 29, 2008, 12:41pm
Rating: | Views: 1091 | Comments: 0
Existing anti-obesity drugs may be effective against flu, hepatitis and HIV
Viruses dramatically increase cellular metabolism, and existing anti-obesity drugs may represent a new way to block these metabolic changes and inhibit viral infection, according to a study published today in the journal Nature Biotechnology.
Viruses dramatically increase cellular metabolism, and existing anti-obesity drugs may represent a new way to block these metabolic changes and inhibit viral infection, according to a study published today in the journal Nature Biotechnology.
Microbiology
Source: University of Rochester Medical Center
Posted on: Monday, Sep 29, 2008, 8:40am
Rating: | Views: 2038 | Comments: 0
Source: University of Rochester Medical Center
Posted on: Monday, Sep 29, 2008, 8:40am
Rating: | Views: 2038 | Comments: 0
New life found in ancient tombs
Life has been discovered in the barren depths of Rome's ancient tombs, proving catacombs are not just a resting place for the dead. The two new species of bacteria found growing on the walls of the Roman tombs may help protect our cultural heritage monuments
Life has been discovered in the barren depths of Rome's ancient tombs, proving catacombs are not just a resting place for the dead. The two new species of bacteria found growing on the walls of the Roman tombs may help protect our cultural heritage monuments
Microbiology
Source: Society for General Microbiology
Posted on: Thursday, Sep 25, 2008, 8:59am
Rating: | Views: 1110 | Comments: 0
Source: Society for General Microbiology
Posted on: Thursday, Sep 25, 2008, 8:59am
Rating: | Views: 1110 | Comments: 0
Research indicates new virus is culprit, not bystander, in deadly skin cancer
University of Pittsburgh scientists are uncovering more evidence that a virus they recently discovered is the cause of Merkel cell carcinoma, an aggressive and deadly form of skin cancer.
University of Pittsburgh scientists are uncovering more evidence that a virus they recently discovered is the cause of Merkel cell carcinoma, an aggressive and deadly form of skin cancer.
Microbiology
Source: University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences
Posted on: Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008, 9:04am
Rating: | Views: 1209 | Comments: 0
Source: University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences
Posted on: Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008, 9:04am
Rating: | Views: 1209 | Comments: 0
Ancient Yeast Reborn in Modern Beer
Trapped inside a Lebanese weevil covered in ancient Burmese amber, a tiny colony of bacteria and yeast has lain dormant for up to 45 million years. A decade ago Raul Cano, now a scientist at the California Polytechnic State University, drilled a tiny hole into the amber and extracted more than 2,000 different kinds of microscopic creatures.
Trapped inside a Lebanese weevil covered in ancient Burmese amber, a tiny colony of bacteria and yeast has lain dormant for up to 45 million years. A decade ago Raul Cano, now a scientist at the California Polytechnic State University, drilled a tiny hole into the amber and extracted more than 2,000 different kinds of microscopic creatures.
Microbiology
Source: Discovery Channel
Posted on: Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008, 9:04am
Rating: | Views: 1167 | Comments: 0
Source: Discovery Channel
Posted on: Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008, 9:04am
Rating: | Views: 1167 | Comments: 0
Cancer-causing gut bacteria exposed
Normal gut bacteria are thought to be involved in colon cancer but the exact mechanisms have remained unknown. Now, scientists from the USA have discovered that a molecule produced by a common gut bacterium activates signalling pathways that are associated with cancer cells.
Normal gut bacteria are thought to be involved in colon cancer but the exact mechanisms have remained unknown. Now, scientists from the USA have discovered that a molecule produced by a common gut bacterium activates signalling pathways that are associated with cancer cells.
Microbiology
Source: Society for General Microbiology
Posted on: Monday, Sep 22, 2008, 9:06am
Rating: | Views: 1269 | Comments: 0
Source: Society for General Microbiology
Posted on: Monday, Sep 22, 2008, 9:06am
Rating: | Views: 1269 | Comments: 0
'Friendly' bacteria protect against type 1 diabetes
In a dramatic illustration of the potential for microbes to prevent disease, researchers at Yale University and the University of Chicago showed that mice exposed to common stomach bacteria were protected against the development of Type I diabetes.
In a dramatic illustration of the potential for microbes to prevent disease, researchers at Yale University and the University of Chicago showed that mice exposed to common stomach bacteria were protected against the development of Type I diabetes.
Microbiology
Source: Yale University
Posted on: Monday, Sep 22, 2008, 9:06am
Rating: | Views: 1118 | Comments: 0
Source: Yale University
Posted on: Monday, Sep 22, 2008, 9:06am
Rating: | Views: 1118 | Comments: 0
Serious disease in pet lizards caused by new bacteria
Skin infections are common in pet lizards and can lead to fatal organ disease and septicaemia. Infections are particularly risky in lizards that are bred in captivity for release into the wild, as they can spread into the wild population. The cause of these diseases has been unclear but now researchers in Belgium have discovered a new bacterium responsible for dermatitis in desert lizards.
Skin infections are common in pet lizards and can lead to fatal organ disease and septicaemia. Infections are particularly risky in lizards that are bred in captivity for release into the wild, as they can spread into the wild population. The cause of these diseases has been unclear but now researchers in Belgium have discovered a new bacterium responsible for dermatitis in desert lizards.
Microbiology
Source: Society for General Microbiology
Posted on: Friday, Sep 19, 2008, 7:50am
Rating: | Views: 1245 | Comments: 0
Source: Society for General Microbiology
Posted on: Friday, Sep 19, 2008, 7:50am
Rating: | Views: 1245 | Comments: 0
We are facing a global pandemic of antibiotic resistance, warn experts
Vital components of modern medicine such as major surgery, organ transplantation, and cancer chemotherapy will be threatened if antibiotic resistance is not tackled urgently, warn experts on bmj.com today.
Vital components of modern medicine such as major surgery, organ transplantation, and cancer chemotherapy will be threatened if antibiotic resistance is not tackled urgently, warn experts on bmj.com today.
Microbiology
Source: BMJ-British Medical Journal
Posted on: Friday, Sep 19, 2008, 7:50am
Rating: | Views: 1116 | Comments: 0
Source: BMJ-British Medical Journal
Posted on: Friday, Sep 19, 2008, 7:50am
Rating: | Views: 1116 | Comments: 0
Scientist concedes 'honest mistake' about weaponized anthrax
Peter B. Jahrling, who aided the federal probe of the 2001 mailings, says he erred when he told White House officials that material he examined probably had been altered to make it more deadly.
Peter B. Jahrling, who aided the federal probe of the 2001 mailings, says he erred when he told White House officials that material he examined probably had been altered to make it more deadly.
Microbiology
Source: LA Times
Posted on: Thursday, Sep 18, 2008, 12:03pm
Rating: | Views: 1207 | Comments: 0
Source: LA Times
Posted on: Thursday, Sep 18, 2008, 12:03pm
Rating: | Views: 1207 | Comments: 0
The fastest flights in nature: High-speed spore discharge
Microscopic coprophilous or dung-loving fungi help make our planet habitable by degrading the billions of tons of feces produced by herbivores.
Microscopic coprophilous or dung-loving fungi help make our planet habitable by degrading the billions of tons of feces produced by herbivores.
Microbiology
Source: Public Library of Science
Posted on: Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008, 8:22am
Rating: | Views: 1154 | Comments: 0
Source: Public Library of Science
Posted on: Wednesday, Sep 17, 2008, 8:22am
Rating: | Views: 1154 | Comments: 0
Capturing replication strategies used by SARS viruses in their bid to spread
Just over five years ago, an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus killed over 750 people. SARS (corona)virus, a positive-stranded RNA virus, replicates in the cytoplasm of host cells, attaching its replication complex to intracellular membranes that it has modified for this purpose.
Just over five years ago, an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus killed over 750 people. SARS (corona)virus, a positive-stranded RNA virus, replicates in the cytoplasm of host cells, attaching its replication complex to intracellular membranes that it has modified for this purpose.
Microbiology
Source: Public Library of Science
Posted on: Tuesday, Sep 16, 2008, 8:49am
Rating: | Views: 1135 | Comments: 0
Source: Public Library of Science
Posted on: Tuesday, Sep 16, 2008, 8:49am
Rating: | Views: 1135 | Comments: 0
Photosynthesizing bacteria with a day-night cycle contain rare chromosome
Researchers sequencing the DNA of blue-green algae found a linear chromosome harboring genes important for producing biofuels. Simultaneously analyzing the complement of proteins revealed more genes on the linear and the typical circular chromosomes then they'd have found with DNA sequencing alone.
Researchers sequencing the DNA of blue-green algae found a linear chromosome harboring genes important for producing biofuels. Simultaneously analyzing the complement of proteins revealed more genes on the linear and the typical circular chromosomes then they'd have found with DNA sequencing alone.
Microbiology
Source: DOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Posted on: Monday, Sep 15, 2008, 5:21pm
Rating: | Views: 1121 | Comments: 0
Source: DOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Posted on: Monday, Sep 15, 2008, 5:21pm
Rating: | Views: 1121 | Comments: 0
Viruses Communicate to Determine Bacterial Cell Fate
A new study suggests that bacteria-infecting viruses – called phages – can make collective decisions about whether to kill host cells immediately after infection or enter a latent state to remain within the host cell. The research shows that when multiple viruses infect a cell, the overall level of viral gene expression increases, which has a dramatic nonlinear effect on gene networks
A new study suggests that bacteria-infecting viruses – called phages – can make collective decisions about whether to kill host cells immediately after infection or enter a latent state to remain within the host cell. The research shows that when multiple viruses infect a cell, the overall level of viral gene expression increases, which has a dramatic nonlinear effect on gene networks
Microbiology
Source: Newswise
Posted on: Monday, Sep 15, 2008, 9:02am
Rating: | Views: 1157 | Comments: 0
Source: Newswise
Posted on: Monday, Sep 15, 2008, 9:02am
Rating: | Views: 1157 | Comments: 0
Tuberculosis drug shows promise against latent bacteria
A new study has shown that an investigational drug (R207910, currently in clinical trials against multi-drug resistant tuberculosis strains) is quite effective at killing latent bacteria. This revelation suggests that R207910 may lead to improved and shortened treatments for this globally prevalent disease.
A new study has shown that an investigational drug (R207910, currently in clinical trials against multi-drug resistant tuberculosis strains) is quite effective at killing latent bacteria. This revelation suggests that R207910 may lead to improved and shortened treatments for this globally prevalent disease.
Microbiology
Source: American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Posted on: Friday, Sep 12, 2008, 2:51pm
Rating: | Views: 1225 | Comments: 0
Source: American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Posted on: Friday, Sep 12, 2008, 2:51pm
Rating: | Views: 1225 | Comments: 0
Purifying parasites with light
Researchers have developed a clever method to purify parasitic organisms from their host cells, which will allow for more detailed proteomic studies and a deeper insight into the biology of organisms that cause millions of cases of disease each year.
Researchers have developed a clever method to purify parasitic organisms from their host cells, which will allow for more detailed proteomic studies and a deeper insight into the biology of organisms that cause millions of cases of disease each year.
Microbiology
Source: American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Posted on: Friday, Sep 12, 2008, 11:34am
Rating: | Views: 1374 | Comments: 0
Source: American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Posted on: Friday, Sep 12, 2008, 11:34am
Rating: | Views: 1374 | Comments: 0
Color-coded bacteria can spot oil spills or leaky pipes and storage tanks
Oil spills and other environmental pollution, including low level leaks from underground pipes and storage tanks, could be quickly and easily spotted in the future using colour coded bacteria
Oil spills and other environmental pollution, including low level leaks from underground pipes and storage tanks, could be quickly and easily spotted in the future using colour coded bacteria
Microbiology
Source: Society for General Microbiology
Posted on: Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008, 6:38pm
Rating: | Views: 1211 | Comments: 0
Source: Society for General Microbiology
Posted on: Wednesday, Sep 10, 2008, 6:38pm
Rating: | Views: 1211 | Comments: 0
Switched-on new nanotechnology paints for hospitals could kill superbugs
New nanotechnology paints for walls, ceilings, and surfaces could be used to kill hospital superbugs when fluorescent lights are switched on
New nanotechnology paints for walls, ceilings, and surfaces could be used to kill hospital superbugs when fluorescent lights are switched on
Microbiology
Source: Society for General Microbiology
Posted on: Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008, 6:53pm
Rating: | Views: 6848 | Comments: 0
Source: Society for General Microbiology
Posted on: Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008, 6:53pm
Rating: | Views: 6848 | Comments: 0
Rattlesnake-type poisons used by superbug bacteria to beat our defenses
Colonies of hospital superbugs can make poisons similar to those found in rattlesnake venom to attack our bodies' natural defences
Colonies of hospital superbugs can make poisons similar to those found in rattlesnake venom to attack our bodies' natural defences
Microbiology
Source: Society for General Microbiology
Posted on: Monday, Sep 08, 2008, 8:48am
Rating: | Views: 1130 | Comments: 0
Source: Society for General Microbiology
Posted on: Monday, Sep 08, 2008, 8:48am
Rating: | Views: 1130 | Comments: 0
FBI unveils science of anthrax investigation
They have worked for almost seven years in secret. Most people did not know that the work in Ray Goehner's materials characterization department at Sandia National Laboratories was contributing important information to the FBI's investigation of letters containing bacillus anthracis, the spores that cause the disease anthrax.
They have worked for almost seven years in secret. Most people did not know that the work in Ray Goehner's materials characterization department at Sandia National Laboratories was contributing important information to the FBI's investigation of letters containing bacillus anthracis, the spores that cause the disease anthrax.
Microbiology
Source: DOE/Sandia National Laboratories
Posted on: Thursday, Aug 21, 2008, 3:50pm
Rating: | Views: 1208 | Comments: 0
Source: DOE/Sandia National Laboratories
Posted on: Thursday, Aug 21, 2008, 3:50pm
Rating: | Views: 1208 | Comments: 0
Researchers uncover molecule that keeps pathogens like salmonella in check
Scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found a potential new way to stop the bacteria that cause gastroenteritis, tularemia and severe diarrhea from making people sick.
Scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found a potential new way to stop the bacteria that cause gastroenteritis, tularemia and severe diarrhea from making people sick.
Microbiology
Source: UT Southwestern Medical Center
Posted on: Thursday, Aug 21, 2008, 1:49pm
Rating: | Views: 1196 | Comments: 0
Source: UT Southwestern Medical Center
Posted on: Thursday, Aug 21, 2008, 1:49pm
Rating: | Views: 1196 | Comments: 0
Biologists find diatom to reduce red tide's toxicity
It's estimated that the red tide algae, Karenia brevis, costs approximately $20 million per bloom in economic damage off the coast of Florida alone. Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have found that a diatom can reduce the levels of the red tide's toxicity to animals and that the same diatom can reduce red tide's toxicity to other algae as well.
It's estimated that the red tide algae, Karenia brevis, costs approximately $20 million per bloom in economic damage off the coast of Florida alone. Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology have found that a diatom can reduce the levels of the red tide's toxicity to animals and that the same diatom can reduce red tide's toxicity to other algae as well.
Microbiology
Source: Georgia Institute of Technology
Posted on: Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008, 11:19am
Rating: | Views: 1221 | Comments: 0
Source: Georgia Institute of Technology
Posted on: Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008, 11:19am
Rating: | Views: 1221 | Comments: 0
Researchers isolate microorganisms that convert hydrocarbons to natural gas
When a group of University of Oklahoma researchers began studying the environmental fate of spilt petroleum, a problem that has plagued the energy industry for decades, they did not expect to eventually isolate a community of microorganisms capable of converting hydrocarbons into natural gas.
When a group of University of Oklahoma researchers began studying the environmental fate of spilt petroleum, a problem that has plagued the energy industry for decades, they did not expect to eventually isolate a community of microorganisms capable of converting hydrocarbons into natural gas.
Microbiology
Source: University of Oklahoma
Posted on: Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008, 9:43am
Rating: | Views: 1159 | Comments: 0
Source: University of Oklahoma
Posted on: Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008, 9:43am
Rating: | Views: 1159 | Comments: 0
Researchers Uncover Attack Mechanism of Illness-inducing Bacterium Found in Shellfish
An infectious ocean-dwelling bacterium found in oysters and other shellfish kills its host’s cells by causing them to burst, providing the invader with a nutrient-rich meal, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found.
An infectious ocean-dwelling bacterium found in oysters and other shellfish kills its host’s cells by causing them to burst, providing the invader with a nutrient-rich meal, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found.
Microbiology
Source: UT Southwestern Medical Center
Posted on: Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008, 11:34am
Rating: | Views: 1169 | Comments: 0
Source: UT Southwestern Medical Center
Posted on: Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008, 11:34am
Rating: | Views: 1169 | Comments: 0
Novel fungus helps beetles to digest hard wood
A little known fungus tucked away in the gut of Asian longhorned beetles helps the insect munch through the hardest of woods according to a team of entomologists and biochemists.
A little known fungus tucked away in the gut of Asian longhorned beetles helps the insect munch through the hardest of woods according to a team of entomologists and biochemists.
Microbiology
Source: Penn State
Posted on: Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008, 8:48am
Rating: | Views: 1156 | Comments: 0
Source: Penn State
Posted on: Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008, 8:48am
Rating: | Views: 1156 | Comments: 0
Cataloguing invisible life: Microbe genome emerges from lake sediment
When entrepreneurial geneticist Craig Venter sailed around the world on his yacht sequencing samples of seawater, it was an ambitious project to use genetics to understand invisible ecological communities. But his scientific legacy was disappointing – a jumble of mystery DNA fragments belonging to thousands of unknown organisms.
When entrepreneurial geneticist Craig Venter sailed around the world on his yacht sequencing samples of seawater, it was an ambitious project to use genetics to understand invisible ecological communities. But his scientific legacy was disappointing – a jumble of mystery DNA fragments belonging to thousands of unknown organisms.
Microbiology
Source: University of Washington
Posted on: Monday, Aug 18, 2008, 9:31am
Rating: | Views: 1165 | Comments: 0
Source: University of Washington
Posted on: Monday, Aug 18, 2008, 9:31am
Rating: | Views: 1165 | Comments: 0
Arsenic-eating bacteria rewrite evolutionary history
Photosynthesis using arsenic instead of water might have evolved before "normal" oxygenic photosynthesis
Photosynthesis using arsenic instead of water might have evolved before "normal" oxygenic photosynthesis
Microbiology
Source: New Scientist
Posted on: Friday, Aug 15, 2008, 9:30am
Rating: | Views: 1362 | Comments: 0
Source: New Scientist
Posted on: Friday, Aug 15, 2008, 9:30am
Rating: | Views: 1362 | Comments: 0
Graduate student discovers, names bacterium linked to psyllid yellows
To make a discovery and get to name it is just about every scientist's dream. For one graduate student at UC Riverside that dream already has come true.
To make a discovery and get to name it is just about every scientist's dream. For one graduate student at UC Riverside that dream already has come true.
Microbiology
Source: University of California - Riverside
Posted on: Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008, 8:54am
Rating: | Views: 1190 | Comments: 0
Source: University of California - Riverside
Posted on: Tuesday, Aug 12, 2008, 8:54am
Rating: | Views: 1190 | Comments: 0
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