Bacteria

A novel antibiotic combo has proven promising in a clinical trial for treating an often-deadly form of pneumonia. The experimental drug was found to be at least as effective in preventing death as the current standard, but with far milder side effects.

If you leave a clear bottle of water in the sunlight, the UV rays will kill any microbes in that water, making it drinkable … but it has to sit in the sun for at least six hours. A new sunlight-activated powder, however, does the job in one minute.

Scientists have found a bacteria related to the human chlamydia pathogen in the corals of Australia's Great Barrier Reef – and hope it could lead to game-changing probiotic treatments designed to slow down or reverse the process of coral bleaching.

Researchers have developed a tool that rapidly detects bacteria in saliva using SHERLOCK, the evolution of CRISPR. You may soon be leaving the dentist with comprehensive information about the health of your mouth as well as your overall health.

Newly discovered cold-adapted microorganisms "eat" plastic at temperatures lower than currently required. The discovery is the first step towards developing a more effective industrial-scale method of ridding the planet of plastic pollution.

Inspired by the wings of dragonflies and cicadas, researchers have developed a new coating for orthopedic implants. It not only shreds harmful bacteria, but also monitors stress on the system, meaning it could warn of impending implant failure.

Science often involves sifting through enormous amounts of data, a task that’s overwhelming for humans but a piece of cake for AI. A new platform dubbed BacterAI can conduct 10,000 experiments per day to teach itself – and us – more about bacteria.

A new study has found that a species of gut bacteria cause the destructive nerve cell ‘clumps’ that are a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease. The discovery opens the door to the development of targeted treatments for this debilitating disease.

Scientists have reconstructed the genomes of microbes from the Stone Age, and used them to produce new molecules. The complex puzzle was pieced together from DNA fragments of bacteria on the teeth of ancient humans and Neanderthals.

While antibiotic-resistant bacteria are on the rise, you might have thought that the potentially deadly bugs would be found mostly where people and other animals congregate. But researchers have now found them in a most remarkable place.

Antimicrobial resistance is a worldwide public health problem. Now, UK researchers have determined how gut bacteria efficiently swap antimicrobial resistance genes and hope the knowledge might be exploited to develop new drug therapies.

It's ironic that in order to check if a wound is becoming infected, doctors may end up setting back the healing process by removing the dressing. An experimental new dressing is designed to help, as it changes color if an infection is occurring.