New Atlas

Biology Audio available

NASA's twin study shows how space travel affects genes, cognition, aging and gut microbiome

Michael Irving April 11, 2019

NASA has conducted a comprehensive study comparing the genes and biology of identical twins Scott and Mark Kelly, after Scott spent almost a year in space while Mark stayed on Earth as a control. And now the results of that study have finally been released.

For NASA's comprehensive study on space travel's effects on human health, astronaut Scott Kelly (right) spent ...

Biology Audio available

The cons of probiotics: Evolution could turn good bacteria bad in the gut

Michael Irving March 26, 2019

Probiotics have long been thought a force for good in the body, but there may be a gray area between good and bad bacteria. A mouse study conducted at Washington University in St. Louis has now found that probiotics can evolve in the gut, becoming less effective or even turning against the host.

A new study has shown that probiotics can evolve in the gut and potentially turn against ...

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Novel research links an aging gut microbiome with heart disease

Rich Haridy March 19, 2019

A new study suggests an aging gut microbiome may be somewhat responsible for the degradation in cardiovascular heath that tends to appear as we grow older. The study is yet another addition to the growing body of evidence affirming the role gut bacteria plays in age-related disease.

lder mice were found to have less diverse microbial populations that over-produce certain compounds that could ...

Medical

The fascinating effect a stroke has on the gut microbiome

Rich Haridy March 12, 2019

A study has revealed distinct changes can be observed in an animal’s microbiome after suffering from an induced stroke. These alterations were found to persist for several weeks following the stroke, adding new evidence to the compelling gut-brain connection.

Changes to the microbiome and intestinal tissue have been seen for up to four weeks following ...

Science

How gut bacteria controls gene expression through “interspecies communication”

Rich Haridy February 21, 2019

Imagine a tiny microbe living inside you with the power to control the activity of your DNA. Scientists are increasingly discovering how much control our gut bacteria may actually have over us with a study describing how bacteria can secrete a molecule that literally turns genes off or on.

New research reveals insight into how our gut bacteria may changing the way genes are expressed ...

Medical

Almost 2,000 previously unknown bacteria discovered in the human gut

Rich Haridy February 11, 2019

Nearly 2,000 previously unknown species of gut bacteria have been discovered by using novel metagenomic data. The discovery greatly expands our knowledge of the microbial species living inside us, and establishes computational methods to help reconstruct and identify undiscovered bacterial genomes.

Using new metagenomic tools, researchers have uncovered almost 2,000 previously undiscovered bacterial species

Medical Audio available

Strange new evidence connects gut bacteria to schizophrenia

Rich Haridy February 7, 2019

An incredible new study is suggesting a strong association between schizophrenia and gut bacteria. The research not only reveals a correlation, but hypothesizes the microbiome to potentially play a role in altering neurologic function in ways that may amplify the symptoms of schizophrenia.

A new study claims that mice that had their gut microbiome altered by receiving fecal transplants ...

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

New evidence links specific gut bacteria to depression

Rich Haridy February 4, 2019

A new study into the correlation between gut bacteria and depression has revealed an intriguing association between low levels of specific bacteria and increased rates of depression.

Examining over 1,000 people, a new study revealed two bacteria in particular as being strongly associated ...

Medical Audio available

Tongue bacteria may be an indicator for early-stage pancreatic cancer

Rich Haridy January 29, 2019

Pancreatic cancer is not the most common of cancers, but it is one of the most deadly, often presenting as entirely asymptomatic until it is too late. A new study from a group of Chinese scientists suggests bacteria on the tongue could offer a promising way to detect the disease early.

Alterations in a person's tongue microbiome may be a good indicator of pancreatic cancer

Medical Audio available

Not all poo is created equal: Scientists discover "super donors" for fecal transplants

Rich Haridy January 22, 2019

A new study, led by researchers from the University of Auckland, has described the phenomenon of "super donors," people who contribute stool samples for use in trials whose poop seems to be significantly more effective in leading to clinical improvements for fecal transplant subjects.

A new study has discovered "super-donors" who have broad microbial diversity in their microbiome, leading to ...