Microbiome

Impressive new research has shown how a common diabetes drug can be inactivated by bacterial enzymes produced in the oral and gut microbiome. The researchers speculate this process may explain why the drug is not effective in some diabetic patients.

Weight gain following quitting smoking is such a common phenomenon it is often cited as one of the main reasons people are hesitant to quit. A study has now discovered how the microbiome may influence weight gain associated with the cessation of smoking.

A first-of-its-kind study investigating the effects of a food additive on human gut bacteria has found the emulsifier carboxymethylcellulose can alter the quality and composition of the microbiome and potentially increase risk of chronic inflammation.

Scientists have successfully used CRISPR and phages to edit the genome of bacteria in the gut microbiome of live mice for the first time. The breakthrough could help manipulate the ratio between different species to treat a range of health problems.

New research has found a particular species of gut bacteria can directly improve long-term memory in bumblebees. The study found a bacterial metabolite can improve cognitive function, offering insights into the link between the microbiome and the brain.

Research has uncovered a communication pathway illustrating how the microbiome can influence immune system activity in the gut. The study describes how molecules produced by gut bacteria control the activity of a protein known to suppress inflammation.

Researchers studying exceptionally well-preserved feces found in Iron Age salt mines have discovered the presence of fungi used in food fermentation. The findings indicate the miners were feasting on blue cheese and beer around 2,700 years ago.

The role of gut bacteria in the progression of prostate cancer has been highlighted in a new study showing how the microbiome can influence hormone metabolism, which subsequently amplifies tumor growth and disrupts certain hormone treatments.

Australian researchers have found the bacteria in your mouth can react with certain compounds in Brassica vegetables to generate a sulfurous odor that may explain some people’s strong dislike of foods such as brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower.

A new review article is suggesting a number of psychiatric disorders share common gut microbiome perturbations. The meta-analysis found depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety all present with similar gut microbial abnormalities.

Can the make-up of your gut microbiome affect the success of a weight loss intervention? A unique new study is indicating this is certainly possible, identifying several mechanisms by which gut bacteria can either help or hinder weight loss.

A milestone study is reporting how gut bacteria can store quantities of therapeutic drugs and potentially reduce their effectiveness. The research builds on insights into the ways our microbiome can either reduce or enhance the activity of medicines.