Bacteria

Every crime scene contains hidden microbial clues. Researchers are now determining what bacterial traces can reliably reveal and whether this evidence will be admissible in court.

The US trend of sticking chewing gum at tourist sites is spreading to Europe's historic cities, with doctors warning that this practice creates 'walls of bacteria.' The behavior poses hygiene concerns in culturally significant locations.

A study conducted in Pakistan suggests that the microbiome in pregnant women's colons may influence the likelihood of preterm birth. The research identified a specific bacteria that could indicate whether a woman reaches full term or delivers prematurely.

A cow's rumen hosts a microbiome that breaks down up to 100 pounds of feed daily through bacterial and fungal activity, influencing atmospheric processes. The fermentation chamber's ecosystem processes cellulose and proteins, shaping environmental impacts.

Officials in King County have closed three beaches due to high bacteria levels, which can cause illness in people who swim in the water.

Weizmann Institute researchers engineered bacteria capable of growing rapidly using CO₂ as a primary resource. The development aims to create a bacteria-based food product for humans and animals, with a researcher describing the process as 'magic'.

The Met Museum and several elite NYC prep schools, including Chapin, Spence, and Dalton, are among 76 buildings found positive for bacteria linked to a Legionnaires’ outbreak. They have been ordered to remediate contaminated water-cooling towers by Thursday.

Health officials in Miami-Dade have lifted water advisories for Golden Beach, Bark Beach, and North Shore Ocean Terrace after recent tests showed safe water quality levels. The advisory was initially triggered by high bacteria levels in the water.

Researchers discovered that bacteria associated with gum disease may contribute to calcific aortic valve stenosis by causing inflammation and calcium buildup in heart valves. Maintaining gum health could potentially lower the risk of this heart condition.

Maple Plain residents are under a boil water advisory due to potential contamination from a pressure loss caused by a communication failure between the water tower and treatment plant. The city advises boiling water for at least one minute before use for drinking, cooking, and hygiene to kill bacteria, viruses, and parasites that could cause nausea and diarrhea.

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County has issued a water quality advisory for Golden Beach, North Shore Ocean Terrace at 73rd Street, and Bark Beach at 79th Street in Miami Beach due to above-average bacteria levels. The advisory warns against water-related activities to avoid illness risks, and it remains in effect as of Friday afternoon.

A Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in New York City has sickened 28 people, with health officials testing building cooling towers for bacteria. Experts link the outbreak to the climate crisis, warning that rising temperatures are increasing exposure to the bacteria.

Minnesota's 2026 draft list under the Clean Water Act identifies 2,979 impaired water bodies, with efforts like the watershed approach and successful restoration of Riley Lake. Impairments stem from pollutants like phosphorus, nitrogen, mercury, and bacteria.

Public health officials across several states have issued water quality advisories and beach closures due to sewage contamination and dangerous bacteria levels during the summer swimming season.

The article highlights 20 scientific breakthroughs that were initially dismissed by experts but later proven correct, including continental drift, germ theory, and the bacterial cause of ulcers.

A swimming advisory has been issued for three beaches in Norfolk due to high levels of bacteria in the water, as reported by the Norfolk Department of Public Health. The advisory urges the public to avoid swimming at these locations until further notice.

Barton Springs is closed following storms as murky water raises concerns about algae and bacteria levels. Officials warn that storm runoff may worsen conditions, with potential for improvement in up to a week.

CRISPR, short for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, is an immune system evolved in bacteria to defend against viral threats. It functions by snipping and storing fragments of viral DNA in the CRISPR region for future defense.

The gut contains trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The article explores the role and presence of these microorganisms within the human gut.

Around 2.4 billion years ago, bacteria evolved to harness solar energy, splitting water molecules to create sugars and releasing oxygen into Earth's atmosphere, fundamentally altering life's trajectory. This evolutionary leap enabled the conversion of sunlight into chemical energy, forming the basis of photosynthesis.

A study found that mice with higher gut bacteria concentrations exhibited early, strong inflammatory responses, suggesting a link between gut microbiota and sepsis susceptibility. Scientists are exploring gut bacteria's role in determining who develops sepsis.

Bacteria found in Target baby wipes could be life-threatening to infants, leading to a nationwide recall as announced by the FDA.

Necropsy reports from sloths imported by a planned Orlando tourist attraction in Florida revealed animals stressed and infected with bacteria, parasites, and viruses. Scientists warn that the wildlife trade poses a risk to human health, as shown by the mass sloth deaths.

Target is voluntarily recalling two types of its generic brand baby wipes after testing found bacteria that could cause life-threatening sepsis.

Google is seeking federal approval to release 32 million bacteria-infected, non-biting mosquitoes in California to combat dengue. The project aims to address the state's mosquito problem through a scientific intervention.

Researchers found bacteria that lived in Ötzi's gut and cold-tolerant fungi that colonized his body after death. The microbes were identified from the 5300-year-old mummified remains.

A bacterial protein has been found to copy DNA in a way that differs from the universal method used by all other cells. Scientists observed this unique process, which challenges existing understanding of DNA replication.

Tiny microbes in marine fish guts may help produce calcium carbonate, a mineral critical for ocean health and carbon storage. The discovery reveals a partnership between fish and bacteria, challenging previous beliefs that fish alone managed this process.

A Chinese scientific team discovered a previously unknown, thriving 'garden-like' ecosystem in the deepest ocean trenches, which relies on organic debris from above. The extreme environment, characterized by crushing pressure, perpetual darkness, and freezing temperatures, was previously thought to support only a few species like anemones, sponges, or bacteria.

A study reveals vitamin D2 supplements may decrease levels of vitamin D3, the more effective form of vitamin D, which plays a unique role in immune system function against viruses and bacteria. Researchers are reconsidering vitamin D3 as the preferred supplement choice.

Synthetic biologists are engineering bacteria to clean up pollution by feasting on oil, plastic and toxic chemicals. This innovative approach could be the future of pollution clean-up. The research was published in Nature.

J. Craig Venter, a microbiologist known for mapping the human genetic code, announced in 2010 that his team created the first synthetic species, a bacteria with man-made DNA. Venter, profiled by Steve Kroft on 60 Minutes, died at age 79.

Scientists have engineered bacteria to function with 19 amino acids instead of the usual 20, using AI-guided redesign of their protein alphabet. This breakthrough could enable new methods for creating synthetic organisms.

Scientists discovered that bacteria use gene transfer agents (GTAs) to spread antibiotic resistance by bursting open and releasing DNA-packed particles. The process is controlled by a trio of genes called LypABC, which trigger cell rupture to shuttle genetic material between neighboring cells.

Southern California beaches may become hazardous after rain due to runoff containing bacteria, chemicals, and trash, officials warn. Contamination from rainwater can pose health risks by introducing harmful substances into ocean and bay waters.

A study suggests that diets rich in casein from dairy and wheat gluten can significantly reduce cholera infections by disabling a key bacterial weapon.

Two research teams analyzed bacterial genomic data to develop databases of antiviral defense proteins, which could advance biotechnology. This discovery highlights potential for creating powerful molecular tools inspired by natural defenses.