A pill made from gut bacteria is being tested by British scientists as a treatment for coronavirus. In a trial launched today, patients will be given either the medication, which contains a strain of gut bacteria found to reduce damage to lung tissue caused by inflammation. Patients often become seriously ill when their immune system … Read more
Researchers identify 13-million-year-old bacteria in permafrost samples collected in the Swiss Alps, which could be used in bioreactors to break down plastic waste Swiss researchers have discovered a new species of bacteria in the Swiss Alps It was found in permafrost samples and is believed to be 13million years old The team describes permafrost as … Read more
Feeding coral reefs a dose of ‘good’ probiotic bacteria helps them tolerate rising ocean temperatures, new research shows. Scientists say they’ve proved for the first time that feeding corals beneficial probiotics increases their overall health and improves their chances of survival during heat stress. In lab tests, corals that were fed beneficial microorganisms – much like … Read more
Scientists have developed plant ‘probiotics’ that help fight disease without the use of expensive pesticides. UK researchers say beneficial bacteria in soil supports plants’ immune systems in a similar way to positive gut bacteria in humans. By injecting probiotics into a plant’s growth medium, they hope to create ideal growing conditions year-round for herbs, fruits … Read more
So THAT is why an apple a day is good for you! The fruit contains 100MILLION bacteria including healthy probiotics – but 90% of them are found in the core Researchers in Austria compared organically grown apples to shop-bought ones They suggest 10million bacteria are in the apple’s flesh, with most in the core Organic … Read more
Mother Nature seems to be releasing her fury on the US – first murderous hornets, then giant lizards and now a deadly plant bacteria. Greenhouses in Michigan have been ordered to destroy any Fantasia Pink Flare geraniums imported from Guatemala, as the flowers are carrying a bacteria that could threaten food crops across the nation. The … Read more
Statins may reduce the amount of harmful microbiota in the guts of obese people, according to a new study. Scientists have found that a type of gut bacteria known as Bact2 is far more common in obese people. These microbes are seen in just 3.9 per cent of lean individuals, but are present in more than … Read more
Bugs found in food and water may help to cause type 2 diabetes in people who are obese. Almost four million people in the UK have diabetes, and most have type 2 diabetes, for which the major cause is obesity and bad diet. But now a study suggests bacteria in the environment may play a … Read more
A new air filter may be able to kill bacteria and viruses floating in the air in the blink of an eye. The device uses ‘non-thermal plasma’ (NTP), a gas which causes molecules to react with oxygen to create ozone. Ozone is known to be anti-bacterial and destroys pathogens by rupturing their cell walls. But … Read more
A common type of gut bacteria may play a role in the development of bowel cancer, research suggests. An international team of scientists have shown that a toxin released by a strain of E.coli – a dangerous bacteria usually found in the lower intestine – causes unique ‘fingerprints’ of DNA damage to the cells lining the … Read more