It's an oft-cited strange-but-true fact: There are as many bacteria in your gut as there are other cells in your body. This community of microbes (not just bacteria, but viruses, fungi, archaea, and ...

Microorganisms produce a wide variety of natural products that can be used as active ingredients to treat diseases such as infections or cancer. The blueprints for these molecules can be found in the ...

Decades of research has shown promise for using microbiome science to solve several problems facing agriculture, but these ...

Earth's bacteria are evolving to survive in space. Several strains sourced from the International Space Station (ISS) differed from the same strains on Earth, having qualities specifically adapted to ...

When we talk about microbiota, we usually think of the one inhabiting our gut. But there is another, less known and equally vital: the plant microbiota. In an article featured on the cover of Science, ...

Scientists have discovered a new type of immune defense in E. coli bacteria that turns viral infection machinery against the virus itself. Named after the Chinese military strategist Kongming—who ...

Colibactin is a powerful toxin produced by Escherichia coli and other bacteria living in the human gut. This highly unstable bacterial product causes mutations in DNA that have been linked to ...

Using microorganisms, researchers have successfully developed a new bio-based plastic to replace conventional plastic. Poly(ester amide) amide is a next-generation material that combines the ...

Scientists may soon turn to bacteria originally found in feces to help cure chronic wounds more quickly. An open wound, for example, is a perfect little breeding pool for bacteria. But not all ...

Kidney stones have plagued humans since antiquity, yet despite our long history with them, we've apparently overlooked a key ...

Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The tiny world of microorganisms is full of microbes competing in ...

Bacteria have been around for billions of years. Could they have come up with complex behaviors that we just don’t understand yet? Could they have their own language? Their own culture? Their own ...