Dopamine signals may guide migration of immune cells to infection sites
Dopamine may play a role in activating immune cells to migrate in the early stages of infection.... Read More...
bacteria
Compound in breast milk fights harmful bacteria
Glycerol monolaurate (GML), a compound found in human breast milk, fights against the effects of harmful bacteria while allowing beneficial bacteria to thrive. GML also inhibits inflammation in epithelial cells, helping to prevent both bacterial and viral infections of the gut. GML is 200 times higher in human breast milk than cow milk. Researchers propose adding GML to infant formula and cow milk given to small children.... Read More...
Gut microbes protect against neurologic damage from viral infections
A healthy and diverse microbiome is essential for quickly clearing viral infections in the nervous system to prevent risks associated with multiple sclerosis. Mice with lower gut bacteria had weaker immune responses and were unable to eliminate viruses, leading to worsening paralysis. Those treated with antibiotics before infection had fewer microglia. ... Read More...
The human microbiome is a treasure trove waiting to be unlocked
Understanding the complexity of the human microbiome may help unlock mysteries behind health and psychological illnesses.... Read More...
Healthy fat hidden in dirt may fend off anxiety disorders
10(Z)-hexadecenoic acid, a fatty acid found in the soil based bacterium Mycobacterium vaccae, interacts with immune cells to inhibit pathways that drive inflammation and increases resilience to stress. Researchers say the findings could bring us one step closer to developing a microbe-based "stress vaccine".... Read More...
Being sick in the morning can be different from being sick at night
Our circadian rhythm may explain why we are more prone to different health conditions at different points throughout the day.... Read More...
Gum Disease Bacteria Implicated in Alzheimer’s Disease
Researchers have implicated Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacteria commonly associated with gum disease, in Alzheimer's pathology. The study reports oral Pg infections leads to a colonization and increased production of amyloid beta.... Read More...
CRISPR Repurposed to Develop Better Antibiotics
Researchers re-purposed CRISPR gene editing technology to study genes targeted by particular antibiotics. The study sheds light on how pharmacologists can improve existing antibiotics and develop new ones. ... Read More...
New Bacteria Discovered in Human Blood
Researchers have identified two new species of bacteria in the blood of patients in China. The bacterias are in the Enterobacter genus and are resistant to multiple antibiotics. Enterobacter has previously been linked to meningitis and other serious medical conditions.... Read More...
Modeling the Microbiome
Researchers have developed a new mathematical model that analyzes the interactions between gut bacteria.... Read More...
Periodontal Disease Bacteria May Kick Start Alzheimer’s
A new mouse study reveals long term exposure to bacteria associated with periodontal disease causes neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, leading to similar effects of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers report periodontal disease may be an initiator of Alzheimer's.... Read More...
Know Someone Sick? Your Own Smell Might Give it Away
Researchers report the personal odors of healthy animals change when they share an environment with a sick animal. The findings suggest these changes could impact social contact and patterns of disease spread. ... Read More...