Vaginal bacteria may eat HIV prevention drugs and leave women at risk

Differences in the vaginal microbiome may leave some women at a greater risk of contracting HIV because certain microbes metabolise HIV prevention drugs Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2261431-vaginal-bacteria-may-eat-hiv-prevention-drugs-and-leave-women-at-risk/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…

Potent new antifungal discovered in the microbiome of marine animals

A new antifungal compound that is effective against multidrug-resistant fungi has been isolated from bacteria living in filter-feeding marine animals called sea squirts Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2260392-potent-new-antifungal-discovered-in-the-microbiome-of-marine-animals/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…

Daycares In Finland Built a ‘Forest Floor,’ and It Changed Children’s Immune Systems

omfglearntoplay shares a report from ScienceAlert: Playing through the greenery and litter of a mini forest’s undergrowth for just one month may be enough to change a child’s immune system, according to a small new experiment. When daycare workers in Finland rolled out a lawn, planted forest undergrowth such as dwarf heather and blueberries, and allowed children to care for crops…

Searching for habitable exoplanets? Look for phosphorus

Scientists develop a new way to search for potentially habitable exoplanets by measuring the amount of phosphorus in their stars. Such planets should also have abundant phosphorus – necessary for life on Earth – increasing the chances for life. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/phosphorus-in-stars-and-biomarker-habitable-exoplanets…

The microbiome: How gut bacteria regulate our health

Our video series Science with Sam explains how the community of microorganisms inside our bodies can keep us healthy or make us ill Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2254471-the-microbiome-how-gut-bacteria-regulate-our-health/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…

Cancer tumour microbiome may predict a person’s chances of survival

The microbes embedded in a tumour seem to influence how a person’s cancer will develop and how well they will respond to treatment Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2252636-cancer-tumour-microbiome-may-predict-a-persons-chances-of-survival/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…

A sugary diet changes gut bacteria and worsens brain function in rats

Rats fed a sugar syrup early in life develop an unusual gut microbiome that seems to worsen the rodents’ memories by changing the way their brains work Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2247788-a-sugary-diet-changes-gut-bacteria-and-worsens-brain-function-in-rats/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…

Genetically modified microbiome could protect honeybees from disease

Modifying bacteria found in the guts of bees could help protect the insects against lethal infections affecting hives worldwide Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2231995-genetically-modified-microbiome-could-protect-honeybees-from-disease/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…