C-section babies have a different microbiome – but not for long

Babies born by caesarean section have different gut bacteria to those born vaginally – but the differences largely disappear after six to nine months Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2216818-c-section-babies-have-a-different-microbiome-but-not-for-long/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…

Gut feeling: How a healthy microbiome helps beat stress and lift mood

The microbes in our guts have a surprising influence on our brains. Now we’re understanding why – and how to use them to combat anxiety, stress and depression Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24332460-500-gut-feeling-how-a-healthy-microbiome-helps-beat-stress-and-lift-mood/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…

Red wine drinkers have more diverse gut bacteria than other drinkers

Drinking red wine may be better for your microbiome than drinking other types of alcohol, according to a study of 3000 people Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2214561-red-wine-drinkers-have-more-diverse-gut-bacteria-than-other-drinkers/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…

Spaceflight consistently affects the gut

A new Northwestern University study discovered that spaceflight—both aboard a space shuttle or the International Space Station (ISS)—has a consistent effect on the gut microbiome Source: https://phys.org/news/2019-08-spaceflight-affects-gut.html…

Possible Link Found Between Body Weight and the Immune System

The Atlantic talked to Lora Hooper, chair of the immunology department at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, one of the researchers investigating gut microbes, inflammation, and what may be a very important connection. They note that the rise of antibiotic usage among humans “coincides with the obesity epidemic.” This could be a spurious correlation, of course — lots of…

A new study challenges the idea that the placenta has a microbiome

A large study of more than 500 women finds little evidence of microbes in the placenta, contrary to previous reports on the placental microbiome. Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/new-study-challenges-idea-placenta-microbiome-bacteria4…

The human placenta may not have a microbiome after all

Recent evidence that the placenta has its own community of microbes is now uncertain as it seems the experiments were corrupted by contamination Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2211529-the-human-placenta-may-not-have-a-microbiome-after-all/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…

Immune system defects seem to contribute to obesity in mice

Subtle defects affecting T cells altered the animals’ microbiome and fat absorption, providing hints of what might also be going on in people. Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/immune-system-defects-seem-contribute-obesity-mice4…

Performance-Enhancing Bacteria Has a Symbiotic Relationship With Athletes

Long-time Slashdot reader tomhath shares some big bacteria news from Harvard Medical School:
Researchers from Joslin Diabetes Center determined Veillonella metabolizes lactic acid produced by exercise and converts it into propionate, a short chain fatty acid. The human body then utilizes that propionate to improve exercise capacity… “It creates this positive feedback loop. The host is producing something that this particular microbe…