Heart surgery in newborns and infants can really shake things up inside their bodies. This is especially true for the tiny ecosystem living in their guts, known as the microbiome. This microbiome is a big deal. It helps turn a substance called tryptophan into various compounds, known as indole metabolites. These compounds are crucial for keeping the gut lining strong...
The mouth is a bustling city of tiny organisms. These are not the kind of residents you can see with the naked eye. They are bacteria, and they make up what is known as the oral microbiome. This microbiome is believed to be crucial for human health. Yet, there is a surprising lack of detailed studies about it in the general population. The oral microbiome is a compl...
Coral reefs are in trouble. Diseases are hitting them hard and often. To fight back, scientists are using antibiotics. These medicines can stop diseases from spreading. However, there is a catch. Antibiotics do not just attack the bad stuff. They also change the good bacteria living on corals. These good bacteria are crucial for coral health. So, what happens when an...
The world of forensics is buzzing with the potential of microbiome research. This isn't about gut health or probiotics. It's about using the unique mix of microbes living on and in our bodies to solve crimes. Think of it as a microscopic fingerprint, but one that can reveal more than just identity. It can tell us what body fluid we're dealing with, even in messy, rea...
The effects of climate change are complex and far-reaching. One of the lesser-known impacts is on the tiny world of microbes that live on the leaves of plants, known as the phyllosphere. This is especially true for highland barley, a crucial crop in Tibet. Recent experiments in Lhasa have shown that warmer temperatures can significantly reduce barley yields. The ...
Infant gut health is a hot topic. The way a baby's gut develops in the first six months of life can be influenced by many factors. One of these factors is the mother's weight. This is a big deal because it can affect the baby's health in the long run. Let's dive in and see how this works. First off, the gut microbiome is like a tiny ecosystem living in the diges...
The world of doggy bacteria is a fascinating one. It is often said that a healthy vaginal microbiome is key to successful breeding and healthy puppies. This is because the bacteria living in a dog's vagina can affect their fertility. In the past, scientists mostly looked at these bacteria using old-school methods. These methods only showed a small part of the pic...
Endometriosis is a long-term health issue that impacts many women worldwide. It often brings along troublesome symptoms that mess with sleep. Recent findings hint that the gut microbiome, the community of bacteria in our gut, plays a big role in how well we sleep. This research dives into the connection between gut bacteria and sleep quality in women with endometrios...
The skin is a living shield that protects the body from infections. For soldiers, this shield faces unique tests. Military training, especially outdoor exercises, can change the bacteria living on a soldier's skin. This change happens due to the tough conditions and limited hygiene during training. A study looked at how a 10-day military exercise affected the skin ba...
The liver is often seen as a stand-alone organ, but it's deeply connected to the gut. This link, known as the gut-liver axis, is crucial in understanding nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is a growing health issue, and recent studies show that gut bacteria play a significant role in its development and progression. Gut bacteria, or microbiota, help...