microbiome

Microbial diversity could be a factor in premature births.

Health & Safety

Microbe Mix May Play Role In Preterm Birth Risk

9:15am September 14, 2015

by Rob Stein

A small study found that women with diverse microorganisms in their birth canals were more likely to give birth before their babies reached full term than women with less microbial variety.

Bacillus subtilis may look like pasta under the microscope, but the bacteria are common in the gut of humans. Could the microbes be contributing to our belly fat? Too soon to tell, scientists say.

Does This Phylum Make Me Look Fat?

10:35am August 20, 2015

by Katherine Harmon Courage

The relationship between the types of microbes in our gut and belly fat is turning out to be a lot more complicated than scientists first thought.

C. difficile bacteria, shown in yellow, are common in hospitals and nursing homes, and very difficult to treat.

Spore Wars Help Fend Off Life-Threatening Bacterial Infections

11:42am May 05, 2015

by Nancy Shute

Infections with C. difficile are a big problem for people in hospitals and nursing homes. An experimental treatment with spores from a harmless version of the bacterium prevented new infections.

Compared with Americans' digestive tracts, Yanomamis' teem with life, like a lush, tropical rain forest.

How Modern Life Depletes Our Gut Microbes

3:03pm April 21, 2015

by Michaeleen Doucleff

For the first time, scientists have looked at the microbiome of an isolated Amazon tribe. The study finds that the Western lifestyle has wiped dozens of species out of American guts.

During the first year of life, a baby's gut will become home to about 1,000 species of bacteria.

Bundle Of Joyful Microbes: Mom's DNA Alters Baby's Gut Bacteria

8:35pm April 10, 2015

by Michaeleen Doucleff

Babies have a microbe in their gut that prevents infections and helps the immune system. But not all infants get the bacteria at the same time, or in the same amount. Scientists have figured out why.

While you're resting, your armpit bacteria are hard at work pumping out stinky thioalcohols.

Meet The Bacteria That Make A Stink In Your Pits

5:51pm April 02, 2015

by Poncie Rutsch

Scientists say they've identified the bacteria that emit that rank smell after a hard workout. Future deodorants might target that bad actor rather than blocking sweat glands or nuking all bacteria.

Feces contain digested food residue and a wide variety of microorganisms, mostly bacteria, that are adapted to life in the intestines. The gases the microbes produce could help doctors and scientists track and understand changes related to health.

Before The Gas Is Passed, Researchers Aim To Measure It In The Gut

8:40am March 16, 2015

by Angus Chen

As people's health waxes or wanes because of stress or disease, their intestinal ecosystems change, too. It may be possible someday to diagnose disease by analyzing the gas the microbes make.

Kids, Allergies And A Possible Downside To Squeaky Clean Dishes

6:45pm February 24, 2015

by Rob Stein

Swedish kids growing up in families that wash their dishes by hand are less likely to develop certain allergies than those in families with dishwashers, a study suggests. But there may be more to it.

Queue Listen Now

The Pseudomonas stutzeri bacterium, commonly found in soil, was the most prevalent subway microbe. Lower Manhattan was its prime hangout.

What Microbes Lurk In The Subways Of New York? Mysteries Abound

1:53pm February 09, 2015

by Nancy Shute

Think expedition to the rain forest, but one where you'll need a MetroCard to get around. The microbial life of the New York subways turns out to be as rich, odd and confounding as the city itself.

Biologist Rob Knight, co-founder of the American Gut Project, recently moved the project to the University of California, San Diego's School of Medicine.

One Scientist's Race To Help Microbes Help You

8:26am January 20, 2015

by Katherine Harmon Courage

Moving the American Gut Project to a biotech hub like San Diego may speed the jump from basic research to real treatments. At least that's microbe tracker Rob Knight's plan.