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Category Archives: Environmental Microbiology
Podcast: Does air pollution make bacteria more dangerous?
Air pollution is a big problem. It’s our single largest environmental health risk, and causes an eighth of all global deaths worldwide. We know that air pollution increases respiratory diseases and the risk of infections like pneumonia. But now, new … Continue reading
Pioneer fungi start degrading dead wood before it hits the ground
Next time you go walking in a forest during the summer months, take a look up and see if you can spot any branches missing their leaves. It might not seem obvious at first, but you’re looking at a poorly … Continue reading
Podcast: Antarctic microbes from Scott’s Discovery Expedition
In 1901, Captain Robert Falcon Scott led a team of men on the Discovery Expedition to explore the mysteries of Antarctica. The expedition is famous for its scientific legacy, including the discovery of snow-free valleys, emperor penguin colonies and the … Continue reading
In New York State, bats are showing signs of recovery from white-nose syndrome
Bats in North America are in trouble. Millions of them have died over the past few years, over an area that stretches for thousands of miles, from Nova Scotia in Eastern Canada to Nebraska in the heart of North America. … Continue reading
Posted in Animal Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology, Mycology
Tagged White-nose syndrome
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Streptomyces: bacterial explorers
Streptomyces bacteria are some of the most studied microbes on the planet. This genus of soil-dwelling organisms is best known for being prolific producers of many of the antibiotics that we use clinically. However, despite 70 years of study, they … Continue reading
Drumming up disease? Anthrax and African drum hides
In 2006, a man in Scotland died from the first case of anthrax in Britain for 32 years. Then, in 2008, a man in London was fatally infected with the same disease. The properties of both men were sealed up … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental Microbiology, Microbial Evolution and Diversity
Tagged african drums, Anthrax, djembe, hides, infection
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Testing the waters: Legionnaires’ disease and the Olympics
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be exploring the molecular methods that enable scientists to investigate disease outbreaks, often in real time. This week, research from the Journal of Medical Microbiology on dealing with outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease. Water was a big topic of conversation at the Olympics … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental Microbiology, Epidemiology
Tagged bacterium, Legionella, Legionnaires' disease, olympics, swimming pool, Water
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Cows on antibiotics release more methane from their dung
It’s a well-known fact that cattle and other livestock are responsible for releasing greenhouse gases like methane into the atmosphere. However, contrary to popular belief, it’s actually bovine burps, not farts, that are to blame. Methane from belching is a … Continue reading
Posted in Animal Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology
Tagged Antibiotics, climate change, Cows, dung, dung beetle, greenhouse gas, Methane, Microbiome
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Is Antarctic wildlife at risk from human E. coli?
Antarctica is the only continent on Earth without a native human population. But at any one time, there are still thousands of people living there, most of them scientists. During the course of their research, it’s inevitable that these scientists … Continue reading
Posted in Animal Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology
Tagged Antarctica, E. coli, integrons, Penguins, pollution, seals, sewage
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Can we use models to predict virus outbreaks?
Professor Matthew Baylis from the University of Liverpool will talk about his predictions for future impacts of climate change on infectious diseases of animals at the Microbiology Society Annual Conference today (21 March). If we can anticipate what will happen … Continue reading