Billions of bacteria, archaea, fungi and viruses live in the vagina. But relatively little is known about these microbes and how they affect overall health.
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Health & Medicine
These scientists have a plan to demystify the vaginal microbiome
Vaginal microbes play a huge role in overall health, but researchers know relatively little about them. Citizen science could help change that.
Microbes
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A fluffy, orange fungus could transform food waste into tasty dishes
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In experiments, scientists have found that gut bacteria can have an effect on mice’s desire for sugar. Some companies claim probiotics can have the same effect in people.
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Alkaloid chemicals bathe the skins of poison dart frogs (such as the diablito (Oophaga sylvatica) of Ecuador, shown). Some microbes seem to thrive in — and even feed off — the powerful toxins.
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Sundew plants with Acrodontium crateriforme fungus living on them can digest their trapped insect prey much faster than those with sterile leaves, thanks to an acidic and enzymatic boost.
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The amoeba Strigomyxa ruptor (large yellow-orange cell) engulfs its prey, a Closterium alga (elongated green cell). Unlike all known protists, the amoeba splits open its prey, extracts and consumes the innards, and ejects the undigested cell walls.
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Biophysicist Hawa Racine Thiam wants to understand the physical rules that shape cell behavior.
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Dionna Williams explores how drugs of addiction, HIV infection and antiretroviral drugs play off each other to affect people’s health.
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One of the most common bacteria in dental plaque is Corynebacterium matruchotii (one colony, shown). And it has a unique form of cell division, splitting into as many 14 cells at a time.
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Brains are usually thought of as a bacteria-free zone. But that’s not the case for certain fish, including rainbow trout (illustrated) and other species in the salmon family.
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The fungus Neurospora intermedia (orange-colored powder) transformed a bland rice custard into a fruity treat, served at a top restaurant in Copenhagen. New research shows how the fungus can also transform food waste into tasty morsels.
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