Tumgik
#microbiome
willowreader · 2 days
Text
A good article reminding everyone to eat healthy to protect your microbiome. There are foods everyone should eat to make your microbiome much healthier.
27 notes · View notes
reasonsforhope · 5 months
Text
"A company in France has developed genetically-enhanced houseplants that remove 30 times more indoor air pollutants than your normal ficus.
Paint, treated wood, household cleaners, insulation, unseen mold—there is a shopping list of things that can fill the air you breathe in your home with VOCs or volatile organic compounds. These include formaldehyde and other airborne substances that can cause inflammation and irritation in the body.
The best way to tackle this little-discussed private health problem is by keeping good outdoor airflow into your living spaces, but in the dog days of summer or the depths of a Maine winter, that might not be possible.
Houseplants can remove these pollutants from the air, and so the company Neoplants decided to make simple alterations to these species’ genetic makeup to supercharge this cleaning ability.
In particular, houseplants’ natural ability to absorb pollutants like formaldehyde relies on them storing them as toxins to be excreted later.
French scientists and Neoplants’ co-founders Lionel Mora and Patrick Torbey engineered a houseplant to convert them instead to plant matter. They also took aim at the natural microbiome of houseplants to enhance their ability to absorb and process VOCs as well.
The company’s first offering—the Neo P1—is a Devil’s ivy plant that sits on a custom-designed tall stand that both maximizes its air-cleaning properties and allows it to be watered far less often.
Initial testing, conducted by the Ecole Mines-Telecom of Lille University, shows that if you do choose to shell out the $179 for the Neo P1, it’s as if you were buying 30 houseplants. Of course, if you went for the budget route of 30 houseplants, you’d have to water them all.
The founders pointed out in an interview done with Forbes last year that once they settled on the species and fixed the winning genetic phenotype, the next part of the process was just raising plants, the same activity done in every nursery and florist in every town in Europe."
Deliveries for the P1 are estimated for August 2024.
-via Good News Network, November 6, 2023
--
Note: I'm not a plant biologist, but if this works the way the company's white paper says it does, holy genetic engineering, Batman.
(Would love to hear thoughts from anyone who is a plant biologist or other relevant field!)
549 notes · View notes
sidewalkchemistry · 10 months
Text
simple skincare tips!
🌼eat the foods that love you back. your skin is a direct mirror of your internal situation. if your digestive system is being bombarded often by foods that create a lot of wastes and residues, that does more harm than good. and so, the struggle to eliminate them will be reflected in your skin. your diet constitutes the vast majority of your skin health. change your meals to be whole food plant based (still delicious, satisfying, and exciting) & watch your skin glow and your skincare routine simplify.
🌼be conscious of what's going on your skin. the skin layers can be over-cleansed, imbalanced, and aggravated when the skin microbiome and pH are disrupted. if you wipe out the beneficial bacterial populations with harshly formulated products, you may find that you break out (i.e. harmful bacterial populations begin to thrive). use gentle, simple skin formulas such as castile soaps, natural oils & butters (i recommend jojoba oil for mostly everyone), natural soap bars, and clays. most commercial skin care products disturb the skin cells (introduce too much foreign material to the body, unsuitable pH ranges, imbalance the microbiome, etc). they sell because it's convention to buy them, the brands are well-known, and their sales pitches are enticing. but really, no cream or serum will ever be the magic potion your skin was asking for. it will only be a band-aid, at best. truly healthy skin comes from diet, and the products are just for any other necessary maintenance. if you get a pimple, you should look first to why the pimple emerged, not what treatment will remove it.
🌼keep your lymph flowing. simple ways to do this are through good lifestyle habits. things like doing exercise & sports you find fun, breathwork, dry brushing, eating lots of fruit, avoiding wearing bras & other tight clothing items, lymphatic massage/gua sha can all be helpful.
🌼focus on hydration via fresh fruits and veggies. the water within plant foods is more useable to your cells, and your skin will cease being overly oily or dry overtime (especially if you reduce/eliminate your salt & oil intake). it will also help to encourage lymphatic flow, so you can see problems like blemishes, cellulite, old scars diminish after great consistency.
🌼allow your skin to breathe. this is especially good if you spend time in stuffy (poorly ventilated) indoor environments, like offices, hospitals, planes, etc. one great way is via herbal facial steaming (i recommend it 3x a week or so). make a hot infusion of an aromatic tea, cover it and allow it to cool a few minutes, and, with closed eyes, allow the pores to open and receive the herbal medicine (this is a great time to meditate, manifest, and just feel pampered). getting more fresh air, working up a sweat, and going to a sauna are also ways to allow your skin to breathe.
🌼avoid steroid prescriptions creams at all costs. they are very deleterious to health in the long term, and they can be very painful to come off of. it's not a real fix. it's not worth hurting your kidneys & adrenals for. evaluate your diet instead. do you eat dairy? choose plant-based dairy options instead (they're simple to make yourself too). do you eat a lot of fats? try oil-free cooking methods instead (opt for sautéing with a bit of water, baking, steaming, air frying, etc). avoiding eating out as much.
🌼be aware of what you're putting in your hair as well. your shampoos, conditioner, leave-ins, gels, moisturizers, oils, serums, etc all tend to touch your face too, when your hair touches your face. if they wouldn't be good enough to put on your face, don't put them in your hair. a lot of the best skin cleansers are also suitable as shampoos. a lot of oils and butters can be used for both. plant-based gels like aloe vera or flax seed are simple to DIY, and are dual-use once again. basically, this will simplify your life.
🌼understand the water that runs through your pipes. if your shower and tap water are like most people's around the world, they aren't optimal for our skin. for example, they contain added chemicals to sanitize the water but that can prevent the proper microbiomes from developing on your skin. a weak skin microbiome is prone to skin issues. so, try to use distilled water on your face (if you're not able to get a water filter, a gallon jug at a store is affordable. they're about $1.30 USD in my area).
225 notes · View notes
cbirt · 9 days
Link
In the vast and intricate realm of metagenomics, where microbial communities unveil a wealth of biomedical knowledge, a groundbreaking development has emerged. Scientists from Pennsylvania State University introduced MetagenomicKG, a new knowledge graph built to take the exploration of metagenomic data to unprecedented heights. This revolutionary resource has the potential to change how researchers address the complexity of microbial ecosystems and provides a comprehensive and interconnected framework tailored to the unique needs of this emerging field.
The large amount and diversity of genomic content in microbial communities make metagenomics an affluent area of ​​biomedical knowledge. However, traversing these complex societies and their vast unknowns often depends on a variety of reference libraries, each with a specific analytical purpose. From the Genome Taxonomy Database (GTDB) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) to the Bacteria and Viruses Bioinformatics Resource Center (BV-BRC), these repositories are essential for the genetic and functional annotation of microbial communities.
Despite their valuable contributions, inconsistent nomenclature or identifiers between these repositories present challenges for effective integration, representation, and use. Enter the Knowledge Graph, a powerful solution that organizes biological entities and their relationships into a coherent network, revealing hidden patterns and enriching our biological understanding with deeper insights.
Continue Reading
28 notes · View notes
th3-0bjectivist · 5 months
Text
Tumblr media
“Petri Dish” - Acrylic paint on canvas
62 notes · View notes
science-lover33 · 7 months
Text
The Human Microbiome: Your Body's Little Ecosystem
Within each of us exists a fantastic and complex microscopic universe known as the human microbiome. This ecosystem of microorganisms that inhabits our body plays a fundamental role in health and homeostasis. Today, we will fully explore this fascinating microbial world and its influence on our physiology.
What is the Human Microbiome?
The human microbiome is a profoundly intricate biological system integral to our health and well-being. This term, "the human microbiome," encompasses a diverse consortium of microorganisms that have firmly established themselves within and upon our bodies. This assemblage comprises a wide array of microorganisms, encompassing bacteria, viruses, fungi, and various other microbes, each with their specialized ecological niches within our anatomy.
Upon a deeper examination of the human microbiome, we uncover a meticulously organized distribution of these microorganisms. They do not merely coexist haphazardly within us; instead, they strategically colonize specific regions of our body. For instance, they form robust communities within the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in the gut harboring a densely populated microcosm. Similarly, they stake their claim on our skin, and even the respiratory tract serves as a habitat for these microbial entities.
The human microbiome's remarkable aspect lies in the intricate and dynamic interactions it maintains with our own organism. These microorganisms are not passive bystanders; they are active participants in the intricate orchestra of physiological processes. They exert influence over our digestion, bolster our immune system, and wield the potential to affect our mental and cognitive faculties. This complex web of symbiotic relationships between our human cells and these microorganisms constitutes an ever-evolving interplay that exerts a profound impact on our overall health.
The human microbiome is not a mere collection of microbes; it is an entire ecosystem nestled within us, a thriving and dynamic world with the potential to significantly modulate our health. Comprehending the intricacies and subtleties of this microscopic community represents an ongoing and critical pursuit in the realms of scientific and medical research, with profound implications for the fields of medicine and biology.
Solid Scientific Evidence
To support the importance of the human microbiome, here are three relevant scientific references:
Title: "The Human Microbiome: A Key Contributor to Health." Autores: Sender, R., Fuchs, S., & Milo, R. Revista: Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 2016. Abstract: This article reviews the role of the human microbiome in health and disease, highlighting its influence on digestion, immunity, and nutrient synthesis. It also emphasizes its contribution to metabolic and autoimmune diseases.
Títle: "The Human Microbiome: Gut Microbiota and Health." Autores: Marchesi, J. R., Adams, D. H., Fava, F., Hermes, G. D., Hirschfield, G. M., Hold, G., ... & Rook, G. A. Revista: The Journal of Infection, 2016. Abstract: This study focuses on the intestinal microbiota and its relationship with human health. Explore how alterations in the microbiome can contribute to gastrointestinal, inflammatory, and metabolic disorders.
Títle"The Skin Microbiome: Impact of Modern Environments on Skin Ecology, Barrier Integrity, and Systemic Immune Programming." Autores: Kong, H. H., Andersson, B., & Clavel, T. Revista: World Allergy Organization Journal, 2016. Summary: This article examines the skin microbiome's influence on skin health and immune response. It highlights how modern environmental factors can upset the microbial balance and affect the skin's health.
Future perspectives
Studying the human microbiome is a constantly evolving field that promises new therapeutic strategies and a deeper understanding of human health. As we continue to investigate this small ecosystem, doors are opening to personalized interventions to promote health and prevent disease.
Would you like to learn more about this fascinating subject? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments!
Tumblr media
69 notes · View notes
mindblowingscience · 1 year
Link
The largest and most diverse review to date has found evidence that who you live with and who you were raised by could have a greater impact on your microbiome than some lifestyle factors, age, or even genetics.
If the findings are right, then the trillions of microbes that call our bodies home could be more contagious than we've realized. And that could have serious implications for public health.
The research led by microbiologist Nicola Segata from the University of Trento in Italy falls short of showing how microbes directly jump from one individual to another, instead illustrating just how much of our gut and mouth bacteria is shared with those around us.
Social interactions, the authors conclude, could help shape an individual's community of microbes, and that, in turn, could "have a role in microbiome-associated diseases".
Continue Reading
228 notes · View notes
lookingforcactus · 1 year
Link
“How do you supercharge vegetation growth for a reforestation project? Bring in the microorganisms.
That’s the finding from a new study, which shows that incorporating a microbial community of fungi, bacteria, algae and archaea into ecosystem restoration can accelerate plant biomass production by 64% on average.
Researchers say this application holds plenty of promise for restoration work in Southeast Asia, where large swaths of once-forested landscapes have been degraded for large-scale agriculture.
Soil microbiome like fungi carry out a critical task known as soil transplant, moving soil and associated microbial communities from one location to another. But they’re often overlooked in conservation and restoration efforts, said study lead author Colin Averill, a senior microbial and ecosystem scientist at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, or ETH Zürich.
“When we think to plant a tree, we never think to ‘plant’ the microbiome, right? But what if we did?” Averill told Mongabay.
To find out how big a role the microbiome plays in ecosystem restoration, Averill and colleagues from ETH Zürich, the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague and Vrije Universiteit in the Netherlands pored over the date from 27 restoration projects that incorporated microbial restoration.
Their study, published in the journal Nature Microbiology, found that across all the restoration works, there was an average of 64% increase of plant growth. In one case, plant growth was stimulated by 700%.
The study shows that incorporating the microbiome in managed landscapes like farmland and forestry concessions has the greatest potential. This is because managed landscapes account for the majority of human land use, covering half of the global habitable land surface.
But by introducing microbial communities, these agricultural and forestry plantations [and monocultures] that are currently devoid of biodiversity could become reservoirs of it, Averill said.
To increase biodiversity and enrich these managed landscapes, it’s important to avoid using single species or very low-diversity, non-native soil organisms at a large scale, Averill said.
The study notes an increasing number of microbial inoculant companies advocating for just this on the argument that it could improve crop yields. But the mass application of a single species could lead to a loss of genetic and ecological diversity, and is unlikely to account for ecosystem-specific requirements, the study says.
It instead recommends using locally sourced, native and biodiverse communities of soil organisms as these can promote biodiversity in managed landscapes without limiting crop yields.” -via Mongabay, 1/5/23
177 notes · View notes
pandemic-info · 5 months
Text
Fungal microbiota sustains lasting immune activation of neutrophils and their progenitors in severe COVID-19 | Nature Immunology
We found that elevated levels of Candida albicans immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies marked patients with severe COVID-19 (sCOVID-19) who had intestinal Candida overgrowth, mycobiota dysbiosis and systemic neutrophilia.
...
These findings suggest that gut fungal pathobionts may contribute to immune activation during inflammatory diseases, offering potential mycobiota-immune therapeutic strategies for sCOVID-19 with prolonged symptoms.
study in Nature Immunology suggests that an excess of certain gut fungi, including Candida albicans, may contribute to severe COVID-19 or long COVID-19 through inflammation; antifungal treatments in mice showed potential in alleviating these effects.
study in Nature Immunology suggests that an excess of certain gut fungi, including Candida albicans, may contribute to severe COVID-19 or long COVID-19 through inflammation; antifungal treatments in mice showed potential in alleviating these effects.
33 notes · View notes
escuerzoresucitado · 11 months
Text
Tumblr media
germophobes stay winning
119 notes · View notes
artificial-father · 6 months
Text
There are about 700 species in your mouth right now.
42 notes · View notes
robotlyra · 1 month
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media
What if "bowling alley/arcade carpet" aesthetics, but microbiology?
13 notes · View notes
cuicuit · 2 years
Text
Bdelloid rotifer eating
This little animal uses its ciliae rings to aspire water, then it grinds it with its mastax organ. It mostly eats organic detritus and other microorganisms.
248 notes · View notes
cbirt · 1 month
Link
For scientists studying the functions of the genome, DNA embedding is a vital tool. Effective investigations like species categorization and metagenomics binning are made possible by converting unprocessed DNA sequences into comprehensible numerical representations. Modern embedding models, however, often require refinement, particularly when dealing with unlabeled data or sequences prone to errors. 
Researchers introduce DNABERT-S, a genome foundation model that specializes in creating species-aware DNA embeddings. To encourage effective embeddings to error-prone long-read DNA sequences, they introduce Manifold Instance Mixup (MI-Mix), a contrastive objective that mixes the hidden representations of DNA sequences at randomly selected layers and trains the model to recognize and differentiate these mixed proportions at the output layer. 
Utilizing the suggested Curriculum Contrastive Learning (C2LR) technique, it may be improved even further. Empirical findings on eighteen different datasets demonstrated DNABERT-S’s outstanding capabilities. It doubles the Adjusted Rand Index (ARI) in species clustering, significantly increases the number of properly classified species in metagenomics binning, and beats the best baseline in 10-shot species classification with only a 2-shot training.
Continue Reading
26 notes · View notes
turtlesandfrogs · 1 year
Text
In completely different topics, but still related to ecosystems and long-ingnored microbiomes, I was reading a paper recently
That basically said that the diversity of your microbiome was more dependant on the diversity of plants you eat than whether you ID as a vegan or omnivore (which makes sense to me because I know plenty of vegans who self-identify as junk food vegans), and that the people who ate 30 or more types of plants regularly had much more diverse microbiomes, which is good. Also those folks had fewer genes for antibiotic resistance in their microbes, which is good, and higher CLA abundance, which is also good.
It occurs to me now that a sensible starting point to act on this information would be to count up the different kinds of plants that I eat at least somewhat regularly, but instead I decided to expand my dietary horizons by foraging more regularly. So, behold, Dock (rumex) leaves/shoots that I cooked up with some red beans and rice because it turns out the complex carbs in beans & whole grains are good for your gut microbe pets:
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Well, off to actually count the plants that I eat regularly up!
117 notes · View notes
simpsforscience · 1 month
Text
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
🤔💭 Have you ever imagined anything like a 'Living Compass' ?🧭🦠These tiny titans cum bacteria have superpowers: they navigate using Earth's magnetic field! Swipe ➡️ through this post to know how these beings are able to sense north ⬆️ 🧲 wherever they go!
11 notes · View notes