Researchers have identified a urinary tract bacterium capable of converting the steroid precursor DHEA into testosterone under laboratory conditions, revealing a previously unknown microbial pathway that could impact prostate biology, according to a study supervised by Jason M. Ridlon. The finding does not indicate that the bacterium causes prostate cancer or that the microbial testosterone … Read more
Next-generation sequencing technologies have revealed that healthy ear bacteriomes are predominantly composed of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, with Cutibacterium acnes making up an average relative abundance of 51.8% in adults. Understanding this delicate microbial balance is critical for otolaryngology research, as disruptions to resident communities and natural cerumen defenses directly correlate with common conditions like otitis … Read more
Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), triggers rapid but largely reversible shifts in the gut microbiome of obese mice, according to a study published in the journal Microbiology Spectrum. Researchers found that while the drug alters bacterial community structure during active treatment, these changes largely normalize within seven days of discontinuing the medication. … Read more
Consuming up to five cups of caffeinated coffee a day is safe for the average adult and may even lower the risk of chronic diseases, according to an advisory released by the American Heart Association earlier this month. The guidance relies on large cohort data from multi-decade projects like the Nurses’ Health Study and the … Read more
Higher levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) are independently associated with a greater prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation. Researchers found that TMAO, a metabolite produced by gut microbes from nutrients like choline, may trigger AF by inhibiting muscarinic receptor 2 signaling and disrupting autonomic regulation … Read more
Biomedical engineers at Duke University have demonstrated a method for systematically developing novel, complex combinations of probiotics and prebiotics to more effectively maintain gut health and treat gastrointestinal diseases, according to findings published online July 27 in the journal Nature Chemical Biology. By combining robotic automation with machine learning, the approach addresses longstanding consistency challenges … Read more
Research from the University of Virginia (UVA) Comprehensive Cancer Center indicates that a buildup of bile acids, triggered by an unhealthy gut microbiome, can drive hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer to metastasize to other organs, particularly the lungs. According to Melanie Rutkowski, PhD, this mechanism suggests that FDA-approved bile acid sequestrants or microbiome replenishment could … Read more
Lactoferrin-fortified yogurt maintains ferritin levels in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) without causing iron overload, according to a randomized trial published in npj Science of Food. The study found that 100 mg of bovine lactoferrin per serving helped stabilize iron stores in women with reduced ferritin, offering a well-tolerated alternative to relying solely … Read more
Zoonotic disease emergence is increasingly driven by the intersection of global travel, land-use changes, and climate anomalies. A hantavirus cluster among 147 passengers from 23 countries on a recent cruise ship highlights how confined environments and ecological shifts, such as a 53% reduction in rodent diversity in Shaanxi, China, accelerate viral spillover risks to humans. … Read more
Researchers at Southern Medical University have identified that Bifidobacterium animalis, a common probiotic, secretes mannose to boost the effectiveness of melanoma immunotherapy. According to a study published in the May 2026 issue of Cancer Biology & Medicine, this sugar activates CD8⁺ T cells by targeting the Hippo-YAP1 signaling pathway, offering a potential new strategy to … Read more