Researchers have discovered that bacteria and fungi can join forces to form assemblages of 'superorganisms' that can 'walk' across your teeth.
The researchers discovered these "interkingdom assemblages" while studying toddlers with severe tooth decay. A closer look revealed that the conjoined bacteria-fungi exhibited a greater resistance to antimicrobials, and in general were much more virulent.
"We noticed the bacteria and fungi forming these assemblages and developing motions we never thought they would possess: a 'walking-like' and 'leaping-like' mobility," said Hyun Koo, a co-corresponding author of the study and a professor at Penn Dental Medicine,"They have a lot of what we call 'emergent functions' that bring new benefits to this assemblage that they could not achieve on their own," he added.
The researchers posit that the assemblages gain their increased virulence, resilience, and mobility from their tight cohesion between cells and a strong, glue-like extracellular polymer formed as a result of the bacteria-fungi assembly.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
50 years ago, scientists found a new way to clean up oil spills'[In the late 1960s], about the best means of cleaning up oil was to put straw on it, then scoop up the oily straw by hand or with pitchforks. Now industry … has devised an arsenal of oil cleanup chemicals.' — SN, 10/14/1972 tbt
Consulte Mais informação »
Brain cells grown in lab play 1970s tennis-style video game 'Pong'Researchers say the 'mini-brain' can respond to its environment, with experts calling the project 'exciting' but saying it might be going too far.
Consulte Mais informação »
Doctors using brain surgery to improve symptoms of severe OCDResearchers from around the world met Friday to discuss treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with a brain surgery called deep brain stimulation (DBS).
Consulte Mais informação »
Brain Cells Grown in Lab Play Pong Video GameResearchers say they have grown brain cells in a lab that can play Pong – a mini-brain that can sense and respond to its environment, the BBC reported.
Consulte Mais informação »