Microbiome

A study involving infants in Hong Kong found that DNA methylation patterns measured at birth were associated with how the gut microbiome developed during the first year of life, and that certain combinations were linked to autism- and ADHD-related behavioral signs at 36 months.

10 Mwezi wa tano, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI Imethibitishwa ukweli

Researchers reported at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2026 that older mice given fecal microbiota transplants made from their own preserved, younger-age stool samples showed less liver inflammation and injury—and none developed liver cancer in the experiment.

A mysterious group of gut bacteria known as CAG-170 appears in higher numbers among healthy individuals, according to a new study. Researchers analyzed microbiomes from over 11,000 people across 39 countries and found this genus strongly associated with good health and balanced gut ecosystems. The findings suggest potential roles in producing vitamin B12 and supporting other microbes, though causality remains unclear.

30 Mwezi wa kwanza, 2026 Imeripotiwa na AI

Elizabeth Hohmann, an infectious disease specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital, spends her days screening potential stool donors for faecal transplants that treat stubborn gut infections. With only about one percent of respondents qualifying, the process is challenging but rewarding. Her work has restored health to patients who previously couldn't function normally.

Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have found that rapalink-1, an experimental TOR inhibitor being investigated for cancer therapy, extends the lifespan of fission yeast. The study also uncovered a role for agmatinases in regulating the TOR pathway through a metabolic feedback loop, suggesting potential links between diet, gut microbes, and aging.

3 Mwezi wa kumi na mbili, 2025 Imeripotiwa na AI Imethibitishwa ukweli

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have found that 168 common industrial and agricultural chemicals can harm beneficial bacteria in the human gut, with some also promoting resistance to antibiotics. Drawing on a large laboratory screen, the team created a machine learning model to predict which chemicals may pose risks to the microbiome.