Bacterial Research: Gut microbes signal to the brain when they're full ♦ Parasite makes TB infections worse ♦ Microbial growth and death inside our guts

Study sheds light on why parasite makes TB infections worse Scientists have shown how a parasitic worm infection common in the developing world increases susceptibility to tuberculosis. The study raises the possibility of using inexpensive and widely available anti-parasitic drugs as a preventive measure in places where the parasite and TB are common -- stopping infection with the parasite and reducing susceptibility to TB.

Scientists discover the secret behind the power of bacterial sex Migration between different communities of bacteria is the key to the type of gene transfer that can lead to the spread of traits such as antibiotic resistance, according to researchers.

Gut microbes signal to the brain when they're full Don't have room for dessert? The bacteria in your gut may be telling you something. Twenty minutes after a meal, gut microbes produce proteins that can suppress food intake in animals, The researchers also show how these proteins injected into mice and rats act on the brain reducing appetite, suggesting that gut bacteria may help control when and how much we eat.

Shining light on microbial growth and death inside our guts Population growth rates of the microbes that live inside mammalian gastrointestinal tracts can now be accurately measured, according to a new method reported.