Microbiology

Cheese lovers are aghast at claims some French soft cheeses are "under threat" from a lack of genetic diversity in cheese cultures. But it's a bit more complicated than that.

Queensland growers are on high alert this week with devastating floods increasing the possible spread of Panama TR4 fungal disease — the greatest threat to banana production worldwide.

While you might recognise algae growing in your fish tank or floating on a lake, it can be transformed into a human food source that can also power your car, and it doesn't compete for space with crops.

A new COVID variant nicknamed "Pirola" has been detected in Australia after sparking a sped-up vaccination program in the United Kingdom.

Usually, mould spores are invisible — but give them a niche to exploit and you'll get all kinds of colours on the things in your home, writes Michael Taylor. 

DNA collected from bee hives across the globe shows cities have unique microbiomes — something that could have a connection to the health of its human residents.

Mothers supply essential microbes that seed their baby's microbiome even when children are born via caesarean section, a new study suggests.

While you're relaxing in the warm water, you'll likely breathe in or swallow your spa partner's body's bacteria, viruses and fungi. Here's how to spot the signs of a germ-filled hot tub, writes Primrose Freestone.

It feeds on meat-eating fungi, is invisible to the naked eye, and was discovered by accident in a New South Wales rainforest before being named after the man who found it.

Each fruity plume of vapour from an e-cigarette may have not-so-sweet repercussions for your pearly whites, according to a study into tooth decay risk.

The country faces its largest-ever outbreak of avian flu, with 200 confirmed cases in the past 12 months.

Termites are likely to expand their territory as the climate warms and a new global study reveals they play more of a role in the carbon cycle than previously thought.

A bacterium which could be used in fermented food and beverages will be named after SA Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier. 

It looks more like a vermicelli noodle than something out of The Creature from the Black Lagoon and it has an insatiable appetite for sulphur. Meet Thiomargarita magnifica, the largest bacterium that scientists have found. 

Probiotics are often promoted as a way to improve gut health, but scientists say they could also play a vital role in boosting the immunity of coral transplants on the reef.

The decline of crucial species only visible through a microscope is putting rare ecosystems — like that at Mount Canobolas — at risk, according to scientists. 

Banana growers are applying the concept of good gut health to their soils to yield healthier fruit and cut down on production costs.

Experts believe that antibiotic resistance will become a global problem in the long term, with a new study finding high rates of resistance in samples of salmon and beef.

The idea of treating psychiatric disorders with another person's poo is gaining traction in research and clinical circles. But how does it work and what do we need to know before it can be widely used to mend minds?

The COVID-19 pandemic may have crushed seasonal flu to historically low levels, but another type of flu — avian influenza or bird flu — has shown no signs of slowing.

Professor Eddie Holmes released the virus' genome sequence on Twitter to help the COVID fight. Craig Allen reports.

Viruses are, at their most basic, simply a bunch of genetic instructions encased in a protein shell. So why are they so hard to cure?

Antibiotics are a cornerstone of modern medicine but antibiotic-resistant bacteria could spell the end of modern medicine as we know it. But the latest research shows fungi from New Zealand may have what it takes to overcome the threat, writes Siouxsie Wiles.

This microbiologist says there's more than just the sniff and dirt tests to consider when it's time to decide if you should wash your socks and towels.

You've probably heard of gut bacteria, but did you know there are just as many bugs thriving off the oil and sweat on your skin? This is why you need to protect them.