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Scientists Uncover How Gut Bacterium Promotes Colon Cancer

Updated 3:22 PM ET · 1:43 PM ETConfirmedShare on

Science Desk

In Short: The study, led by Cynthia Sears, M.D., Bloomberg~Kimmel Professor of Cancer Immunotherapy and professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins, has identified the receptor for the toxin, a crucial step in understanding how the bacterium contributes to cancer development.

Researchers have made a significant discovery about how a common gut bacterium, Bacteroides fragilis, can promote the development of colon tumors. This bacterium is found in the intestines of up to 20% of healthy individuals.

The study, led by Cynthia Sears, M.D., Bloomberg~Kimmel Professor of Cancer Immunotherapy and professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins, has identified the receptor for the toxin, a crucial step in understanding how the bacterium contributes to cancer development.

"Understanding how bacterial toxins work can open doors to new approaches for detection and therapy for associated diseases, including diarrhea, colorectal cancer, and bloodstream infections," said Sears.

The research provides new insights into the mechanisms by which gut bacteria can influence the development of colon cancer.

Meanwhile, scientists have discovered a giant new fungus species in China's Yunnan forests. This fungus produces whitish, spore-bearing structures up to 50 centimeters tall and weighing as much as 2.2 kilograms.

NASA-funded scientists have determined that the nearly 2-pound rock is one of the oldest Martian meteorites ever found, dating back more than 4.1 billion years.

Scientists have identified 13 locations on Mars that match the mineralogy and chemistry of this meteorite, suggesting that water altered the rock early in the planet's history.

In the heated waters of California’s Lassen Volcanic National Park, scientists observed an amoeba that can reproduce at an astonishing 145 degrees Fahrenheit, setting a record for the upper temperature limit for all known eukaryotes.

Studying these organisms helps scientists understand the limits of life as we know it.

Scientists have also found that the genetic codes of bacteria in the brain match those in the gut, suggesting a link between gut bacteria and neurological conditions.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• Researchers have made a significant discovery about how a common gut bacterium, Bacteroides fragilis, can promote the development of colon tumors. This bacterium is found in the intestines of up to 20% of healthy individuals.
• The study, led by Cynthia Sears, M.D., Bloomberg~Kimmel Professor of Cancer Immunotherapy and professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins, has identified the receptor for the toxin, a crucial step in understanding how the bacterium contributes to cancer development.
• "Understanding how bacterial toxins work can open doors to new approaches for detection and therapy for associated diseases, including diarrhea, colorectal cancer, and bloodstream infections," said Sears.
• The research provides new insights into the mechanisms by which gut bacteria can influence the development of colon cancer.
• Meanwhile, scientists have discovered a giant new fungus species in China's Yunnan forests. This fungus produces whitish, spore-bearing structures up to 50 centimeters tall and weighing as much as 2.2 kilograms.
• NASA-funded scientists have determined that the nearly 2-pound rock is one of the oldest Martian meteorites ever found, dating back more than 4.1 billion years.
• Scientists have identified 13 locations on Mars that match the mineralogy and chemistry of this meteorite, suggesting that water altered the rock early in the planet's history.
• In the heated waters of California’s Lassen Volcanic National Park, scientists observed an amoeba that can reproduce at an astonishing 145 degrees Fahrenheit, setting a record for the upper temperature limit for all known eukaryotes.
• Studying these organisms helps scientists understand the limits of life as we know it.
• Scientists have also found that the genetic codes of bacteria in the brain match those in the gut, suggesting a link between gut bacteria and neurological conditions.

What's still developing

• Scientists determine the age of such rocks by examining when their minerals crystallized from molten material.
• Two new studies are giving planetary scientists hope While we still don’t know if there’s extraterrestrial life out there, we do know the conditions for it exist, even in our own solar system.
• Now two studies published over the weekend are giving planetary scientists even more hope that we may find it.
• NASA-supported scientists have discovered an organism that lives at extreme temperatures previously thought impossible for complex life.
• University of New Mexico scientists had identified its Martian origin through oxygen isotopes, which provide a chemical fingerprint of the planet.
• The precise method allowed scientists to analyze single grains of minerals.
• Nicknamed "Jodi," the fossil is one of only three known skeletons of Nanotyrannus, a smaller predatory dinosaur whose identity has been debated by scientists for decades.
• For years, scientists disagreed over whether Nanotyrannus was a separate dinosaur species or simply a juvenile T.
• Scientists have discovered a distinct subtype of cell in the prostate, and it could help solve the mystery of why the gland enlarges with age.

Sources

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• CBS Newslink
• Turkiyetodaylink
• ScienceAlertlink
• WIREDlink
• WarpBeat — background on Scientists Uncover How Gut Bacterium Promotes Colon Cancer link
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