Research Keyword: Bray-Curtis dissimilarity

The Hidden Microbial World in the Gut of the Terrestrial Snail Cornu aspersum maxima and the Unexpected Negative Effects of Synbiotics

This study tested whether adding beneficial bacteria (probiotics) and dietary fibers (prebiotics) to snail farm feed could improve snail health and growth. While individual probiotic and prebiotic treatments helped reduce harmful bacteria in snails’ digestive systems, combining them together as a synbiotic surprisingly caused extremely high death rates in the snails. The results show that more research is needed before combining these supplements in snail farming.

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Ancient Microbiomes as Mirrored by DNA Extracted From Century-Old Herbarium Plants and Associated Soil

Scientists extracted and analyzed ancient DNA from plant roots and soil samples stored in herbarium collections for over 120 years. The DNA showed typical signs of age and preserved microbial communities that originally lived in the soil around these plants. By comparing these ancient microbial communities to modern ones, researchers found that herbarium storage preserved the original characteristics of soil microbiomes, making these museum specimens valuable for studying how farming practices have changed soil ecosystems over time.

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