Depending on the specific type, bacteria in a woman's vagina and cervix may increase the risk of premature birth or protect against it, according to new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Results of the study provide groundbreaking information that the authors suggest could help physicians learn how to prevent preterm birth, either by eliminating the "bad" bacteria, or increasing the "protective" bacteria. The study was presented this week at the Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine's 37th Annual Pregnancy Meeting in Las Vegas, and received the March of Dimes Award for Best Abstract on Prematurity.