How do bacteria actually become resistant to antibiotics?
"What doesn't kill me makes me stronger," originally coined by Friedrich Nietzsche in 1888, is a perfect description of how bacteria develop antibiotic resistance......»»
NASA discovered bacteria that wouldn"t die. Now it"s boosting sunscreen.
While disinfecting spacecraft headed for Mars, NASA found a stubborn type of bacteria that was tough to clean but great at withstanding UV radiation. Many people associate NASA with exploring new worlds in space, but few know it's also finding.....»»
New study reveals novel approach for combating "resting" bacteria
Most disease-causing bacteria are known for their speed: In mere minutes, they can double their population, quickly making a person sick. But just as dangerous as this rapid growth can be a bacterium's resting state, which helps the pathogen evade an.....»»
Scientists discover first nitrogen-fixing organelle
Modern biology textbooks assert that only bacteria can take nitrogen from the atmosphere and convert it into a form that is usable for life. Plants that fix nitrogen, such as legumes, do so by harboring symbiotic bacteria in root nodules. But a recen.....»»
Researchers resolve old mystery of how phages disarm pathogenic bacteria
Bacterial infections pose significant challenges to agriculture and medicine, especially as cases of antibiotic-resistant bacteria continue to rise. In response, scientists at Texas A&M AgriLife Research are elucidating the ways that bacteria-infecti.....»»
A new coating method in mRNA engineering points the way to advanced therapies
Medicine can help to treat certain illnesses; for example, antibiotics can help overcome infections, but a new, promising field of medicine involves providing our body with the "blueprint" for how to defeat illnesses on its own......»»
A microbial plastic factory for high-quality green plastic
Engineered bacteria can produce a plastic modifier that makes renewably sourced plastic more processable, more fracture-resistant and highly biodegradable even in seawater. The Kobe University development provides a platform for the industrial-scale,.....»»
Kamikaze bacteria explode into bursts of lethal toxins
If you make a big enough toxin, it's difficult to get it out of the cells. Enlarge / The plague bacteria, Yersina pestis, is a close relative of the toxin-producing species studied here. (credit: Callista Images) Life-fo.....»»
Scientists discover new phage resistance mechanism in phage-bacterial arms race
One of the most abundant and deadliest organisms on Earth is a virus called a bacteriophage (phage). These predators have lethal precision against their targets—not humans, but bacteria. Different phages have evolved to target different bacteria an.....»»
When an antibiotic fails: Scientists are using AI to target "sleeper" bacteria
Since the 1970s, modern antibiotic discovery has been experiencing a lull. Now the World Health Organization has declared the antimicrobial resistance crisis as one of the top 10 global public health threats......»»
Attack and defense in the microverse: How small RNA molecules regulate viral infections of bacteria
Viruses need hosts. Whether it's measles, the flu or coronavirus, viral pathogens cannot multiply or infect other organisms without the assistance of their hosts' cellular infrastructure. However, humans are not the only ones affected by viruses: ani.....»»
Study describes zinc oxide nanoparticle strategy for inactivation of multidrug-resistant bacteria
An article published in the Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering describes a possible strategy for promoting selective inhibition of multidrug-resistant bacteria, which are increasingly abundant owing to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics.....»»
Wound treatment hydrogel infused with amino acid kills bacteria naturally and promotes cell growth
Hydrogels are popular for use in skin ailments and tissue engineering. These polymer-based biocompatible materials are useful for their abilities to retain water, deliver drugs into wounds, and biodegrade. However, they are complicated to manufacture.....»»
Researchers explain how green algae and bacteria together contribute to climate protection
A research team at Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany has now found a bacterium that forms a team with a green alga. Both microorganisms support each other in their growth. Additionally, the bacterium helps the microalga to neutralize the to.....»»
New antibiotic class effective against multidrug-resistant bacteria discovered
Scientists at Uppsala University have discovered a new class of antibiotics with potent activity against multi-drug resistant bacteria, and have shown that it cures bloodstream infections in mice. The new antibiotic class is described in an article i.....»»
Fungal resources: Eleven new species of Trichoderma from China
Trichoderma spp. are globally distributed and are considered significant fungal resources. They are widely studied and applied due to their economic and ecological importance, offering numerous benefits, such as producing enzymes and antibiotics, aid.....»»
Ancient Adélie penguin DNA reveals that small repeats persist for hundreds of millions of years
Microsatellites are valuable tools for studying inheritance, genetic diversity, and population dynamics across a wide range of organisms including bacteria, plants, animals, and fungi. These short, repeating sequence motifs are a common feature of bo.....»»
Save $100 on the water-resistant GoPro Max 360 action camera
The GoPro Max is a durable and water-resistance action camera that's capable of taking 360-degree videos at 5.7K resolution. It's down to $400 from Best Buy......»»
Study identifies protein responsible for gas vesicle clustering in bacteria
Gas vesicles are hollow structures made of protein found in the cells of certain microorganisms, and researchers at Rice University believe they can be programmed for use in biomedical applications......»»
China has a big problem with super gonorrhea, study finds
Drug-resistant gonorrhea is a growing problem—one that doesn't heed borders. Enlarge / A billboard from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation is seen on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California, on May 29, 2018, warning of a drug-res.....»»
Study finds wild nematode worms learn to avoid harmful bacteria—and their offspring inherit this knowledge
The nematode worm C. elegans will stay away from dangerous bacteria in its environment when exposed to certain bacterial RNAs—and can transmit that learned behavior to future generations. A team led by Coleen Murphy at Princeton University report t.....»»