The bacteria that look after us and their protective weapons
The extensive agriculture that makes it possible to meet the nutritional needs of the planet's billions of inhabitants is based on the use of chemical products (pesticides) to avoid crop losses due to pests. However, these pesticides have a negative.....»»
Woman who went on the lam with untreated TB is now cured
The woman realized how serious her infection was once she was in custody. Scanning electron micrograph of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, which cause TB. (credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases).....»»
Blue light could kill at least 99% of bacteria linked to dog ear infections, new research shows
New research from the University of Nottingham and University of Birmingham has highlighted that blue light has the ability to kill antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria isolated from ear infections in dogs......»»
Boosting plant health: The role of gene exchange with bacteria
A recent study has unveiled how plants and bacteria exchange genes to boost plant health and development. The team discovered 75 genes that were transferred between small, fast-growing plants (Arabidopsis thaliana) and its bacterial companions, influ.....»»
New partnerships found to improve life satisfaction for single mothers
Ideally, a family is a protective space, a social network, and a team that supports each other. But what happens when children are raised by a single mother instead of two parents? Single mothers in particular can face significant challenges regardin.....»»
Dual action antibiotic could make bacterial resistance nearly impossible
A new antibiotic that works by disrupting two different cellular targets would make it 100 million times more difficult for bacteria to evolve resistance, according to new research from the University of Illinois Chicago......»»
The most iconic video game weapons of all time
A hero is nothing without a weapon, and sometimes its those weapons that end up defining a series. You don't have to play any games to recognize these weapons......»»
Rhythmic gene expression in plants is crucial for symbiosis with nutrient-providing bacteria, study finds
Legumes thrive in low-nitrogen environments by partnering with rhizobia, soil bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium, a usable form for the plants. These beneficial bacteria are housed in root nodules formed on legume roots......»»
Study shows small animals use "stolen" genes from bacteria to protect against infection
Certain small, freshwater animals protect themselves from infections using antibiotic recipes "stolen" from bacteria, according to new research by a team from the University of Oxford, the University of Stirling and the Marine Biological Laboratory (.....»»
Crown-of-thorns starfish larvae feast on toxic cyanobacteria, study finds
Researchers have uncovered an under-the-sea phenomenon where coral-destroying crown-of-thorns starfish larvae have been feasting on blue-green algae bacteria known as "sea sawdust.".....»»
Five people infected as bird flu appears to go from cows to chickens to humans
High temperatures made it hard for workers to use protective gear during culling. Enlarge (credit: Getty | Edwin Remsberg) The highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus that spilled from wild birds into US dairy cows.....»»
Study identifies rhizobacteria to combat Striga and boost sorghum yields in Ethiopia
A research team has identified potential Striga-suppressing rhizobacteria associated with sorghum, which have been shown to significantly reduce Striga seed germination rates. This study highlights the value of soil-borne bacteria as bioherbicides to.....»»
Interdisciplinary approach provides new insights into molecular mechanisms of cholera infection
Cholera infections caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria can be life-threatening and the trigger is the cholera toxin produced by the bacteria. It binds to the surface of intestinal cells—more precisely, to certain "sugar lipids" (GM1 gangliosides, GM.....»»
Minecraft enchantments: how to enchant items and best enchantments
While you can't be a total wizard in Minecraft, you can enchant your weapons with magical powers. Here is a complete guide to harnessing this powerful magic......»»
A comprehensive derivative synthesis method for development of new antimicrobial drugs
Efforts to combat the increasing threat of drug-resistant bacteria are being assisted by a new approach for streamlining the search for antimicrobial drug candidates, pioneered by researchers at Hokkaido University, led by Assistant Professor Kazuki.....»»
Respiratory bacteria "turn off" immune system to survive, study finds
Researchers from The University of Queensland have identified how a common bacterium is able to manipulate the human immune system during respiratory infections and cause persistent illness. The research was published in PLOS Pathogens......»»
NASA researchers battle biofilm in space
A small group of scientists on the biofilm mitigation team at NASA's Marshall Space Center in Huntsville, Alabama, study solutions to combat fast-growing colonies of bacteria or fungi, known as biofilm, for future space missions......»»
We Cannot Cede Control of Weapons to Artificial Intelligence
I watched United Nations delegates debate AI-based weapons that can fire without human initiation. Humans cannot be taken out of that decision-making.....»»
Photosynthesis powers our world, but what fuels this fundamental process?
It's hard to overstate the importance of photosynthesis, the biochemical pathway by which plants, algae, and certain bacteria convert the sun's energy into the organic material that feeds the entire living biosphere. But there are still aspects of th.....»»
Unexpected phage protein function discovered in bacteria battle
An unexpected find has enabled important progress to be made in the battle against harmful bacteria. An international team of researchers, led by Professor Peter Fineran from the University of Otago, investigated a particular protein used by bacteria.....»»
The geometry of life: Physicists determine what controls biofilm growth
From plaque sticking to teeth to scum on a pond, biofilms can be found nearly everywhere. These colonies of bacteria grow on implanted medical devices, our skin, contact lenses, and in our guts and lungs. They can be found in sewers and drainage syst.....»»