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Categories: Biology: Microbiology, Physics: Optics
Published Could microplastics in soil introduce drug-resistant superbugs to the food supply?
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new review argues ever-present microplastics could promote gene transfer among microbes, potentially resulting in greater antibiotic resistance. The review calls for more research on microplastic-microbe interactions where our food is grown.
Published Biologist gets the scoop on squash bug poop
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A discovery about how a common insect acquires a microbe that is essential for its growth may help in the control of an agricultural pest.
Published Fungus gnats as pollinators not pests
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Many plants and crops rely on insects to pollinate them so they can reproduce. A new study has shown that several flowering plants from the group Euonymus are pollinated by fungus gnats, a dipteran insect. Specifically, they pollinate Euonymus plants which have red-petaled flowers with short stamens and yogurt-like scent. Although fungus gnats are known to pollinate hundreds of plant species, this study shows that the particular traits of red Euonymus flowers were likely to have been acquired via pollination syndrome, evolving over a process of natural selection to be pollinated specifically by fungus gnats. This research highlights the important role of Diptera, which are commonly regarded as pests, in plant diversity and evolution.
Published New antibiotic from microbial 'dark matter' could be powerful weapon against superbugs
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new powerful antibiotic, isolated from bacteria that could not be studied before, seems capable of combating harmful bacteria and even multi-resistant 'superbugs'. Named Clovibactin, the antibiotic appears to kill bacteria in an unusual way, making it more difficult for bacteria to develop any resistance against it.
Published High-fat diets alter gut bacteria, boosting colorectal cancer risk in mice
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have discovered how high-fat diets can change gut bacteria and alter digestive molecules called bile acids that are modified by those bacteria, predisposing mice to colorectal cancer. The findings bring scientists closer to understanding the causes of and how to prevent colorectal cancer.
Published Improvements in silicon-perovskite tandem cells that helped achieve a whopping 32.5 percent efficiency
(via sciencedaily.com) In the ongoing quest for more efficient solar cells, the most current published record for tandem perovskite solar cells is 32.5 percent. In a new paper, researchers report on the improvements in silicon-perovskite tandem cells that have made this possible.
Published New antifungal therapy for fungal meningitis
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A team of researchers successfully tested a new antifungal therapy to treat fungal meningitis.
Published Want to know how light works? Try asking a mechanic
(via sciencedaily.com) Physicists use a 350-year-old theorem that explains the workings of pendulums and planets to reveal new properties of light waves.
Published Research team developing a nano-sized force sensor and improving high-precision microscopy technology
(via sciencedaily.com) Recent research in cell biology highlights groundbreaking results. An international team of researchers have recently established a tool they developed to study the mechanics of the cell. The tool can be used to study the inner forces of the cell, for example, the stretching of the nuclear membrane. The microscopic force sensor, only about 0.00002 mm long, is constructed of exotic ingredients such as spider web protein parts, fluorescent proteins from jellyfish, and antibodies from alpaca. In addition, the multidisciplinary team of researchers has developed further the sensitivity of super-resolution microscopy technique.
Published 'Viral relicts' in the genome could fuel neurodegeneration
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Genetic remnants of viruses that are naturally present in the human genome could affect the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers come to this conclusion on the basis of studies on cell cultures.
Published A new way to identify chiral molecules with light could vastly improve detection efficiency
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers have proposed a highly efficient method for detecting molecular chirality using tailored laser fields.
Published Energy and heat transfer: A new 'spin' on ergodicity breaking
(via sciencedaily.com) Scientists have observed novel ergodicity-breaking in C60, a highly symmetric molecule composed of 60 carbon atoms arranged on the vertices of a 'soccer ball' pattern (with 20 hexagon faces and 12 pentagon faces). Their results revealed ergodicity breaking in the rotations of C60. Remarkably, they found that this ergodicity breaking occurs without symmetry breaking and can even turn on and off as the molecule spins faster and faster. Understanding ergodicity breaking can help scientists design better-optimized materials for energy and heat transfer.
Published Using big data on livestock farms could improve antimicrobial resistance surveillance
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new study suggests that using big data and machine learning in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance in livestock production methods could help inform interventions and offer protections against germs that are becoming resistant to antibiotics.
Published Novel treatment based on gene editing safely and effectively removes HIV-like virus from genomes of non-human primates
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A single injection of a novel CRISPR gene-editing treatment safely and efficiently removes SIV -- a virus related to the AIDS-causing agent HIV -- from the genomes of non-human primates, scientists now report. The groundbreaking work complements previous experiments as the basis for the first-ever clinical trial of an HIV gene-editing technology in human patients, which was authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2022.
Published Race-based variations in gut bacteria emerge by 3 months of age
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Early social and environmental exposures can have large and lasting effects on child development and adult health. One of the systems that is vulnerable to external influence is the gut microbiome. A new study highlights a critical development window during which racial differences in the gut microbiome emerge. The findings are based on analysis of data from 2,756 gut microbiome samples from 729 U.S. children between birth and 12 years of age.
Published New insights into fighting antimicrobial resistance
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Cooking food thoroughly and avoiding some types of vegetables and salad during a course of antibiotic treatment could potentially reduce antibiotic resistance, by preventing bacteria carrying resistance genes getting into the gut, according to a new study.
Published Scientists trap light inside a magnet
(via sciencedaily.com) A new study shows that trapping light inside magnetic materials may dramatically enhance their intrinsic properties. Strong optical responses of magnets are important for the development of magnetic lasers and magneto-optical memory devices, as well as for emerging quantum transduction applications.
Published Molecules in vegetables can help to ease lung infection
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have found that molecules in vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower help to maintain a healthy barrier in the lung and ease infection.
Published Treating back-to-school ear infections without antibiotic resistance
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source 'Back-to-school' season means buying pens, figuring out the bus route, and ... earaches. Cutting corners with antibiotics, however, can accelerate resistance. Today, researchers report developing a single-use nanoscale system that's unlikely to generate resistance. Using a compound similar to bleach in test animals, they show it can kill off a bacterium that causes ear infections, and it could someday be easily applied as a gel.
Published Microgreens and mature veggies differ in nutrients, but both might limit weight gain
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Young vegetables known as microgreens are reputed to be particularly good for health. But are microgreens the superfood they're claimed to be, and how do they compare to mature veggies? Scientists have found that their nutritional profiles differ, as do their effects on gut bacteria. Yet, tests in mice suggest that both microgreen and mature vegetables can limit weight gain.