Bluesky Facebook Reddit Email

Computational approaches reveal new insights into molecular protein function

Recent studies published in PLOS Computational Biology have introduced novel computational methods to explore the molecular function of proteins. These approaches aim to simplify the challenge of determining functions for an ever-increasing amount of known proteins by identifying shared functional sites and predicting their activity.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

How did gonorrhea become a drug-resistant superbug?

The gonorrhea bacterium has developed resistance to multiple antibiotics, with ceftriaxone being the last effective option. Researchers identified mutations that enable resistance to ceftriaxone, which also impairs growth rate, but lab experiments showed resistant strains can quickly outcompete non-resistant strains.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Trends in antibiotic consumption

Antibiotic use surged globally between 2000 and 2015, with defined daily doses increasing by 65% and the consumption rate rising by 39%. The trend was most pronounced in low- and middle-income countries, where antibiotic use rose by 114% and the consumption rate increased by 77%.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Potential new way to limit antibiotic resistance spreading

Researchers at EMBL have unraveled the molecular basis of a major antibiotic resistance transfer mechanism and developed molecules to block its movement. This could help control the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in bacteria, including those that are part of our normal microbiome.

Saving lives with platypus milk

Researchers at CSIRO Australia and Deakin University have successfully replicated a unique protein in platypus milk that has antibacterial properties. The discovery could help combat superbugs and save lives.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Bacteria resistant to last-resort antibiotic, missed by standard tests

Researchers at Emory University have discovered heteroresistance to colistin in already carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, making it harder to monitor and treat. The findings pose a significant threat to public health, highlighting the need for novel diagnostics to rapidly detect colistin resistance.

Typhoid outbreak: Genetic cause of extensive drug-resistance found

A study published in mBio reveals that a strain of typhoid acquired an additional piece of DNA encoding multiple antibiotic resistance genes, making it extensively drug-resistant. This outbreak highlights the urgent need for preventive measures, including vaccines, to combat the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Antibiotic-resistant plasmids flourish in hospital plumbing

Researchers discovered carbapenem-resistant plasmids in hospital pipes and sewers, suggesting a vast reservoir for antibiotic resistance. The findings imply that surveillance efforts can minimize patient infections, but the presence of resistant organisms in wastewater raises questions about their impact on public health.

Scientists make it possible to rank the risk of resistance genes

Scientists have developed a new method to rank the risk of resistance genes in bacteria, allowing for better prediction of antibiotic evolution and development. By analyzing 200 genes, researchers identified key factors influencing gene transfer and integration into new hosts.

Drugs sold in India pose a global threat to antibiotic resistance control

A new study reveals that millions of unapproved antibiotics are sold in India each year, posing a significant threat to global antibiotic resistance control. Multinational pharmaceutical companies manufacture dozens of unapproved formulations, contributing to the country's high rates of antimicrobial resistance.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Surfers three times more likely to have antibiotic-resistant bacteria in guts

A new study by the University of Exeter found that regular surfers and bodyboarders are three times more likely to have antibiotic-resistant E. coli in their guts than non-surfers. The researchers discovered that surfers swallow ten times more seawater, increasing their risk of ingesting bacteria that can survive antibiotic treatment.

Cluster of resistant tuberculosis pathogen discovered

A multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis was found in eight refugees arriving in Europe, highlighting the need for early detection and isolation. The study's findings led to the development of a rapid PCR test and an EU-wide alert system to prevent further transmission.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Supercharged antibiotics could turn tide against superbugs

Researchers at University of Queensland developed a new supercharged antibiotic called vancapticins that target bacterial membranes, potentially revitalizing old antibiotics. The rebooted vancomycin has the potential to treat MRSA and VRE, addressing the growing threat of multi-drug resistant bacteria.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Bacteria acquire resistance from competitors

Researchers have discovered that bacteria can inject toxic proteins into their competitors, causing cell lysis and death, and then acquire antibiotic resistance by incorporating the released genetic material. This ability allows bacteria to rapidly develop resistance to antibiotics, posing a significant threat to patients in hospitals.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

New TB drugs possible with understanding of old antibiotic

Researchers at University of Warwick and Francis Crick Institute discovered a deeper understanding of how D-cycloserine works against bacteria, opening up possibility of developing new antibiotic drugs. The study highlights the need for more effective antibiotics to fight drug-resistant bacterial infections.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Antibiotic resistance: An unexpected chronology

Researchers found that antibiotic-resistant bacteria evolved and spread decades before the widespread use of ampicillin. The study suggests that low doses of penicillin fed to livestock may have triggered this evolution.

Antibiotics resistance: Researchers succeed to block genes of resistance

A team of scientists at Université de Montréal developed a novel strategy to block the transfer of antibiotic-resistant genes by binding molecules that target the TraE protein. This approach has the potential to reduce the spread of resistance genes, preserving the potency of antibiotics and improving human health.

Managing antibiotics not enough to reverse resistance

Researchers found that bacteria can quickly share genes to maintain resistance, making it unlikely that reducing antibiotic use will reverse the trend. However, conjugation rates can be disrupted and reversed using existing drugs, paving the way for future development of new treatments.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Veni vidi vici: How natural killer cells conquer the superbug Klebsiella

Natural killer cells play a crucial role in controlling bacterial growth during lung infections, and their communication with immune response regulators helps orchestrate an antibacterial program. This study provides new insights into the development of novel therapeutics against multidrug-resistant pathogens.

Queen's researchers make killer superbug breakthrough

Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have made a breakthrough in treating antibiotic-resistant bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae. They discovered that the body's natural defences, specifically interferons, can fight back against the infection, offering new avenues for therapy.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

New model reveals possibility of pumping antibiotics into bacteria

Researchers have discovered that a cellular pump can move drugs like antibiotics into E. coli bacteria, contradicting the long-held assumption of strict proton and drug movement in opposite directions. This finding opens up new avenues for exploring antibiotic entry mechanisms to combat bacterial resistance.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

CSIC tightens the noose around superbugs

A team of CSIC scientists has designed new molecules capable of destroying resistance to conventional antibiotics in bacteria. By targeting the cellular mechanisms that lead to antibiotic resistance, these molecules can break down the proteins responsible for making bacteria resistant to multiple drugs.

Investigating the collateral effects of antibiotics

A new study found that most antibiotics decrease bacterial motility in multidrug-resistant Salmonella, but kanamycin increased swarming in one strain. Researchers hope to identify the accessory genes responsible for this effect to inform antibiotic choice.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Novel therapies for multidrug-resistant bacteria

Researchers have developed novel antimicrobial compounds that can treat multidrug-resistant bacteria, enhancing the effectiveness of traditional antibiotics. The combination of colistin and a manganese tricarbonyl complex showed significant antibacterial activity in killing multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Key discoveries offer significant hope of reversing antibiotic resistance

Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in understanding and combating antibiotic resistance, particularly through the development of β-lactamase inhibitors. These enzyme inhibitors have shown promise in reversing resistance to certain antibiotics, offering new hope in treating previously untreatable infections.

Yeast spotlights genetic variation's link to drug resistance

Researchers found that high genetic diversity can prime new mutations causing drug resistance in yeast cells, with varying degrees of impact. The study highlights the importance of understanding genetic diversity's role in evolving drug resistance, with potential implications for treating antimicrobial and anticancer diseases.

New antibiotic resistance genes found

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg have discovered 76 new types of antibiotic resistance genes. These genes can provide bacteria with the ability to degrade carbapenems, a powerful class of antibiotics.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.