Add BrightSurf on Google Email

AI platform could speed peptide drug discovery

Researchers developed an AI platform, PeptiVerse, to predict key properties of peptides, enabling early assessment of drug potential. The open-source platform allows users to evaluate ordinary and chemically modified peptides, streamlining the discovery process.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 21, 2026
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.

Penn engineers develop AI tool to design peptides that turn signals on or off

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and Chinese University of Hong Kong created TD3B, an AI framework guiding peptide generation toward candidates predicted to have a desired effect. The tool predicts binding likelihood and determines activation or deactivation of associated cellular machinery.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 9, 2026
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.

Penn engineers unveil generative AI model that designs new antibiotics

Researchers at Penn Engineering introduced AMP-Diffusion, a generative AI tool that designed tens of thousands of new antimicrobial peptides with bacteria-killing potential. The most potent AMPs performed as well as FDA-approved drugs without detectable adverse effects.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalCell Biomaterials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2025

New immune mechanism revealed in the cellular trash

A new study from Weizmann Institute of Science reveals an immune mechanism involving proteasome products, which can kill bacteria and offer a promising treatment for infections. The researchers discovered that certain peptides produced by the proteasome have antibacterial properties and can be used to develop personalized treatments.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature·DateMar 10, 2025
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Exploring peptide clumping for improved drug and material solutions

Researchers investigated peptide clumping behavior using molecular dynamics simulations and AI techniques. They discovered that aromatic amino acids enhance aggregation, while hydrophilic ones inhibit it, offering insights into peptide structure and function.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalJACS Au·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 3, 2024

Fighting Antibiotic Resistance with Peptide Cocktails

Random antimicrobial peptide mixtures significantly reduce the risk of resistance evolution compared to single peptides. These findings support the development of new antimicrobial strategies to tackle growing antibiotic-resistant threats and safeguard public health.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 22, 2024

Unlocking the world around us for next-gen antibiotics

A global research team identified 863,498 promising antimicrobial peptides in marine and soil environments, as well as human and animal guts, to combat antimicrobial resistance. The findings come with a renewed focus on combatting the growing number of superbugs resistant to current drugs.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 5, 2024

Medical school scientist creates therapy to kill hypervirulent bacteria

A new therapy has been identified that can penetrate the slime protecting drug-resistant bacteria, allowing it to be killed by the body's immune system or antibiotics. The antimicrobial peptide, derived from cow peptides, targets sugar connections in the slime structure, damaging its integrity and allowing entry.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 1, 2024
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Tomato juice’s antimicrobial properties can kill salmonella

Researchers found that tomato juice can kill Salmonella Typhi and other enteric pathogens by impairing their bacterial membrane. The study identified two effective antimicrobial peptides in tomatoes that can eliminate these harmful bacteria.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalMicrobiology Spectrum·DateJan 30, 2024

Novel molecules fight viruses by bursting their bubble-like membranes

Researchers have developed novel molecules that target the membrane of viruses, rather than their proteins, offering a promising new approach for treating infectious diseases. The molecules, inspired by natural peptides, disrupt the protective layers of enveloped viruses like Zika and chikungunya, while sparing human cells.

SourceNew York University·JournalACS Infectious Diseases·DateAug 2, 2023
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Using plants as factories for green drug production

Scientists have engineered plants to produce peptides with antibiotic activity against drug-resistant pathogens, which also enhances stability and prolongs activity. The resulting plants yield potent drugs at significantly lower costs than traditional methods, making them an environmentally friendly option for pharmaceutical production.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 10, 2023

UCF scientist uncovers roots of antibiotic resistance

Researchers identify OmpU protein variants associated with antimicrobial resistance in Vibrio cholerae bacteria. Understanding the evolutionary origins of AMR can inform the development of effective therapeutics against resistant infections.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeObservational study·DateMay 5, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

UC Riverside-led study sheds light on how IBD can develop

A UC Riverside-led study found that reduced PTPN2 activity in intestinal epithelial cells leads to decreased Paneth cell antimicrobial peptide production, disrupting the gut microbiota and increasing E. coli. This loss can serve as a marker of IBD disease.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalCellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 7, 2023
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Keanu Reeves - the molecule

Researchers at Leibniz-HKI discovered keanumycins in bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas, effective against plant fungal diseases like grey mould rot and human-pathogenic fungi like Candida albicans. The natural product could be an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides.

SourceLeibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute -·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 6, 2023

Silver nanoparticles show promise in fighting antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Researchers at the University of Florida have found that silver nanoparticles and aminoglycosides work together synergistically to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The combination reduces the amount of antibiotic needed by 22-fold, making it more potent and potentially reducing side effects.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 31, 2023

New study explains link between diabetes and UTIs

Research at Karolinska Institutet shows that people with diabetes have lower levels of psoriasin, a key peptide that weakens the bladder's protective barrier function. This increases the risk of urinary tract infections. Oestrogen therapy may help regulate the immune response to UTIs in patients with diabetes.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2022

Some viruses make you smell tastier to mosquitoes

Researchers found that infected mice and humans emit a specific molecule, acetophenone, which attracts mosquitoes. This altered scent allows the viruses to spread faster. A potential preventative, isotretinoin, was also tested and shown to reduce mosquito attraction.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 30, 2022
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.

Pimple secret popped: How fat cells in the skin help fight acne

Researchers at UC San Diego have made a groundbreaking discovery about the role of fibroblasts, or fat cells, in controlling bacteria and developing acne. These findings could lead to more targeted treatment options for acne, which affects up to 50 million Americans each year.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateFeb 16, 2022

TTUHSC scientist seeking solution to antibiotic resistance

Researchers at TTUHSC developed novel hydrophilic nanoparticles that target bacterial membranes, killing pathogens while sparing mammalian cells. The nanoantibiotics' size-dependent activity reveals a new blueprint for developing non-toxic and environmentally friendly antibiotics.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateJan 20, 2022

For some peptides, killing bacteria an inside job

Researchers have found that certain peptides can target the internal mechanisms of bacteria, making them effective against antibiotic-resistant microbes. The study suggests that these peptides could be used to design therapeutic agents that succeed where standard antibiotics fail.

SourceRice University·JournalInterface·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 16, 2021

Possible new antivirals against COVID-19, herpes

Scientists have developed stable peptide mimics called peptoids to treat viruses and prevent infections. Peptoids, such as those tested against SARS-CoV-2 and HSV-1, could one day cure or prevent many kinds of infections, including COVID-19.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateAug 24, 2021
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.

CHOP researchers develop coating for endotracheal tubes that releases antimicrobial peptides

Researchers created a polymer coating that releases Lasioglossin-III, an AMP with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, targeting specific infectious bacteria and preventing airway complications. The coating demonstrated significant antibacterial activity and prevented bacterial adherence to the tube.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalThe Laryngoscope·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2021

Nanoparticles enable efficient delivery of antimicrobial peptides

Researchers employed nanoparticles-based delivery systems to deliver AMPs for treating deep infections. Intelligent nanocarriers can achieve selective activation and target at infection sites, improving therapeutic efficacy against bacterial infections and reducing toxicity.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalBIO Integration·DateMar 18, 2021

Antimicrobial peptides against citrus greening

Researchers have identified stable antimicrobial peptides as a potential solution to address citrus greening, a major threat to the global citrus industry. Multiple SAMP injections into infected trees increased tree growth, reduced bacterial levels and prevented disease symptoms.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 1, 2021

Enhanced scorpion venom molecules can be used to treat Chagas disease

Researchers have discovered that scorpion venom molecule VmCT1 is effective against all three stages of the parasite that causes Chagas disease. Novel analogs with arginine substitutions displayed enhanced biological activity and better selectivity, offering new prospects for treatment.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalParasitology·DateDec 21, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Antimicrobial peptides with anticancer properties

The article reviews antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) with anticancer properties, highlighting their potential use in tumor therapy due to their ability to interact with negatively charged cell membranes. Recent advances and challenges in the application of these peptides are also discussed.

SourceCompuscript Ltd·JournalBIO Integration·DateNov 19, 2020

Bacteria-fighting polymers created with light

Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a novel method to synthesise hundreds of polymers for potential antibacterial applications. The method enables rapid screening of large libraries of polymers, leading to the identification of new antimicrobials that inhibit bacteria growth rather than breaking their membranes.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·DateAug 14, 2018
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.

The microbiome of a native plant is much more resilient than expected

A team of scientists discovered that the microbiome of a native plant, Nicotiana attenuata, is more resilient than expected. The study shows that different strains of bacteria within the soil microbiota can form partnerships with the plant and resist antimicrobial peptides, defying previous assumptions about their impact.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology·DateApr 17, 2018

Artificial antimicrobial peptides could help overcome drug-resistant bacteria

Artificial antimicrobial peptides, developed by researchers using a computer algorithm, have shown promise in combating drug-resistant bacteria. The most promising candidate, guavanin 2, has been found to be more potent than naturally occurring peptides and effective against Gram-negative bacteria.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 16, 2018

Antibiotic nanoparticles fight drug-resistant bacteria

Researchers developed nanoparticles packaging an antimicrobial peptide that effectively reduced Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mice, showing potential for targeted treatment of pneumonia and other bacterial infections. The approach combines concepts from cancer nanotechnology to deliver drugs selectively to bacterial targets.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJul 12, 2017
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.

Capsule shedding: A new bacterial pathway that promotes invasive disease

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital identified an enzyme that aids pneumococcus survival by removing its capsule, making it harder to be detected and destroyed by the immune system. This discovery has profound implications for treatment and vaccine strategies to combat invasive pneumococcal disease.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 29, 2016

Deadly bacteria stiff-arm the immune system

Researchers discovered M1 strep's ability to inactivate antimicrobial peptides, a key component of the immune system's defense. This finding highlights the need to fortify or optimize antimicrobial peptides to improve the immune system's odds of fending off infections.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateOct 14, 2015

Probing bacterial resistance to a class of natural antibiotics

Researchers explore how bacteria survive destruction from antimicrobial peptides and uncover a strategy that can be disabled. A two-component system helps bacteria remove antimicrobial peptides, blocking their bactericidal effect.

SourceArizona State University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateDec 16, 2014
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.

The American Society for Microbiology honors Marc Torrent

Marc Torrent, a researcher at the Medical Research Council, has been recognized for his outstanding work on antimicrobial regions in proteins and aggregation properties of antimicrobial peptides. His algorithm prediction tool is being applied to full genomes to identify new peptide leads.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·DateJun 18, 2013

Adapting fish defenses to block human infections

Undergraduate researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute created engineered surfaces that kill 34% of E.coli bacteria when peptides are lying flat, but 82% when attached vertically. The team developed a technique to monitor AMP attachment and plans to test other materials for optimal antimicrobial activity

SourceWorcester Polytechnic Institute·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateNov 29, 2012

Hungry immune guardians are snappier

Researchers at the University of Bonn discovered a mechanism regulating vital immune functions in healthy individuals. A link between nutrition and immune defense was found via the insulin signaling pathway, with low insulin levels activating FOXO transcription factor to switch on immune defense proteins.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalNature·DateJan 20, 2010

A trip to the candy store might help ward off rare, but deadly infections

Researchers found that glycyrrhizin improves the ability of damaged skin to produce antimicrobial peptides, which help prevent bacterial growth and infections. The study suggests that this compound could lead to lower death rates associated with burn-related infections.

SourceFederation of American Societies for Experimental Biology·JournalJournal of Leukocyte Biology·DateJan 4, 2010
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.

Stressed-out skin loses its antimicrobial defense mechanism

Mice subjected to psychological stress are more susceptible to skin infections due to decreased expression of antimicrobial peptides by the epidermis. Inhibiting glucocorticoids may improve immune function in stressed individuals.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 1, 2007

Bacteria recognize antimicrobials, respond with counter-defenses

Scientists have discovered a molecular mechanism by which bacteria can recognize and respond to tiny antimicrobial peptide molecules, making them more virulent. This finding may lead to new ways to overcome bacterial resistance and improve treatment options for diseases caused by Salmonella typhimurium.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalCell·DateAug 18, 2005

Eczema patients lack natural antibiotic in skin

Researchers found that eczema patients have impaired immune response, preventing adequate antimicrobial peptide production in their skin. This deficiency may lead to increased susceptibility to skin infections, such as staphylococcus aureus and herpes simplex.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateOct 9, 2002
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.

New insights into insect antimicrobials point the way to novel antibiotics

Scientists at The Wistar Institute identified key segments of an insect-derived antimicrobial peptide that kill bacteria and prevent mammalian cell entry. The research team confirmed the peptide's binding site on a bacterial protein target, opening up possibilities for novel antibiotic design and universal drug delivery.

SourceThe Wistar Institute·JournalEuropean Journal of Biochemistry·DateAug 8, 2002

Antimicrobial peptides: new weapons to fight infection

Researchers discover antimicrobial peptides in plants and animals, which target bacterial membranes to defend against infections. The study reveals these molecules provide a natural solution to combat growing antibiotic resistance.

SourceGeorgetown University Medical Center·JournalNature·DateJan 23, 2002