Researchers discovered a structural adaptation supporting the survival and mobility of a Dead Sea single-celled organism in harsh environments. The archaeal filament, powered by a membrane-anchored protein motor, is stiffened and strengthened with a unique outer sheath structure to facilitate movement in viscous conditions.
SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 3, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Apusomonads display a clear avoidance response to blue light by asymmetrizing their posterior flagellum and contracting their cell body. This primitive mechanism provides clues to the evolution of high-speed flagellar movements in opisthokonts.
SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalCommunications Biology·DateFeb 2, 2026
Researchers have discovered a key protein structure in the germ cells of male mice that causes deformations in sperm flagellum leading to infertility. The study used ultrastructure expansion microscopy to visualize the centriole, a tiny cylindrical structure critical for sperm movement.
Scientists have discovered a new family of signaling proteins that regulate bacterial motility and DNA uptake mechanisms. These findings suggest a possible link between these processes and bacterial pathogenicity, colonizing hosts, biofilm formation, and antibiotic resistance.
SourceHeinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 26, 2025
Researchers from The University of Osaka identify CFAP91 and EFCAB5 as crucial proteins for sperm motility. Loss of function in either protein reduces male fertility in mice. Understanding these proteins' functions may help diagnose infertility and develop new treatments.
SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2025
Researchers at King's College London used cryo-electron microscopy to study the flagellum in unprecedented detail, revealing its architecture and identifying potential drug targets. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new treatments for bacterial infections without driving resistance.
SourceKing's College London·JournalNature Microbiology·DateJul 1, 2025
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.
A research team at the California NanoSystems Institute has created the most detailed 3D map yet of the flagellum on Trypanosoma brucei, which causes sleeping sickness. The study identified 154 different proteins that make up the flagellum, including 40 unique to the parasite.
SourceCalifornia NanoSystems Institute·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 23, 2025
Researchers identified a new way to fight infections like Lyme and syphilis by disrupting the bacteria's 'motor', preventing it from spreading through the body. The findings could have wide-ranging impacts on the treatment of infections in the future as concern about antibiotic-resistant strains grows.
SourceCornell University·JournalACS Chemical Biology·DateApr 1, 2025
Scientists have created an artificial motor that converts chemical energy into rotational energy at the supramolecular level, mimicking the movement of primitive bacteria. The new development has potential applications in nanorobots for detecting tumor cells and could lead to innovative medical treatments.
SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalChem·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 17, 2024
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.
Researchers created microscopic vehicles propelled by swimming green algae, which can be maneuvered by the algae. The team developed two types of vehicles: the rotator and the scooter, with the latter displaying erratic rolling motions.
SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 8, 2024
Researchers at the University of California - Riverside have discovered a way to deactivate mosquito sperm, preventing them from swimming to or fertilizing eggs. This breakthrough could help control populations of Culex mosquitoes that transmit infectious diseases like encephalitis and West Nile Virus.
SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 16, 2023
Bacteria can survive antibiotics without acquiring new genes or mutating existing ones by maintaining high electrochemical energies. These high-energy cells exhibit a wide range of energy levels despite being in a state of arrested growth, enabling them to adapt and spread rapidly.
Researchers at Okayama University discovered genes and proteins responsible for the rapid contraction of axopodia in Heliozoa, a group of eukaryotes. The study identified key players in microtubule disruption, including katanin p60, kinesin, and calcium signaling proteins.
SourceOkayama University·JournalJournal of Eukaryotic Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2023
Researchers identified a new type of flagellin in the human gut that binds to Toll-like receptor 5 without inducing an inflammatory response. This discovery provides a mechanism for the immune system to tolerate beneficial microbes while remaining responsive to pathogens.
SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience Immunology·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 16, 2023
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.
Researchers discovered a new ancient branch of life, Provora, comprising microbial predators that nibble prey to death. These microbes, called nibblerids and nebulids, were found in marine habitats globally and differ by 170-180 nucleotides from all other living things.
SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalNature·DateDec 7, 2022
Researchers used advanced imaging techniques to understand the structure of bacterial propellers, which are made of a single protein. The study reveals that bacteria push themselves forward by coiling these appendages into corkscrew shapes, and that similar structures have evolved independently in archaea.
SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalCell·DateSep 27, 2022
Researchers identify key enzyme CbrR and cyclic-di-GMP as crucial for Campylobacter jejuni's motility and biofilm formation. By targeting these elements, scientists aim to develop a safe molecule to prevent infection.
SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateJul 1, 2022
Researchers at the University of Exeter have discovered how single-celled algae like Chlamydomonas rotate as it swims towards the light. By analyzing flagella movement and creating a computer model, the team found that the alga can steer by exerting different forces on its two flagella.
SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 24, 2021
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.
A new method was developed to investigate how Helicobacter pylori locates its target in the stomach. The technique successfully reported the probability of clockwise rotation in H. pylori and showed similarities with E. coli's flagellar control mechanism. This could lead to better understanding of chemotaxis and potential dietary inter...
Researchers investigated the flagellar arrangements of 15 unicellular species, revealing their impact on swimming speed and fluid flow architecture. Dinoflagellates were found to excel in both feeding and stealth behaviors due to their unique flagellar arrangement.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 11, 2021
Researchers found that glycylation, a rare modification of tubulin protein, is essential for maintaining straight swimming motion in sperm cells. Without this modification, sperm swim in circles due to uncoordinated activity of molecular motors.
SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateJan 7, 2021
Researchers from Hokkaido University discovered that marimo develop their characteristic spherical shape due to the rare formation of reproductive cells. The study found low levels of zoospore production, particularly in aggregative forms, which maintains the marimo's shape.
SourceHokkaido University·JournalAquatic Botany·DateDec 3, 2020
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.
Researchers identified a critical glycosylation step and a control protein that regulate flagellum assembly. The discovery sheds light on bacterial motility and provides insights into protein synthesis and cytoskeleton formation.
SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateOct 27, 2020
Researchers observed that C. jejuni swims faster in viscous liquids due to its flagella, which wrap around the helical body to propel itself forward. This finding could lead to new strategies for preventing C. jejuni infections by targeting its movement mechanisms.
SourceImperial College London·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJul 2, 2020
Researchers discovered that bacteria use a strategy called surface tumbling to slow down and reorient themselves on surfaces. This allows them to escape from surface traps and explore the surface for optimal conditions, leading to colonization and biofilm formation.
SourceCell Press·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateMay 5, 2020
A team of researchers from Osaka University identified a key protein required for electrical signal sensing in sperm, which is defective in individuals experiencing reduced fertility. The study's findings suggest that the protein regulates ion channel activity, affecting sperm motility and potentially leading to new fertility treatments.
SourceOsaka University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 2, 2019
Osaka University researchers use electron cryomicroscopy to solve the structure of the bacterial flagellum's 'universal joint,' a crucial component in transmitting rotary power. This breakthrough has important implications for developing new antibiotics and biomimetic self-propelled nanomachines.
SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 27, 2019
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.
Researchers at OIST Graduate University revealed the flagellar hook's mechanics, showing how it acts as a dynamic joint to transmit torque and enable bacterial motility. The study provides insights into the hook's flexible and rigid structure, allowing for dynamic shifts in its conformation.
SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateSep 30, 2019
A new species of Surazomus, a rare arachnid found in the Amazon, has been discovered with unique characteristics that provide insight into its mating habits. The species' male flagellum and female chelicerae anchor onto each other during copulation, offering clues about evolutionary changes within the genus.
New research reveals a previously unknown mechanism for microbes to conserve energy in lean times. By ejecting their flagella, bacteria can avoid switching to a stationary phase and prevent potential leakage of cellular contents.
When bacteria face starvation, they can eject their flagella to conserve energy. This behavior allows them to survive in nutrient-poor environments. The discovery provides new insights into bacterial evolution and potential targets for antimicrobial drugs.
SourceImperial College London·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 19, 2019
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.
Researchers discover Euglena cells can crawl fast in narrow spaces using metaboly, a coordinated body deformation. The study could inspire new technologies, such as soft robots that can move efficiently in complex environments.
SourceScuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati·JournalNature Physics·DateFeb 21, 2019
Researchers from UNIGE develop in vitro system to form microtubule doublets, revealing crucial role of tubulin in preventing uncontrolled ciliary structure formation. This discovery may lead to new treatments targeting differences between human and pathogen cilia.
Researchers discovered that some bacteria use multi-component flagella to manoeuvre out of small spaces, enabling them to escape and infect. The study's findings could lead to the development of new methods to block the transmission of harmful infections.
SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 18, 2018
Researchers at MIT have developed tiny robots made of electronic circuits coupled to minuscule particles called colloids, which can flow through intestines or pipelines to detect problems. The devices are self-powered, requiring no external power source or internal batteries.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJul 23, 2018
Scientists from Umeå University have discovered a new toxin, MakA, produced by Vibrio cholerae bacteria. The toxin affects both vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, causing damage to the intestinal system, and is transported through the flagellum filamentous structure.
SourceUmea University·JournalCommunications Biology·DateJun 25, 2018
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.
The CENTROBIN protein plays a positive role in flagellum development, while exerting negative effects on primary cilia formation. Its discovery reveals the multifunctional nature of this protein in distinct cell types.
SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateMay 11, 2018
A Japanese research team has uncovered new molecular details and provided a model explaining how stepwise flagellar assembly occurs in bacteria. The proposed model suggests that subtle changes in the ring's shape determine which proteins are exported to the growing flagellum, enabling its construction.
SourceOsaka University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 26, 2018
Scientists discovered that the anterior region of the alga is more sensitive to calcium ions than the posterior end, allowing for fine-tuned light-responsive motility. This finding advances our understanding of how multicellular organisms evolved to overcome single-celled limitations in photosynthesis.
SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 21, 2018
Research reveals that MADS-box genes in moss control sperm motility and cell division, critical for fertilization. The findings suggest that these genes may have been reused by flowering plants to evolve new functions.
SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalNature Plants·DateJan 10, 2018
Meta Quest 3 512GB
Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.
Researchers have demonstrated a new method to produce biotemplated nanoswimmers using bacterial flagella as templates, overcoming high startup costs of traditional approaches. The nanorobots can perform nearly as well as living bacteria and show potential for targeted cancer therapeutics and electronics applications.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Materials·DateNov 30, 2017
New species of microbes named Pseudotrichonympha leei, lifesoni, and pearti are found in termites' guts and have long flagella resembling Geddy Lee's hair. The microbes also exhibit rhythmic movements, prompting researchers to name them after Rush musicians.
SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 27, 2017
The mouse immune system uses six different ways to identify invading bacteria, scanning the bacterial protein in detail. This effective immune response helps understand why certain bacteria can evade detection.
SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalScience·DateNov 16, 2017
Researchers elucidate torque generation mechanism of flagellar motor in Bacillus subtilis using high-speed atomic force microscopy and mutational analysis. The study finds that sodium ions drive the assembly and activation of flagellar motor, regardless of its composition.
SourceOsaka University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 13, 2017
Researchers discovered that Chlamydomonas algae can control its adhesion to surfaces using blue light, a phenomenon that could improve the efficiency of biofuels production. By understanding this mechanism, scientists hope to develop algae strains with modified photoreceptors that don't form biofilms on glass walls.
SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Physics·DateSep 29, 2017
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.
Researchers have identified a new class of enzymes in hundreds of bacterial species, including those causing disease in humans and animals. These enzymatic flagella enable bacteria to degrade proteins in their environment.
SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 12, 2017
A new study reveals the dynamic assembly of the export gate complex in bacterial flagellum and injectisome. The research identifies FliO as a scaffold protein essential for assembly, providing candidate targets for experimental drugs.
SourceOsaka University·JournalPLOS Biology·DateAug 8, 2017
Researchers at Penn State discovered that flexible flagella allow bacteria to overcome local forces between molecules, reducing viscosity and effectively thinning the liquid. This understanding could inform ways to control or prevent biofilm formation on surfaces, leading to better medical device designs and filtration methods.
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.
Researchers discovered a mechanism that controls the length of a bacterial flagellum's rod, which transfers torque to propel the bacterium. The study found that an outer membrane tethering protein plays a crucial role in regulating the flagellum's dimensions.
Researchers at Osaka University used electron cryomicroscopy to study flagellar motors, revealing that small changes in amino acids can significantly impact function. The discovery provides insight into constructing synthetic nanomachines with similar properties.
SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 9, 2017
A research team from Washington University has been awarded a $1.25 million grant to study the movement and mechanics of flagella in a green alga called Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which is nearly identical to human cilia. The goal is to understand how these tiny organelles propel movements and potentially develop new discoveries in mec...
SourceWashington University in St. Louis·DateSep 7, 2016
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.
Researchers at OIST Graduate University have discovered a way to disrupt bacterial flagella growth, which are crucial for infection spread. By modifying a key protein, they can trap flagella inside bacteria, preventing them from moving and infecting the body.
SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 30, 2016
Researchers discovered that single-celled algae can coordinate their flagella into leaping, trotting, or galloping gaits, similar to four-legged animals. The networks of elastic fibres within the cell play a crucial role in coordinating these diverse movements.
SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 3, 2016
Physicists have developed a way to differentiate between the active motions of living cells and those driven by random molecular movements. The method uses video imaging and analysis to identify non-equilibrium systems in living organisms.
SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalScience·DateMay 3, 2016
Researchers developed a noninvasive data analysis technique to distinguish between actively driven and thermally induced motions inside cells. The method, based on statistical physics, tracks particle transitions between states and identifies imbalances that indicate active processes.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateApr 28, 2016
Researchers used electron cryotomography to visualize bacterial 'motors' in three dimensions, revealing the complexity of type IVa pilus machine and flagellum structures. The study provides insights into pilus assembly, structure, and function, as well as correlations between motor strength and torque-generating protein complexes.
SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateMar 29, 2016
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.
Researchers at the University of Warwick discovered that sperm tails rotate in a counter-clockwise motion to move through fluids. Approximately 50% of observed sperm moved to the right by distorting their bodies to counteract the left-turning force, suggesting two distinct physiologically subpopulations
SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 7, 2015
Cilia play a crucial role in human health, with ciliopathies affecting multiple tissue types. Research using model species like Chlamydomonas and mice may uncover new insights into these complex cell organelles.
SourceAmerican Institute of Biological Sciences·JournalBioScience·DateDec 1, 2014
African parasites undergo significant shape changes during their life cycle, enabling adaptation to varying environments. Researchers found that adjusting a key protein's expression can trigger these transformations, allowing the parasites to survive and reproduce for multiple generations.
SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateAug 4, 2014
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered that microscopic flagella synchronize their movements through direct hydrodynamic interactions in a fluid. The findings, published in eLife, demonstrate that the motion of the fluid created by two beating flagella is sufficient to cause them to row in sync.