A Stanford study reveals that severely ill COVID-19 patients experience immune system paralysis, leading to enhanced inflammation and lung damage. The research identified three molecular suspects associated with lung inflammation and bacterial debris in the blood, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for combating COVID-19.
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SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
A machine learning algorithm using high-temporal-resolution growth curves distinguishes bacterial pathogen strains with 92-98% accuracy, predicting antibiotic resistance as well as genetic-based methods. The method has the potential to be faster, simpler, and less expensive than current techniques.
SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 4, 2020
Researchers at Université de Genève discovered that the RNA helicase protein contributes to the synthesis of fatty acids, a crucial component of bacterial membranes. The findings provide insight into golden staph's ability to adapt to changing environments and may lead to new treatment options.
SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateAug 3, 2020
Compounds tested for their potential as antibiotics have demonstrated promising activity against tuberculosis (TB), a deadly infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The study found that the compounds exploit well-known targets for drugs, including the bacterial enzyme DNA gyrase.
SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalJournal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy·DateJul 30, 2020
A study published in Nature Communications reveals the intricate choreography of phage assembly and its impact on bacterial infections. The research provides new insights into the mechanism of action of phages, which could lead to more precise and effective treatments for drug-resistant bacterial infections.
SourceMonash University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 29, 2020
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GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.
Emerging disease has spread to ten US states and South America, infecting over 80% of corn plants in some fields. Research reveals global spread, host range, and potential DNA transfers among strains.
SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalPhytopathology·DateJul 17, 2020
A study found that women taking MHT have a greater variety of beneficial bacteria in their urine, potentially creating conditions that discourage urinary infections. The study also showed that women with recurrent UTIs have fewer types of bacteria in their urine.
Researchers have discovered a compact Cas protein, CasΦ, in megaphages, which could make gene editing easier and more efficient. This protein targets specific regions of DNA with high accuracy and can cut both single-stranded and double-stranded DNA, making it a promising tool for crop improvement and disease treatment.
SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience·DateJul 16, 2020
A team at Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard developed a new molecular editor that can precisely edit mitochondrial DNA, enabling modeling of disease-associated mutations. The editor, engineered from a bacterial toxin, enables researchers to study genetic changes associated with cancer, aging, and more.
SourceBroad Institute of MIT and Harvard·JournalNature·DateJul 8, 2020
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.
Researchers have developed a novel approach to prevent and treat chronic and recurrent bacterial diseases caused by biofilms. The technology targets the DNABII family of DNA-binding proteins, which are common to all biofilms and disrupts them.
SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalEBioMedicine·DateJul 7, 2020
A team of scientists discovered a new antibiotic binding site on the ribosome, blocking protein synthesis in bacteria. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new antibacterial drugs that overcome existing antibiotic resistance.
SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateJun 29, 2020
Researchers have developed a function-based sequencing technique using optical tweezers to analyze individual bacteria cells, enabling direct genome sequencing and antibiotic resistance testing from a single cell. This breakthrough technology supports rapid antibiotic selection and more precise treatment of bacterial infections.
SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalSmall·DateJun 26, 2020
A new approach has been developed to stimulate the production of antibiotics and antiparasitic compounds in actinobacteria. By exposing bacteria to specific hormones, researchers hope to produce large quantities of medically useful molecules.
SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·DateJun 25, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
A pioneering study found specific genetic changes affect gut bacteria populations, paving the way for understanding disease causes. Researchers identified 13 DNA changes related to changes in gut bacteria presence or quantity.
Researchers developed a high-throughput structure mapping method, Lead-Seq, to determine RNA structures in bacterial cells. The team successfully mapped the structures of thousands of RNAs simultaneously, including previously unknown 'RNA thermometers' that detect temperature changes.
SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateJun 17, 2020
A review paper argues that bacteriophages are essential for maintaining healthy bacterial communities around plant roots, which is vital for plant growth. The researchers suggest that these phages can stimulate microbes to protect plants during droughts and transfer DNA between cells, leading to new functionalities.
SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalTrends in Microbiology·DateJun 16, 2020
A team of Kyoto University researchers has discovered an intimate connection between methylation and the body's circadian rhythms, linking ancient mechanisms in bacteria to humans. Disruption of methylation can cause various pathologies, including cancer, and inhibiting it in mice and human cells disrupted their body clocks.
SourceKyoto University·JournalCommunications Biology·DateJun 11, 2020
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A recent study found that cell phones and shoes harbor distinct communities of microbes, with shoes displaying greater diversity. The research also uncovered a substantial proportion of 'microbial dark matter' groups, previously unexplored in lab settings.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalPeerJ·DateJun 9, 2020
A new consensus statement by 119 microbiologists proposes updating the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes to include uncultivated bacteria and archaea represented by DNA sequence information. This would enable researchers to create a unified list of all discovered species and implement universal quality standards for nam...
SourceDesert Research Institute·JournalNature Microbiology·DateJun 8, 2020
Researchers discovered that SAR11 bacteria host a unique virus with a two-pronged survival strategy, allowing it to thrive in the oceans. The virus can multiply and split, producing large numbers of free viruses, contributing to its survival.
SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalNature Microbiology·DateMay 29, 2020
Researchers at Ohio State University found that e-cigarette users' mouths contain potent infection-causing organisms, similar to those found in people with periodontitis. The study suggests that vaping can lead to gum disease and cancer, even in healthy individuals who have not smoked. The findings challenge the claim that e-cigarettes...
SourceOhio State University·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 27, 2020
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CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.
Scientists at KIT have developed a programmable biohybrid material system that uses bacteria to generate power. The system consists of a nanocomposite and the Shewanella oneidensis bacterium, which produces electrons. The team achieved controlled electron flow with increasing bacterial cells on the conductive matrix.
SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMay 25, 2020
Researchers discovered mathematical relationships describing gut microbiome dynamics, including Taylor's power law and drift rates. These principles help identify abnormal bacterial behavior and predict how dietary changes affect microbiomes.
SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNature Microbiology·DateMay 13, 2020
The study created flexible single crystal electronic systems by using organic semiconductors that can be stretched over 10%, exceeding the elastic limit of most single crystals. This breakthrough could enable new applications in sensors and robotics.
SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMay 13, 2020
A new dataset and diagnostic platform have been developed to help tomato growers detect and prevent bacterial canker, a disease caused by Clavibacter michiganensis. The platform uses genetic regions specific to the pathogen, reducing false positives and making it easier for growers to screen infected plant and seed materials.
SourceAmerican Phytopathological Society·JournalPhytopathology·DateMay 11, 2020
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt and the University of Exeter have found that Thermus thermophilus bacteria possess two types of tiny surface hairs, or pili, with different functions. The thick pili are used for DNA capture, while the thin pili facilitate movement on surfaces.
SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 6, 2020
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Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.
Scientists have discovered that Thermus thermophilus can produce two types of type IV pili: one specialized for movement and the other for genetic exchange. This finding could lead to the development of new antimicrobial drugs targeting specific mechanisms.
SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 6, 2020
Researchers from SMART have discovered a new defence mechanism found in some bacteria that uses phosphorothioates to protect their DNA. This discovery enables scientists to tackle existing challenges in bacterial resistance to antibiotics and has huge implications for phage therapy.
SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalNature Microbiology·DateMay 6, 2020
Researchers have developed a sensitive and specific assay to detect different serotypes of Salmonella, enabling rapid tracing of infection origins. The new DNA test can distinguish between subtypes of Salmonella in just eight minutes and has the potential to simplify and accelerate food-borne illness investigations.
SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·DateApr 28, 2020
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GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.
Researchers from Skoltech and international collaborators investigated the BREX defense mechanism, which bacteria use to protect themselves from viral infection. They found that a multipurpose viral protein called Ocr can mimic DNA and disable this defense system.
SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateApr 27, 2020
Researchers found that syphilis bacteria alter a single gene, called tprK, which provides instructions for a protein on its surface. This change allows the bacterium to evade the immune system and resist eradication, contributing to its ability to hide in the body for decades.
SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateApr 24, 2020
Researchers have characterized how the gut microbiome develops in the first hours of infancy, providing a critical baseline for understanding the impact on health and disease later in life. The study found that multiple strains of bacteria emerged early, influencing metabolite levels and protein consumption.
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Researchers identified bacterial exchange of genes allowing resistance to antibiotics, highlighting the complex process and potential for frequent sharing in hospital settings. The study's findings have implications for designing new strategies to prevent and control multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
Researchers used advanced imaging to study proteins at the molecular level in live E. coli bacteria. Silver ions caused paired DNA strands to separate and protein binding to weaken, resulting in faster protein movement. This new understanding could help develop better antibiotics using silver nanoparticles.
SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateApr 9, 2020
Researchers have created a material that supports the growth of exoelectrogenic bacteria while efficiently conducting electricity in a controlled manner. By incorporating DNA strands into a nanocomposite scaffold, they can tailor the conductivity and properties of the material by varying the size and sequence of the DNA fragments.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 8, 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.
Researchers at University of California San Diego discovered that internal circadian clocks regulate DNA uptake in cyanobacteria, increasing its efficiency during nighttime hours. This finding highlights the crucial role of synchronizing biological processes with environmental rhythms for human health and disease prevention.
SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 8, 2020
Researchers discovered a community of bacteria as dense as the human gut living in tiny clay-filled cracks in solid rock millions of years old. The bacteria's presence suggests that life can thrive in conditions similar to those on Mars, where nutrient availability may be limited.
SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalCommunications Biology·DateApr 2, 2020
The study reveals that microbial biofilms on the tongue have a complex spatial organization, with key bacterial genera such as Actinomyces, Rothia, and Streptococcus. The images show patchy community structure, with consorcia dominated by single taxa, and suggest a model for how these communities are generated.
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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 Copenhagen discovered that type IV CRISPR-Cas systems are used by plasmid parasites to battle each other for control of a host bacterium. This finding reveals that CRISPR has multiple uses beyond defense against viruses.
SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateMar 24, 2020
Children's National Hospital researchers isolated bacterial extracellular vesicles from healthy donors, revealing the gut microbiome communicates with the brain. The discovery could lead to a novel way of addressing antibiotic resistance by targeting bacteria-derived RNA.
Researchers at Linköping University discover that bacteria, not human cells, are responsible for the detection of epigenetic mark 6mdA. The team finds multiple methods used to detect 6mdA produce false positive results due to bacterial contamination and technical issues.
SourceLinköping University·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 18, 2020
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new strategy to destroy antibiotic-resistant genes, known as superbugs, in sewage system wastewater. The nano technology traps and degrades these genetic remnants before they can infect other bacteria.
SourceRice University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateMar 11, 2020
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Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.
A new light-activated coating has been developed that successfully kills bacteria in low-intensity ambient light, including <em>Clostridioides difficile</em> and <em>Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus</em>. The coating works by producing hydrogen peroxide, a mild reagent used in contact lens cleaner solutions.
SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 5, 2020
Researchers discovered 46 drugs that block bacterial competence, preventing the spread of antibiotic resistance in mice and human lung cells. These 'anti-evolution drugs' could be combined with antibiotics to extend their lifespan.
SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateMar 3, 2020
Researchers at Hubrecht Institute and Princess Máxima Center found that Escherichia coli bacteria induce unique DNA mutations in human cells, similar to those found in colon cancer patients. The study establishes a direct link between the microbes inhabiting our bodies and genetic alterations that drive cancer development.
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Researchers found unique DNA damage patterns in cells lining the gut and bowel cancer tumours, linked to a specific strain of E. coli toxin colibactin. The discovery could enable early detection and prevention of bowel cancer through targeted screening tests.
A recent study published in Nature found that CRISPR anti-viral immunity is often a disadvantage to bacteria when infected by certain viruses. The research suggests that triggering the powerful defense systems can be risky for a bacterium, leading to significant implications for treatment design.
Researchers identified a unique collection of gut bacteria associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), predicting its presence with 83% accuracy. This discovery may lead to new therapies targeting the digestive system and improving PAH diagnosis.
SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalHYPERTENSION·DateFeb 24, 2020
Bacteria can coexist through a simple mechanism where movement drives ecosystem diversity and stability. The active migration of organisms can keep different bacterial strains together, allowing them to survive alongside each other.
Researchers discovered Woeseiales bacteria, thriving in deep-sea environments, with an estimated 5 x 10^26 cells worldwide. These microbes likely facilitate protein degradation and nitrogen cycling in marine sediments.
SourceMax Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology·JournalThe ISME Journal·DateFeb 17, 2020
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A group of ITMO University researchers analyzed the Moscow Subway and found a microbiome similar to that of New York's public transportation. The study used high-throughput DNA sequencing and discovered identical types of bacteria, including Dietzia, Brevundimonas, and Pseudomonas.
SourceITMO University·JournalComputational and Structural Biotechnology Journal·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers found over 350 huge phages with genomes four times larger than average, including the largest bacteriophage to date. These viruses carry genes normally found in bacteria and use them against their hosts, bridging the gap between non-living and living organisms.
SourceUniversity of Melbourne·JournalNature·DateFeb 13, 2020
Researchers identified 351 large phages carrying bacterial genes, including CRISPR and ribosomal proteins, which blur the line between life and non-life. These enormous phages use these genes against their bacterial hosts and have the potential to provide new tools for genome engineering.
SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature·DateFeb 12, 2020
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.
A signaling molecule, c-di-GMP, initiates a clock-like mechanism in bacteria that determines individual reproduction. The molecule activates enzymes called kinases, which prepare the cell for division under favorable living conditions.
SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 10, 2020
A novel technique called SAG-gel allows for the simultaneous analysis of multiple draft genomes from raw data, identifying bacteria that respond to dietary fiber without reference genomes. The study reveals specific gene clusters and metabolic pathways involved in breaking down inulin.
SourceWaseda University·JournalMicrobiome·DateFeb 7, 2020
Scientists investigated allolysis, a phenomenon where bacteria kill genetically identical neighbors under certain conditions. This process may help develop new antibacterial medicines by targeting community dynamics rather than individual cell killing.
SourceSechenov University·JournalAntibiotics·DateFeb 3, 2020
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Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.
Researchers have identified 10 compounds with insecticidal activity produced by symbiotic microbes in a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, potentially leading to new natural pesticides. The substances were strongly toxic to aphids and moderately toxic to spider mites.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJan 29, 2020
Researchers discovered that a 'frameshift mutation' in TB bacteria's RpoB gene makes them resistant to rifampicin. The mutation suppresses the effect of the frameshift, allowing the bacteria to survive and thrive.
SourceUppsala University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 27, 2020
A Northwestern University study found that indoor dust bacteria can transfer antibiotic resistance genes, potentially making infections more difficult to treat. The researchers believe this could lead to the spread of resistant pathogens, highlighting the need for increased caution in managing indoor environments.
SourceNorthwestern University·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJan 23, 2020
Bacterial autoimmunity occurs when the CRISPR-Cas system targets viral DNA incorporated into the host genome, leading to damaging autoimmunity. The absence of this key immune system can be beneficial for bacterial survival and proliferation. Anti-CRISPR proteins also provide protection for the host by disabling its immune system.