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Chinese investigators characterize the world of resistance gene exchange among bacteria

A team of Chinese researchers characterized the 'mobile resistome,' a network of easily transferred antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria, including humans and animals. The study found that these genes are shared among multiple human pathogens and can be disabling for six major classes of antibiotics.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateSep 9, 2016

The evolution of antibiotic resistance, on a plate

A new study reveals that bacteria can evolve resistance to antibiotics by adapting to intermediate concentrations, and that spatial location plays a role in their success. Mutations that increased resistance often came at the cost of reduced growth, which was subsequently restored by additional compensatory mutations.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateSep 8, 2016

Flowers critical link to bacteria transmission in wild bees

Researchers found that flowers are a hot spot for bacterial transmission to wild bees, with multiple flower and bee species sharing the same types of bacteria. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding wild bees as an alternative pollination option due to declining honey bee populations.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalMicrobial Ecology·DateSep 6, 2016
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Bacteria in smokeless tobacco products may be a health concern

Research on smokeless tobacco products has identified several bacteria species associated with opportunistic infections, such as Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus pumilus. These bacteria can produce toxins that cause illness in large quantities and may also contribute to the formation of carcinogenic compounds.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateAug 26, 2016

Antibiotic treatment increased risk for type 1 diabetes in animal study

Research published in Nature Microbiology suggests that antibiotic treatment can alter the microbiome and increase the risk of developing type 1 diabetes. The study used NOD mice and found that short pulses of antibiotics increased disease incidence by 53% compared to control mice.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature Microbiology·DateAug 22, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Oregon research points to mechanisms on why 'green' helps in urban life

A pilot study by University of Oregon researchers found that urban parks have unique bacterial fingerprints reflecting vegetation types, while parking lots tend to be more similar. This study provides evidence for how differences in vegetation influence airborne microbial communities and offers promising new directions for exploring th...

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateAug 2, 2016

Plasma technology can be tapped to kill biofilms on perishable fruit, foods

Air plasma technology has been shown to effectively kill bacteria and biofilms on the surfaces of perishable fruits, significantly extending their shelf life. The reactive species generated by plasma can penetrate into the cavity of the biofilm, causing damage and killing the bacteria within.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Plasmas·DateJul 26, 2016

Helpful bacteria evolved alongside hominid hosts

A new study suggests that gut bacteria in modern humans and apes coevolved for millions of years to help shape their immune systems. Researchers found that bacterial species distinct to one host were rarely transferred to other hosts, indicating unique patterns of evolution along with their hosts.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateJul 21, 2016

Deadly bacteria share weapons to outsmart antibiotics

Researchers at CWRU discovered how bacterial resistance enzymes spread and avoid destruction by anchoring themselves in cell membranes. This mechanism allows bacteria like NDM-1 to resist destruction triggered by low zinc levels, enabling their widespread dissemination and antibiotic resistance.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateJul 13, 2016
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.

Metabolic flexibility and immune defenses may influence species spread

A study by Plymouth University PhD student Rebekah Cioffi and colleagues found that widespread and restricted species of Deronectes diving beetles have different levels of bacterial immunity and metabolic plasticity. This suggests that factors beyond just temperature tolerance may play a role in shaping geographical ranges

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalBiology Letters·DateJun 27, 2016

Plant kingdom provides 2 new candidates for the war on antibiotic resistance

Scientists have isolated two small peptides from crop species that show effective antimicrobial effects on bacteria implicated in food spoilage and poisoning. These peptides, similar to a human peptide used to guard against beer-spoiling bacteria, offer a promising new approach to combatting antibiotic resistance.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateJun 20, 2016

Microbiota affect the rate of transplant acceptance and rejection

A mouse study reveals that skin grafts between mice treated with antibiotics before transplantation survive roughly twice as long. The team also found that changing the composition of microbiota affects organ transplants, suggesting a new strategy to improve transplant outcomes in humans.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 20, 2016
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.

Temperature influences gene expression, life cycle in vibrio cholerae

Researchers found that low temperatures trigger genes involved in biofilm formation, toxin production, and cold adaptation in Vibrio cholerae. Expression of virulence factors is reduced at low temperatures, suggesting a link to environmental lifecycle.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateMay 20, 2016

Nematodes and tardigrades, and dung beetles, oh my!

The new atlas, compiled by over 120 experts from 29 countries, reveals a vast and underappreciated natural resource – soil biodiversity. With nearly 200 pages of detailed information, the atlas aims to promote sustainability and encourage research efforts to tackle global challenges.

SourceColorado State University·DateMay 20, 2016

Smelly socks and sweaty shirts: Why your laundry stinks, and how to stop it

Researchers discovered six VOCs responsible for bad smells on dirty clothes, which are significantly reduced after washing. The study provides new insights into the impact of washing temperatures and detergents on fabric smell, potentially leading to more environmentally friendly cleaning methods.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Chromatography A·DateMay 19, 2016

Genetic potential of oil-eating bacteria from the BP oil spill decoded

Researchers sequenced DNA of oil-munching microbes to reveal the genetic potential in different bacterial species, including newly identified ones. The findings show that some bacteria can break down aromatic hydrocarbons, shedding light on their role in limiting damage from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNature Microbiology·DateMay 9, 2016
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.

Exploiting male killing bacteria to control insects

Researchers discovered a key mechanism driving a bacterium that kills male insects, which could be exploited to control pest species. The study found that the bacteria targets the dosage compensation complex, leading to genome-wide misregulation of gene expression.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 5, 2016

Microbial cooperation in the intestine

Researchers discovered a rare example of cooperation between different bacteria species in the human gut. Bacteroides ovatus digests a complex carbohydrate, providing benefits to other species in return.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNature·DateApr 25, 2016

Temporal cues help keep human looking human

Researchers at Duke University discovered a genetic circuit in bacteria that creates spatial patterns with proportional scaling, similar to those seen in animals. This finding suggests that timing cues may play a key role in pattern formation and development in other organisms.

SourceDuke University·JournalCell·DateApr 21, 2016
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

A new roundworm species from India is a link between 2 genera

A new roundworm species discovered in India is a bridge between two genera, Acrostichus and Diplogastrellus. The species exhibits intermediate characteristics, such as a narrow mouth cavity and robust male copulatory organs, making it a transitional species.

SourcePensoft Publishers·JournalBiodiversity Data Journal·DateApr 13, 2016

How bioceramics could help fight gum disease

Scientists are exploring the potential of bioceramic silicon nitride to treat severe gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke. The material's surface has been shown to degrade bacteria responsible for periodontitis, offering a promising therapeutic aid.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalLangmuir·DateApr 6, 2016

Water bears do not have extensive foreign DNA, new study finds

A recent study from the University of Edinburgh reveals that tardigrades have not acquired a significant proportion of their DNA from other organisms. The research found that nearly all of what was previously proposed to be foreign DNA was actually bacterial contamination.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 28, 2016
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.

Our gut microbiome is always changing; it's also remarkably stable

The gut microbiome remains healthy due to functional redundancy among microbe species, which ensure stability in the face of constant disturbance. This study highlights the importance of understanding the role of these bacteria in the human body and their contribution to clinical symptoms.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Microbiology·DateMar 17, 2016

Incredible images reveal bacteria motor parts in unprecedented detail

Researchers at Imperial College London have visualized bacteria motors with electron microscopes, revealing differences in swimming power and torque. These findings explain why some bacteria can swim through thick mucus while others cannot.

SourceImperial College London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 15, 2016

Symbiosis with partner exchange

Researchers found that bacteria in roundworms are loyal to their hosts, while those in segmented worms prefer local locations, with external tenants showing more long-term loyalty than internal cohabitants.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalMolecular Biology·DateMar 11, 2016

The plastic-eating bacteria breakdown

Scientists have identified a new bacterium that can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET) using just two enzymes. The unique enzymes, ISF6_4831 and ISF6_0224, work together to degrade PET into its simpler building blocks, offering a potential solution to the plastic waste problem.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateMar 10, 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.

Tick genome reveals secrets of a successful bloodsucker

Researchers have deciphered the genome of the blacklegged tick, revealing secrets to its success as a disease vector. The study identifies genes and protein families that shed light on why ticks excel at spreading pathogens, providing potential targets for new interventions.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 9, 2016

Oral capsule with bacterial spores may be effective treatment for recurrent C. difficile

A Phase 1b/2 trial suggests that an oral therapeutic drug containing the spores of beneficial bacteria is effective for preventing recurrence of C. difficile infection and restoring a healthy gut microbiome. The treatment achieved a 96.7% clinical cure rate, comparable to open-label antibiotic trials and fecal microbiota transplants.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·DateFeb 9, 2016

Biophysics: Partitioning by collision

Researchers have found that mixtures of equally sized particles in solution will demix, or sort themselves, if they differ in their diffusion constants. This phenomenon, known as the Brazil Nut effect, was simulated and explained by a theoretical model, showing that random particle motions play a key role in the process.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateFeb 5, 2016
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.

Newly discovered photosynthetic bacteria is surprisingly abundant

A newly discovered photosynthetic bacterium has been found to be abundantly present in diverse environments, including freshwater lakes and water treatment plants. Researchers believe this bacterium holds promise for producing biofuels by transferring its genes to other organisms.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalEnvironmental Microbiology Reports·DateJan 20, 2016

Gregarious chimps harbor richer gut microbiomes

Researchers found that the number of bacterial species in a chimp's GI tract increases when they are more gregarious. The study suggests that social interactions with other chimps help maintain gut microbial diversity over a lifetime, just as initial exposure from mom does.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 15, 2016

Sociable chimps harbor richer gut microbiomes

Researchers found that chimpanzees with more frequent social interactions had more diverse gut microbiomes. The study suggests that social networks play a crucial role in maintaining healthy gut microbial diversity, a finding with potential implications for human health.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 15, 2016
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.

Beneficial bacteria in Hawaiian squid attracted to fatty acids

Researchers have discovered a novel receptor in Vibrio fischeri that senses fatty acids, allowing the bacterium to migrate towards these compounds. This finding sheds light on the symbiotic relationship between the Hawaiian bobtail squid and its luminescent bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateDec 22, 2015
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Oregon study suggests some gut microbes may be keystones of health

Researchers discovered that a minority population of right bacteria can regulate a balanced environment in the intestines. They found that low-abundant bacterial species secreted molecules that dampened the immune response to the community, paving the way for predicting and preventing disease.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalCell Host & Microbe·DateNov 11, 2015

Sunscreen ingredient may prevent medical implant infections

Researchers at the University of Michigan found that zinc oxide nanopyramids can disrupt the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on medical implants, reducing bacterial load by over 95%. The coating may enable antibiotic treatments to succeed or allow the human immune system to take over.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNanomedicine·DateNov 10, 2015

Faster digestion in kangaroos reduces methane emissions

Researchers found that kangaroos emit around the same amount of methane as horses or ostriches per body size, but higher when food intake is increased. The study suggests that differences in methane production are more related to bacterial exposure conditions than specific bacteria types.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateNov 4, 2015
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.

New protein cleanup factors found to control bacterial growth

Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified key factors controlling bacterial proteolysis, a crucial cell process. The discovery provides a new target for developing antibiotics with high potential to avoid triggering drug resistance.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalCell·DateOct 8, 2015

A village of bacteria to help frogs fight disease

Researchers at Virginia Tech found that naturally occurring bacteria on a frog's skin can respond to infection and adjust their structure and function to compensate for it. The study suggests that the whole community of bacteria is important, not just a single protective bacterium. This discovery offers hope in limiting the impact of c...

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 7, 2015

Vaginal microbes influence whether mucus can trap HIV virus

Research reveals that certain vaginal bacteria species can trap HIV particles, while others allow them to diffuse freely. The study suggests that altering a woman's vaginal microbiota could improve protection against STIs by increasing the barrier properties of cervicovaginal mucus.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmBio·DateOct 6, 2015
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.

Genetic mutants alter entire biological communities

A single gene mutation in a bacterial species triggered dramatic changes across its microbial community, altering biofilm production and affecting other species. This study suggests that fine-scale genetic differences within populations can have significant impacts on ecosystems.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 10, 2015

Shared habitats

Researchers found that two common antibiotic-resistant bacteria coexist peacefully in the gut, occupying distinct niches that satisfy their metabolic needs. Fecal transplants from healthy donors effectively cleared one pathogen, but not the other, highlighting potential for targeted therapies to eradicate specific superbugs.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateSep 3, 2015

UMD-led study identifies the off switch for biofilm formation

A University of Maryland-led team has discovered an enzyme that breaks the signaling pathway of biofilms, a complex web of fibers that protects bacteria from threats. This finding could lead to the development of new treatments to prevent biofilm-related complications and reduce hospital equipment failures.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 24, 2015
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.

Research could lead to protective probiotics for frogs

A team of scientists has identified potential probiotics for frogs to combat the devastating chytrid fungus. The researchers found dominant bacterial species that may provide disease resistance and antifungal properties to their host. This discovery holds promise for protecting vulnerable amphibian populations worldwide.

SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateJul 30, 2015

It takes a village... to ward off dangerous infections? New microbiome research suggests so

A study found that certain combinations of gut bacteria, such as those from the Porphyromonadaceae and Lachnospiraceae families, resist colonization by C. difficile in mice. The researchers developed a computer model that accurately predicted C. difficile's success rate for other mice based on their gut microbiome composition.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalmBio·DateJul 23, 2015
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.