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Light-Activated "Good Vibrations" can Destroy Cancer Cells

The Beach Boys' iconic hit single "Good Vibrations" takes on a whole new layer of meaning thanks to a recent discovery by Rice University scientists and collaborators, who have uncovered a way to destroy cancer cells by using the ability of some molecules to vibrate strongly when stimulated by light.

20 Dec 2023

Unmasking the Energy Secrets of a Marine Bacterial Giant

Not all bacteria are created equal. Most are single-celled and tiny, a few ten-thousandths of a centimeter long. But bacteria of the Epulopiscium family are large enough to be seen with the naked eye and 1 million times the volume of their better-known cousins, E. coli.

19 Dec 2023

Oceanography, Seafloor Mapping and Satellite Combine to Map World’s Strongest Current

From space to the seafloor, an Australian and international research voyage has mapped a highly energetic "hotspot" in the world’s strongest current simultaneously by ship and satellite, and uncovered an underwater mountain range.

19 Dec 2023

Tiny Microbes Help Corals "Remember" and Fight Heat Waves

Some coral species can be resilient to marine heat waves by "remembering" how they lived through previous ones, research by Oregon State University scientists suggests.

19 Dec 2023

NTNU Develops Dual-Mechanism Antibiotic Strategy to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance

NTNU has developed a promising antibiotic candidate against MRSA. Behind the discovery lies a methodology that may be important in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

18 Dec 2023

Revealing the Molecular Machinery of Virus Warriors Against Bacterial Infections

The term “virus” is frequently linked with negative implications. Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize that not all viruses are detrimental.

18 Dec 2023

The Impact of Gut Microbiome Communities on Pathogen Protection

The gut microbiome, comprising numerous bacterial species, serves as a residence for various bacteria within the human digestive system.

15 Dec 2023

Scientists Crack the Code for Artificial DNA

The genetic code is composed of just four letters representing the four nucleotides, which are the fundamental building blocks of DNA.

14 Dec 2023

Cryo-EM Analysis Uncovers Unexpected Enzymatic Switch in Bacterial Anti-Phage System

Scientists have revealed a never-before-seen phenomenon in a protein: Alone, the enzyme processes DNA and RNA but, when bound to another protein as part of a defense system, interacts with a completely different type of compound to help bacteria commit suicide.

14 Dec 2023

Groups of Cells Act Differently to Individual Cell Units

A recent study indicates that a protein responsible for generating force in individual cells operates differently when cells are part of a collective movement.

14 Dec 2023

Light Sensing Helps Bacteria Survive Daily Environmental Shifts

Scientists know that many bacteria have proteins that give them the ability to sense light. This ability helps some bacteria use light for energy.

14 Dec 2023

CRISPR Takes Probiotics to the Next Level

Humans can benefit significantly from symbiotic relationships with probiotics-;live bacteria and microorganisms that influence the gut microbiota.

14 Dec 2023

Novel DNA Tension Probe Technology Offers Precise Measurement of Platelet Function

A novel technique to test platelet function within a person's blood sample is faster, easier and more precise than methods currently in use, an experimental study shows.

12 Dec 2023

Insights into the Shaping and Organization of Microbial Communities

Dental plaque, gut bacteria, and the slick coating on river rocks exemplify biofilms—structured communities of microorganisms that inhabit both human bodies and the surrounding environment.

11 Dec 2023

Study Investigates Antibiotic Resistance Genes Transfer Between Bacteria

A recent study reported in The Lancet Microbe reveals that the exchange of antibiotic resistance genes among diverse bacteria is significantly more extensive than previously believed.

11 Dec 2023

Earliest Evidence of Disease-Causing Fungus Found

A recent breakthrough has unveiled the earliest disease-causing fungus, residing within the fossil collections of the Natural History Museum.

7 Dec 2023

Mucus Thickness Dictates Bacterial Behavior, Affecting Infection Potential

The telltale signs of cold and flu season—sniffles, snorts, and the sound of noses being blown—serve as indicators of increased mucus production.

6 Dec 2023

A Breakthrough in Combatting Multi-Drug Resistant Bacteria

Healthcare-associated infections pose a widespread challenge in the treatment of suppurating wounds, compounded by the escalating prevalence of multi-drug resistant bacteria.

6 Dec 2023

Revealing Electric Eels' Role in Environmental DNA Transfer

The electric eel holds the title of Earth’s most powerful electricity-producing creature, boasting the ability to unleash up to 860 volts—enough to power machinery.

6 Dec 2023