Framed by an infinite backdrop of dark, lifeless space, a robotic arm on the International Space Station in 2015 mounted a box of exposed microbes on a handrail 250 miles above Earth. The hearty bacteria had no protection from an onslaught of cosmic ultraviolet, gamma, and x-rays. Back on Earth, scientists wondered whether the germs might survive these conditions for up to three years, the length of the experiment, and if they did, what the results might tell the researchers about the ability of life to travel between planets. Continue reading Scientists Discover Exposed Bacteria Can Survive in Space for Years
Tag Archives: bacteria
Why Is Washing Your Hands So Important, Anyway?
Avoid close contact with sick patients. Stay home if you’re feeling unwell. Scrub your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and for goodness’ sake, stop touching your face. Continue reading Why Is Washing Your Hands So Important, Anyway?
New “Immunobiotic” Could Treat Antibiotic-Resistant Superbugs
Our medical system is at a crisis point. Bacteria that we could once easily dispatch are out-evolving our current antibiotics, leading to the growth of “superbugs.”
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Unusual forms of ‘nightmare’ antibiotic-resistant bacteria detected in 27 states
More than 200 rare antibiotic-resistant genes were found in “nightmare” bacteria tested in 2017, according to a Vital Signs report released Tuesday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Continue reading Unusual forms of ‘nightmare’ antibiotic-resistant bacteria detected in 27 states
3D-printed bacteria ink could be used to treat burns
In a new study published today in Science Advances, researchers present a 3D-printable ink that contains bacteria and they say that depending on what species of bacteria it holds, the ink stands to have a number of useful applications. “Printing using bacteria-containing hydrogels has enormous potential, as there is such a wide range of useful bacteria out there,” Patrick Rühs, an author of the study, said in a statement.
Continue reading 3D-printed bacteria ink could be used to treat burns
A ‘Superbug’ Fungus Is Spreading Across the US
Over the past nine months, the number of US cases of an emerging, multi-drug resistant fungus has ballooned from 7 to more than 122. What’s more, the fungus, Candida auris, seems to be spreading, according to a field report the Centers for Disease Control released Thursday.
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Are Vitamin Supplements Killing Our Gut Bacteria?
We consume all sorts of things before really knowing how they’re going to affect us, including probiotics and dietary supplements. But given how preliminary our understanding of our gut bacteria is, it’s very likely that some supplements can work in direct opposition of others. For instance, vitamin A might kill a bacteria hypothesized to promote childhood growth.
Continue reading Are Vitamin Supplements Killing Our Gut Bacteria?
