4 simple ways to improve your gut health
The gut is home to trillions of bacteria that not only help us digest our food but actually play a massive role in a number of things that have seemingly nothing to do with digestion, from impacting mood to boosting immunity. In fact, researchers have found that 70 percent of the immune system Read More...
New technique speeds up infection treatment and fights drug-resistant bacteria
Drug-resistant bacteria are a growing challenge for the medical community, but choosing effective antibiotics right off the bat can reduce the growth of these bacteria and help patients recover more quickly from illness. Fortunately, researchers from universities and hospitals across Europe have Read More...
New super-enzyme eats plastic six times faster than previous one
Certain types of bacteria naturally break down plastic. Harnessing the power of these special bacteria, scientists have created a “super enzyme” that can degrade plastic bottles. And it’s doing it at a rate six times faster than previously projected. The enzyme was created by connecting Read More...
Special class of enzymes could lead to more eco-friendly plastic
Plastic isn’t only harmful to the environment after it’s discarded, but also during its initial production, because it relies on the extraction of fossil fuels. Looking to find a more environment-friendly way to produce this ubiquitous material, scientists have recently made a breakthrough, Read More...
UK will start using bacteria to extract precious metals from e-waste
According to a recent report by the UN, the world dumps at least $10bn worth of gold, platinum, and other precious metals in a growing mountain of e-waste each year. The problem is further exacerbated by the release of toxic compounds into the atmosphere associated with inappropriate and unsafe Read More...
New bacteria discovered in landfills feasts on hard-to-recycle plastic
Nowadays, green-minded scientists and innovators are fighting an ongoing battle against the global plastic pollution problem, looking for new ways to reduce the unsurmountable build-up of waste that ends up in landfills or destroying ecosystems. One of the most compelling recent discoveries Read More...
Scientists are engineering bacteria to save bees
Researchers at the University of Texas have reported in the reputable scientific journal Science that they may have developed a new method to save bees from colony collapse. The new method is unique in the sense that it requires genetically engineered bacteria to work for us. Once inserted in Read More...
Newly discovered bacteria breaks down toxic soil pollutants
All animals, including humans, host a collection of friendly bacteria that help us digest food and fight infection. Such kinds of friendly microbes are also found in soil to help plants grow, cope with stress, and fight off pests. These incredible microscopic beings are also essential to Read More...
Are you a clean freak? Here’s why you should avoid over-sterilizing your home
When it comes to cleaning your home, doing too good of a job is definitely possible. Yes, although killing all bacteria sounds like a good way to keep your house clean and yourself healthy, in reality, having an over-sterilized home poses a threat to your own health. In fact, it’s virtually Read More...
New antibiotics wipe out targeted pathogens while sparing beneficial microbes
There is no doubt that antibiotics are one of the greatest advances in medicine. The problem, however, with these bug-killers is that when they’re out to hunt, they cannot distinguish between good and bad bacteria, thus killing both kinds. In the end, this can destroy the delicate balance of the Read More...