Wag31 is a key player in the world of mycobacteria, specifically in managing how these bacteria grow and maintain their shape. This protein has two main parts: an N-terminal DivIVA-domain and a C-terminal coiled-coil domain. These parts work together to keep the bacteria's cell shape in check and di
Indoor temperature and humidity matter a lot for our health. Most of us spend a lot of time inside, so outdoor conditions aren't always a good guide. With climate change making extreme temperatures more common, getting accurate indoor readings is crucial. This is where low-cost sensors like the Purp
The ability to spot tiny changes in DNA, known as single nucleotide variations, is crucial. These changes can signal serious illnesses, help identify pathogens, or predict how well a treatment will work. Think about the COVID-19 virus. It has many variants, like D614G and N501Y, which can make the v
The story of teeth begins in a surprising place: the bumps on ancient armored fish. These fish, swimming in Earth's oceans around 465 million years ago, had sensory tissues that might have evolved into the dentine found in human teeth. Dentine is the inner layer of teeth that senses pressure, pain,
The fight against malaria is getting a new twist. Instead of just killing mosquitoes, scientists are now looking at curing them. This might sound strange, but it could be a game-changer. Here is why. Malaria is a big problem. It kills almost 600, 000 people every year. Most of these are children. T
Wearable tech has made it possible to collect detailed health data from many people over long periods. This type of data is great for spotting differences between people and changes within the same person over time. Think about how your heart rate changes on weekends. It might go up or down based on
Clownfish are known for their vibrant colors and their unique relationship with sea anemones. But did you know that these tiny fish can actually shrink when faced with extreme heat? This isn't just a fun fact. It's a survival strategy that helps them cope with stress. Scientists studied clownfish i
E. coli O157:H7 is a nasty bug that can make people seriously ill. It's often found in cattle and can contaminate food. Scientists wanted to see how well this bacteria survives in different conditions. They focused on two key factors: temperature and acidity. They tested two strains of this bacteria
The Fukushima disaster in 2011 left Japan with a big problem: high levels of radiocesium in the environment. This stuff is dangerous and sticks around for a long time. One surprising place it showed up was in wild mushrooms. These mushrooms have a special relationship with trees. They form a team, s
The Yangtze River Estuary is a hotspot for nitrogen activity. Human actions have led to a surge in nutrients flowing into this area, disrupting the natural nitrogen cycle. Two crucial processes in this cycle are nitrification and nitrogen uptake. These processes have not been studied together much i
