Proteins are like tiny machines in our bodies, doing important jobs. Scientists are trying to redesign these proteins to do even cooler things, like creating new medicines or materials. One way they do this is by using computers to figure out the best way to change the protein's recipe, or sequence. This process is called computational protein design (CPD). It's lik...
SpaceX has been making waves with its Starship vehicle, but let's not forget about the unsung hero, the Falcon 9 rocket. This workhorse has been quietly achieving some serious milestones while launching Starlink satellites. First off, there was the Starlink 10-56 mission that took off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The first stage, Booster 1096, was on its second fli...
Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacteria, is sneaky. It can cause serious bone and joint infections. These infections are tricky to treat. They don't respond well to standard treatments. This is because the bacteria can form strong biofilms. Biofilms are like tiny, protective shields. They make the bacteria tough to kill. The bacteria can be either methicillin-susce...
A well-known children's cough syrup has been pulled from the market. The US Food and Drug Administration made this announcement. Medtech Products, the maker of Little Remedies Honey Cough Syrup, has taken five batches off the shelves. This syrup is meant for kids aged 1 and up. The problem? It contains Bacillus cereus, a bacteria that can cause food poisoning. ...
SpaceX's reusable rocket technology took center stage again this week. A Falcon 9 rocket blasted off from the Space Coast of Florida. The launch was a success. This was not the first time this particular rocket had taken to the skies. In fact, it was the 19th flight for this first-stage booster. This is a big deal. It shows how far reusable rocket technology has come...
The way muscles react to intense exercise can be different for people with type 2 diabetes. This is what a recent study found out. It looked at how high-intensity interval training (HIIT) affects muscle cells at a very detailed level. The study focused on how these cells change in response to exercise. This was done by looking at muscle samples from people with and w...
The University of Michigan has made a big splash in the world of lasers. They have a new tool called ZEUS. It is a laser that can produce an incredible 2 petawatts of power. That is 2 quadrillion watts. It is a lot of power. But it is not like the lasers in science fiction movies. It is not going to blow up planets. It is used for serious science. It is used ...
Staphylococcus aureus, or S. aureus, is a big problem. It causes nasty infections in both people and animals. The main issue is that it has become resistant to many antibiotics. This makes it very difficult to treat. So, scientists are looking for new ways to fight this superbug. One promising approach is to target the bacteria's weapons, rather than trying to kill i...
Gray mold is a big problem for pear farmers. This mold, caused by a fungus called Botrytis cinerea, can ruin entire harvests. This leads to huge financial losses for farmers. Scientists have been looking for ways to stop this mold. They found a promising solution in a tiny helper called Streptomyces griseus H3950. This helpful bacteria lives with termites. It turns o...
The world of baking is about to get a new helper. This helper is a tiny organism called Bacillus cereus. It is found in soil that is rich in organic matter and salt. This tiny helper makes a special enzyme called alpha-amylase. This enzyme has many uses in the food industry. It is used in brewing, making animal feed, baking, and even in making fruit juice and st...