Current Events in Science

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“Perfect Lens” Breakthrough Could Turn Your Smartphone Into An Ultra-Powerful Microscope

A stock photo of a smartphone

photo credit: Smartphone cameras of the future could magnify things at the nanoscale. Shutterstock/welcomiaA “perfect lens” that could let us zoom into single cells and viruses at a relatively low cost is astep closer to reality, thanks to researchers at Michigan Technological University (MTU) and Washington University in St. Louis. Their research was published in the journal Physical Review Letters.

Read full article at http://www.iflscience.com/technology/perfect-lens-breakthrough-could-turn-your-smartphone-scanning-electron-microscope

 

 

UBC scientists look to make obsolete antibiotics useful again

BY RANDY SHORE, VANCOUVER SUN APRIL 16, 2015

 

 

3-dimensional representation of the NDM-1 enzyme

Researchers at the University of B.C. are examining the defences of drug-resistant bacteria in an effort to rescue old-school antibiotics from the medical dustbin.

While it was inevitable that bacteria would develop resistance to the most widely prescribed classes of antibiotics, it doesn’t have to stay that way, said Natalie Strynadka, a professor of biochemistry in UBC’s Faculty of Medicine and the Canada research chair in antibiotic discovery and medicine.

For the Whole Story go to : http://www.vancouversun.com/health/scientists+look+make+obsolete+antibiotics+useful+again/10975704/story.html

 

The 9 Deadliest Viruses on Earth

Humans have been battling viruses since before our species had even evolved into its modern form. For some viral diseases, vaccines and antiviral drugs have allowed us to keep infections from spreading widely, and have helped sick people recover. For one disease — smallpox — we’ve been able to eradicate it, ridding the world of new cases.

full article at http://www.livescience.com/48386-deadliest-viruses-on-earth.html

 

 

Friendly Viruses Protect Us Against Bacteria

Bacteria can be friends and foes—causing infection and disease, but also helping us slim down and even combating acne. Now, a new study reveals that viruses have a dual nature as well. For the first time, researchers have shown that they can help our bodies fight off invading microbes.

full article at  http://news.sciencemag.org/2013/05/friendly-viruses-protect-us-against-bacteria

 

Are Viruses Alive?

Although viruses challenge our concept of what “living” means, they are vital members of the web of life
August 8, 2008 |By Luis P. Villarreal
Mace Windu Planet
NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program
Editor’s Note: This story was originally published in the December 2004 issue ofScientific American.In an episode of the classic 1950s television comedy The Honeymooners, Brooklyn bus driver Ralph Kramden loudly explains to his wife, Alice, “You know that I know how easy you get the virus.” Half a century ago even regular folks like the Kramdens had some knowledge of viruses—as microscopic bringers of disease. Yet it is almost certain that they did not know exactly what a virus was. They were, and are, not alone.full article at http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-viruses-alive-2004/

 

Based on our discussion about human mutations, here is a cool article on the development of autism.

Autism genes activate during fetal brain development

Date:
February 18, 2015
Source:
University of California – San Diego
Summary:
Mutations that cause autism in children are connected to a pathway that regulates brain development, scientists have found. The researchers studied a set of well-known autism mutations called copy number variants or CNVs. They investigated when and where the genes were expressed during brain development.

 

full article @ – http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150218141323.htm

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