Health care providers and patients have long believed that infections acquired in hospitals are due to superbugs present in medical facilities. However, new genetic data reveals that most health care-associated infections actually stem from harmless bacteria already residing on patients’ bodies prior to their hospital admission. Research indicates that these bacteria, part of the natural
Science
In the dark annals of history, tales of the gruesome practices of Countess Elizabeth Báthory have left a lasting impression on our collective psyche. Accused of murdering hundreds of girls to bathe in their blood for eternal youth, the countess embodies the extremes to which individuals may go in pursuit of everlasting beauty. While such
Canned salmon may seem like a mundane pantry item, but it turns out that these cans hold a treasure trove of information about Alaskan marine ecology. When Natalie Mastick and Chelsea Wood from the University of Washington were approached by Seattle’s Seafood Products Association with boxes of old and expired cans of salmon dating back
Recent breakthrough research conducted at Uppsala University in Sweden has unveiled a groundbreaking new class of antibiotics that show potential in combating drug-resistant bacterial infections. This new antibiotic targets the double membrane that envelops gram-negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, which are known to cause a variety of severe infections. Unlike traditional
The European climate monitor recently announced that March of this year set a new record as the hottest month on record. This marks the tenth consecutive month of unprecedented heat, raising concerns about the escalating climate crisis. Globally, March 2024 was 1.68 degrees Celsius hotter than the average March between 1850-1900, a significant deviation from
Recent research has indicated that fecal transplants, also known as fecal microbiota transplants (FMTs), from healthy donors have shown promise in improving motoric symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease. A clinical trial conducted by a research team in Belgium revealed that early stage Parkinson’s patients who received FMTs exhibited a mild but significant enhancement in symptoms
In the vast expanse of space, between now and September, a remarkable phenomenon is set to occur – a massive explosion 3,000 light years away from Earth in the constellation Corona Borealis. This binary star system, normally invisible to the naked eye, will suddenly flare up, illuminating the night sky with an incredible display. The
The study of how our planet and the other planets in our Solar System came into being is a topic that continues to spark curiosity among planetary scientists. One of the methods used to unravel this mystery is by examining rocks from space. However, obtaining these extraterrestrial rocks is no easy feat. While sending spacecraft
In the realm of endangered species, the Javan tiger holds a prominent place as one of the most elusive and thought to be extinct animals. Following years of relentless hunting and habitat destruction, the Javan tiger was officially declared extinct in 2008. However, a glimmer of hope emerged in 2019 when a strand of hair,
Recent research conducted by the University of Michigan suggests that couples who share similar drinking habits tend to live longer than those who do not. This study, which involved over 9,000 participants, sheds light on the complex ways in which relationships can impact health outcomes. While the findings may seem like an endorsement for couples