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Kimchi Bacterium Shows Promise in Enhancing Nanoplastic Excretion in Mice

Kimchi Bacterium Shows Promise in Enhancing Nanoplastic Excretion in Mice

A lactic acid bacterium strain, Leuconostoc mesenteroides CBA3656, isolated from kimchi, has demonstrated the ability to bind polystyrene nanoparticles under simulated intestinal conditions. Scientists at the World Institute of Kimchi conducted a study where this bacterium adsorbed 87% of polystyrene nanoparticles in standard laboratory settings. In an environment mimicking the human intestine, CBA3656 maintained its capacity to bind 57% of nanoplastics, significantly outperforming a reference strain, Latilactobacillus sakei CBA3608, which saw its adsorption fall to 3% under similar conditions. Further experiments with germ-free mice revealed that those administered CBA3656 excreted more than twice the amount of nanoplastics in their feces compared to a control group without the probiotic. This suggests that the bacterium could bind nanoplastic particles within the intestine and facilitate their removal from the body. The findings were published in the journal Bioresource Technology.
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Kimchi-Derived Probiotic Shows Promise in Removing Nanoplastics from the Body

Kimchi-Derived Probiotic Shows Promise in Removing Nanoplastics from the Body

A research team led by Drs. Se Hee Lee and Tae Woong Whon at the World Institute of Kimchi has identified a lactic acid bacterium, Leuconostoc mesenteroides CBA3656, isolated from kimchi, that demonstrates a significant ability to bind to and promote the removal of nanoplastics from the body. Nanoplastics are ultrafine plastic particles, less than 1 micrometer in size, that can enter the human body through food and water and accumulate in organs due to their small size. In laboratory tests, strain CBA3656 showed an 87% adsorption efficiency against polystyrene nanoplastics. Crucially, under simulated human intestinal conditions, where another reference strain's adsorption rate sharply decreased, CBA3656 maintained a high adsorption level of 57%. Animal experiments using a germ-free mouse model further supported these findings, showing that mice administered CBA3656 had more than double the amount of nanoplastics detected in their feces compared to a control group. This suggests the probiotic aids in the ex...
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USC Bioengineer Ellis Meng Develops Open-Source Implantable Neurostimulation Device, OpenNerve

USC Bioengineer Ellis Meng Develops Open-Source Implantable Neurostimulation Device, OpenNerve

Ellis Meng, the Shelly and Ofer Nemirovsky Chair in Convergent Bioscience and professor at USC Viterbi School of Engineering and Keck School of Medicine, has developed OpenNerve, a wireless, modular implantable pulse generator for the nervous system. This device is capable of recording neural signals and delivering stimulation, configurable as a closed-loop system. Meng announced at the Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering’s 50th anniversary symposium that OpenNerve is nearing its first fully implanted animal study, after which it will be made freely available to researchers worldwide for use, modification, and building upon. The initiative aims to address a critical gap in medical device research, where customizable tools for a wide range of research questions are scarce, as the medical device industry typically focuses on purpose-built devices for specific conditions. This project aligns with broader efforts like the NIH’s Human Open Research Neural Engineering Technology (HORNET) initiati...
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New Study Reveals Mosquito Attraction to Humans Driven by Skin Scent and Microbiomes

New Study Reveals Mosquito Attraction to Humans Driven by Skin Scent and Microbiomes

A recent study published in iScience indicates that mosquitoes are selectively attracted to humans based on individual skin scent and microbiomes. Lead researcher Matthew DeGennaro found that while there isn't a universal 'mosquito magnet,' specific mosquito species show preferences. For instance, Aedes aegypti, a vector for Zika and dengue, favored male participants and individuals with higher levels of Staphylococcus bacteria but lower levels of cyclic alcohols. Aedes albopictus was drawn to abundant bacteria, odors, and ketones, while Culex quinquefasciatus avoided odors but liked chemicals found in essential oils. The study, conducted in Florida, tested the attraction of these three species to 119 human participants. Participants wore nylon sleeves to capture skin odor and microbes after not washing for 12 to 16 hours, and their arms were then exposed to mosquitoes in a uniport olfactometer to measure attraction levels. These findings suggest that the unique composition of an individual's skin scent an...
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Whale Shark Milo Sets World Record for Longest Tracked Shark Migration

Whale Shark Milo Sets World Record for Longest Tracked Shark Migration

Collaborative research involving the Guy Harvey Foundation, the Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University (NSU), Mexican conservation organization Ch’ooj Ajauil AC, and the University of Rhode Island has resulted in a new world record. A whale shark named Milo was successfully tagged and tracked for nearly a decade, covering an astonishing distance of over 34,000 miles. This achievement marks the longest documented track of any shark, providing invaluable data for the ongoing research program focused on the endangered whale shark species. Dr. Mahmood Shivji, a shark expert and director of NSU’s Guy Harvey Research Institute, highlighted that this extensive migratory research significantly enhances the understanding of whale shark movements and is crucial for their conservation efforts. The findings were recently featured by Forbes, bringing broader attention to this remarkable scientific endeavor and the importance of protecting marine life.
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Why Can Clownfish Change From Male to Female?

Why Can Clownfish Change From Male to Female?

The life cycle of a clownfish is a fascinating journey marked by intricate reproductive behaviors, a pelagic larval stage, and a remarkable ability...
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Gut Bacteria Molecule Indole Fights Food Poisoning Caused by Campylobacter jejuni

Gut Bacteria Molecule Indole Fights Food Poisoning Caused by Campylobacter jejuni

Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered that a molecule called indole, naturally produced by certain gut bacteria, can inhibit the growth of *Campylobacter jejuni* (Campy), a leading cause of bacterial food poisoning worldwide. The study, published in *Science Advances*, found that indole interferes with Campy's respiration and metabolism, making it difficult for the bacterium to generate and use energy for growth. The research also revealed that intestinal inflammation, often a response to infection, can reduce the levels of indole-producing microbes, thereby weakening the gut's natural defense against Campy. When indole levels were increased in mouse models, Campy colonization significantly decreased, and a probiotic bacterium that naturally produces indole also showed similar protective effects.
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Red Light Illumination Boosts Anti-Obesity Drug Precursor Production in Bacteria

Red Light Illumination Boosts Anti-Obesity Drug Precursor Production in Bacteria

Red Light Illumination Boosts Anti-Obesity Drug Precursor Production in Bacteria
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RUI Project Focuses on Mass Spectrometry Simulations for Post-Translational Modifications

RUI Project Focuses on Mass Spectrometry Simulations for Post-Translational Modifications

A scientific project, RUI: Simulations of MS Spectra, is actively engaged in simulating mass spectrometry (MS) spectra. The primary objective of this research is to thoroughly examine post-translational modifications (PTMs) and nucleosides. This initiative aims to develop advanced computational models that can accurately predict how various modifications to proteins and nucleic acids will appear in mass spectrometry data. By focusing on the most commonly observed PTMs, the project seeks to enhance the understanding and identification of these crucial biological processes. The simulations are designed to provide a detailed theoretical framework that complements experimental mass spectrometry, allowing researchers to better interpret complex spectral data. This work is fundamental for advancing proteomics and nucleosides research, offering new tools for analyzing the intricate molecular landscape within biological systems. The project's methodology involves creating sophisticated algorithms to model the frag...
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National Museum of Natural History Appoints Francisco Werner as Sant Chair for Marine Science

National Museum of Natural History Appoints Francisco Werner as Sant Chair for Marine Science

The National Museum of Natural History has announced the appointment of Francisco "Cisco" Werner as the new Sant Chair for Marine Science. Werner brings decades of experience in ocean research, having previously served as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries’ Chief Science Advisor and led international marine research programs at multiple universities. In his new role, Werner will guide research at the Ocean Science Center, which comprises over 70 marine science researchers at the museum and the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, Florida. His work will focus on understanding how various factors like physics, chemistry, and biology converge to create ocean environments. Werner emphasizes the interconnectedness of the museum's collections and research, viewing the ocean as a 'connective tissue' that links diverse specimens and scientific disciplines.
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Raymond Lee of Washington State University Built High-Pressure Aquarium in 2006 for Deep-Sea Research

Raymond Lee of Washington State University Built High-Pressure Aquarium in 2006 for Deep-Sea Research

Raymond Lee, a researcher at Washington State University, constructed a high-pressure aquarium in 2006. This specialized apparatus was designed to study deep-sea organisms, particularly their behavior and survival in extreme environments. The aquarium allowed scientists to replicate the intense pressure and temperature gradients found near hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor. In experiments conducted using this equipment, Lee and his colleague Peter Girguis of Harvard observed the behavior of sulfide worms (Paralvinella sulfincola). These worms, found on sulfide chimneys along the Juan de Fuca Ridge, were placed in the aquarium with a steep temperature gradient. The research revealed that the worms actively sought out and settled in areas with temperatures ranging from 104 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, a heat level that would be lethal to most other organisms. This preference is attributed to the abundance of bacterial mats, their primary food source, which thrive in these specific hot conditions.
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These giant, creepy bugs are actually a good thing for Ohio. Here's why

These giant, creepy bugs are actually a good thing for Ohio. Here's why

Hellgrammites are real and look scary, but experts say they're one of the best signs of healthy waterways in Ohio and beyond.