bacteria

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'Bio-Batteries:' Microbe Energy Comes Closer

Scientists move closer to harnessing bacteria's natural electricity

(Newser) - Microbe-powered devices could be just a decade away thanks to new findings about how the tiny organisms release natural electric charges, researchers say. Scientists have discovered atom-size "wires" sticking through the cell walls of bacteria. The finding will allow researchers to design electrodes that can pick up electrical charges...

You Could Soon Be Classified by Gut Bacteria
You Could Soon Be
Classified by Gut Bacteria
study says
Apr 21, 2011 9:43 AM CDT

You Could Soon Be Classified by Gut Bacteria

Scientists find just three distinct microbe ecosystems

(Newser) - Humans can be identified by their blood type, but soon they may also be able to be classified by their "bug type," the New York Times reports. Scientists have discovered that, in the guts of people recently studied, there are three distinct types of microbe ecosystems. Since gut...

Hands-Free Faucets Have More Bacteria: Study

Johns Hopkins Hospital removes all electronic faucets after finding

(Newser) - Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore has removed all of its electronic hands-free faucets, and suggests that other hospitals consider doing the same, after a study discovered that—whoops—they’re actually less hygienic than old-fashioned manual ones. The study examined water samples from all Johns Hopkins' taps, and found that...

Contaminated IV Bags Linked to 9 Deaths

Bacteria outbreak hits Alabama hospitals

(Newser) - Intravenous fluid bags contaminated with bacteria are suspected of causing nine deaths at Alabama hospitals. Ten other patients treated with the same product—which has now been pulled off the market—were sickened, AP reports. All the patients were critically ill before receiving the IVs and the deaths have not...

Bacteria, Mold Fill BART Seats

Cloth seats harder to clean, allow dangerous bacteria to thrive

(Newser) - If you are fighting for a seat on San Francisco's BART trains, maybe you should think again—the seats are full of nasty bacteria, including a drug-resistant strain of staphylococcus aureus superbug, and several types of mold, says a new report commissioned by The Bay Citizen . “I would love...

5 Not-So-Obvious Reasons We're Fat

Looking beyond lack of willpower

(Newser) - The number of overweight Americans keeps, umm, ballooning, but why? LiveScience looks past self-control issues and too little exercise to some less-discussed factors. So many of us are fat because of:
  1. The government: 29 million Americans instantly became overweight in 1998 when the government lowered the overweight threshold from a
...

ATMs 'As Dirty as Toilets'
ATMs as Dirty
as Public Toilets
Jan 11, 2011 4:41 AM CST

ATMs as Dirty as Public Toilets

Study finds keypad bacteria levels similar to public toilets

(Newser) - The average ATM is so filthy that you might as well be taking your cash from under a public toilet seat, according to a British study. Researchers—funded by a company that makes antibacterial product coatings—took swabs from the keypads of ATMs in busy areas and from under the...

Bacteria Ate Methane in Gulf at Near-Impossible Rate

Gas from spill consumed in less than 4 months, according to study

(Newser) - Bacteria appears to have broken down all the methane that spilled out of the Deepwater Horizon well in less than four months—even though the process should have taken years, according to one team of scientists studying the spill. “This was a surprise to us,” says the chemical...

Newfound Bacterium Eating Away at the Titanic

The wreck may only have 15 years left, says study coauthor

(Newser) - The Titanic's latest foe is a wee bit smaller than an iceberg: A newly discovered bacterium is eating away at the wreck as it slumbers on the ocean floor, reports Discover . The iron-eating species, named Halomonas titanicae, has 50,000 tons of iron to get through, but it may not...

Scientists Slay Superbugs... With Light

Wavelengths cause chemical reaction, researchers find

(Newser) - Scientists have shed light on a new way to kill hospital superbugs like MRSA: literally shed light on them. A set of wavelengths called HINS-light acts by stimulating molecules in the bacteria, causing them to create chemicals that kill the germs. In trials, the process appears far more effective than...

New Drug-Resistant Superbug Hits 3 States

New gene makes bacteria resistant to virtually all antibiotics

(Newser) - People in three states have fallen prey to a new breed of superbugs, bacteria carrying a gene that makes them impervious to virtually any antibiotic. All three patients had recently received medical treatment in India, where the gene was first discovered, and has become widespread, the AP reports. “It’...

'Miracle' Era of Antibiotics Is Ending
'Miracle' Era
of Antibiotics
Is Ending
opinion
Aug 12, 2010 1:14 PM CDT

'Miracle' Era of Antibiotics Is Ending

Modern medicine can't fight off superbugs for long

(Newser) - Good news: The superbug MRSA seems to be under control. Bad news: A new one called NDM-1 is on the loose . Get used to it, warns Sarah Boseley in the Guardian . "The era of antibiotics is coming to a close," she writes. These "miracle medicines" can't fight...

Your Planet-Saving Grocery Bag Could Kill You
Your Planet-Saving
Grocery Bag Could Kill You
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Jul 4, 2010 12:23 PM CDT

Your Planet-Saving Grocery Bag Could Kill You

There's a 12% chance it's covered in E coli. Wash it.

(Newser) - That planet-saving reusable grocery bag has the potential to kill something else: you. Some 12% of the 84 bags tested in a recent study contained traces of E. coli; scarier still, bacteria was found on all but one. The researchers, who reviewed bags used by grocery shoppers in Arizona and...

Gut Bacteria Is Making You Fat
 Gut Bacteria Is Making You Fat 
in case you missed it
Jun 26, 2010 11:10 AM CDT

Gut Bacteria Is Making You Fat

But so are all those Big Macs

(Newser) - Your ill-considered Cheetos-and-bacon diet isn’t the only reason you’re fat. Scientists believe that advanced networks of bacteria and other microbes in our intestines and colons have an incredible influence on obesity, the LA Times reports. These 10 to 100 trillion little guys work together almost like an organ,...

Simple Test May Help Diagnose Autism Early

Stomach microbes could signal onset at 6 months old

(Newser) - Children with and without autism show marked differences in the makeup of their intestinal bacteria, and a simple urine test may help doctors diagnose the condition in children as young as 6 months old. Children typically aren't diagnosed until they're 2, delaying the start of intervention and other treatments. With...

FDA Probes 'Hormone Disrupter' in Soap, Toothpaste

Studies in animals point to risk

(Newser) - The Food and Drug Administration is taking a closer look at an antibacterial found in soap and toothpaste. Animal studies of the substance, triclosan, suggest it may alter hormone regulation or help develop resistance to antibiotics, Reuters notes. "There are many troubling questions about triclosan's effectiveness and potentially harmful...

Bacteria on Skin May Be Used to ID Criminals

Study shows people can be identified by their bugs

(Newser) - Forget fingerprints: The latest crime fighting tool may be the traces of bacteria we carry on our skin. A new study shows it is possible to identify people based on their personal brand of bacteria. "Each one of us leaves a unique trail of bugs behind," a researcher...

Harmful Bacteria Found in Hand Sanitizers

FDA issues warning on two Puerto Rican brands

(Newser) - The FDA has issued a warning on two Puerto Rican brands of hand sanitizer that are liable to coat your hands in dangerous bacteria instead of sanitizing them. Bee-Shield Hand Sanitizer and MD Quality Hand Sanitizer, made in Puerto Rico and sold only there, have high levels of Burkholderia cepacia....

Slim-Fast Recalls Ready-to-Drink Shakes

Canned products may be contaminated with bacteria

(Newser) - Put down the Slim-Fast, folks; it might make you sick. Unilever is issuing a voluntary nationwide recall of all Slim-Fast canned, ready-to-drink products—regardless of flavor, "best by" date, lot code, or UPC number. The company fears the product may be contaminated with Bacilus cereus bacteria, which can cause...

P&G Recalls Contaminated Vicks Nasal Spray

Lots affected by bacteria were sold in US, UK, Germany

(Newser) - Procter & Gamble has voluntarily recalled batches of its Vicks nasal spray contaminated with bacteria. Though the bacteria are likely harmless to healthy people, CNN reports, the contamination could prove disastrous for those with compromised immune systems. The product is in the Vicks Sinex line in the US and UK,...

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