Michał Słupski

Massive study shows that bacteria Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa, cause of periodontitis) doesn’t cooperate well with other microbes in the mouth.
Instead, it cooperates with bacteria found in dirt or in the colon, even though it’s part of the mouth microbiome.
This shows that while microbes and bacteria evolve together, some may be dormant and unable to cooperate with their closest partners.
Researchers manipulated almost all 2,100 Aa genes, while pairing Aa with 25 other microbes.
The study continues, and could reveal whether smoking, poor hygiene, or diabetes can cause periodontitis by enabling Aa to attack gum tissue.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on September 13, 2019

For the first time ever, space cement has been successfully mixed on the International Space Station.
On one hand, it seems stronger than Earthly cement because of its surprisingly uniform density, caused by lack of strong gravity.
On the other hand, it may be weaker because it develops large air pockets, making it more porous than Earthly cement.
The material will be tested further.
This research paves the way towards finding out how to create concrete structures on the Moon and Mars.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on September 13, 2019

Artificial leaves made of Plexiglas successfully used to create drugs artimensinin (against malaria) and ascaridole (against parasitic worms).
They rely on the process of photosynthesis, and have the potential to create various fuels and drugs.
Moreover, the technology is scalable and can easily be used wherever there’s sun, meaning it could remove the cost of transporting medicine over long distances.
In the future it could also support astronauts, but for now the team is waiting to perform first commercial trials.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on September 13, 2019

New model for periodic table of molecules shows promise in the field of materials design, possibly enabling scientists to create innovative functional materials.
The table would be 4-dimensional, arranging molecules by four parameters: groups, periods, species, and families.
It’s based on novel “symmetry-adapted orbital (SAO) models”, which align with known molecules and quantum-mechanical calculations.
Now scientists will keep expanding these tables to predict new stable molecules that could be developed.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on September 13, 2019

bmj.com

Analysis of data from 48,188 people shows that vegetarians and meat-eaters are at risk of different types of stroke.
Meat-eaters are at bigger risk of ischaemic stroke, which means a blockage of blood flow to the brain.
Vegetarians are at bigger risk of haemorrhagic stroke, meaning rupture of blood vessels in the brain.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on September 13, 2019

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