Antibiotic Resistance without borders: Scientists in Mexico have done a review of 47 medical centers in 20 States and found that antibiotic resistant bacteria are prevalent. According to the authors, “The multidrug resistance of Acinetobacter sp., Klebsiella sp. and E. coli and the carbapenem resistance in specific groups of enterobacteria deserve special attention in Mexico. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and MRSA are common in our hospitals.” http://bit.ly/2Xt0z7H
Plants of plastic in the oceans: For a long time, long-term quality evidence regarding the rise of plastics in the ocean have been scant, even though everyone knew from anecdotal evidence that it was the case. Scientists now have their data source. They arrived at their evidence by analysing 60 years of log books for plankton-tracking vessels. It confirmed what they always knew — plastics polluting the oceans has resent sharply in the past decades.
https://go.nature.com/2IsorF9
Cellular computing: Forget your tablet, desktop, or laptop. The computers of the future may run on processing power harvested from the cells inside your body. Scientists have used CRISPR to transform cells into tiny computers. According to one report, “The computer is programmed to take in specific genetic codes and perform computations that result in the production of a particular protein. Except instead of simply following the DNA’s genetic code as a cell does, the computer receives two inputs and combines them, calculating the correct protein to churn out.” http://bit.ly/2IuYbtt
New strategy leads to layoffs: GlaxoSmithKline is set to lay-off a number of workers at its Stevenage HQ. the move comes amidst a strategic rethink of their R&D strategy. Under the leadership of Hal Barron, GSK seeks to deliver hit drugs through greater focus on genetics and immunology. http://bit.ly/2IsucCv
Thumbing his nose: A professional fossil hunter has pissed a lot of paleontologists off. Alan Detrich putthe remains of what may be a baby Tyranosaurus Rex up for auction on eBay. The rarity of the fossil makes it a hot commodity in the research sphere as experts have yet to determine whether the remains belong to a different breed of T-Rex or were just babies. His starting offer? $25 million. https://nyti.ms/2IuYAMv
IMAGE SOURCE: Creative Commons
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