A naturally occurring antibiotic active against drug-resistant tuberculosis
The natural antibiotic kanglemycin A binds bacterial RNA polymerase at the rifampicin binding-pocket, but maintains potency against rifampicin-resistant mutants due to two unique chemical groups (digitoxose and succinic acid) that increase its affinity to rifampicin-resistant RNA polymerase by binding just outside the rifampicin-binding pocket. Credit: Murakami Laboratory, Penn State
Young children’s oral bacteria may predict obesity
The composition of oral microbiota -- the collection of microorganisms, including beneficial bacteria, residing in the mouth -- in two-year-old children may predict their weight gain, according to a new study of over 226 children and their mothers. Credit: Penn State (Click to enlarge)
The surprising environment of an enigmatic neutron star
Infrared image of a neutron star (source on right in box) with an extended infrared emission obtained from observations with the Hubble Space Telescope. The blue circle indicates the pulsar's X-ray position (obtained with the Chandra X-ray Space Telescope), the cross marks the position of the pulsar in the UV-Optical (measured with the Hubble Space Telescope). Credit: Bettina Posselt, Penn State
Coral bleaching increases disease risk in threatened species
Staghorn coral being grown in Mote Marine Laboratory's underwater nursery in the Florida Keys. New research shows that increasing genetic diversity among staghorn corals could prevent further loss in the Florida Reef Tract. Credit: Conor Goulding/Mote Marine Laboratory
Family genetic background vital for understanding progression of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders
Could a demon help to create a quantum computer? Physicists implement a version of Maxwell's famous thought experiment for reducing entropy
Reducing entropy in a randomly half-filled 5x5x5 lattice of atoms. Each row shows a snapshot of the 5 planes in the lattice. Credit: Weiss Laboratory, Penn State
Water worlds could have stable climate, perhaps support life, study says
Births, deaths and collisions: Swift’s telescope snaps one millionth UV image
On the left is an image of the nearby galaxy NGC 3623 taken with UV. On the right is an optical image. The galaxies spiral arms — where new stars are being born — stand out in the ultraviolet wavelengths emitted by these hot objects. Image: NASA/Swift/L.McCauley, Penn State, CC BY-ND
Community-based conservation management has positive effect on wildlife
A giraffe in the Burunge Wildlife Management Area in Tanzania. A new study by Penn State biologist Derek Lee shows that this management area, which is managed by local villages in exchange for a share of tourism revenue, has positive effects on wildlife including giraffes. Credit: Derek Lee, Wild Nature Institute
Diverse symbionts of reef corals have endured since 'age of dinosaurs'
Reef corals comprise thousands or millions of genetically identical algal polyps, which remain attached to each other to produce massive colonies. This close-up shows Orbicella, an important reef-building coral in the Caribbean. The species and its symbiosis with micro-algae has been studied extensively. Credit: Penn State
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