Page 5 - Microbiology and Life Science News
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August 11, 2023Bioburden is the term used to describe microbial contamination of a product prior to sterilization. Microorganisms can be introduced at any point during the manufacturing process through raw materials, the environment,humans, or during the final stage of cleaning and packaging. Since the sources of contamination can vary widely, a product's bioburden can fluctuate from batch to batch, routine bioburden testing is recommended [1].
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July 14, 2023Clean Beaches Week, which is celebrated annually from July 1-7 in the U.S., is a weeklong celebration to honor our beaches and highlight the importance of keeping them clean.
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June 13, 2023One of the greatest environmental challenges of our time is to eradicate plastic pollution. So much so, that #BeatPlasticPollution is the rally cry for this year's World Environment Day, celebrated globally on the 5th June 2023.
There are several ways to tackle the scourge of plastic pollution, but ultimately we need to transition to a circular economy if we wish to reduce the amount of waste we generate. Some common solutions for reducing plastic waste include reducing, reusing, and recycling. But how effective are these tactics?
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June 13, 2023Oysters are filter feeding organisms that act as natural filters in aquatic ecosystems. Oysters are found in brackish water of coastal estuaries where freshwater and seawater mix. Estuaries are highly productive ecosystems, which provide a diverse range of habitats that support a rich biodiversity. Being somewhat protected from wave action, they also serve as important breeding grounds for fish and shellfish such as oysters [1].
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June 13, 2023National Hydration Day is celebrated every year on June 23, in the United States. Keeping properly hydrated is essential to good health, and water consumption is often the first source that comes to mind. If water isn’t your cup of tea, fear not! There are several other beverages and foods that can help you stay healthy.
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May 12, 2023In last month’s article, we discussed what liposome extrusion is, its methods, and applications. This month, we will highlight several practical applications for liposomes.
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April 14, 2023Liposomes (1) are defined as closed, spherical lipid bilayer vesic that form an internal cavity and serve as nanocarriers (2) of aqueous solutions and a wide range of bioactive molecules.
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April 14, 2023Waterborne illnesses [01] are likely to occur more frequently with the ongoing changes to our weather and climate patterns. The fear is getting closer to reality as global temperatures are expected to rise by 1.5°C by the 2030s [02]. The findings of a recent study [03] support a long-held hypothesis that climate change may increase the concentrations of bacteria that flourish in warm U.S. waters and produce infections with a disproportionately high mortality rate. As climate change [04] has warmed the brackish coastal waters where the bacteria reside, infections from Vibrio vulnificus, albeit still uncommon, have grown eightfold between 1988 and 2018.
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November 10, 2022
Regardless of whether it's a high school science laboratory, a medical research laboratory or scientific research facility, laboratories are hazardous environments and certain safety measures need to be implemented to prevent accidents. The following safety tips can help avoid common hazards and accidents in a laboratory.Â
- Basic Safety Protocols
Try to avoid working alone in a building and never work alone in a laboratory if the work you are doing presents an element of danger. Alert others to potential dangers when working with hazardous equipment or materials, or if there are any unusual hazards or conditions present. A laboratory is not the place for joking around. Distracting or startling someone working in a laboratory environment can cause an accident.
- Know Where to Go and What to Do in an Emergency
It is no use waiting for an accident to happen before you read through safety protocols and procedures. Understand what the safety rules and regulations are and what to do if there is
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November 09, 2022Bacterial and viral outbreaks in wild animal colonies can have a devastating impact on wildlife populations, and sometimes their long term conservation too. Early diagnosis can help wildlife managers understand what pathogens they are dealing with so they can implement measures to prevent the spread of disease where possible.
