Strains of a "superpower" bacteria that could cause the world's next deadly pandemic have been discovered by scientists in Antarctica. Researchers found that the bacteria have a built-in resistance to antibiotics that could make current treatments useless. The Chilean researchers made the discovery during research into how climate change could affect the spread of bacteria that had been frozen in ice for thousands of years. They warned that climate change means the bacteria will have the potential to spread beyond polar regions, with potentially catastrophic consequences. Researcher Andres Marcoleta of the University of Chile headed the study published in the journal Science of the Total Environment in March. He said mobile DNA fragments contain "superpowers" that evolved to resist extreme conditions and can easily be transferred to other bacteria. Marcoleta said: "We know that the soils of the Antarctic Peninsula, one of the polar areas most impacted by melting ice, host … [Read more...] about How climate change could release world-ending super bacteria
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Doomsday warning: Earth facing self-inflicted ‘chaos’ with outcome ‘impossible to predict’
Climate change protesters 'heroes' says Smurthwaite Sign up HERE for science breakthroughs in health, business and more that matter SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The Anthropocene is the name scientists proposed to give to the present epoch in Earth’s history, one that is driven by human impacts like climate change. In their study, theoretical physicist Professor Orfeu Bertolami of the University of Porto and his colleagues modelled the arrival of the Anthropocene as a so-called phase transition. The concept of phase transitions is something that the average person might associate with materials — like, for example, how water changes phase from liquid to solid when it freezes, or from liquid to gas when it evaporates. Other … [Read more...] about Doomsday warning: Earth facing self-inflicted ‘chaos’ with outcome ‘impossible to predict’
What happens to your body if you’re caught in a nuclear strike? Nuclear expert breaks down all the changes
ATOMIC bombs have been deployed against humans just twice in history resulting in devastating effects on the body. Here’s what happens in a nuclear strike and what it could do to your body. What happens to the human body in a nuclear strike? Nuclear weapons can cause instant or prolonged deaths to tens of thousands of civilians. The US Department of Energy estimates that nearly 40,000 people died in the 1945 Nagasaki bombing from being immediately incinerated by the blast, burned in the ensuing fires, over-exposure to radiation or succumbed to injuries. There are projections that estimate the death toll to be much higher, but even conservative guesses are shocking. Let’s walk through a nuclear explosion and its effects on the human body from detonation to the onset of a radioactive wasteland. Read More in Nuclear Weapons BLOWING UP How does a nuclear bomb work and can it be intercepted What happens in a nuclear explosion? … [Read more...] about What happens to your body if you’re caught in a nuclear strike? Nuclear expert breaks down all the changes
Gaming sector in Scotland needs UK-wide network to thrive, report warns
The Scottish video games industry needs a UK-wide network in order to thrive, according to a report from Gordon Brown’s think tank. The Our Scottish Future paper warns the sector in Scotland risks being left behind in a market dominated by large international developers. The Grand Theft Auto franchise was created by the Scottish gaming sector, while Dundee-based 4J Studios developed the console version of Minecraft. The paper says the Scottish Government should make computer science a core part of the curriculum, increase the number of computing places at universities and expand funding for start-up companies. It also says the UK and Scottish governments should work to build a new UK-wide network, connecting firms and students with each other. Recommended What Rishi Sunak announced to tackle the cost of living crisis More Tory MPs withdraw support from PM over ‘shameful’ parties The paper’s author Ruairidh Macintosh said: “In … [Read more...] about Gaming sector in Scotland needs UK-wide network to thrive, report warns