A Laboratory of the Future Human Experience
The faecal transplant, also known as trans-poo-sion, surely has the title of medicine’s most disgusting procedure.
It is pretty much what you are imagining – part of a faecal stool is taken from one person and given to another.
The purpose is to introduce new beneficial microbes to the receiving patient’s digestive system.
And it can be life-saving.
Continue reading… “Why a faecal transplant could save your life”
Scan your food and stay safe with your smartphone.
If you’ve ever suffered from any kind of food poisoning you’d understandably see the genius in this little device. Engineers at UCLA have created a prototype scanner that attaches to your smartphone camera and checks out that great looking burger to make sure you’re in the clear from E. coli.
The phone attachment essentially turns your phone into portable fluorescent microscope that light up the harmful bacteria like a Black Sabbath poster under a black light…
Continue reading… “Smartphone sensor scans food for E. coli”
Yummy irradiated food?
Irradiating food doesn’t make it radioactive, and it does kill dangerous bacteria, like the E.coli that killed many Europeans this summer. But it’s also not a panacea against food poisoning and it’s definitely not the most popular idea ever thought up…
Continue reading… “The pros and cons of irradiated food”
Cockroaches contain powerful antibiotic molecules in their brains.
Cockroaches and locusts contain powerful antibiotic molecules in their brains that could be used to develop new treatments against MRSA and E-coli, scientists have discovered. Scientists at Nottingham University found that the insects, which are widely reviled for their dirty image, could actually be more of a health benefit than a health risk.
Most people can’t help but feel that food grown and raised on a small farm is a lower risk.
Eggs, lettuce, peanuts, spinach. It seems as if every time we turn around there is another outbreak of a scary foodborne illness. This summer’s huge egg recall was the latest reminder that we do battle against dangerous pathogens like E. coli and salmonella in our kitchens every day.
Continue reading… “Tips on How to Germ-Proof Your Kitchen From Scary Foodborne Illnesses”
By using nanoptical scanning probe microscopes, scientists are able to reveal the going-ons inside humans and animals with stunning clarity. Take the above set of donut-shaped blood cells – which have been treated with an antibiotic called phyllomelittin taken from the skin of a monkey frog – now decidedly more appetizing than when in a normal, bloody-looking state. (I’m sure many of you relaxed back into your seat Homer Simpson-style with an “Mmm… Monkey frog donuts…”)
Continue reading… “Nanoscale Imaging”
What if plastic wasn’t made from oil or natural gas? What if it was made from bacteria? Would it be safer for the environment? Would it be safer for us? What if the bacteria were genetically engineered Escherichia coli (E. coli)?
Continue reading… “Could Plastic Be Made From Bacteria?”
At the end of a dirt road in northern Mexico, the conveyer belts processing hundreds of tons of vegetables a year for U.S. and Mexican markets are open to the elements, protected only by a corrugated metal roof.
Continue reading… “Few Safeguards For Mexican Produce Heading To The U.S.”
The growing popularity of pre-packed salads is likely to lead to an increase in food-poisoning cases, scientists warned today. They also said that while scientists have a role to play in protecting food from contamination, consumers should be aware of the risks.
Continue reading… “Boom in Pre-Washed Salads ‘Will Bring More Poisonings’”
