BYTES
Deadly to germs
DNA study finds more diversity of bacteria on vulture's face than in its gut, indicating digestion killed them
HOW DO vultures survive despite eating food that will most likely kill other species? The answer lies in their gut. Vulture diet includes car cases filled with toxic bacteria and faeces. But even these are not able to harm them because their digestive system has adapted and evolved to destroy most of the dangerous bacteria it ingests. DNA profiles of bacteria living on the face and gut of 50 vultures showed, on an average, the presence of 528 kinds of bacteria on the face and 76 in the gut, indicating the majority of the bacteria had been destroyed during the digestive process.
Nature Communications, November 25
TECHNOLOGY
Plastic that disintegrates
Plastic WASTE takes ages to degrade. But a new type of plastic has been created which can be broken down to molecules by exposing it to ultraviolet light for a few hours. The molecules can then be reused to create new plastic. The recyclable polymer has been created from oilseed, cellulose, lignin and sucrose. AngewandteChemie, November 12
ASTRONOMY
Earth's invisible shield
There IS a magnetic shield around Earth which blocks harmful electrons moving around the planet at nearly the speed of light from entering the atmosphere. These electrons are considered a threat to astronauts and damage satellites. The invisible shield, located around 11,500 km above Earth, was discovered in the Van Allen radiation belts, two doughnut-shaped rings that contain high-energy electrons and protons. Nature, November 27
HEALTH
Sugar breathalyser
ANEW test can help spot signs of type 1 diabetes even before a person starts to show symptoms of the disease. Patients of type 1 diabetes have a severely reduced insulin-producing capacity. In the absence of insulin, the body starts to process fats to meet its energy needs. Breakdown of fats produces ketones, which lead to a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). One of the by-products in the development of DKA is acetone which is released in the breath. The test, that can be done using a hand-held device, can detect increased acetone levels in the breath. Journal of Breath Research, November 25
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
.png)
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.