Two physical constraints help explain why cells are so tiny: surface area-to-volume ratios and diffusion. This is the first article in our new Data Series.Read every article from Asimov Press, for free, at press.asimov.com.
--------
7:11
A Brief History of the Miracle Bacterium
Serratia marcescens’ vivid blood-red color has prompted its use in a wide range of experiments that have increased our understanding of how germs disperse within human bodies, buildings, and populations. Sightings of the striking microbe outside the lab have awakened both fear and awe in the general population. The awareness that certain strains of Serratia marcescens can cause severe harm to humans — counter-intuitively, the paler varieties are most dangerous — only became evident decades after Gordon’s investigations. Before then, hospitals deliberately sprayed Serratia marcescens inside their facilities to investigate microbial dispersion, and laboratory handbooks demonstrated transmission by handshake by having students coat their fingers in the microbe. While greater awareness of its dangers eventually led to its discontinuation in tracing experiments, Serratia marcescens remains an important subject of biomedical research. Its scientific journey began over 200 years ago with a bloody polenta.Read every article from Asimov Press, for free, by visiting press.asimov.com.
--------
24:29
A Brief History of the Miracle Bacterium [Interview]
Serratia marcescens, a pathogen with an uncanny resemblance to blood, has had an outsized influence on modern science. In the latest article from Asimov Press, author Corrado Nai explains how research into this organism has revealed how handshakes transmit disease, how bacteria enter the bloodstream, and how an illness can spread through large cities. Our audio correspondent, Carlos Bricio, interviewed Corrado Nai to learn more.You can read every article from Asimov Press, for free, by visiting press.asimov.com.
--------
20:33
Meet the Humans Building AI Scientists
A look inside FutureHouse, a nonprofit research institute in San Francisco.Read every article from Asimov Press, for free, at press.asimov.com.
--------
22:27
Driving Toward Nanopores
A nanopore sequencer is a tiny device that can read DNA with high accuracy. Its invention, made possible by merging hardware with machine learning, holds lessons for other measurement tools. By Stephen Malina.Read all articles from Asimov Press, for free, at press.asimov.com.
México