what affects a baby’s first cold?
A new research on the types of bacteria living in babies' noses offered clues as to why some recover quickly from their first cough or cold while others suffer for longer. The study, conducted by the researchers at the University Children's Hospital of Basel, suggested that babies who have a wide variety of different bacteria living in their noses tend to recover more quickly from their first respiratory virus, compared to those who have less variety and more bacteria from either the Moraxellaceae or Streptococcaceae family. The researchers stated that their findings do not offer an immediate solution to help babies recover more quickly from coughs and colds. However, the results helped scientists understand the importance of the bacteria living in the respiratory tract, and how they influence infections and long-term conditions such as asthma. “We are beginning to understand that the types and numbers of t microbiota, can influence our respiratory health,” explained Roland P Neumann.
Gut Bacteria has Resistance Genes?
Researchers have identified over 6,000 antibiotic resistance genes found in bacteria that inhabit the human gut, which is home to trillions of micro-organisms, mainly bacteria. “Most gut bacteria live in a harmless relationship with the human host. However, the gut is also home to bacteria that can cause infections in hospitalised patients,” said one of the researchers. “Unfortunately, these bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics and we need to understand the processes that contribute to this development,” he added. To identify resistance genes in gut bacteria, researchers developed a new method by comparing the three-dimensional structures of known antibiotic resistance enzymes to the proteins that are produced by gut bacteria.
Sleep well to get good grades
Students, take note! Getting sufficient sleep during the exam week may help boost your grades, scientists have found. Researchers from Baylor University in the US invited students to participate in “The eight-hour Challenge”, in which participants were given extra points if they completed an average eight hours of sleep for five nights during final exams week. The study found that those who completed the challenge performed better in exams. “Better sleep helped rather than harmed final exam performance, which is contrary to most college students’ perceptions that they have to sacrifice either studying or sleeping,” said Michael Scullin, from Baylor University. “And you don’t have to be an ‘A’ student or have detailed education on sleep for this to work,” Scullin said. While students who successfully met the sleep challenge received extra points, the “mini-incentive” was not included in the analysis of how well they performed on the finals, said Elise King.
