Tag: bacteria

Current Event Connection

Plague’s Patient Zero?

HEALTH Scientists may have found the oldest-ever evidence of the plague, locked away in an 20-million-year-old flea. (Washington Post) See more fleas and other bloodsuckers in our fantastic photo gallery. Discussion Ideas The Washington Post article lists three major infections known as the plague: bubonic plague, pneumonic plague, and septicemic plague. What is the difference? The major difference is where the infection is located. Bubonic … Continue reading Plague’s Patient Zero?

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Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Main

Medieval Potion Kills Modern Superbug

HEALTH It might sound like a really old wives’ tale, but a 1,000-year-old Anglo-Saxon potion may hold the key to wiping out the modern-day superbug MRSA. (CNN) Use our microscopic image to get a good look at MRSA. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit. Watch this terrific video about the AncientBiotics Project! Discussion Ideas The medieval treatment … Continue reading Medieval Potion Kills Modern Superbug

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Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Exploring Our World, This Week in Geographic History

The Tiny Truth About Germs

The cover photo for this post is a microscopic image of fungi, courtesy Fernando Santos and FEI. With stories about Ebola consuming our newsfeeds these days, it’s probably been hard to avoid discussing the outbreak with your students. But as new cases are discovered and treated, is there anything else to talk about? What questions are emerging from your classroom? One way to continue the … Continue reading The Tiny Truth About Germs

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Current Event Connection, Main

Google Science Fair Winners

SCIENCE Think about what you love, what you’re good at, and what you really want to change. Think about entering Google Science Fair 2015. But first, think about how these young scientists are changing the world, from world hunger to environmental clean-ups. (Google Science Fair) Use our resources to see where science can take your career. And the winners are . . . Natural Bacteria … Continue reading Google Science Fair Winners

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Current Event Connection, Main

Poop to Plastic to Profit

BUSINESS Would you drink from water bottles made from raw sewage? You may soon have the opportunity, thanks to the rise of bioplastics. (BBC) Use our resources to better understand the perils of (traditional) plastics. Watch this video explaining how a California company is turning biological waste into biodegradable plastic. Discussion Ideas Both the BBC and Micromidas (above) videos use the term “sludge” for the … Continue reading Poop to Plastic to Profit

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