Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Bacteria Like Caffeine

Ryan Summers, a Ph.D. student at the University of Iowa found bacteria degrade caffeine. Last week, he presented his findings at the event of 111th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology at New Orleans, USA.

Summers said, "We have isolated caffeine degrading bacteria, Pseudomonas putida CBB5, which can convert caffeine into CO2 and ammonia." Bacteria that can live in environments with high levels of caffeine 2.5 g/liter, which for many bacteria have been classified as toxic.

By degrading caffeine which consists of elements carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen, Pseudomonas putida CBB5 get essential nutrients needed for life. According to Summers, the degradation process itself is assisted by 3 kinds of enzymes that own by the bacteria.

With the ability to degrade caffeine, it is quite possible this bacterium is also like to drink coffee. A cup of coffee known to contain average of 0.8 grams/liter of caffeine. Certainly, the bacteria would not drink coffee to accompany stay up to watch the ball.

The finding of Pseudomonas putida CBB5, Summers admitted not surprised. The reason, caffeine was also associated with domestic wastewater and industrial waste. However, Summers did not know about the reasons why there are bacteria that have evolved to grow in an environment with caffeine.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Bacterial Infection

Not like viruses, bacteria can detect clearly, they are living things that have only single cell. Under a microscope, they look like balls, rods or spirals. They are so small that a line of 1,000 could fit across a pencil eraser. Most bacteria won't hurt you - less than 1 percent makes people sick. Many are helpful. Some bacteria help to digest food, destroy disease-causing cells and give the body needed vitamins. Bacteria are also used in making healthy foods like yogurt and cheese.

Infectious by bacteria can make you ill. They reproduce quickly in our body. Many give off chemicals called toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick. Examples of bacteria that cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, bacillus and E. coli.

Doctor usually gives antibiotics as the usual treatment. When you take antibiotics, follow the directions carefully. Each time you take antibiotics, you increase the chances that bacteria in your body will learn to resist them. Later, you could get or spread an infection that those antibiotics cannot cure. Doctor often time suggest to drink this antibiotic until finished, this prevent the bacteria still exist even weak and can be stronger against the similar antibiotics.

Infection Control
Every year, many lives are lost because of the spread of infections in hospitals. Health care workers can take steps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. These steps are part of infection control.

Proper hand washing using soap is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infections in hospitals.

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