Comets were on fire this year – for better or worse

Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium responsible for gonorrhoea, is increasingly developing resistance to existing antibiotics, prompting the need for new treatment options. A new antibiotic named zoliflodacin has emerged as a potential solution to combat this growing issue.

Urban populations in southern Britain experienced a significant decline in health that persisted for generations following the arrival of the Romans. This deterioration in health is attributed to the changes brought about by Roman occupation, which had lasting effects on the local populace.

Three thought experiments involving imaginary demons have challenged the fundamental laws of physics for centuries, prompting ongoing debates about their implications for scientific understanding. These demons, which manipulate thermodynamic principles, raise questions about the nature of entropy and information in physical systems.

A recent study involving over 34,000 participants has provided new insights into the composition of a healthy gut microbiome, revealing specific bacteria that contribute positively to overall health. This research marks a significant advancement in understanding the gut's role in human well-being.

Physicists are proposing imaginative experiments, including a particle smasher encircling the moon and an 'impossible' laser, to explore the boundaries of scientific inquiry. These ideas reflect a desire to push the limits of current technology and understanding in physics.

A recent laboratory study has demonstrated the effectiveness of a genetic technology known as gene drive, which aims to make mosquitoes resistant to malaria. This breakthrough could significantly advance efforts to combat malaria, a disease that continues to pose a major public health challenge worldwide.

Recent research has shed light on the evolution of tickling, revealing insights into why humans and other species, such as bonobos and rats, exhibit ticklish behavior. This exploration extends to the development of tickling robots, which aim to mimic these interactions and enhance understanding of social bonding and communication in animals and humans alike.

For centuries, Europeans believed that the cosmos was filled with eternal daylight, but recent discoveries have revealed that space is predominantly dark. This paradigm shift has significant implications for our understanding of the universe and our place within it.