Academic Awards

A drug-resistant strain of bacteria inhabiting hospital settings has evolved to utilize an antimicrobial genetic tool. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) is responsible for many lethal infections and has been shown by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh (UPitt) to be equally lethal to other bacterial species. The findings, published in Nature Microbiology in a study titled, “ Bacteriocin production facilitates nosocomial emergence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium,” suggest that VREfm have the ability to produce bacteriocin, an antimicrobial that can kill or inhibit other bacteria. “Our lab has a front-row seat to the parade of pathogens that move through the hospital setting,” said senior author Daria Van Tyne, PhD, associate professor of medicine in UPitt’s Division of Infectious Diseases. The Enhanced Detection System for Healthcare-Associated Transmission (EDS-HAT) was developed at UPitt and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) to tra...

At the center of most large galaxies, including the Milky Way, resides a supermassive black hole. Periodically, this cosmic entity accumulates interstellar gas, switching into an active galactic nucleus (AGN), a state in which it releases intense radiation throughout the galaxy. Given that environment, one would not expect any life-form to thrive under such intense energy bombardment. Yet a new study published in The Astrophysical Journal proposes that AGN radiation may paradoxically offer life a boost, supporting certain conditions that encourage organisms to flourish instead of perish. Effects of black hole radiation In this joint effort by Dartmouth College and the University of Exeter, researchers used computer models to evaluate how ultraviolet (UV) light from AGNs changes the atmospheres of Earth-like planets. Their findings demonstrate that although black hole radiation can be catastrophic in some cases, it may assist life once sufficient oxygen has accumulated in the planet’s a...

In low-carbon transportation, AI and smart technology stand as silent architects, reshaping how we move and interact with our urban landscapes. From optimising traffic patterns to revolutionising public transport efficiency, these technologies are key to unlocking a future where sustainability and mobility seamlessly converge. How AI is transforming sustainable transport Transforming sustainable transport, AI is revolutionising the way you approach mobility and environmental conservation. Through AI-powered systems, transportation is becoming more efficient, safer, and eco-friendly. Imagine a world where traffic flows smoothly, public transport is optimised, and emissions are significantly reduced. AI is making this vision a reality by analysing vast amounts of data in real time to improve traffic management, enhance route planning, and reduce energy consumption. With AI algorithms predicting traffic patterns and suggesting alternative routes, you can experience quicker and more fuel-e...

 

Abstract Mantle processes control plate tectonics and exert an influence on biogeochemical cycles. However, the proportion of mantle sampled in-situ is minimal, as it is buried beneath igneous crust and sediments. Here we report the lithological characteristics of two mantle sections from an embryonic ocean drilled by the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Contrary to the mantle drilled at Mid Ocean Ridges (MORs) and hyperextended passive margins, our findings reveal exceptionally heterogeneous and fertile mantle lithologies, ranging from fertile lherzolites to depleted harzburgites and dunites, interlayered with pyroxenites. Plagioclase- and clinopyroxene-rich layers, hydrous potassic magmatic veins, and mafic intrusions indicate substantial mantle refertilization and delayed inception of magmatic crust. We propose that magma-poor rifts do not require a chemically depleted mantle, too refractory to melt. Deep lithospheric processes such as mantle refer...

The Pentagon must default to rapid acquisition processes when buying software, from business systems to weapons components, the defense secretary said in a Thursday memo. The move is a “big deal,” one expert told Defense One, because it will push the Defense Department to stop spending considerable money and time trying to build its own software and instead go to the marketplace for products that might already exist. “While the commercial industry has rapidly adjusted to a software-defined product reality, DoD has struggled to reframe our acquisition process from a hardware-centric to a software-centric approach,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote in the March 6 memo. “Software is at the core of every weapon and supporting system we field to remain the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world.” The Pentagon must prioritize the Software Acquisition Pathway when buying software, the memo said—a set of guidelines the Defense Department rolled out to streamline the purchase of...