Most of the disease-causing bacteria secrete matrix-like layers around themselves called biofilms. These biofilms act as thick barriers limiting the entry of drugs and helping the bacteria become resistant to antibiotics.

Surprising findings on bacterial aging have emerged from a study carried out by a team of researchers led by the biologist Dr. Ulrich Steiner at Freie Universität Berlin. In a new paper published in Science Advances, the team demonstrated that even genetically identical bacterial cells living in the same environment react differently to the aging process and that changes occur at different rates within different regions of the cell.

The vast amounts of plastic garbage heaped in landfills and in the environment are as problematic as the plastics are useful. In an article published in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition, a German research team has now introduced a new method for recycling polystyrene waste. Their efficient electrochemical process uses an inexpensive iron catalyst, produces hydrogen as a byproduct, and can be powered by solar panels.

Willem van der Bilt from the Department of Earth Science at the University in Bergen and the Bjerknes Center has, together with a group co-led by Mateusz Strzelecki at the University of Wrocław in Poland, worked on various new methods that extract more societally relevant information about hazards from geological archives such as lake sediments. They combined different high-resolution scanning techniques in a geostatistical framework.

Better catch this week's supermoon. It will be a while until the next one.

There are processes in the human body that can suppress the growth and proliferation of cancer cells. These mechanisms, including those involving the tumor suppressor protein p53, are widely studied due to their critical role in disease.

In ancient times, people often viewed the world through the lens of their beliefs and traditions. Mythologies of ancient cultures were much more than collections of old stories and legends - they were the core of a nation’s identity, and the foundation of their political power and social structure. Across time and through many civilizations, myths and old tales were closely entwined with political ideologies, doctrines, military efforts, and society’s belief in authority. In many ways, the myths became instrumental for legitimizing great conquests, wars, and regime changes. They promoted unity in a society and strengthened the position of a ruling class. So, in many ways, our history is founded upon myths. But what role exactly did it play? Read moreSection: NewsGeneralHistory & ArchaeologyMyths & LegendsAncient PlacesHistoryAncient TraditionsFamous PeoplePremiumPreviewRead Later 

The mysterious Denisovans, perhaps the most elusive of all the archaic hominin species, emerged following their divergence from Neanderthals approximately 400,000 years ago. Like Neanderthals, these extinct cousins of modern humans made important contributions to the human genome, which helped shape our evolution and make us what we are today. But as new research has revealed, the story of the Denisovan genetic exchange with early humans was more complex than previously known. In a new study just published in the journal Nature Genetics, two scientists affiliated with Trinity College Dublin’s Smurfit Institute of Genetics, lead author Dr. Linda Ongaro and her colleague Dr. Emilia Huerta-Sanchez, reviewed all the existing literature on Denisovan and human interbreeding, and were able to identify three separate periods when Denisovans were breeding with early humans regularly. They also found that the Denisovans had split into two distinct populations at some point, but that both of these had interbred with human ancestors, adding yet another layer of complexity to these interactions. Read moreSection: NewsEvolution & Human OriginsHuman OriginsScienceRead Later 

Congress is apparently prepared to extend the Dec. 20 deadline for a government shutdown well past President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration as lawmakers are talking about a temporary measure that would fund the government into March, The Washington Post reported.

With Rep. Yadira Caraveo, D-Colo., conceding her seat Sunday to Republican state Rep. Gabe Evans in a race that had remained too close to call, Republicans are one seat from the required 218 to retain the majority.