Inverse - 🦠 Fugitive gut bacteria

Tuesday

August 23 2022

Gut health is all the rage these days — and for good reason. Did you know that roughly 70 percent of our immune cells live inside our gastrointestinal tract? Over the past couple of years, its become increasingly clear how important it is to keep our immune systems healthy, and to do this, we have to keep our guts healthy, too.

While we can’t see them, billions and billions of bacteria and other microorganisms live inside our intestines, and most of these species are beneficial. But if too many “bad” bacteria take over, they might tip the balance to an unhealthy gut and immune system. Scientists are still piecing together how all this works. But in a new study out this month, researchers figured out how rogue “bad” bacteria can ditch their cozy homes inside our guts and wreck havoc on the rest of our bodies. Don’t worry, its not all bad. By understanding how this works, we might be able to stop it from happening in the first place. Read on for all the nitty gritty details — perhaps as you enjoy some gut-friendly probiotic yogurt for breakfast.

What's New

Woah

Science

Behold these ghostly new images of Jupiter

For the last few weeks, the Webb Space Telescope has treated us to breathtaking views of the distant universe. But in the latest photos, Webb focuses on wonders much closer to home: Jupiter, with its delicate rings, gargantuan aurorae, and monstrous storms.

In the image, you can see the faint, delicate lines of Jupiter's rings stretching out to either side of the planet. Imaging Jupiter's rings is no easy feat; they're made of tiny particles that don't reflect much sunlight; as a result, the rings are about a million times fainter than the light reflected from the gas giant itself.

CATCH 'EM ALL

Mind and Body

Fugitive gut bacteria can disrupt our immune systems

Here’s something scientists want you to know: Your microbiome is complex.

Sure, we’ve come a long way in our understanding of how the ecosystem of microorganisms — bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other teeny tiny life forms — affects health and spurs disease when the balance between good and bad microbes is tipped. But there’s still lots we don’t know, like how exactly do microbes chilling in the gut influence tissues and organs far away such as the heart or brain?

There’s a thought that some bacteria have the ability to pull a Homer Simpson and slip through the gut barrier to get to the rest of the body. According to a study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, scientists are now finding evidence of this thanks to a method using antibodies to pick up and identify these microbial escapees in serum, the protein-rich liquid portion of blood.

This new method may help close the gap between gut bacteria and the immune system, uncovering the myriad of switches these microbes flip whether to benefit or harm their unsuspecting human hosts.

That's no moon

Science

13 options for the Artemis III Moon landing

On Friday, NASA announced the final thirteen regions for the Artemis III mission, the planned return of astronauts to the Moon’s surface. But “it’s a long way away from Apollo,” notes Sarah Noble, Artemis lunar science lead, in a press conference.

That’s because, no matter what site is selected, Artemis will be headed to the lunar South Pole. All thirteen regions lie within six degrees, a little over 100 miles, of the South Pole — far closer to the pole than any missions in the past.

While Armstrong and Aldrin bounded across the Sea of Tranquility bathed in sunlight from the Moon’s two-week days, the poles are a comparative chiaroscuro. Near the poles, the light varies from perpetual darkness to eternal sunlight, sometimes varying over distances of just hundreds of yards.

Take a closer look

Events

Gaming

Gamescom 2022 kicks off today

Brace yourself. The next major video game showcase is Gamescom Opening Night Live 2022, which kicks off the annual gaming convention today in Cologne, Germany. The show is hosted by Geoff Keighley, the host and creator of The Game Awards, and will be packed with new game announcements and details from existing projects.

You can catch the livestream today at 2 p.m. Eastern on The Game Awards’ official YouTube and Twitch channels. It’s a show you definitely won’t want to miss.

Feature

Comics

60 facts you didn’t know about Marvel’s Thor

Six decades ago, Norse mythology was reborn.

Having found success with characters like the Fantastic Four and the Incredible Hulk, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby wanted a new hero that could outshine them all. No mere mortal would do. They needed something bigger, grander, and more powerful. They needed a god.

Both men, particularly Kirby, had delved into mythological stories earlier in their comic book careers and they decided that Thor — with his mighty hammer, impressive powers, and loyalty to mankind — had the makings of a superhero. But Marvel was also the studio that made a point to give their heroes regular, human frailties. Even though he was a god, Thor would be no exception.

When the hero debuted in the August 1962 issue of Journey into Mystery, he was given an Earthly alter ego in Donald Blake, a doctor who was physically weak and walked with a cane.

Meanwhile...

'Thor 4' Disney+ release date revealed — and it's sooner than you think

'House of the Dragon' finally fixed 'Game of Thrones' earliest mistake

25 years ago, Guillermo del Toro made an amazing sci-fi monster movie — despite the Weinsteins' best efforts

'Lower Decks' Season 3 is the best Star Trek show of the year

Today in history: On August 23, 1305, William Wallace was executed for treason, condemned for leading the Scottish resistance to the English king Edward I.

Song of the day: "Freedom Speech"

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Inverse - 🦠 Fugitive gut bacteria

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