In September 1620, a group of separatists seeking religious freedom of worship as well as bountiful land sailed from Plymouth, England for the New World. After a 66 day journey, the Mayflower dropped anchor off the coast of Cape Cod, nearly 200 miles north of their intended destination.  They of course, in true European fashion, named their new colony Plymouth after their departing port.

The...

As we progress through the 21st Century, the looming threat of antimicrobial resistance and the urgent call for action have been expressed by the medical community worldwide.  Bacterial resistance mechanisms are becoming increasingly more common, especially to broad spectrum beta (β)-lactam antibiotics which include penicllins, cephalosporins, monobactams, and carbapenems....

Marijuana legalization has been a hot topic in the news across the United States over the past few years.  In 2012, Colorado was the first state to pass legalization of recreational marijuana use. Prior to this, many states had legal medical prescription marijuana sales and usage on the books. However, Colorado’s move to legalize recreational cannabis use is a sign that the overarching public view of...

Compounding Pharmacies are specialized pharmacies able to address specific health needs in a way mass produced pharmaceuticals cannot. Compounded medications offer customized solutions for patients' unique conditions. The value of these facilities is significant for those who have experienced an enhanced quality of life or life-saving benefits from compounded medications.

On September 6^th, 2017, the organization known as PETA or the People for the ethical treatment of animals called out to their vegan brethren to donate their stool…for SCIENCE! [1]  For those who are unaware, Fecal Microbiota Transplants or FMT’s are a relatively new but promising treatment for individuals who have had their guts ravaged by the pathogenic bacte...

Throughout history there has been an ongoing conversation about the mystical “living light” that shows up fluttering in the sky, churning beneath the ocean waves, and dancing across the forest floor. Stories have been passed down depicting this fantastical phenomenon stemming from all different cultures and histories. From ocean explorers that discovered the deep sea dwelling animals that illuminate the...

A vaginal epithelial cell infected with multiple Gram negative and positive bacterial species including G. vaginalis, indicative of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV).

Urinary tract infections are a result of bacteria entering the urinary tract through the urethra. When these bacteria arrive at the bladder, they begin to multiply, leading to an infection. In most cases, the urinary system can usually...

My wife is eight months pregnant and her due date is creeping ever closer with each passing day. In this last month, many preparations are being made in our home. We have assembled the cradle, put away the copious amount of clothes our generous parents have given us (it's our first child), and the house has never been so clean. My wife is also making her own personal preparations. She is eating extremely...

Lake Natron is a vast body of water, 57 kilometers (35 mi) long and 22 kilometers (14 mi) wide, in the Great Rift Valley of Eastern Africa right along the Northern border of Tanzania and Kenya. Located at the base of the volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai, you will first notice the deep red hue of its water, and a water face that appears to be tiled, caused by a thick coat of salt at the surface. Lake Natron i...

Environmental monitoring (EM) is a proactive tool for Quality Assurance and is a critical process within pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. The process is important in determining the microbial...

Humans are extremely adaptive creatures. We have crowned ourselves ruler of our planet, cultivating civilizations across the globe from the hottest deserts and tallest mountain ranges, to even floating communities such as the Kompong Chhnang floating city in Cambodia.

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