A new antiviral defense system in bacteria discovered

Plus: Watch Lockheed Martin test its layered laser defense system. Aug 13, 2022 [Blueprint]( There is a lot going on in terms of scientific developments in the world, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is one of the prominent institutions for such development, with studies underway across various fields. Its researchers even developed silk capsules to replace microplastics. Inspiring, isn't it? Now, scientists from MIT have come up with a new discovery regarding bacteria’s antiviral defense systems. The study also paves the way for the development of many more antiviral weapons in the microbial world in the future. Did you know that aircraft rarely fly over Antarctica? So before going on with the novel discovery in the bacterial world, let’s have a look at our video of the day to find out why planes avoid the South Pole. Good morning. I’m Mert, an Editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s dive in. Last Sunday, Blueprint subscribers heard the world’s leading experts talk about whether – and when – we will face another mass extinction. And this week, premium subscribers will be treated to an exclusive interview with one of the scientists behind MIT’sfaster boiling water breakthrough. Don't miss out — [subscribe to IE+ today]( to receive exclusive interviews, features, and much more. [Play]VIDEO OF THE DAY [Here's why planes overfly the North Pole but not the South Pole]( [South Pole.]( Who needs to take that route anyway? [Must Read]MUST READ [MIT researchers discover bacteria's new antiviral defense system]( [Enterobacterias.]( [Enterobacterias.]( Bet_Noire/iStock MIT scientists have discovered [a new microbial defense system]( in bacteria. The study shows that organisms in all three domains of life — bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes (which includes plants and animals) — use pattern recognition of conserved viral proteins to defend against pathogens. Microbial armory → Researchers uncovered that specific proteins in prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea) detect viruses in unexpectedly direct ways, recognizing critical parts of the viruses and causing the single-celled organisms to commit suicide in order to stop the infection within a microbial community. The researchers then demonstrated that bacterial STAND ATPase proteins could recognize different phage portal and terminase proteins. The proteins also function as DNA endonuclease enzymes, cutting up a bacterium’s own DNA and killing the cell, limiting the virus’s spread. Similarly, STAND ATPases in humans are known to respond to bacterial infections by inducing programmed cell death in infected cells. Scientists predict that many more antiviral weapons will be discovered in the microbial world in the future. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Linkedin]( [INNOVATION]INNOVATION [Watch Lockheed Martin test its layered laser defense system]( Lockheed Martin is developing[a laser weapon system]( to protect soldiers at sea, in the air, and on the ground. The 'layered laser defense system' combines innovation with expert platform integration to defeat a growing range of threats to military forces and infrastructure. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( And Other Stories in Innovation - Australian engineers[produce concrete from tyre]( rubber, and rocks - Meet 'Copernicus': [TAE's planned billion-degree]( hydrogen-boron nuclear fusion reactor - DARPA aims to establish a [low Earth orbit]( "Internet" of connected satellites [HEALTH]HEALTH [A novel AI algorithm may be the key to a breakthrough epilepsy treatment]( A group of scientists from the University College London has developed [an AI algorithm]( that can detect drug-resistant focal cortical dysplasia, a subtle anomaly in the brain that leads to epileptic seizures. It’s a promising step for scientists toward detecting and curing epilepsy in its early stages. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( And Other Stories in Health - A [breakthrough compound]( destroys over 300 drug-resistant bacteria - A new small and less costly molecule could [make immunotherapy]( available to all cancer patients - The first-ever [complete map of immune system]( connections offers new pathways to therapies [MAIL & MUSINGS]MAIL & MUSINGS Any discovery in bacteria is intriguing since drug-resistant bacteria is a big obstacle in curing diseases. Do you think science will overcome drug resistance soon? [Yes, but it may not be quite soon.]( [Why not? Humanity has achieved a lot.]( [Nope, it’s an endless loop.]( [I don’t know, but I hope so.]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Following the news that a new species of giant isopods has been discovered in the Gulf of Mexico, we asked how many undiscovered giant isopod species you think there are. 48 percent say “probably a few,” while 31 percent think that the possibilities are endless. 48% Probably a few 31% The possibilities are endless 19% Potentially hundreds 2% None, this was a one-off [QUOTE OF THE DAY]QUOTE OF THE DAY “A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible. There are no prima donnas in engineering.” Freeman Dyson in “Disturbing the Universe” (1979) [THINGS WE LOVE]THINGS WE LOVE [image]( [Samsung Bespoke Cube Air Purifier]( [image]( [Soundance Laptop Stand]( [image]( [Houl Zalle Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker]( [image]( [Fellowes Paper Shredder]( [AND ANOTHER THING]AND ANOTHER THING - A design studio's stunning [superyacht concept]( looks like a floating volcano. - [The Arctic is warming]( nearly four times as fast as the rest of the planet. (Popular Science) - A [brown bear cub got high]( by consuming an excessive amount of 'mad honey.' - Scientists discover an immense, unknown [hydrocarbon cycle]( hiding in the oceans. (ScienceAlert) - [Asteroid Bennu]( Will the best-characterized asteroid in the solar system hit the Earth or not? - [Matter at extreme conditions]( of very high temperature and pressure turns out to be remarkably simple and universal. 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