Intercon Chemical Co. recalled six hand soap brands distributed across 15 U.S. states due to potential contamination with unspecified bacteria or antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas and Serratia species. The affected products, sold under Laura Lynn, Summit, Vestis, and Intercon brands, may cause serious infections including blood infections, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections if used.
An article about engineered bacteria being developed as cancer therapies, though the full content failed to load due to technical issues.
Researchers at the University of Konstanz discovered a new enzyme in bacteria that degrades certain polyesters and bioplastics, named the 'Pac-Man enzyme' for its wide-open active site structure. The enzyme, identified through analysis of microbial communities in forest soil, could enable microorganisms to break down plastic waste more rapidly than previously thought, offering potential solutions to ocean plastic pollution.