The A﹠P Professor Science & Education Updates - Issue #216

Life Science

The bacteria that live in our bodies, particularly our guts, play key roles in immunity and development. But babies born by cesarean section don't get the rich blend of microbes that come from a vaginal birth—microbes that may help prevent disorders such as asthma and allergies.

Now, a study suggests feeding these infants a small amount of their mothers' feces could "normalize" their gut microbiome—the ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the digestive system—and possibly give their immune systems a healthier start.

Siddhartha Mukherjee’s new book, The Song of the Cell, explores the world of cell biology through the lens of scientists, doctors and patients.

Researchers found the RSV and influenza viruses fused together to form a new type of virus pathogen. Oh-oh!

Local electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves can block the propagation of action potentials, as an attractive alternative to pharmacological agents for the treatment of acute pain.

High-resolution structures of actin filaments.

Pups born to mice whose mothers had been fed a high-fat diet showed social deficits, a study shows. 

Consuming the bacterium Hafnia alvei twice a day for three months led to better weight loss success among a group of overweight people following a calorie-control diet

Artificial sweeteners have been shown to help people maintain their weight and improve their health, but they have also been liked to conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Nutrition scientist Allison Sylvetsky has been unpicking the evidence

Clues about the process that helps gut pTreg cells to form.

Teaching & Learning

A new study finds that taking pictures of PowerPoint slides during an online presentation helped students remember the slide content better than for slides they did not photograph.

One question makes all the difference.

TAPP News & Notes

Reviewing Our Syllabus | Telling the Story of Our Course | Our Syllabus Creates Our Course Culture