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Simulating single versus cocktail antibiotic effects on the human gut microbiome

Patel et al. | Jul 19, 2026

Simulating single versus cocktail antibiotic effects on the human gut microbiome
Image credit: Volodymyr Hryshchenko

This study, uses SimulATe to model changes in microbial diversity and community structure upon administering a cocktail of antibiotics versus a single antibiotic. The authors hypothesized that antibiotic cocktails, particularly those combining broad-spectrum drugs like tetracyclines and trimethoprims, would cause a more significant reduction in gut microbial diversity compared to single-drug treatments. The findings confirmed a greater loss of microbial diversity with combinatorial treatments compared to single-drug treatments. While individual antibiotics dynamically reshaped the surviving species of the microbiome, antibiotic cocktails frequently cleared all species of the gut microbiome.

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Effects of plant-derived smoke water on germination and growth in stressed plants

Ge et al. | Apr 08, 2026

Effects of plant-derived smoke water on germination and growth in stressed plants

Here the authors investigated the potential of plant-derived smoke water to mitigate the negative impacts of abiotic stressors, such as heat, salinity, and water fluctuations, on the germination and growth of various agricultural crops. Their findings suggest that smoke water, specifically from buckwheat, pea, and radish, significantly improves plant resilience against drought and excessive water stress, offering a viable strategy to bolster food security in the face of climate change.

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Development of novel biodegradable bioplastics for packaging film using mango peels

Wang et al. | Apr 06, 2025

Development of novel biodegradable bioplastics for packaging film using mango peels
Image credit: JACQUELINE BRANDWAYN

Here the authors explored the development of biodegradable bioplastic films derived from mango peels as a sustainable solution to plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from fruit waste. They optimized the film's mechanical properties and water resistance through adjusting processing conditions and incorporating plasticizers and a hydrophobic coating, ultimately demonstrating its potential as a bacteriostatic and biodegradable alternative to conventional plastic food wrap.

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