VIDEO: Why do car batteries die in the cold of winter?

January 27, 2014 —

Chemistry professor Phil Hultin explains the why car batteries offer poor performance in the winter, and why you are more likely to need a boost on a cold day.

Chemistry, Faculty of Science

UM Scientists’ recent discovery opens up possibilities for developing a new antibiotic through AI

Dr. ASM Zisanur Rahman, Julieta Novomisky Nechcoff, and Dr. Silvia T. Cardona have recently published their article, "Rationally designed pooled CRISPRi-seq uncovers an inhibitor of bacterial peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase" in Cell Reports. In this study, the team created a collection of bacterial mutants to help them understand how a new type of antimicrobial molecule, discovered with their artificial intelligence tools, stops bacteria from growing. Their research has now identified a unique combination of a compound and its bacterial target, opening up exciting possibilities for developing a new antibiotic. In this interview, we talk with Cardona, a professor and associate head graduate in the Department of Microbiology and an expert in antibiotic discovery to provide a deeper understanding of her research and recent work.

Thought compostable PLA plastics was the solution to sustainability? Think again!

Although sustainability seems to be the new trend, plastic pollution still remains a great threat to the environment and human health. Turns out those compostable coffee cups and food containers are rarely degraded even in standard composting conditions. The UM Prairie iGEM team strives to solve this problem and received the gold medal for the best new basic part award in the 2024 Grand Jamboree - the world expo of synthetic biology!

From searching for a potential dark matter candidate to bringing physics education to remote communities

"Shocked" is what Dr. Juliette Mammei felt when she first heard the news of being inducted into the Royal Society of Canada as she thought it was a long shot when she filled out the application. However, looking at her novel work with the Moller experiment and her dedication to improving equity, diversity and inclusion in physics, one can say that induction into the Royal Society of Canada was inevitable and well-deserving.