A study led by Nikhil Malvankar, an assistant professor at Yale University’s Microbial Science Institute in Connecticut, found that Geobacter – a ubiquitous, groundwater-dwelling bacteria “inhale” organic waste and “exhale” electrons, generating a small electric current in the process. Geobacter breathes through a “snorkel” that is called a nanowire. Though these tiny, conductive filaments are 100,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair, they can shuttle electrons hundreds to thousands of times the length of an individual Geobacter microbe’s body. The study published August 17 in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, Malvankar and his colleagues has figured out how to combine that energy into a potent, microbial power grid. The study had uncovered the “secret molecule” that allows Geobacter to breathe over tremendously long distances previously unseen in bacteria. Stimulated by the electric field, the microbes assemble into dense biofilm interlinked piles of hundreds of individual microbes, moving electrons through a single shared network. When stimulated by an electric field, Geobacter produces a previously unknown nanowire made of a protein called OmcZ. It was known that bacteria could make electricity, but nobody knew the molecular structure, and this study found it. With this new research, scientists now know how to manipulate microbial nanowires to make them stronger and more conductive. @ https://www.sciencealert.com/bacteria-in-mud-breathe-through-giant-snorkels-that-conduct-electricity/amp
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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said that JBS Food Canada recalls Provigo brand ground beef products from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O157 contamination. The products have been sold at Provigo Hull, 1 du Plateau, Gatineau, Quebec. The recalled products include the company triggered Provigo brand Medium ground beef club pack in variable sizes, Provigo Lean ground beef fresh club packs in various sizes, This recall. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting a food safety investigation. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products. @ https://www.inspection.gc.ca/food-recall-warnings-and-allergy-alerts/2020-09-27/eng/1601246978544/1601246984482
JBS Food Canada is recalling Provigo brand ground beef products from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O157 contamination.
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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) notified that Érablière Godbout recalls Érablière Godbout brand “Sauce spaghetti” from the marketplace because it may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum. The recalled product is Érablière Godbout Sauce spaghetti in 500 ml and 1-liter jars. This brand of spaghetti sauce sold in Quebec. The sauce did not have a “keep refrigerated” label on the jars. No one has fallen ill after eating the sauce, but the recall has been ordered as a precaution, the agency said in a news release. @ https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/recall-notice-issued-on-spaghetti-sauce-that-could-cause-botulism
Made by Érablière Godbout, the product did not have a “keep refrigerated” label on the jars.
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The multistate outbreak of Cyclospora infections linked to salad products made by Fresh Express containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots and that were sold in several regions of the United States investigated by the FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners is over. The outbreak included Fresh Express branded products and products made by Fresh Express for retail store brands sold at ALDI, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco, ShopRite, and Walmart. FDA’s investigation is continuing, in consultation with the state agriculture and regional water board. On June 27, 2020, Fresh Express recalled the salads. The recalled products are now well beyond expiration and likely no longer on the market or in consumers’ homes. As of September 25, 2020, CDC has announced this outbreak is over. FDA investigated multiple farms identified in the traceback, one of which led to sampling and investigation around a farm in south Florida. FDA continues to work to determine the source and impact of the Cyclospora found in the regional water canal (C-23), located west of Port St. Lucie, Florida. The FDA has been unable to determine if the Cyclospora detected in the canal is a genetic match to the clinical cases. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-cyclospora-bagged-salads-june-2020?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
CDC announces the end of the outbreak; FDA continues its investigation.