The Science Museum of Minnesota is devoted to educating the public about the ever changing world of science. We hope you will explore the material here to begin to understand current developments in science and research. Pick a topic above or read below to find out the latest developments we have been examining.
Learn More about Current Science at the Museum ...
Cranberry juice for urinary tract infections Courtesy Nico Punkt Cranberry juice for bladder infections About 40 years ago when my sister had a bladder infection, my dad had her drink cranberry juice. This folk cure for bladder infections has been around for generations, but now scientists claim to understand why. A new study by researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) reveals that the juice changes the thermodynamic properties of bacteria in the urinary tract, creating an energy barrier that prevents the microorganisms from getting close enough to latch onto cells and initiate an infection. Physorg.com. Cranberry juice leaves "good" gut bacteria alone Lead WPI researcher Teri Camesano said that "cranberry juice targets the right bacteria—those that cause disease—but has no effect on non-pathogenic organisms, suggesting that cranberry juice will not disrupt bacteria that are part of the normal flora in the gut," Camesano also cautioned that the effect is transitory so to be protected one needs to drink cranberry juice daily. Sugar-free cranberry juice works, too Thankfully, her lab has shown that the effects of regular cranberry juice cocktail and diet (sugar-free) cranberry juice are identical. "That's good news for people who do not like to consume a lot of sugary juice," she says. ...
Anytime
Cranberry juice for urinary tract infections Courtesy Nico Punkt Cranberry juice for bladder infections About 40 years ago when my sister had a bladder infection, my dad had her drink cranberry juice. This folk cure for bladder infections has been around for generations, but now scientists claim to understand why. A new study by researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) reveals that the juice changes the thermodynamic properties of bacteria in the urinary tract, creating an energy barrier that prevents the microorganisms from getting close enough to latch onto cells and initiate an infection. Physorg.com. Cranberry juice leaves "good" gut bacteria alone Lead WPI researcher Teri Camesano said that "cranberry juice targets the right bacteria—those that cause disease—but has no effect on non-pathogenic organisms, suggesting that cranberry juice will not disrupt bacteria that are part of the normal flora in the gut," Camesano also cautioned that the effect is transitory so to be protected one needs to drink cranberry juice daily. Sugar-free cranberry juice works, too Thankfully, her lab has shown that the effects of regular cranberry juice cocktail and diet (sugar-free) cranberry juice are identical. "That's good news for people who do not like to consume a lot of sugary juice," she says. ...