One of the keys to being successful in biology is being able to understand the terminology. Difficult biology words and terms can be made easy to understand by becoming familiar with common prefixes and suffixes used in biology. These affixes, derived from Latin and Greek roots, form the basis for many difficult biology words.

For example, the word pericardium can be understood as follows: peri - cardium. Peri means around and cardio refers to the heart. The pericardium is the fluid filled sac that surrounds the heart. For more information on how to understand difficult biology words or terms see Biology Word Dissections and Biology Prefixes and Suffixes Quiz.

USA300 Strain of Staphylococcus aureus Bacteria Credit: RML/NIAID

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health and the University of Chicago have discovered a possible treatment for infections by the USA300 strain of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. This particular strain of S. aureus is extremely infectious and causes skin and soft tissue damage in healthy people. S. aureus bacteria secrete a toxin known as alpha-hemolysin, or Hla, that punctures and kills host cells.

In mouse model studies, researchers found that if the Hla toxin is removed from the bacteria or offset through immunization, the damaging skin effects from infection are drastically reduced. According to the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Anthony S. Fauci, "This study highlights the potential for antitoxin treatment to become an effective alternative to traditional antibiotics, which we know have limitations because of drug resistance." Fauci believes that antitoxin treatments for S. aureus will prove to be more beneficial at fighting this type of infection because it focuses on inhibiting the pathogen's ability to do damage rather than trying to kill the pathogen.

Learn more about this study:

• Treatment for S. Aureus Skin Infection Works in Mouse Model Science Daily

Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Did you know that walking at a moderate pace three times a week can improve brain function? Walking improves cognitive function and reduces age related brain deterioration. A study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience has demonstrated that even moderate physical activity can increase connectivity between brain networks. People who are more fit have better connectivity than those who are physically inactive.

The researchers focused on connectivity in a specific region of the brain known as the default mode network (DMN). Participants in the study who were in a walking group showed increased connectivity in the DMN region of the brain. Researcher Art Kramer states, "The higher the connectivity, the better the performance on some of these cognitive tasks, especially the ones we call executive control tasks -- things like planning, scheduling, dealing with ambiguity, working memory and multitasking." These types of cognitive tasks often decline with aging.

Learn more about this study:

• Walking Boosts Brain Connectivity Science Daily

Cranberries Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Studies have shown that cranberry juice fights bacteria that cause urinary tract infections. The findings were presented at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society. According to lead researcher Terri Anne Camesano, "A number of controlled clinical trials have concluded that cranberry juice really is effective for preventing urinary tract infections." Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria infect the urinary tract. The most common cause of infection is the E. coli bacterium.

The researchers discovered that cranberry juice fights urinary tract infection by preventing E. coli from forming a slimy layer called biofilm. Biofilm helps bacteria adhere to surfaces and each other as well. Biofilm formation enables bacterial reproduction and growth which leads to infection. Cranberries have other health benefits as well. Other studies have shown that the antioxidants found in cranberries and other berries may reduce wrinkles.

Learn more about this study:

• Cranberry Juice Fights Bacteria That Cause Urinary Tract Infections Science Daily