
December 2024
Detection or Deception: The Double-Edged Sword of AI in Research Misconduct
New artificial intelligence tools help scientists fight back against a rising tide of research misconduct, but is it enough?
Features
Infographics

The Regulation of the lac Operon
Gene expression of lactose-digesting genes is controlled by the lac operon that accounts for varying amounts of lactose or glucose in the cell.

Detecting Research Misconduct in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
The rise of fraudulent papers, exacerbated by AI-assisted technologies, threatens scientific integrity, but new detection tools offer hope.

How to Get Away from the Immune System
From manipulating host molecules to concealing their presence in the host’s body, microbes employ a wide range of tactics to dodge immune detection.
Foundations

The lac Operon: A Lesson in Simple Gene Regulation
The discovery of an inducible switch in Escherichia coli that controlled lactose metabolism offered the first clues into gene expression.

Wolbachia Turns 100: The Journey of a Triumphant Endosymbiont
In a century, Wolbachia has gone from a master reproductive manipulator to a partner in the fight against pathogens, exemplifying how a microbe can shape hosts and diseases.
Profiles

Pioneering the Aging Frontier with AI Models
David Furman uses computational power, collaborations, and cosmic inspiration to tease apart the role of the immune system in aging.

Inside the Microbial Jungle: Tales from a Microbe Whisperer
Anne Madden sees the beauty and brawn of creepy-crawly microbes and how they may hold the solution to many human problems.

A Tiny but Mighty Helper Stops Mosquito Viruses in Their Tracks
Vector biologist Luciano Moreira has been fighting disease-causing pathogens for years. Now he teams up with Wolbachia in this mission.
Contributors

Meet the Team: Melissa Kay
Melissa Kay’s passion for science transitioned from the lab into a career focused on scientific engagement in the social media landscape.
Editorial

The Evolution of Microbe Teachers and AI Cheaters
In nature, microbes fend off their microbial competitors. In the digital world, can AI-detection tools help researchers knock out AI-based research misconduct?
Speaking of Science

Invisible and Invaluable
Put on your thinking cap, and take on this fun challenge.