idw - Informationsdienst Wissenschaft e.V. Nachric •

Bacterial pathogens share genes to outsmart treatments and adapt to new environments

Bacterial pathogens share genes to outsmart treatments and adapt to new environments A new study published in PNAS sheds light on how bacterial plant pathogens, like Pseudomonas syringae, rapidly evolve resistance to antibiotics and adapt to changing environments. This is particularly concerning as copper-based antimicrobials are commonly used in agriculture to control these very pathogens. The study reveals a previously unknown mechanism by which these bacteria gain new abilities due to mobile
Phys.org •

Researchers discover Paleocene origin of symbiotic relationships in leaf beetles

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Brightly colored beetles that feed on a wide range of plants possess robust metabolic capabilities, thanks to bacteria residing in specialized organs in their digestive tract. The bacterium Stammera provides essential enzymes enabling Cassidinae beetles to digest plant cell wall components efficiently. Researchers f
The Playa Times •

Editorial: Of Corpse You Will Have A Good Time

From the cult-ish to the traditional, the end of October and the start of November is a festive treat for locals and tourists. Here in the Riviera Maya, the Mexican celebration of the Dead of the Dead has joined up with Halloween for a three-day death fest. Halloween has become an important social event for the region, and The "Poltergeist" Playa Times is looking forward to the spooky season of nightcrawlers made up of the little devils and their Addams families.
The Playa Times •

TPT Meets Svetlana Aleksandroff, Author of Plants of the Mayan World

Already in its second edition, Plants of the Mayan World, is an essential reference guide to plant botany of the Yucatan peninsula and beyond. We talked to the author to find out more behind the making of her book Originally from Moscow, and after having lived in Vermont, Svetlana Aleksandroff moved to Mexico to escape the cold. Mexico reminded her of Russia, with its unique culture, cuisine, people and nature. Her interest in ethnobotany inspired her to write a book; it became an  I expression
The Playa Times •

Editorial: An Unforgettable Mexican Winter

There is no denying that the Riviera Maya truly comes alive in winter. Alfresco festivals transform streets with live music, film, art and entertainment; beaches buzz with sun seekers, kite surfers and paddle boarders; divers disappear into the depths of the oceans seeking out Nemo; cafes, taco stands, restaurants and bars welcome foodies early and stay open late; and the musicians from the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival and dancers for the FIDanza step into the spotlight. In this issue of
The Playa Times •

Editorial - Happy Birthday to The Playa Times!

It has been two years since we first distributed the newspaper out into the streets of the Mexican Caribbean, and we couldn’t have done it without you. The first time the idea of The Playa Times was pitched, we believed there was a need for a publication that informed, engaged and entertained English speakers and readers as told from the perspective of those who live here. Our target audience is primarily the millions of visitors from an internationally diverse background who arrive here annua
The Playa Times •

Editorial - Facing the Storm Together

Did you know that the word hurricane is derived from the Maya storm god Hunraken? That is a good dinner party conversation starter, right? Natural disasters are unavoidable. Especially when the Mexican Caribbean lies in one of the six main tropical areas of the Earth where hurricanes can develop every year. Just by talking to a local, you are bound to hear about their experiences of when Hurricane Wilma hit the coastline in 2005. Although natural disasters are beyond human control, proper mana
The Playa Times •

Cirque du Soleil’s Joyà Celebrates One Year of Adventure

Riviera Maya audiences, as spoiled as we are in paradise, are no strangers to the mystical world of the Maya jungle and the mixture between old and the new. In November 2014, the area received a world class resident, as Cirque du Soleil opened their doors to their new show Joyà. The show and its settings are perfectly designed and scripted to reflect a deep respect for the ecological, cultural and historical richness of Mexico. From the first glimpse of the building right to the end of the per
The Playa Times •

Editorial: Año Nuevo, Vida Nueva

January can feel like a stodgy month after all the Yule-tidings, especially if you ate as much, drank as much and attended as many Christmas parties as we did. If you did, well done. You are probably feeling as worn out and overweight as us too. For those that celebrated here, you may have noticed Mexicans practice a few unusual rituals to ring in the good fortune in the New Year. For instance, the clothing worn at the end of year celebrations has a special meaning to people. White clothing is
The Playa Times •

Editorial - Under the Seaweed

Every year it seems some natural phenomenon takes over the talk of the town and this year the focus is on sargassum. The thick and endless layers of brown seaweed have moved into the region, much to the dislike of everyone. The floods of sargassum have been invading the coastline of all Caribbean destinations; it is not a problem exclusive to Mexico. At this point, we clearly cannot stop it from moving in, but there have been large initiatives through clean-up programs to help ensure guests get
The Playa Times •

Connecting with The Realm of The Dead

The Day of the Dead in Mexico is an ancient tradition dating back to pre-Colombian cultures to celebrate life and death. The indigenous cultures of South America and the Caribbean (including the Arawak, the Aztecs, Toltecs, among others), believed that life and death were aspects of the eternal cycle of nature. Those left behind on Earth would honor their departed by summoning spirits who had traveled to the other side. Death for them was a reflection of a higher sphere of an alternate reality
The Playa Times •

Editorial - Made in Quintana Roo

The news is spreading that Mexico is emerging as a leading economy for Latin American countries, taking the crown from Brazil, all thanks to improvements in safety, manufacturing markets, exports and more. Despite the constant pressure of urbanization, traditional agriculture has survived in Mexico due to farmer innovation and adaptation. On a regional level, the balance now needs to be struck between the growing population and efficient resource management. Since 2000, Mexico’s government h
The Playa Times •

A Look Into The Local Recycling Process

As the Municipality of Solidaridad creates approximately 450 tons of garbage every day, the local government does recognize the importance of recycling. They are actively working to promote recycling within the community and make it a part of the local culture. However, without the support of residents and business owners to help encourage and participate in these strategies, there is no way to ensure recycling will eventually become part of everyone’s daily life. There are two recycling initia
The Playa Times •

Cenotes and Reef Scuba Diving

The exquisite shores of the Mexican Caribbean are a haven for beginners and advanced divers. There are submerged cave systems and cenotes, rainwater carved porous limestone that formed miles of caves decorated with stalagmites and stalactites. In addition, the Great Mesoamerican Reef, which stretches 600 miles from the northern tip of the Peninsula to the islands of Honduras, provides endless scenery and includes over 150 fish species and 100 coral species. These recommended dive sites can be vi
The Playa Times •

Bird Watching Sites

The Yucatan Peninsula is one of the best bird watching spots in Mexico. It has 548 different species including 11 endemic varieties; in the wintertime there are even more species as migratory birds visit the warm region. The region provides great birding opportunities year round because of its subtropical location. These famous birding sites can be visited on one day tours from the Riviera Maya With a list of 345 species, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is well worth a visit for twitchers. Due
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