Microbial communities featuring potentially pathogenic characteristics have been found living in the shower hoses at a major US hospital, as a result of new research from the US Environmental Protection … [Read full article]
Tag: bacteria
Scientists Identify Mysterious Deep Sea ‘Electric Bug’ That Forms ‘Living Power Cables’
The ‘electric bug’, or more specifically, a form of bacteria, was first discovered in 2010 by Danish scientists studying the mysterious chemical fluctuations in the sediment of Aarhus Bay. They … [Read full article]
Antarctic Science Team Discovers Hundreds of 'Extreme Microbes'
In what would be the microbiological equivalent of discovering buried treasure, a team of Antarctic bioscientists, led by Jenny Blamey of the Biosciences Foundation of Santiago, Chile, recently discovered a trove of some 300 microorganisms, 70% of which are previously unknown to science.
(Updated) Ancient Alien Bacteria Discovered in Meteorites?
NASA astrobiologist Richard Hoover, claims to have found ancient bacteria fossils in a rare class of meteorite — called CI1 carbonaceous chondrites — and will surely set the astrophysics/cosmology community (and the world) abuzz with excitement and controversy.
In Search of Missing Carbon & Life – 'Deep Earth' Mission Planned
It is the fundamental structural element of all living things. It is a key component of many energy sources, and, it is a crucial player in our planet’s climate system. … [Read full article]
Newest Gulf Report: Oil, Soot and Dead Animals on Sea Floor
Reporting her results from a fifth Gulf of Mexico expedition ending this past December, University of Georgia marine scientist Samantha Joye has been to the bottom and back, and her … [Read full article]
Experiment Challenges 'CO2 Fertilization' Theory, Reveals Limit to CO2 Absorption
According to the theory, an increase in atmospheric CO2 (the main GHG responsible for global warming) will have an enhancing effect on forest growth, since plants and trees require CO2 … [Read full article]
"Super' Bacteria Defy Normal Aging
In a recent paper entitled ‘Robust growth of Escherichia coli’, published in the journal Current Biology, researchers discovered that E. coli bacteria are able to maintain a “steady state” growth rate despite the accumulation of genetic errors.
'Harmless' Fish Species Survives 'Dead Zone', Turns Predator & Restores Ecosystem
The ‘bearded goby’ (Sufflogobius bibarbatus), a small, common, prey species of fish, has become adapted to the “toxic” conditions near the sea floor of this pelagic zone. Analysis of the fish’s gut has shown that up to 60% of its diet consists of jellyfish–a marine creature few animals prey upon due to their venomous stings. Remarkably, the fish has become the pivotal player in a newly emergent ecosystem.
New Nano-tech Device Takes Salt Out of Sea Water
Engineers at MIT–lead by Jongyoon Han–have developed a promising nano-tech system for separating charged salt ions from water, and which also separates out unicellular contaminants. But more challenges remain.
Possible Gulf Oil Solutions : Will Bacteria Help Clean the Deepwater Horizon Spill?
Seeking out the most efficient and sustainable solutions to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster has been a challenge. Bacteria is one such solution that can help clean the … [Read full article]
Bioengineered 'Bacterial Communication' Blocks Cholera Spread
Two Cornell bio-engineers, Faping Duan and John C. March, successfully transformed a strain of E. coli into a ‘commensal communicator’ that blocked the virulence of V. cholerae, the bacteria that causes cholera, in mice.
Iowa Flood Waters Contaminated
I am still waiting to hear back from a spokeswoman at the USDA to find out the answer to the question I posed last week: who is in charge of … [Read full article]