Can bacteria inherit memories?
Researchers found some bacteria pass information to future generations that affects their behavior and ability to resist antibiotics.
Category: How do microbes respond to changes in their surroundings?
How do microbes respond to changes in their surroundings? Microbes can be viruses, bacteria, archaea, algae, or fungi.
Viruses keep acid-loving microbes in check
Researchers found viruses infect bacteria and other microorganisms in acid mine drainage and may control microbial diversity in these…
How do microbes prepare for winter?
Researchers discovered that when cyanobacteria sense shorter days they change their cell walls to survive freezing temperatures.
Can artificial light stop algal growth in caves?
Scientists show changing the types of artificial lights used in tourist caves can help prevent growth of algae that damage stalactites and…
Thinking like a bacterium can improve water quality
Researchers show mathematical models based on cell biology can help lake managers reduce toxic algal blooms and improve the quality of our…
The microscopic competition happening in our oceans
Scientists wanted to understand more about how bacteria and archaea peacefully coexist in the deep ocean.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are way older than penicillin
Remember the classic chases where Wile E. Coyote tries to catch Roadrunner but is often outsmarted? It turns out that bacteria have to…
Ancient bacteria leave behind fossils, too!
Scientists used genetic technology to identify the different roles of bacteria present in ancient fossil formations called stromatolites.
Invasive trees are changing the soil in the American Southwest
Ecosystems with diverse species and healthy habitats provide services that keep the system stable and are beneficial to humans. Humans…
14,400-year-old viruses preserved in ice
A group of scientists discovered 14,400-year-old ancient microbes preserved in a Tibetan ice cap that could help us understand how past…