How do bacteria adapt to toxic metal waste?
University of Minnesota scientists identified a specific DNA region in the bacterium Shewanella oneidensis that helps it tolerate heavy…
Tag: microbiology
Viruses help plants obtain nitrogen
Scientists discovered soil viruses that help legume plants convert atmospheric nitrogen into biologically available nutrients.
When glaciers retreat, microbes take over
Researchers demonstrated that the first microbes to colonize recently deglaciated soil can extract nutrients from air and rock to survive…
Hidden bacteria dominate Earth’s deep soils
Scientists showed that an understudied bacterium is widespread in deep soils worldwide and adapted to life with very little energy.
Gases power diverse microbial life in caves
Researchers found that cave-dwelling microbes use atmospheric trace gases like methane and carbon monoxide as sources of energy and carbon.
Can 300-year-old Antarctic microbes help us understand climate change?
Researchers demonstrated that microbial DNA from a 300-year-old ice core can help track how microbes respond to global change.
Human gut microbiota invade urban wildlife
Scientists have shown urban bird, mammal and reptile microbiomes are similar to those of humans. This is one example of how urbanization is…
Microbes from extreme environments help us study space
Space is a hostile place. It has numerous stressors which make it seem impossible for Earth-like life to thrive there. Some of these…
Do hand sanitizers work on the coronavirus?
Do commercial hand sanitizers work on coronavirus? In the lab, yes. Studies are needed using real human hands, which come with ethical…
A special kind of bacteria lets cement fix itself
In an effort to make these carbon storage wells safer and more effective for long term use, a team of scientists decided to try a biological…