Discovery in amber reveals ancient biology of termites
The analysis of a termite entombed for 100 million years in an ancient piece of amber has revealed the oldest example of "mutualism" ever discovered between an animal and microorganism, and also shows the unusual biology that helped make this one of the most successful, although frequently despised insect groups in the world. view more (2009-05-15)
Cryogenic Bank Of The Earth
The littoral plains of north-eastern Eurasia are covered with a thick layer of permafrost. This layer preserves seeds, spores and microorganisms. Some of them that are thousands and hundreds of thousands years old are still alive. The study of fossil life was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research. Conditions of the glacial epoch... view more... (2003-11-06)
Contact lenses are home to pathogenic amoebae
Contact lenses increase the risk of infection with pathogenic protozoa that can cause blindness. view more (2008-10-21)
Predicting species abundance in the face of habitat loss
Habitat loss poses the greatest threat to the survival of a species, and often precipitates the demise of top predators and wide-ranging animals, like the Siberian tiger and the orangutan. view more (2006-09-26)
Cellular organelle evolved repeatedly
NWO researchers have discovered that in the course of evolution hydrogenosomes repeatedly evolved from mitochondria. Hydrogenosomes, or 'hydrogen-forming organelles', are cell organelles that produce hydrogen and energy. They serve as an alternative energy supply in organisms that live without oxygen, such as anaerobic fungi and protozoa. The... view more... (2001-07-26)
Deep sea expedition sets sail
Setting sail on the Pacific, a University of Delaware-led research team has embarked on an extreme adventure that will find several of its members plunging deep into the sea to study hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor. view more (2008-11-11)
New theory -- universal intelligence on animals and plants
Here it is proposed that life in all its variety is full of sensation and creates a complicated web of interaction with its surroundings. Mammals, birds and even fish mourn for a lost love. Single-celled organisms carry out tasks that are surprisingly complicated. We can demonstrate sensitivity in microscopic organisms, while plants emerge as... view more... (1999-03-25)
New bacterial species found in human mouth
Scientists have discovered a new species of bacteria in the mouth. The finding could help scientists to understand tooth decay and gum disease and may lead to better treatments, according to research published in the August issue of the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. view more (2008-08-11)
Climate swings have brought great CO2 pulses up from the deep sea
May 10, 2007, The Earth Institute at Columbia University—A study released today provides some of the first solid evidence that warming-induced changes in ocean circulation at the end of the last Ice Age caused vast quantities of ancient carbon dioxide to belch from the deep sea into the atmosphere. view more (2007-05-14)
Microbiologists meet Scottish Parliament to discuss the environment
Environmental issues such as waste management, GM crops, energy and pollution dominate much of the work of the Scottish Parliament. MSPs will be able to find out about the latest research from scientists at this year's 'Science and the Parliament' event today, Wednesday, 12 November at The Signet Library, Edinburgh. Experts from the Society for... view more... (2003-11-07)
Cattle Identified As Source Of Ugandan Sleeping Sickness Outbreak (pp 603, 625)
A recent outbreak of sleeping sickness in eastern Uganda might be attributed to livestock movement from another part of the country where the disease is endemic, conclude authors of a study in this week's issue of THE LANCET. Sleeping sickness is a parasitic disease caused by two protozoa, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei... view more... (2001-08-22)
Microbial stowaways: Are ships spreading disease?
Ships are inadvertently carrying trillions of stowaways in the water held in their ballast tanks. When the water is pumped out, invasive species could be released into new environments. Disease-causing microbes could also be released, posing a risk to public health, according to an article in the May issue of Microbiology Today. view more (2008-05-29)
Microbial stowaways: Are ships spreading disease?
Ships are inadvertently carrying trillions of stowaways in the water held in their ballast tanks. When the water is pumped out, invasive species could be released into new environments. Disease-causing microbes could also be released, posing a risk to public health, according to an article in the May issue of Microbiology Today. view more (2008-05-29)
New Collection Of Bacteria
In recent times, efforts in protecting plants from insect pests are aimed at reducing the use of chemical controls, i.e., pesticides, and employing biological methods. The latter, as distinct from the chemical ones, do not contaminate the environment and agricultural products, do not accumulate in soil and water, and do not poison warm-blooded... view more... (2003-03-07)
Dividing cells 'feel' their way out of warp
Every moment, millions of a body's cells flawlessly divvy up their genes and pinch perfectly in half to form two identical progeny for the replenishment of tissues and organs - even as they collide, get stuck, and squeeze through infinitesimally small spaces that distort their shapes. view more (2009-09-11)
Scientists identify a gene that may suppress colorectal cancer
In today's online edition of Genome Research, a husband-and-wife research team from Thomas Jefferson University report the discovery of a gene that, when mutated, may suppress colorectal cancer. view more (2007-03-22)
Cause of mussel poisoning identified
The origin of the neurotoxin azaspiracid has finally been identified after a search for more than a decade. view more (2009-03-25)
Where man boldly goes, bacteria follow
Life in outer space is an absolute certainty, and it is likely to be more familiar than we might think, according to an article in the May issue of Microbiology Today. Ever since the start of the space race we have sent more than just satellites and astronauts into space: spacecraft are not routinely decontaminated and are teeming with microbial... view more... (2008-05-29)
Algae is the key to unlock billion dollar industries
Some of the world's leading scientists are rubbing shoulders with experts at the University of Abertay Dundee to study tiny plant-like organisms that could unlock billion dollar industries for Europe. Representatives from famous European universities and research centres, including the renowned Pasteur Institute in Paris and the Czech Academy of... view more... (2002-01-23)
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