A new bioreactor system uses solvent and bacteria to clean up toxic organic chemicals like benzene, toluene, and p-xylene. The system can recover over 99% of pollutants from soil and is efficient at breaking down high concentrations of waste.
Researchers have created a technique to map underground iron oxide layers, providing ideal habitats for microbes that can clean up heavy metals and organic chemicals. This method will help track the movement of these microbes through the earth and improve bioremediation efforts.
Researchers coax bacteria from contaminated soil into cleaning up toxic heavy metal chromium by adding appropriate nutrients. The team aims to optimize microbial action at contaminated sites for effective bioremediation.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University are investigating the effectiveness of river-bank filtration in removing harmful viruses, protozoa, and bacteria from drinking water. The study aims to determine if this natural filter can produce cleaner drinking water while minimizing the creation of toxic by-products.
A bacterial pesticide, Burkholderia cepacia, has raised concerns over its potential to cause deadly lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis. Experts are calling for a ban on its use in pest control until it is proven safe.
Researchers Andrea Cooper and Julie Inamine are investigating why Mycobacterium avium causes disease in AIDS patients despite humans not being natural hosts. The studies aim to identify genes responsible for the bacteria's virulence and develop drugs to prevent disease.
A study published by University of Georgia researchers reveals a vast array of novel bacteria in Carolina bays, many of which remain unclassified. The discovery highlights the importance of the microbial world in shaping biodiversity.
Researchers have discovered a new type of bacteria that can produce magnetic iron oxides, which could be used to remove heavy metals from contaminated soils and groundwater. The bacteria were found in deep subsurface formations heated by compression and burial, and show potential for bioremediation applications.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have created a monoclonal antibody-based ELISA test that can detect small amounts of alpha toxins produced by Clostridium perfringens in food samples. This method has great potential for the meat industry, allowing for early detection and prevention of illness.