Microbes

Microbes

Some bacteria in your mouth can divide into as many as 14 cells at once

The filamentous bacterium Corynebacterium matruchotii has a unique reproductive strategy that might allow it to claim territory quickly.

Neuroscience

Some healthy fish have bacteria in their brains

Animals including mammals usually protect their brains from infiltrating microbes that can cause disease. But some fish seem to do just fine.

Microbes

A fluffy, orange fungus could transform food waste into tasty dishes

The fungus thrives on everything from soy pulp to bland custards, turning them into digestible foods with a surprisingly pleasant flavor.

Microbes

More than 100 bacteria species can flourish in microwave ovens

Swabs of 30 microwave ovens in different settings identified over 100 bacterial species, some of which could be pathogenic or cause food-borne disease.

Health & Medicine

50 years ago, antibiotic resistant bacteria became a problem outside hospitals

Infections from drug-resistant bacteria have skyrocketed over the last 50 years. Now, new technologies could help doctors save lives.

Health & Medicine

Getting drugs into the brain is hard. Maybe a parasite can do the job

Researchers want to harness the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis to ferry drugs, but some question if the risks can be eliminated.

Oceans

Can bioluminescent ‘milky seas’ be predicted?

For the first time, a scientist has used ocean and atmospheric data to find a milky sea, a huge expanse of luminous water, in past satellite images.

Agriculture

50 years ago, scientists ID’d a threat to California wine country

Fifty years after scientists identified the cause of Pierce's disease, which damages vineyards, there still isn't a cure.

Life

This protist unfolds its ‘neck’ up to 30 times its body length to scout prey

With geometry’s help, 'Lacrymaria olor' can extend its long, necklike protrusion in less than 30 seconds.

Health & Medicine

Bird flu can infect cats. What does that mean for their people?

Pet owners can take precautions to avoid H5N1, such as keeping cats indoors and making sure they don’t eat raw meat or milk.

Health & Medicine

Malnutrition’s effects on the body don’t end when food arrives

Children may struggle with inflammation, a weakened immune system and gut problems. New treatments may repair some damage.

Health & Medicine

Human body lice could harbor the plague and spread it through biting 

Rats and fleas previously got all the blame, but humans’ own parasites could be involved.