Anaerobic microbial iron corrosion due to conductive pili
Iron is well-known for rusting, but this doesn't just happen on contact with oxygen and water. Some bacteria are also able to able to decompose iron anaerobically in a process referred to as electrobiocorrosion......»»
Researchers identify a decline in microbial genetic richness in the western Arctic Ocean
The Arctic region is experiencing climate change at a much faster rate than the rest of the world. Melting ice sheets, runoff from thawing permafrost, and other factors are rapidly changing the composition of the Arctic Ocean's water. And that change.....»»
Helium droplets capture double water structure
An elusive structure involving two water molecules, which had been predicted but never observed, has been isolated by RIKEN chemists. This finding could have implications for a wide range of fields ranging from astrochemistry to corrosion of metals......»»
Scientists develop new molecular system made from abundant element manganese for photooxidation
Highly reducing or oxidizing photocatalysts are a fundamental challenge in photochemistry. Only a few transition metal complexes with Earth-abundant metal ions have so far advanced to excited state oxidants, including chromium, iron, and cobalt. All.....»»
A novel technique for creating superhydrophobic surfaces
Superhydrophobic surfaces, characterized by their ability to repel water with a contact angle above 150° and a sliding angle below 10°, offer a range of applications from self-cleaning and anti-corrosion to oil/water separation and droplet manipula.....»»
Charting the course to eco-friendly steel: China"s blueprint for cleaner air and a cooler planet
China, the world's top steel producer, is at a crossroads due to its iron and steel industry's heavy CO2 emissions and pollution contribution, spotlighting the urgent need for greener practices. This necessity stems from the industry's impact on air.....»»
Microfluidic environments alter microbe behaviors, opening potential for engineering their social evolution
Microbes are social beings. Much like humans, they communicate and cooperate with each other to solve problems bigger than themselves. In a microbial community, there will even be free riders and others that police them......»»
Team describes how to produce "green" steel from toxic red mud
The production of aluminum generates around 180 million tons of toxic red mud every year. Scientists at the Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, a center for iron research, have now shown how green steel can be produced from aluminum production w.....»»
How does car traffic influence airborne fungal diversity?
Microbial particles including fungi, bacteria, allergens, etc., are common natural components of air. In particular, fungi represent a large portion of the airborne microbes since they are among the most abundant, widely dispersed, and pervasive orga.....»»
Research reveals minerals in soil shield microbial remains to aid carbon storage
A new study by Chinese researchers has revealed that soil minerals play a critical role in protecting the remains of dead microbes, thereby promoting carbon and nitrogen storage in the soil......»»
Microbial division of labor produces higher biofuel yields
Scientists have found a way to boost ethanol production via yeast fermentation, a standard method for converting plant sugars into biofuels. Their approach, detailed in the journal Nature Communications, relies on careful timing and a tight division.....»»
Study finds high nitrogen fertilizer input enhances the microbial network complexity in paddy soil
In paddy field, flood-and-drain cycles produce variations in reduced and oxidized environments, which are appropriate habitats for a wide variety of microorganisms. Nitrogen (N) fertilization drives the structure and function of soil microbial commun.....»»
Our oldest microbial ancestors were way ahead of their time
Specialized internal structures were present over 1.5 billion years ago. Enlarge / The Golgi apparatus, shown here in light green, may have been involved in building internal structures in cells. (credit: ARTUR PLAWGO / SCIENCE P.....»»
Microbial research unravels a global nitrogen mystery
Novel research led by Wei Qin, an assistant professor of microbiology at the University of Oklahoma, that significantly changes the understanding of ammonia oxidation, a critical component of the global nitrogen cycle, has been published in the journ.....»»
Field weed control: Synthetic microbial communities slash herbicide use
Synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) are emerging as powerful allies in the battle against weeds. These carefully crafted assemblies of microorganisms, such as compatible Pseudomonas strains, are designed to target specific weeds while promoting.....»»
Understanding nutrient cycling between algae and bacteria could lead to increased biofuel production
The interactions between algae and bacteria are essential to the primary productivity of Earth's oceans and surface waters. Bacteria can increase the productivity of algae by producing key factors, such as vitamins, iron-chelating molecules, and grow.....»»
Enzyme for biocatalysis uses solvent as a substrate
A large number of applications in the chemical industry rely on the molecules NADH or NADPH as fuel. A team led by Professor Dirk Tischler, head of the Microbial Biotechnology working group at Ruhr University Bochum, used a biocatalyst to study their.....»»
Silica may influence microbial communities in hydrothermal fields
In recent years, the hydrothermal alteration of olivine has attracted the attention of geologists, biologists, and chemists. It significantly influences the physical and chemical properties of the oceanic lithosphere, and it plays an important role f.....»»
Planetary size and associated cooling rate may explain why Mars died while Earth survived
We know of Mars as the red planet, for its surface and atmosphere is caked in endless swirling dust of rusted iron, the rusting action provided by the always-eager oxygen. But this was not always so......»»
Researchers develop hybrid superamphiphobic anti-corrosion and anti-icing coating
Corrosion and failure of metal materials has been a problem that researchers and engineers are eager to solve. Inspired by the lotus effect, biomimetic superhydrophobic materials with typical non-wetting properties at the interface have shown great p.....»»
Translating nuclear waste site data into microbial ecosystem insights
A flagship seven-year study led by the University of Oklahoma that explores how environmental stresses influence different ecological processes shaping the composition and structure of microbial communities in groundwater, has been published in the j.....»»