We can learn about life on other planets by studying viruses
Scientists from the University of Zurich and the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, as well as the Icahn School of Medicine at…
Category: Astrobiology & Space Science
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…
Mining with acid-generating bacteria
Sulfuric acid production by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria may be a solution to a long standing mining problem.
Dying coral reefs spring forward with new life
Our coral reef ecosystems, often called “underwater rainforests,” are quickly changing. Coral reefs are elaborate and complex ecosystems…
Antibiotic resistance is natural and it is everywhere
Antibiotic resistance is a major public health crisis worldwide as bacteria develop the ability to defend themselves against many, sometimes…
Bacteria protect each other in space!
Space is a dangerous place. Astronauts are wrapped up in layers of protection that regulate pressure, temperature, and oxygen. This…
Can life hiding near Yellowstone National Park’s hot springs tell us about the ancient Earth?
Yellowstone National Park is famous for its hot springs, geysers, wildlife, and incredible geology. While the area is popular among visitors…
Are the building blocks of life at the bottom of the sea?
Scientists recreated a deep-ocean environment where underwater volcanoes spew heat and chemicals to test whether or not biological molecules…
Believe it or not, we can (kind of) measure the air pressure of early Earth!
Blue-green algae's response to different nitrogen pressures may tell us what fossils to look for and what those fossils tell us about…
Hunting for fossilized microbes
We’ve all heard of hunting for fossils to learn about the Earth’s past, but what if you wanted to learn about the microbes that lived…