microbe

How do bacteria swim? Brown physicists explain

admin — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:00:00 -0600

(Brown University) Brown University physicists have completed the most detailed study of the swimming patterns of a microbe, showing for the first time how its movement is affected by drag and a phenomenon called Brownian motion. The findings appear online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Wielding Microbe Against Microbe, Beetle Defends Its Food Source

admin — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:30:09 -0500

As the southern pine beetle moves through the forest boring tunnels inside the bark of trees, it brings with it both a helper and a competitor. The helper is a fungus that the insect plants inside the tunnels as food for its young. But also riding along is a tiny, hitchhiking mite, which likewise carries a fungus for feeding its own larvae.

Cataloguing invisible life: Microbe genome emerges from lake sed...

admin — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

(University of Washington) A UW-led team has taken a sample of Lake Washington mud and successfully sequenced a complete genome for an unknown microorganism. Their method provides a way to discover new microscopic life in complex communities.

Can You Hear Me Now? Primitive Single-Celled Microbe Expert In C...

admin — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:45:07 -0500

When it comes to cellular communication networks, a primitive single-celled microbe that answers to the name of Monosiga brevicollis has a leg up on animals composed of billions of cells. It commands a signaling network more elaborate and diverse than found in any multicellular organism higher up on the evolutionary tree, researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have discovered.

Bacteria-resistant Films Created: Microbe Adhesion Depends On Su...

admin — Mon, 19 May 2008 10:15:10 -0500

Having found that whether bacteria stick to surfaces depends partly on how stiff those surfaces are, MIT engineers have created ultrathin films made of polymers that could be applied to medical devices and other surfaces to control microbe accumulation.

MIT crafts bacteria-resistant films

admin — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

(Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Having found that whether bacteria stick to surfaces depends partly on how stiff those surfaces are, MIT engineers have created ultrathin films made of polymers that could be applied to medical devices and other surfaces to control microbe accumulation.

Newly Created Microbe Produces Cellulose And Sugars For Biofuels

admin — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:00:00 -0500

A newly created microbe produces cellulose that can be turned into ethanol and other biofuels, report scientists. They say the microbe could provide a significant portion of the nation's transportation fuel if production can be scaled up.

New source for biofuels discovered

admin — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

(University of Texas at Austin) A newly created microbe produces cellulose that can be turned into ethanol and other biofuels, report scientists from the University of Texas at Austin who say the microbe could provide a significant portion of the nation's transportation fuel if production can be scaled up.

Gut Reaction: Cow Stomach Holds Key To Turning Corn Into Biofuel

admin — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

An enzyme from a microbe that lives inside a cow's stomach is the key to turning corn plants into fuel. The enzyme that allows a cow to digest grasses and other plant fibers can be used to turn other plant fibers into simple sugars. These simple sugars can be used to produce ethanol to power cars and trucks.

New Triple-threat Weapon Needed In War Between Man And Microbe

admin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Humanity's age-old battle against infectious diseases stands to rage on and on, unless scientists develop a new generation of triple-action antibiotics, according to a new article.