Fossilized steroids reveal “lost world” of mysterious organisms

Scientists have discovered evidence of a “lost world” of previously unknown lifeforms that inhabited Earth between 800 million and 1.6 billion years ago. Fossilized fat compounds were identified in rocks all over the world, likely produced by our ancie… Continue reading Fossilized steroids reveal “lost world” of mysterious organisms

Fossilized steroids reveal “lost world” of mysterious organisms

Scientists have discovered evidence of a “lost world” of previously unknown lifeforms that inhabited Earth between 800 million and 1.6 billion years ago. Fossilized fat compounds were identified in rocks all over the world, likely produced by our ancie… Continue reading Fossilized steroids reveal “lost world” of mysterious organisms

Evolution experiment yields yeast 20,000x bigger and 10,000x tougher

Scientists are conducting a long-term experiment on evolution in the lab, to investigate how single-celled organisms could evolve into multicellular lifeforms. After thousands of generations, their yeast grew 20,000 times bigger and 10,000 times toughe… Continue reading Evolution experiment yields yeast 20,000x bigger and 10,000x tougher

Newly discovered cold-adapted microbes digest plastic at low temperatures

Swiss scientists have discovered new cold-adapted microorganisms that can degrade different types of plastic at temperatures lower than currently required. The discovery is the first step towards developing a more cost-effective, industrial-scale metho… Continue reading Newly discovered cold-adapted microbes digest plastic at low temperatures

First “virovore” discovered: An organism that eats viruses

Name a type of organic matter and chances are some type of organism has evolved to eat it. Plants, meat, algae, insects and bacteria are all consumed by different creatures, but now scientists have discovered something new on the menu – viruses.Continu… Continue reading First “virovore” discovered: An organism that eats viruses

New branch on Tree of Life contains organisms unlike any others on Earth

Scientists have discovered a completely new branch on the tree of life. This “supergroup” contains an incredibly diverse range of predatory microbes that are extremely different genetically from any other form of life on Earth.Continue ReadingCategory:… Continue reading New branch on Tree of Life contains organisms unlike any others on Earth

Synthetic bacteria becomes smallest lifeform that can move around

Japanese scientists have engineered the smallest lifeform that can move on its own. The team introduced bacterial proteins that enable movement into a simple synthetic bacterium that normally cannot move, causing it to change shape and become mobile.Co… Continue reading Synthetic bacteria becomes smallest lifeform that can move around

Synthetic bacteria becomes smallest lifeform that can move around

Japanese scientists have engineered the smallest lifeform that can move on its own. The team introduced bacterial proteins that enable movement into a simple synthetic bacterium that normally cannot move, causing it to change shape and become mobile.Co… Continue reading Synthetic bacteria becomes smallest lifeform that can move around

Largest bacterium ever discovered is longer than a housefly

Researchers have discovered the largest known bacteria ever found (not pictured)

Biologists have discovered the largest bacterium ever found, with a single cell measuring a mammoth 2 cm (0.8 in) long. Visible to the naked eye, this new species has some bizarre characteristics that make it like a missing link in the evolution of complex cells like those in humans.

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Continue reading Largest bacterium ever discovered is longer than a housefly

Smartphones used to check water for pollutants – by tracking paramecia

Even though it’s vitally important for people in impoverished nations to check drinking water sources for pollutants, they often lack the facilities for performing such tests. A new system could help, as it uses a smartphone camera to check up on tiny … Continue reading Smartphones used to check water for pollutants – by tracking paramecia