Future space miners working on Mars or the Moon could be using bacteria to extract useful metals and minerals from rocks rather than drills and tools, study finds. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh designed experiments to run on the International Space Station that proved using microbes to recover valuable resources could work in zero … Read more
Scientists add 12,000 new species to the list of Earth’s bacteria – increasing diversity by over two fifths Researchers studied more than 52,000 samples of DNA from various biomes The different samples were taken from humans, other animals, soils and oceans After ‘untangling’ the mess of DNA the team found 12,000 distinct new species This … Read more
Washing make-up brushes and blending sponges can be a tedious chore, which we often forget about all together. But microbiologist Amy-May Pointer has revealed why keeping your brushes clean should be an essential part of your beauty routine, and the dangers the bacteria that lurks on them can cause. A petri dish experiment carried out … Read more
Washing make-up brushes and blending sponges can be a tedious chore, which we often forget about all together. But microbiologist Amy-May Pointer has revealed why keeping your brushes clean should be an essential part of your beauty routine, and the dangers the bacteria that lurks on them can cause. A petri dish experiment carried out … Read more
A health alert has been issued over some reusable facemasks with evidence that some filter out just 7per cent of harmful bacteria. The warning comes from consumer experts at Which? after a survey of 15 masks which suggest some offer little or no protection. Three of the masks, available online and in the high street, … Read more
Is YOUR mask safe? New research shows some stop just seven per cent of bacteria amid ‘alarming’ variations between best and worst face coverings (and reveals why you should wash yours) Which? tests highlighted differences among the face masks currently available Masks available from Asda, John Lewis, Boots, Ocado and Asos were tested Researchers studied … Read more
News in Brie! Scientists discover cheese is so smelly because it helps microbes ‘talk’ to the bacteria that makes it ripe Researchers at Tufts University in US have found why the smell of cheese is vital They discovered the bacteria respond to volatile organic compounds from fungi Released into the air and gives the delicious … Read more
Alien life could hop from planet to planet, scientists claim after proving bacteria can survive for three YEARS on the outside of the International Space Station Researchers studied bacteria on the outside of the International Space Station They found that colonies of microbes can resist the cold and radiation in space Bacteria is able to … Read more
Swimmers are banned from entering sea at Dover harbour after scientists discover ‘above normal’ levels of E-coli bacteria in the water Test routines revealed ‘above normal’ levels of E-coli bacteria at Dover harbour The Port of Dover has closed the area to swimmers and water activities Authorities advised to keep the harbour shut until more … Read more
Discovery of pulsars British astronomer Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell was the first person to discover a pulsar in 1967 when she spotted a radio pulsar. Since then other types of pulsars that emit x-rays and gamma rays have also been spotted. Pulsars are essentially rotating, highly magnatised neutron stars but when they were first discovered … Read more