Tag: microbes

Did the Viking landers find life on Mars in 1976?

For a brief time in 1976, it seemed as if NASA’s Viking landers had found microbes on Mars! Those results have been soundly disputed in the years since, but the original experiment’s principal investigator, Gilbert Levin, still maintains they really did detect Martian microbes. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/viking-lander-life-on-mars-gilbert-levin…

Man’s body brews its own beer after yeast take over his gut microbiome

One man in the US has started producing beer in his gut after a course of antibiotics allowed brewer’s yeast to outcompete the other microbes in his microbiome Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2220432-mans-body-brews-its-own-beer-after-yeast-take-over-his-gut-microbiome/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…

Deep-sea anglerfish may shed luminous bacteria into the ocean water

Bacteria in deep-sea anglerfish give the predators a luminescent glow – but despite being adapted to this lifestyle the microbes leave for the open water Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2219425-deep-sea-anglerfish-may-shed-luminous-bacteria-into-the-ocean-water/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…

Fossilised microbes from 3.5 billion years ago are oldest yet found

Preserved microorganisms have been found encased in 3.5-billion-year-old rocks, confirming that single-celled life was thriving early in Earth’s history Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2217747-fossilised-microbes-from-3-5-billion-years-ago-are-oldest-yet-found/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…

Gut feeling: How a healthy microbiome helps beat stress and lift mood

The microbes in our guts have a surprising influence on our brains. Now we’re understanding why – and how to use them to combat anxiety, stress and depression Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24332460-500-gut-feeling-how-a-healthy-microbiome-helps-beat-stress-and-lift-mood/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…

How what you eat directly influences your mental health

The microbes in our guts have a surprising influence on our brains. Now we’re understanding why – and how to use them to combat anxiety, stress and depression Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24332460-500-how-what-you-eat-directly-influences-your-mental-health/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…

Could microbes be affecting Venus’ climate?

Unusual dark patches in Venus’ atmosphere – called “unknown absorbers” – play a key role in the planet’s climate and albedo, according to a new study. But what are they? That’s still a mystery. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/could-microbes-be-affecting-venus-climate…

Why does Mars’ methane vary across a single Martian day?

Previous studies showed that methane in Mars’ atmosphere varies across the Martian seasons. New research shows daily fluctuations as well. It’s interesting because, on Earth, methane gas can be tied to microbial life. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/new-study-mars-methane-daily-variations…

Bacteria fly into the Atacama Desert every afternoon on the wind

The Atacama Desert is one of the most hostile places on Earth, but new microbes arrive there every day on dust grains carried by the wind Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2214212-bacteria-fly-into-the-atacama-desert-every-afternoon-on-the-wind/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…