http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/extreme_survival/ Extreme Survival. From ancient life in Antarctic ice to the hundred trillion microbes that live inside the human gut, read amazing articles on life surviving in extreme environments. Photos. en-us Tue, 13 May 2008 09:05:01 EDT Tue, 13 May 2008 09:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/plants_animals/extreme_survival/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512212320.htm Cornell researchers are studying bacterium big enough to see -- the Shaquille O'Neal of bacteria. The secret to an unusual bacterium's massive size -- it's the size of a grain of salt, or a million times bigger than E. coli bacteria, and big enough to see with the naked eye -- may be found in its ability to copy its genome tens of thousands of times. Tue, 13 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080512212320.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505211835.htm The Arctic has become a poster child for the negative effects of climate change, but new research that species living in the tropics likely face the greatest peril in a warmer world. Tue, 06 May 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505211835.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080504194241.htm Leptospirosis is a serious but neglected emerging disease that infects humans through contaminated water. Now research published in the May issue of the journal Microbiology shows for the first time how bacteria that cause the disease survive in the environment. Mon, 05 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080504194241.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080429204244.htm Researchers studying the echolocation behavior in bats have discovered that the diminutive flying mammals emit exceptionally loud sounds -- louder than any known animal in air. Sat, 03 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080429204244.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080423154558.htm The loss of sea ice due to climate change could spell disaster for polar bears and other Arctic marine mammals. Sea ice is the common habitat feature uniting these unique and diverse Arctic inhabitants. Sea ice serves as a platform for resting and reproduction, influences the distribution of food sources, and provides a refuge from predators. The loss of sea ice poses a particularly severe threat to Arctic species, such as the hooded seal, whose natural history is closely tied to, and depends on, sea ice. Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080423154558.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416140922.htm Engineers have determined the importance of mixing in anaerobic digesters, reactors that use bacteria to breakdown organic matter in the absence of oxygen. They are studying ways to take "the smell of money," as farmers long have termed manure, and produce biogas with it. Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080416140922.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080414082525.htm The hunter-versus-hunted phenomenon exemplified by a pack of lionesses chasing down a lonely gazelle has been recreated in a Petri dish with lowly bacteria. Researchers have developed a living system using genetically altered bacteria that he believes can provide new insights into how the population levels of prey influence the levels of predators, and vice-versa. Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080414082525.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080407190600.htm If you've always suspected there are unknown things living in the dark and dusty corners of your home and office, scientists are now one step closer to cataloguing exactly what might be lurking in your indoor environment. Buildings have their own pattern of bacteria in indoor dust, which includes species normally found in the human gut, according to new research. Bacteria in indoor dust are diverse, thanks to the people around us. Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080407190600.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080404131211.htm The discovery of a new genus of a tiny booklouse from a northern Arizona cave may lead to further protection for cave ecosystems. This is the third new genus of invertebrates found by the same two scientists since 2006. They discovered a new cricket genus and a new millipede genus in Grand Canyon region caves. Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080404131211.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080402194410.htm Eating Feta cheese made from raw milk in small seaside tavernas when you are on holiday in Greece could be a good way to combat food poisoning, according to researchers. Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080402194410.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080324113258.htm Researchers have uncovered how the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, including the notorious MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staph aureus) "superbug" strains, resists our body's natural defenses against infection. The work, in Science, could lead to new ways to fight the bacteria. Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080324113258.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080318212430.htm Computing grids have helped scientists shed light on how life on earth may have originated. Deep ocean hydrothermal vents have long been suggested as possible sources of biological molecules such as RNA and DNA but it was unclear how they could survive the high temperatures and pressures that occur round these vents. Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080318212430.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080312141228.htm The productivity and biodiversity of an ecosystem is significantly affected by the rate at which organisms move between different parts of the ecosystem. When there is little or no dispersal, populations of species that remain in harsh areas of an ecosystem are unable to adapt to their environment due to a low population size and lack of genetic variation. Conversely, when there is too much dispersal in an ecosystem, species evolve to be 'generalists' that can survive in many habitats, but fail to thrive in any given one. The scientific team behind this new research found that both the biodiversity and productivity of an ecosystem are at a peak when there is an intermediate rate of dispersal of species - not too little and not too much - between different parts of the ecosystem. Fri, 14 Mar 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080312141228.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310103237.htm A long-term project has been deciphering the recognition mechanisms that are the basis of associations between plants, bacteria and fungi. They discovered that one of the genetic elements of plants called SymRK (symbiosis receptor kinase), essential for leguminous plants functioning in association with Rhizobium bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi, is also indispensable for establishment of symbiosis between the tropical tree Casuarina, and the nitrogen fixing bacterium Frankia. Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310103237.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080304191213.htm When most of us think of Ancient Egypt, visions of pyramids and mummies fill our imaginations. For a team of paleontologists interested in fossil mammals, the Fayum district of Egypt summons an even older and equally impressive history that extends much further back in time than the Sphinx. Six new bat species dating to around 35 million years ago, which sheds new light on the early evolution of bats, have just been discovered Wed, 05 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080304191213.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080304075746.htm Root nodule symbioses with nitrogen-fixing bacteria provide many plants with a source of nitrogen. This study uncovers evidence that changes in the gene SYMRK were involved in the evolution of this important biological innovation. Tue, 04 Mar 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080304075746.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080227214208.htm Last year at four caves near Albany, N.Y., more than 10,000 bats died from a mysterious disease involving a white fungus growing on some bats' noses, leading researchers to dub it "white-nose syndrome." The mounting death toll stopped last year when spring arrived and the bats left the caves. But the deaths returned with a vengeance after the bats went into hibernation this winter. Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080227214208.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080228174801.htm Rain-making bacteria have been discovered, and they are widely distributed in the atmosphere. These biological particles could factor heavily into the precipitation cycle, affecting climate, agricultural productivity and even global warming, according to an article in Science. Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080228174801.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080226213443.htm They may not be on most people's list of most attractive species, but bats definitely have animal magnetism. Researchers have discovered that bats use a magnetic substance in their body called magnetite as an "internal compass" to help them navigate. Researchers studied the directions in which different groups of big brown bats flew after they were given different magnetic pulses and released 20 km north of their home roost. Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080226213443.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080225122334.htm Scientists have discovered Antarctic krill living and feeding down to depths of 3000 meters in the waters around the Antarctic Peninsula. Until now this shrimp-like crustacean was thought to live only in the upper ocean. The discovery completely changes scientists' understanding of the major food source for fish, squid, penguins, seals and whales. Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080225122334.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080217200926.htm Predatory crabs and fish are poised to return to warming Antarctic waters for the first time in millions of years, threatening the shallow marine ecosystems surrounding Antarctica. Antarctic marine communities resemble the primeval waters of millions years ago because modern predators - crabs and fish - are missing. But this is about to change. 'The crabs are on the doorstep. They are sitting in deep water only a couple of hundred bathymetric meters away from the slightly cooler shallow water in the Antarctic shelf environment. Sun, 24 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080217200926.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080215121220.htm The extreme cold and environmental conditions of past Ice Ages have been even more severe than seen today and changed life at the Antarctic, forcing the migration of many animals such as penguins, whales and seals, researchers argue. Understanding the changes of the past may help scientists to determine how the anticipated temperature increases of the future will work to further transform this continent. Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080215121220.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080215121210.htm Humans live in the midst of a seething, breathing microbial world. Microorganisms populate every conceivable habitat, both familiar and exotic, from the surface of the human skin, to rainforest floors, to hydrothermal vents in the ocean floors. Despite the powerful and pervasive role of microbes in sustaining life, most of the microbial world remains a mystery. This is the subject of "The Uncharted Microbial World: Microbes and Their Activities in the Environment," a new report released by the American Academy of Microbiology. Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080215121210.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080211094158.htm A team of scientists has just left the country to explore a very strange lake in Antarctica; it is filled with, essentially, extra-strength laundry detergent. No, the researchers haven't spilled coffee on their lab coats. They are hunting for extremophiles -- tough little creatures that thrive in conditions too extreme for most other living things. Sun, 17 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080211094158.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080131151856.htm Hydrocarbons -- molecules critical to life -- are being generated by the simple interaction of seawater with the rocks under the Lost City hydrothermal vent field in the mid-Atlantic Ocean. Being able to produce building blocks of life makes Lost City-like vents even stronger contenders as places where life might have originated on Earth. Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080131151856.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080201085652.htm New molecular techniques have started to characterize the nature and variation of bacterial populations in fresh water. The newest techniques can analyze specific functional capabilities of bacteria, such as their ability to metabolize particular molecules. Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080201085652.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080127130911.htm New research led by a marine microbial ecologist is showing for the first time that the roles played by bacteria in coastal waters aren't nearly as specific as some scientists suspected. In fact, these bacteria are generalists in how they get their nourishment and may have the option of doing many different things, depending on what works best at the time. Thu, 31 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080127130911.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080122203103.htm Adaptive functional evolution may occur in the leptin protein of the pika family, a typical cold-adaptive mammal. Researchers speculated that the cold, rather than hypoxia, may be the primary environmental factor that drives the adaptive evolution of pika leptin. Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080122203103.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080117082850.htm Anaerobic microbes in the Earth's oceans consume 90 percent of the methane produced by methane hydrates -- methane trapped in ice -- preventing large amounts of methane from reaching the atmosphere. Researchers now have evidence that the two microbes that accomplish this feat do not simply reverse the way methane-producing microbes work, but use a sulfur compound instead. Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080117082850.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080111132023.htm New insights have been made into the evolutionary mechanisms that facilitate the remarkably fast adaptation of intestinal bacteria within their natural environment Using germ-free mice -- a simplified but ecologically relevant system -- scientists analyzed the intestinal adaptation of a model bacterial strain, Escherichia coli MG1655. Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080111132023.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071227184100.htm The loss of deep-sea species poses a severe threat to the future of the oceans, suggests a new report in Current Biology. In a global-scale study, the researchers found some of the first evidence that the health of the deep sea, as measured by the rate of critical ecosystem processes, increases exponentially with the diversity of species living there. Fri, 28 Dec 2007 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071227184100.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071219115306.htm New research has revealed so-called 'Jekyll and Hyde' bacteria, suggesting a novel way to control insect pests without using insecticides. Scientists studied the relationship between plant-dwelling insects and the bacteria that live in them -- and discovered an unexpected interaction. Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071219115306.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071219105808.htm A detailed analysis of soil samples taken from a forest ecosystem with artificially elevated levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide reveals distinct changes in the mix of microorganisms living in the soil below trembling aspen. These changes could increase the availability of essential soil nutrients, thereby supporting increased plant growth and the plants' ability to "lock up," or sequester, excess carbon from the atmosphere. Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071219105808.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071219103059.htm An overgrowth of intestinal bacteria is often present in adult population of Westernized countries, because of poor daily intake of fibres and faecal stasis; such an overgrowth contributes to a chronic inflammation on intestinal mucosa and development of symptoms that look like those of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBS). However, a modern test can now discriminate between a bacterial overgrowth and an IBS and, therefore, addresses the patients towards an appropriate treatment with antibiotics. Thu, 20 Dec 2007 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071219103059.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071212201431.htm Crude oil in deposits around the world are naturally broken down by bacteria, resulting in methane production. The discovery could yield dramatic improvements in how fossil fuels are recovered and processed. Tue, 18 Dec 2007 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071212201431.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071210103955.htm A large amount of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide is produced by bacteria in the oxygen poor depths of the ocean. Nitrous oxide is a powerful greenhouse gas some 300 times more so than carbon dioxide, it also attacks the ozone layer and causes acid rain. Wed, 12 Dec 2007 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071210103955.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071210103939.htm Carbon dioxide increasing in the atmosphere may affect the microbial life in the sea, which could have an impact on fish, a major food source. The researcher is sequencing the DNA of different ocean bacteria to find out how they will respond to an increase in carbon dioxide. Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071210103939.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071210103934.htm Methanogenic micro-organisms could provide a clean, renewable energy source and use up carbon dioxide in the process. Methanogens produce about one billion tonnes of methane every year. Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071210103934.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071206110822.htm A new species of hardy methane-eating bacteria has been discovered in hot springs in New Zealand. Scientists discovered the methane-eating microorganism in the geothermal field known as Hell's Gate, near the city of Rotorua in New Zealand. Fri, 07 Dec 2007 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071206110822.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071204175732.htm A DNA-based therapy could slash the development time of new drugs to combat antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Scientists have proven that by taking a short stretch of DNA from a bacterium and delivering it with an existing antibiotic they can switch off antibiotic resistance. Together with technology transfer company PBL, the scientists have launched a spin-out company, Procarta Biosystems Ltd., to develop the technology. Thu, 06 Dec 2007 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071204175732.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071203173034.htm Molecular technology to probe extreme life forms in undersea hydrothermal vents has been used to identify unexpected bacteria strains in the lung fluid of Denver children suffering from cystic fibrosis, findings that may lead to more effective therapies. Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071203173034.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071126115305.htm Researchers have thawed ice estimated to be at least a million years old from above Lake Vostok, an ancient lake that lies hidden more than two miles beneath the frozen surface of Antarctica. Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071126115305.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071113195129.htm Scientists have demonstrated how Atlantic cod responded to past natural climate extremes. The new research could help in determining cods vulnerability to future global warming. Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071113195129.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071108175543.htm Metagenomic analysis of microbial biodiversity in soil samples suggest that non-bacterial species greatly outnumber bacterial species. This means the majority of microorganisms on the Earth remain undiscovered, according to new research. Mon, 12 Nov 2007 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071108175543.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071024100858.htm A new thermometer measures seawater temperature dependent changes in the cell wall composition of archeabacteria. Climate reconstructions should always be based on comparisons of several types of parallel measurements to prevent unexpected scientific blunders, according to researchers. Determining the surface seawater temperatures in oceans and coastal waters is essential for the reconstruction of historic climate changes and changes in ocean currents. This information is, in turn, vital for perfecting current climate models. Thu, 25 Oct 2007 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071024100858.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071018123525.htm Bats are the most vocal mammals other than humans, and understanding how they communicate during their nocturnal outings could lead to better treatments for human speech disorders. Thousands of bats native to Central Texas fly overhead each night singing songs of complex syllables -- but at frequencies too high for humans to hear. Fri, 19 Oct 2007 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071018123525.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071004143122.htm Thousands of new kinds of marine microbes have been discovered at two deep-sea hydrothermal vents off the Oregon coast. The findings are the result of the most comprehensive, comparative study to date of deep-sea microbial communities that are responsible for cycling carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur to help keep Earth habitable. Fri, 05 Oct 2007 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071004143122.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070926192106.htm A new study has discovered that one type of bacteria has mutants that shut down certain communication systems so they don't have to share the communal burden of obtaining nutrients. This "cheating" mechanism forces other bacteria do all the work while the lazy bacteria save their energy, grow faster and out-compete other cells. The findings could suggest new concepts for antibiotic development. Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070926192106.htm