Climate action
Today we are seeing climate change in action, increased concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gases have led to a rise in sea levels, temperatures, and extreme weather patterns. Researchers have acknowledged the pivotal role microorganisms in producing sustainable biofuels, increasing carbon sequestration via soil microbes and reducing methane emissions in landfill sites. Microbial innovation will be vital in moving towards a low carbon economy.
News
Arctic plant–fungal partnerships are surprisingly flexible in a warming world
A new study suggests that Arctic fungi appear to form opportunistic partnerships with whatever plant hosts are available, rather than maintaining exclusive relationships. This flexibility may help both plants and fungi cope with rapid environmental change.
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NewsRainfall and temperature shape mosquito fauna in Atlantic Forest bromeliads, including malaria vectors
Results from a study of mosquito larvae conducted in a natural area in the municipality of São Paulo (Brazil) may help estimate the effects of climate change on disease transmission risk in the biome.
NewsHigher methane emissions from warmer lakes and reservoirs may exacerbate worst-case climate scenario
Emissions of the greenhouse gas methane from lakes and reservoirs risk doubling by the end of the century due to climate change according to a new study. This in turn could raise Earth’s temperature more than suggested by the UN climate panel IPCC’s current worst-case scenario.
NewsBacteria spin and dye rainbow-colored, sustainable textiles
Researchers demonstrate that bacteria can both create fabric and dye it in every color of the rainbow—all in one pot. The approach offers a sustainable alternative to the chemical-heavy practices used in today’s textile industry.
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Tiny diatoms, big climate impact: How microscopic skeletons rapidly shape ocean chemistry
Researchers have found that diatoms’ intricate, silica-based skeletons transform into clay minerals in as little as 40 days. Until the 1990s, scientists believed that this enigmatic process took hundreds to thousands of years.
NewsBacterial spores offer promise of sustainable smart materials
By embedding Bacillus spores within engineered living materials, researchers have created living materials that not only endure harsh environments but can also be programmed to perform specific tasks. These materials may be a sustainable replacement for fossil-based materials.
NewsScientists reveal how cyanobacteria use ’sunscreen’ to adapt to climate
Using single particle spectroscopy, researchers revealed insights into how different types of photosynthetic bacteria can use a shared mechanism to protect themselves from too much sunlight.
NewsHow are metabolism and cell growth connected? — A mystery over 180 years old
A research team has identified a novel principle in biology that mathematically explains why the growth of organisms slows as nutrients become more abundant—a phenomenon known as “the law of diminishing returns.”
NewsUrban fungi are showing signs of thermal adaptation
A new study finds that common fungal species may be adapting to higher temperatures in warmer sites within cities compared to cooler sites in the same city. The findings could signify that urban fungi could one day evolve into disease-causing pathogens.
NewsCARBIOS and Wankai New Materials to build PET biorecycling plant in China
CARBIOS and Wankai New Materials, a subsidiary of Zhink Group, are committed to the large-scale deployment of CARBIOS’ PET biorecycling technology in Asia, with the first step being the construction of a PET biorecycling plant in China.
NewsStudy unravels Black Sea nitrous oxide conundrum
A new study unravels the ’Black Sea nitrous oxide conundrum’, investigating why large amounts of nitrous oxide are mainly produced in ocean areas that lack oxygen, yet the Black Sea - the world’s largest anoxic basin - appears to emit only little N2O.
NewsResearchers screen microbial strains to reduce H2S and CH4 emissions from wastewater
A new study demonstrates that S. cerevisiae and B. subtilis effectively reduce H2S and CH4 emissions from wastewater by altering microbial community composition and metabolic pathways, offering a sustainable approach for wastewater treatment.
NewsBiochar mediated microbial synergy in partial nitrification–anammox systems
A study investigates the role of biochar in enhancing nitrogen removal efficiency (NRE) and stability in partial nitrification–anammox (PN/A) systems, focusing on its selective promotion of partial denitrification and maintaining the dynamic balance between AnAOB and denitrifying bacteria (DNB).
NewsStudy unveils effects of microplastics on the Nu River sediment microbial community and greenhouse gas emissions:
Microplastics (MPs) in river ecosystems significantly affect sediment microbial communities and biogeochemical cycling. This study compared the effects of conventional polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) on sediment microbial communities and GHG emissions.
NewsUnprecedented decline in marine viruses in the western Mediterranean linked to climate change revealed
Researchers have described a sustained and unprecedented decrease in the abundance of marine viruses in the northwestern Mediterranean over the last two decades. The findingis based on the longest-known time series data on marine viruses to date.
NewsBacteria reveal how climate-damaging nitrous oxide forms in the ocean
Marine microorganisms produce large amounts of nitrous oxide, a highly potent greenhouse gas. Researchers investigated the exact processes involved during an expedition to the Pacific. The results are important for climate modeling.
NewsResearchers to investigate moisture-driven Antarctic ice sheet growth during past warm climates
Investigating how increased moisture transport to Antarctica, and under what temperatures and sea ice conditions moisture transport occurs, is required to understand the mechanisms that can lead to increased ice accumulation.
NewsDrones reveal unexpectedly high emissions from wastewater treatment plants
Greenhouse gas emissions from many wastewater treatment plants may be more than twice as large as previously thought. This is shown in a new study in which the researchers used drones with specially manufactured sensors to measure methane and nitrous oxide emissions.
NewsScientists develop an efficient method of producing proteins from E. coli
Proteins sourced from microorganisms are attracting attention for their potential in biomanufacturing a variety of products, including pharmaceuticals, industrial enzymes, and diagnostic antibodies. These proteins can also be used for converting resources into biofuels and bioplastics, which could serve as viable alternatives to petroleum-based fuels and products.
NewsBiochar and hydrochar show contrasting climate effects in boreal grasslands
Researchers tested how biochar and hydrochar, combined with nitrogen fertilizer, affected greenhouse gas emissions, soil carbon pools, and crop yield in a typical boreal legume grassland. They found that biochar and hydrochar influenced soil processes in opposite ways.
NewsResearchers discover microbes turning food waste into energy
Researchers have identified a previously unknown microbe that plays a crucial role in converting food waste into renewable natural gas, using a molecular tagging approach that could also detect other elusive microbes - including those that are breaking down microplastics in the ocean.
NewsWarmer Nordic springs double the incidence of avian malaria
A unique long-term study, in which biological samples were collected from the same population of blue tits over a 30-year period, shows that rising spring temperatures have doubled the incidence of avian malaria in southern Sweden.
NewsMicrobial iron mining: turning polluted soils into self-cleaning reactors
Scientists have presented “microbial iron mining,” a process where soil microbes activate natural iron cycling. Microbes reduce and mobilize iron minerals, producing tiny iron nanoparticles that act as powerful traps for a variety of pollutants.