Science News for Kids » Microbes, Fungi & Algae http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org Publication of the Society for Science & the Public Wed, 22 May 2013 22:09:54 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Microscopic caffeine fiends http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/04/researchers-create-a-bacterium-that-cant-live-or-reproduce-without-caffeine/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/04/researchers-create-a-bacterium-that-cant-live-or-reproduce-without-caffeine/#comments Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:44:37 +0000 Sid Perkins http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=16503 Scientists tweaked the genes of a bacterium so that it requires caffeine to live and reproduce. Now, they can use this microbe to measure concentrations of caffeine in beverages such as soda, coffee and energy drinks. When the microbes are added to a water-weakened version of one of those drinks, the bacteria grow and the liquid turns cloudy — but only if the drink contained caffeine. In caffeine-free Coke (top left), no cloudiness appears. Credit: Barrick Lab/University of Texas at Austin

Researchers create a bacterium that can’t live or reproduce without a stimulant found in soft drinks, chocolate, coffee and tea]]> Scientists tweaked the genes of a bacterium so that it requires caffeine to live and reproduce. Now, they can use this microbe to measure concentrations of caffeine in beverages such as soda, coffee and energy drinks. When the microbes are added to a water-weakened version of one of those drinks, the bacteria grow and the liquid turns cloudy — but only if the drink contained caffeine. In caffeine-free Coke (top left), no cloudiness appears. Credit: Barrick Lab/University of Texas at Austin

Researchers create a bacterium that can’t live or reproduce without a stimulant found in soft drinks, chocolate, coffee and tea]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/04/researchers-create-a-bacterium-that-cant-live-or-reproduce-without-caffeine/feed/ 0 Fungi as carbon keepers http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/04/fungi-as-carbon-keepers/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/04/fungi-as-carbon-keepers/#comments Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:40:46 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=16404 A recent study of forested Swedish islands found that tiny fungi in the soil store most of the carbon found in the forest floor. Credit: Photo courtesy of Karina Clemmensen

A common type of fungus stores most of a forest floor’s carbon underground]]> A recent study of forested Swedish islands found that tiny fungi in the soil store most of the carbon found in the forest floor. Credit: Photo courtesy of Karina Clemmensen

A common type of fungus stores most of a forest floor’s carbon underground]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2013/04/fungi-as-carbon-keepers/feed/ 0 A slime with memory http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/a-slime-with-memory/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/a-slime-with-memory/#comments Thu, 25 Oct 2012 17:21:47 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=14497 A slime mold, like the one shown here, leaves a trail of snotlike goo behind it. New research shows that a slime mold can tell where it’s been and usually avoids traveling on its own previous paths. Credit: Courtesy of Audrey Dussutour

Even without a brain, this slime mold knows where it’s been]]> A slime mold, like the one shown here, leaves a trail of snotlike goo behind it. New research shows that a slime mold can tell where it’s been and usually avoids traveling on its own previous paths. Credit: Courtesy of Audrey Dussutour

Even without a brain, this slime mold knows where it’s been]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/a-slime-with-memory/feed/ 0 Bacteria learn new trick http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/bacteria-learn-new-trick/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/bacteria-learn-new-trick/#comments Fri, 12 Oct 2012 15:00:45 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=14357 A decades-long experiment growing E. coli bacteria showed the microbes evolved the ability to eat a new food. Flasks of the germs turned cloudy when the bacteria ate citrate. Credit: Brian Baer and Neerja Hajela

Scientists show evolution in action in decades-long E. coli study]]> A decades-long experiment growing E. coli bacteria showed the microbes evolved the ability to eat a new food. Flasks of the germs turned cloudy when the bacteria ate citrate. Credit: Brian Baer and Neerja Hajela

Scientists show evolution in action in decades-long E. coli study]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/bacteria-learn-new-trick/feed/ 0 Living long beneath the sea http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/microbes-in-the-mud-beneath-the-seafloor-may-live-millions-of-years-redefining-what-it-means-to-be-old-and-alive/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/microbes-in-the-mud-beneath-the-seafloor-may-live-millions-of-years-redefining-what-it-means-to-be-old-and-alive/#comments Thu, 11 Oct 2012 16:08:27 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=14369 roy1HR_Feature

Microbes in the mud beneath the seafloor may live millions of years, redefining what it means to be old and alive]]> roy1HR_Feature

Microbes in the mud beneath the seafloor may live millions of years, redefining what it means to be old and alive]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/10/microbes-in-the-mud-beneath-the-seafloor-may-live-millions-of-years-redefining-what-it-means-to-be-old-and-alive/feed/ 0 Stony bacteria http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/05/stony-bacteria/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/05/stony-bacteria/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 18:12:27 +0000 Roberta Kwok http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=12629 A newly discovered bacterium has pearl-like lumps inside. Credit: CNRS, K. Benzerara & S. Borensztajn

Lake-dwelling bacterium has hard lumps inside it]]> A newly discovered bacterium has pearl-like lumps inside. Credit: CNRS, K. Benzerara & S. Borensztajn

Lake-dwelling bacterium has hard lumps inside it]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/05/stony-bacteria/feed/ 0 Sniffing out truffle scent http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/04/sniffing-out-truffle-scent/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/04/sniffing-out-truffle-scent/#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:32:06 +0000 Roberta Kwok http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=12529 A new study found that a truffle’s DNA plays a key role in determining its distinctive smell. Credit: Richard Splivallo

Genetics, not geography, plays key role in the aroma of the delicacy ]]> A new study found that a truffle’s DNA plays a key role in determining its distinctive smell. Credit: Richard Splivallo

Genetics, not geography, plays key role in the aroma of the delicacy ]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/04/sniffing-out-truffle-scent/feed/ 0 Killing a bacterial killer http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/02/killing-a-bacterial-killer/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/02/killing-a-bacterial-killer/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:08:19 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=11833 bacteria1

A common, cheap element offers hope against deadly bacterial infections]]> bacteria1

A common, cheap element offers hope against deadly bacterial infections]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/02/killing-a-bacterial-killer/feed/ 0 Glowing, gutsy hitchhikers http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/01/glowing-gutsy-hitchhikers/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/01/glowing-gutsy-hitchhikers/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:05:42 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/?p=11576 bio1

Bacteria glow to get across the ocean inside animals’ guts]]> bio1

Bacteria glow to get across the ocean inside animals’ guts]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2012/01/glowing-gutsy-hitchhikers/feed/ 0 Life in the bacterial underground http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2011/02/life-in-the-bacterial-underground/ http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2011/02/life-in-the-bacterial-underground/#comments Wed, 23 Feb 2011 18:54:49 +0000 Stephen Ornes http://www.sciencenewsforkids.com.php5-17.dfw1-2.websitetestlink.com/wp/?p=2212 Bacteria

Tiny life forms in rock may coax minerals to release hydrogen for food]]> Bacteria

Tiny life forms in rock may coax minerals to release hydrogen for food]]> http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2011/02/life-in-the-bacterial-underground/feed/ 0