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Welcome on board This site is dedicated to technologies for a sustainable climate. I collect links on new ways to make power, purify water, remediate toxic spills, and support earth-friendly alternatives to toxic chemicals. I only link to things I believe to be 100% bio friendly. If there's any doubt, I will note it with the link. Also, apologies, but I've linked to many sites that charge a fee for academic papers. This was all breaking news in the 00s when I first started the collection. My main focus is on microbe, phyto, and myco technologies. I beleive swampy warm areas of the USA would be great places to grow earth friendly algae and sell it to the world. Also, after we get over burning fossil fuels, we can grow oil, since plant oil can substitute for petroleum if allowed to do so. This site contains thousands of aggregated links to companies, articles, academic research, and organizations. The aggregated links from the last few years begin further down on this page.* Scroll down for my blog, most current thoughts, including a collection of links to bio-plastic companies.* Products to disinfect without killing off your good microbes In cooperation with our immune system, we host friendly bacteria over all surfaces of our body, including our skin, stomachs, and so on. Even our eyes have friendly microbes. We have more microbes than human cells. We need our friendly microbes. If we harm our microbes, we risk the invasion of bad microbes, known as germs. Use Dr. Bronner's for washing your hands to kill the bad microbes and protect the healthy microbes. You can use Dr. Bronner's for anything - shower gel, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, laundry, dishes, whatever you want. Sanitizers can harm the friendly microbes, since the toxic ingredients kill indiscriminately. Our homes also host microbes on ever surface, and the same theory applies. We need cleaning products that nurture healthy bacteria to grow and fight off the bad bacteria. The best product I've found lately is Biokleen Bac-Out. Microbial cleaners like Biokleen introduce healthy microbes to outnumber and "eat" the bad microbes. They turn bad bacteria into dust, eliminating smells and stains. Carpet cleaners offer microbial treatment to eliminate odor. Bac-Out is great because you can spray it on hard surfaces, such as sinks, tubs, floors, tables, countertops, doorknobs, switches, and handles. You can also spray it on fabrics, such as clothing, curtains, furniture, and drapes (test first). You can also spray it in the air after someone sneezes, or there's a musty, virus-ish feel in the air. Microbial cleaners are eco-friendly, and so is Castile soap. Using these cleaners supports good companies doing their part for the environment. Disclaimer: that microbial cleaners fight COVID-19 germs is solely my opinion. That Castile soap kills COVID-19 on your hands is accepted as common knowledge. Someday they will find out if friendly microbes help fight COVID-19, but you can experiment for yourself right now. Use microbes on one side of your house and continue to use disinfectant chemicals on the other side, then decide for yourself which side feels cleaner and more healthy. Phytoremediation to a Sustainable Earth Phytoremediation is the art plants know to remove toxins from the earth. Everywhere on earth, things grow. Native plants grow without irrigation, fertilization, or herbicides. Plants are the best way to sequester carbon. They breathe in carbon and breathe out oxygen. We need more plants, and mechanical machines to sequester carbon if we can catch it before it comes out the smokestacks. That will help, but what we really need are more plants. Plus, with the changing climate, some plants just won't grow where they used to. We need to find out what grows, and make that a native plant. Things are changing, but we need to slow it down and always work toward sustainability. Use Bioplastics - Reduce Plastic Pollution Bioplastic is plastic made from environmentally friendly sources, rather than petroleum. Plastic can be made from: algae canola oil castor oil corn or maize feathers hemp oil soybean oil sugarcane used cooking oil wood Bioplastics Magazine bioplasticsmagazine.com This is the industry magazine for this emerging field. Warnings Warning 1) Petroleum industry advocates try to spread the lie that adding biodegradable ingredients to petroleum-based plastic is the solution because the plastic breaks down. The truth is, broken down bits of petrolem-based plastic are a threat to the environment. The companies I link to follow earth friendly ethics. Warning 2) They also spread the lie that someone recycles the plastic we throw in the recycling bin. The truth is, very little plastic gets recycled. Rather, they ship it to other countries that might let it fall in the ocean. Here's an article about how many containers we shipped in 2018: plasticpollutioncoalition.org. Here's another article on the subject: Is Plastic Recycling A Lie? Oil Companies Touted Recycling To Sell More Plastic National Public Radio npr.org Here's the 60 Minutes exposé: 60 Minutes, August 18, 2019. California passed a law to require recycled plastics: mercurynews.com Pave Roads with Recycled plastic yale.edu See more about plastic road paving below* Recycle plastic waste into bricks stronger than concrete reuters.com Plastic Bank - offering a good solution for recycling plasticbank.com A factory in Indiana is turning plastic waste into eco-friendly fuel - and it's trying to revolutionize how we handle pollution Business Insider Video November 2, 2020 news.yahoo.com Editor's Note One last rant about "recycling" as we've come to know it in America. I live in a condo where the Association pays extra for a big blue trash bin. Residents in the community throw all kinds of trash in the blue bin that cannot be recycled. How many times have I seen a bunch of beer cans in a big plastic trash bag? One time a neighbor's contractor filled our bin up with wet clothing and blankets after a strong rain that flooded some people's garages. People seem to think they will recycle bubble wrap, plastic grocery bags, plastic utensils, plastic appliances, telephone cords, etc. I've also heard if a truck comes back carrying items that would contaminate the recycling dump, they take their whole load to the landfill. It would really help if people understood what to recycle, and if the trash companies (ultimately it all ends up at Waste Management) had integrity, and actually took care of the trash so it doesn't fall in the ocean. My policy for now is to throw all my plastic trash in the landfill bin. Why wait until it falls in the ocean and have to fish it out to put it in the landfill?
Paper is a good alternative to plastic! Good Start Packaging goodstartpackaging.com Compostable take out containers, bags, cups, straws, plates, bowls, plates, bowls, bottles, napkins, towels, tissues, utensils, and more. Based in New Hampshire. This company makes biodegradable paper products. However, most conventional paper cups, etc., have a layer of petroleum-based non-biodegradable plastic between two layers of paper. I rooted some plants in a "paper" coffee cup and then planted it in the ground. Two years later I dug it up and discovered the paper had decomposed, but it left a net of plastic that may never decompose. Here's a photo of the cup I buried in the yard compared to another cup I got at the same coffee shop. These are NOT paper cups. The lining is not biodegradable. (Scroll up to find links to companies that make biodegradable paper products and plant-based plastic products.) Aggregated Links added in 2024 The People in Your Life Are Sharing Their Gut Microbes With You Editor's note: duh sciencealert.com Nepal study reveals microbes in mouth reflect lifestyle choices medicalxpress.com Environmental Restoration resources: Ecological restoration aims to recreate, initiate, or accelerate the recovery of an ecosystem that has been disturbed. Disturbances are environmental changes that alter ecosystem structure and function. Common disturbances include logging, damming rivers, intense grazing, hurricanes, floods, and fires. nature.com response.restoration.noaa.gov directives.doe.gov fws.gov doi.gov epa.gov usace.army.mil afcec.af.mil navfac.navy.mil ser-rrc.org decadeonrestoration.org decadeonrestoration.org unep.org careerexplorer.com eri.nau vu.edu/ swca.com ser.org amazon.com amazon.com ers.org wikipedia.org ecosystemrestorationcommunities.org ecologicalrestoration.org ecologicalrestoration.org Carbon dioxide capture from open air using covalent organic frameworks nature.com UC Berkeley chemists develop powder to suck carbon dioxide from the air sfchronicle.com Half a pound of this powder can remove as much CO2 from the air as a tree COF-999, a material designed to remove carbon dioxide from the air chemistry.berkeley.edu This issue is covered in countless articles since the study was released yesterday (October 23). For more information search for keyword "COF-999" and put that in quotes because otherwise you get links to thousands of "999" references. One downside to this technology is that the energy to make the powder may be worse for the environment. So this can only work if we switch over to sustainable energy. Viruses Found on Toothbrushes Are "Unlike Anything Seen Before" Scientists have discovered over 600 different species of bacteria-hunting viruses living in our common bathroom items, though the microbes pose no harm to people. gizmodo.com The brain has its own microbiome. (editor's note: well duh) Here's what it means for your health Neuroscientists have been surprised to discover that the human brain is teeming with microbes, and we are beginning to suspect they could play a role in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's newscientist.com Plastic-eating bacteria can help waste self-destruct bbc.com Plastic-Eating Bacteria Could Revolutionize Recycling A new front is opening in the war on waste, but can it scale? wired.com Re-Engineering Plastic axiomint.com This Harvard spinoff uses plastic-eating microbes to clean up waste There are 5 billion tons of plastic sitting in landfills and in nature. This startup is working on a new way to clean it up using biology. fastcompany.com RPI Researchers Engineer Bacteria That Eat Plastic, Make Multipurpose Spider Silk For the first time, researchers have used bacteria to "upcycle" waste polyethylene news.rpi.edu To limit pollution, new recipe makes plastic a treat for microbes The microbes can break the plant- and algae-based material down within a few months snexplores.org Sustainable production and degradation of plastics using microbes nature.com The oral microbiome: diversity, biogeography and human health nature.com Scientists uncover diverse marine microbes with potential for new antibiotics and plastic breakdown by University of East Anglia phys.org Tiny shards of plastic are increasingly infiltrating our brains, study says By invading individual cells and tissues in major organs, nanoplastics can potentially interrupt cellular processes and deposit endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as bisphenols, phthalates, flame retardants, heavy metals, and polyfluorinated substances. See eastidahonews This story also covered on KETV, CNN, Yahoo News, The Guardian, People, ScienceAlert, Newsweek, New York Post, EuroNews, NPR, Ground News, ScienceDirect, WISN 12 News, and many more outlets. The study: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov The Great Barrier Reef will continue to deteriorate and the window to secure its future is rapidly closing. That is the sobering conclusion of a major new report into the state of the reef. New drone footage shows 97% of Great Barrier Reef is dead. The Great Barrier Reef will continue to deteriorate, largely to climate change, and the window to secure its future is rapidly closing. That is the sobering conclusion of a major new report into the state of the reef. The report was released by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. It confirms what scientists have long known: humanity is killing the Great Barrier Reef, and other reefs around the world, by failing to curb the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. See: theconversation.com this story is also covered on NDTV, PHYS.org, Japan Today, BBC, The Independent, ABC News, Euronews, The Economist, Al Jazeera, PBS, CNN, and other media. Great Barrier Reef Foundation: barrierreef.org From recycling to food: Can we eat plastic-munching microbes? Researchers are trying to turn plastic-eating bacteria into food source for humans. arstechnica.com Yellowstone Study Reveals Never-Before-Seen Organisms Living in Hot Springs newsweek.com Scientists find 'dark oxygen' produced without light in deep ocean washingtonpost.com nature.com Massive hail storms keep hitting the U.S. Here's why. Hail is the product of towering thunderstorm clouds whose strong updrafts allow ice to build up and thicken before falling to the ground. Hail stones start as ice pellets known as graupel and develop more frozen layers as the updrafts toss them high up in the atmosphere and they encounter droplets of ice-cold moisture that just keeps accumulating. As temperatures warm along Earth's surface, those updrafts may be getting stronger - and that may allow hail to grow larger before the winds can no longer keep it aloft. Read more: washingtonpost.com Researchers discover new family of bacteria with high pharmaceutical potential phys.org Can Turning Office Towers Into Apartments Save Downtowns? [Answer is: YES! We've been in favor of it for years!] Nathan Berman has helped rescue Manhattan's financial district from a "doom loop" by carving attractive living spaces from hulking buildings that once housed fields of cubicles. newyorker.com Earth and Environment Exploring the wonders of our planet to preserve its future. nsf.gov Solar Geoengineering Could Wreak Havoc on the Planet To respond to climate change, we should focus on ramping down fossil fuels sierraclub.org UCSB Alumna Helen Hansma Protecting Ocean Forests UCSB Human 'behavioural crisis' at root of climate breakdown, say scientists theguardian.com Aggregated Links added in 2023 FarmersFootprint.us purpose statement: We are here to accelerate regenerative food systems as a means to restore human and planetary health. Video explores scientific findings with Founder Dr. Zach Bush and soil health expert Dr. Allen Williams. Why banning fossil fuels is now a make-or-break issue Washington Post Foodscaping - Wikipedia Foodscaping is a modern term for the practice of integrating edible plants into ornamental landscapes. It is also referred to as edible landscaping and has been described as a crossbreed between landscaping and farming. Fairy Circles! Mysterious 'fairy circles' identified at hundreds of sites worldwide, new study says. Fairy circles were previously spotted only in the arid lands of Southern Africa's Namib Desert and the outback of Western Australia. But a new study has used artificial intelligence to identify vegetation patterns resembling fairy circles in hundreds of new locations across 15 countries on three continents. cnn.com Tired of feeling hopeless about climate change? Take a look at these charts. Opinion by Amanda Shendruk Making progress in major countries, but not everywhere. 'We are just getting started': the plastic-eating bacteria that could change the world Oda and his colleagues named the bacteria that they had discovered in the rubbish dump Ideonella sakaiensis - after the city of Sakai, where it was found - and in the paper, they described a specific enzyme that the bacteria was producing which allowed it to break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the most common plastic found in clothing and . . . . theguardian.com Ideonella sakaiensis - Wikipedia science.org nature.com What is Pine Tree Power? This November, voters will be asked, "Do you want to create a new power company governed by an elected board to acquire and operate existing for-profit electricity transmission and distribution facilities in Maine?" Yes we do! When we win in November, we'll get a nonprofit utility company owned by and for Mainers. It will save money, bring back local control, and reduce outages. That new utility will be Pine Tree Power. pinetreepower.org Editor's note: sadly the citizens of Maine voted down Question 3. I'm grateful I get to live in a city with public utilities. I feel sorry for people who must live under corporate rule of their own resources. It's also disturbing how many people are brainwashed to think the corporate way is the only way it can be. What are the advantages of a non-profit power company? From the pinetreepower.org page: Bring back local control. And I imagine it would make people proud of their state to take back the power. Books by Mark Z. Jacobson No Miracles Needed: How Today's Technology Can Save Our Climate and Clean Our Air Amazon.com 100% Clean, Renewable Energy and Storage for Everything Amazon.com Air Pollution and Global Warming: History, Science, and Solutions Amazon.com Fundamentals of Atmospheric Modeling Amazon.com Atmospheric Pollution: History, Science, and Regulation Amazon.com New ultra-white roof coating that reflects sun, cools buildings, can reduce energy use purdue.edu Solar Steam - renewable energy sciencedaily.com Scientists find 'lost world' in billion-year-old Australian rock Microscopic creatures, known as Protosterol Biota, are part of a family of organisms called eukaryotes and lived in Earth's waterways about 1.6 billion years ago, according to the researchers. aljazeera.com ndtv.com popsci.com nature.com earth.com Although The real solution to plastic is to make it from plant oil so it can biodegrade back to the earth. Plasticmakers.org group promotes petroleum-based plastic and they have no idea how our plastic trash ends up in the ocean. To stop plastic from going in the ocean clamp down on Waste Management. They put your plastic in containers and ship it to poor countries to "recycle" it by storing it in a barn. Engineers invent genius battery solution for storing clean energy without lithium: The first in the world to do something like this msn.com Volcanic microbe eats CO2 'astonishingly quickly', say scientists (The Guardian, 19 Apr 2023) Discovery of carbon-capturing organism in hot springs could lead to efficient way of absorbing climate-heating gas. eceee.org theguardian.com Hidden Linkages: Scientists Find Mind-Body Connection Is Built Into Brain Researchers have discovered a connection between the brain areas controlling movement and those involved in thinking, planning, and involuntary bodily functions like blood pressure and heartbeat. The findings suggest a literal linkage between body and mind in the brain's structure. Researchers named this newly identified network the Somato-Cognitive Action Network (SCAN). This study may help explain phenomena such as anxiety-induced pacing, the effects of vagus nerve stimulation on depression, and the positive outlook reported by regular exercisers. scitechdaily.com medicine.wustl.edu Opinion Climate crisis We don't need 'miracle' technologies to fix the climate. We have the tools now by Mark Z Jacobson Wind, water and solar energy is cheap, effective and green. We don't need experimental or risky energy sources to save our planet theguardian.com A new take on Black Holes vice.com Carbon Farming is a whole farm approach to optimizing carbon capture on working landscapes by implementing practices that are known to improve the rate at which CO2 is removed from the atmosphere and stored in plant material and/or soil organic matter. carboncycle.org/what-is-carbon-farming carboncycle.org Wikipedia.org greenamerica.org cleanenergywire.org Earth's Inner Core Just Stopped Spinning Earth's inner core's spin has slowed and "paused." Scientists believe this happens roughly every seven decades as the core will then start spinning a different direction. A new study says there's a direct connection between the inner core's spin and life on Earth's surface. popularmechanics.com Make Earth Your Business An Initiative from Team Earth Turns out doing good isn't just good for the planet. It's good for business, too. That's why businesses on Team Earth are building a world where people, planet, and profit all thrive together. salesforce.com Eight Strategies for Microbiome Restoration by UCSB graduate student Clara Bailey - soil microbiome restoration clarabailey.com - soil restoration clarabailey.com UCSB Prof. Paul Leonardi on Artificial Intelligence ethics https://paulleonardi.com UCSB Benioff Ocean Science Library: "Tell us what's broken in your ocean. We'll get the best minds in marine biology to solve that problem and put down a million dollars to make the solution real." boi.ucsb.edu San Diego Scripps Institute of Oceanography building a hybrid-hydrogen powered Ferry research boat with zero-emission - now moving to design phase scripps.ucsd.edu Hydrogen Powered Ferry Sea Change Launched in August 2021 at All American Marine, the Sea Change is a 70-foot catamaran ferry designed by Incat Crowther, equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell system from Zero Emissions Industries (ZEI) . . . marinelog.com allamericanmarine.com reuters.com We will never be able to live on another planet. Here's why: Given all our technological advances, it's tempting to believe we are approaching an age of interplanetary colonisation. But can we really leave Earth and all our worries behind? No. All these stories are missing what makes a planet habitable to us. What Earth-like means in astronomy textbooks and what it means to someone considering their survival prospects on a distant world are two vastly different things. We don't just need a planet roughly the same size and temperature as Earth; we need a planet that spent billions of years evolving with us. We depend completely on the billions of other living organisms that make up Earth's biosphere. Without them, we cannot survive. aeon.co Study finds Bees like to roll little wooden balls as a form of play arstechnica.com Restoring Gorongosa National Park after decades of war, by Scott Pelley, 60 Minutes cbsnews.com How rewilders in India are working to reverse environmental destruction, by Dorothy Wickenden newyorker.com When it comes to harvesting energy, some guts do it better than others news-medical.net Neuroscience finds a Protective Probiotic for ALS neurosciencenews.com Artificial Intelligence Poisoning the Internet technologyreview.com Is Alcohol Standing Between You & A Healthy Gut? mindbodygreen.com mindbodygreen: connecting soul & science mindbodygreen.com Sisters of the Valley CBD sistersofthevalley.org Aggregated Links added in 2022 "Virovore" discovered: An organism that eats viruses These experiments show that the newly coined term "virovory" can now take its place among herbivory, carnivory et al, with Halteria crowned the first known virovore. But of course, it's unlikely to be the only one out there, and the researchers plan to continue investigating the phenomenon, including its effects on food webs and larger systems like the carbon cycle. newatlas.com Microbial Lions Two predatory microbes have been identified, and are rare in the ecosystem like alpha predators iflscience.com sciencedaily.com news9live.com arstechnica.com A microbiome-dependent gut-brain pathway regulates motivation for exercise nature.com Plastic Bank - a for-profit organization based in Canada. You'll get the connection between "plastic" and "bank" - it's a brilliant business plan to keep plastic out of our oceans. They're getting things started and you can participate. Check it out. plasticbank.com Gut Microbes Influence Binge-Eating of Sweet Treats neurosciencenews.com Gut Microbiome at the Center of Parkinson's Disease Pathogenesis neurosciencenews.com Scientists Created a Black Hole in The Lab, And Then It Started to Glow sciencealert.com The Gut Microbiome Helps Social Skills Develop in the Brain quantamagazine.org POWERPOD - safe, innovative wind energy halcium.com Evidence eating tomatoes fosters probiotic gut microbe diversity. news.osu.edu Resources for the Future - Healthy Environment, Thriving Economy RFF is a great organization, a resource for cutting edge earth-friendly technology for a sustainable environment. rff.org World's Best Graffiti Remover - Taginator & Tagaway Products Use biodegradable chemical products Taginator and Tagaway to remove graffiti! taginator.com In our town, Tempe, Arizona LoganSimpson.com chose Taginator and Tagaway to remove decades of graffiti from the historic Hayden Flour Mill. They said: "The two products were used in conjunction since they are designed to work on different types of surfaces." We are grateful they are taking care to do the restoration correctly. Microbiologist tries at-home test kits to see what they reveal about microbiome arstechnica.com Human Microbiome Project (HMP) Consortium Member Recommends More Research Needed nature.com How the Bacteria in Your Gut Microbiome Can Impact Mental Health and Cognitive Functioning wellandgood Potentially Alive 830-Million-Year-Old Organisms Found Trapped in Ancient Rock sciencealert.comx Antibiotics can lead to fungal infection because of disruption to the gut's immune system New study from the University of Birmingham (May 13, 2022) sciencedaily.com The New Yorker looks into Oslo's progressive steps toward a sustainable environment newyorker.com How hot drinks like coffee and tea affect the gut microbiome jpost.com Engineering armour for good gut bacteria against all-conquering antibiotics Editor's note: you don't need Frankenstein gut bacteria. If you have to take antibiotics, take plant based probiotics (for example probiotics from green powder or fermented produce). Acidophilus is fungus and more vulnerable to antibiotics. Also, load up on probiotics as soon as your antibiotic course is over. You can build back your system, but you have to work on it. cosmomagazine.com Gut Bacteria may determine personality trait - fatigue sci-news.com The SEC wants companies to disclose how climate change is affecting them npr.org Large-Scale Study Reveals Strange Link Between Antibiotics And Cognitive Decline Editor's Note - replenish your immune system with probiotics after a course of antibiotics sciencealert.com Researchers find new ways to extract large quantities of pectin oligosaccharides from potato waste, sugar beet pulp, and apple pomace (formerly considered worthless byproducts) inverse.com Scientists Discover Molecule From Deep-Sea Microbe to Fight Cancer scitechdaily.com 'New type of ultraviolet light' kills 98% of airborne microbes in a room and could help prevent the next pandemic, scientists claim dailymail.co.uk Swiss Scientists Discover Probiotic to Combat Muscle Fatigue and Aging popsci.com Scientists Discover previously unknown Microscopic Organisms in The Depths of The Atacama Trench sciencealert.com Microbiome could diagnose inflammatory bowel disease dailymail.com.uk Carcinogenic chemical benzene found in hundreds of US personal care products theguardian.com Microbes in your gut may affect personality scitechdaily.com Understanding how the microbiome influences pancreatic tumor size could pave the way for new treatments for pancreatic cancer. medicalnewstoday.com Lung microbes mediate spinal-cord autoimmunity Lung bacteria modulate the activity of immune cells in the central nervous system in a rodent model of autoimmunity. This finding might shed light on the neuroinflammation associated with multiple sclerosis. nature.com In a study published last month in the journal EBioMedicine, researchers found that a group of people with MS had markedly different bacterial ecosystems in their guts compared to a similar cohort without MS. inverse.com thelancet.com Scientists at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have discovered a microbe species with potential to sequester carbon naturally, even as oceans warm and become more acidic. scitechdaily.com Engineered microbes put waste to good use - and help the climate Ethanol-producing bacteria endowed with extra enzymes convert unwanted gases into useful compounds. nature.com Humans may have neurons whose main job is to process singing. Scientists have previously found neurons that are selective for speech and music, suggesting that our brains have specific cells that handle different types of sounds we hear. newscientist.com Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) costs less than storing solar energy on batteries www.seia.org Wikipedia solareis.anl.gov nrel.gov utilitydive.com sciencedirect.com solarpaces.org Microbes and Minerals may have oxygenated Earth sciencealert.com Both tanks in the photo contain water from the same source. The difference? Oysters. Oysters are natural purifiers: a single adult oyster can cleanse about 50 gallons of water per day. And their reefs can provide a habitat for other marine life and help protect shores against storm surge during rough weather. Top-down and bottom-up cohesiveness in microbial community coalescence pnas.org Google News - Microbes found to establish electrical connection to outside world to generate growth power phys.org Google News - Gut Microbes Can Cause Obesity, And We're Getting Closer to Understanding How sciencealert.com Gut microbe linked to depression in large health study science.org An alternative for leather and synthetic leather: VTT succeeded in demonstrating continuous production of mycelium leather vttresearch.com Aggregated Links added in 2021 Habitat for Humanity builds first 3D-printed house habitat.org/newsroom See the completed house: Youtube Study finds microbes in the oceans evolving enzymes to "eat" plastic in our oceans theguardian.com Science finally has proof pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, harm the human gut microbiome sciencedaily.com 60 Minutes reports: Couvillion Group LLC (couvilliongrp.com) developed a system to gather oil from a broken oil well at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico to stop the well from polluting the Gulf (November 7, 2021). They capture the oil, store it in large pipes, then offload it to boats that take it back to land to sell as recycled oil. Here's the full story at 60 Minutes: cbsnews.com A company that installs solar, provides info. on battery options for your garage. They also provide solar roof shingles. saveonenergy.com saveonenergy.com - shingles Plastic made with bacteria and the future of plastic alternatives theguardian.com Depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety share a common gut bacteria techexplorist.com Researchers have recently studied a new bacterium known as Subdoligranulum that's nearly absent in obese and diabetic people while found in healthy individuals. sciencetimes.com Scientists discover a "mind-blowing" link between gut health and age reversal inverse.com New Research Reveals Microbe's Potential to Reverse Brain Aging scitechdaily.com A Diet Lacking in Tryptophan Alters Gut Microbiota, Increases Inflammation scitechdaily.com academic research: Animal hosts have initiated myriad symbiotic associations with microorganisms and often have maintained these symbioses for millions of years, spanning drastic changes in ecological conditions and lifestyles. news.google.com People using Covid down-time in a constructive way: Bog's Solar Power Hobby Site solarpower.guide Gut microbes may affect multiple sclerosis (MS) inverse.com Underground microbial solutions to aboveground plant problems: phys.org America does not have a water supply problem; it has a water distribution problem. We should build water pipelines, akin to the Interstate Highway System: bigthink.com Paving Roads with Recycled Plastic Florida: A company plans to open its first US facility in Florida. Each mile of road paved with MacRebur's waste-plastic blend removes the equivalent weight of almost three million single-use plastic bags from the environment. California: Among the latest is California-based TechniSoil Industrial, which has devised an ingenious way to reuse plastic waste to repave roads. Road resurfacing is an expensive undertaking that starts with using special equipment to extract and grind the topmost 3-to-6 inches of asphalt. A stretch of highway in California is now paved with plastic fastcompany.com India: Fifty percent of the country's roads were unpaved only a few years ago, as many as 14,000 miles of new roads have been installed since India's Minister for Road Transport made it mandatory, in 2016, to add waste plastic into bituminous roads. South Africa: The latest country to use plastic bottles in road construction and repair. The country is using plastic milk bottles to improve road quality and solve its waste problem. Shisalanga Construction laid the country's first plastic road in August, 2019. Ghana: Cheap to produce and easy to install, these paths are built with hollow modules made of single-use discarded plastics. In Ghana, Nelplast mixes shredded plastic waste with sand and molds the mixture into pavement blocks.Feb 11, 2021 How Sanitizer may have Harmed our Good Bacteria during the Pandemic Also comments on lack of hand shaking, hugging, wearing masks, etc. theatlantic.com Editor's note: don't kill the bacteria on your hands or groceries. Use good bacteria to eat bad bacteria and neutralize it. Click here for products to promote healthy bacteria. Academic study cited in The Atlantic: pnas.org The hygiene hypothesis, the COVID pandemic, and consequences for the human microbiome Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the United States of America, February 9, 2021 by B. Brett Finlay, Katherine R. Amato, Meghan Azad, Martin J. Blaser, Thomas C. G. Bosch, Hiutung Chu, Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello, Stanislav Dusko Ehrlich, Eran Elinav, Naama Geva-Zatorsky, Philippe Gros, Karen Guillemin, Frédéric Keck, Tal Korem, Margaret J. McFall-Ngai, Melissa K. Melby, Mark Nichter, Sven Pettersson, Hendrik Poinar, Tobias Rees, Carolina Tropini, Liping Zhao, and Tamara Giles-Vernick New study shows microbes trap massive amounts of carbon phys.org The Bee MycHotel Project - making homes for bees using Katy Ayers: "We are cranking out MycHotels, a native fungus grown into nesting habitat for native bees, with record speed! 4 days growing in the mold. Then we air dry them and bake the inner nesting blocks to prevent the fungus from consuming the insect eggs/larvae." Youtube 100-Million-Year-Old Seafloor Sediment Bacteria Have Been Resuscitated scientificamerican.com Your Skin Microbiome vogue.com News of a growing consensus: trained medical scent dogs can screening people for COVID-19 ucsb.edu Experts discuss the 'second brain': The gut microbiome medicalexpress.com Explanation of Vaginal Microbiome mindbodygreen.com Recycle plastic waste into bricks stronger than concrete reuters.com How gut microbes could drive brain disorders Scientists are starting to work out how the gut microbiome can affect brain health. That might lead to better and easier treatments for brain diseases. nature.com Lactobacillus bile salt hydrolase substrate specificity governs bacterial fitness and host colonization pnas.org News from the Department of Duh: Microbes on your toothbrush match microbes inside your mouth sciencedaily.com A Healthy Microbiome Builds a Strong Immune System that Could Help Defeat Covid 19 theconversation.com Permaculture Garden Produces 7000 Pounds of Organic Food Per Year on a Tenth of an Acre What's the secret to their abundance? Permaculture methods that mimic Mother Nature to create nutrient-and-bacteria-rich soil. This isn't new, but new to the blog. Check it out! returntonow.net A pro-carcinogenic colon microbe promotes breast tumorigenesis and metastatic progression and concomitantly activates Notch and βcatenin axes cancerdiscovery.aacrjournals.org Editor's note: It will be years before they make their pharma patented GMO genetic manipulation treatments. Prevent cancer. Fix your microbes before there's a problem, avoid medical intervention. Eat well, exercise, detox, cultivate good microbes through probiotics, make healthy lifestyle choices. Aggregated Links added in 2020 Two Guys Create 'Leather' From Cactus, Will Save 1 Billion Animals Killed For Fashion indiatimes.com How Gut Microbes Contribute to Good Sleep medicalnewstoday.com A New Field Guide for Earth's Wild Microbes The most massive database of microbial gene sequences so far shows that the tree of life is much larger than we knew. December 18, 2020 wired.com Microbes in clouds sciencenews.org Scientists Just Discovered a Whopping 12,000 New Species of Microbes sciencealert.com "The Need to GROW" delivers alarming evidence on the importance of healthy soil - revealing not only the potential of localized food production working with nature, but our opportunity as individuals to help regenerate our planet's dying soils and participate in the restoration of the Earth. theneedtogrow.com California passes first-in-nation plastics recycling law Measure will require billions of soda, juice and other bottles to contain 50% recycled plastic Paul Rogers September 25, 2020 mercurynews.com Is Plastic Recycling A Lie? Oil Companies Touted Recycling To Sell More Plastic National Public Radio npr.org Microbes can produce ethylene, a building block for all sorts of plastics as well as glues, coolants, and other products that currently rely on oil and gas cleantechnica.com SRP, Arizona's public water and power company, announces emissions cut with major solar + battery investment. The Sonoran Energy Center will be the largest solar-charged battery project in the state and the addition of these two plants will make SRP one of the largest investors in energy storage in the nation srpnet.com FermentersClub.com - recipes, online courses, fermentation festivals. Santa Barbara fermentation festival - find more at cultivateevents.com "Promoting local food and farming." Beadthechange.eco Beautiful glass bead bracelets. From the site: "In Ghana, beadmaking is a longstanding tradition. The intricate, labor-intensive process begins by washing glass bottles of all types and colors and then sorting them by color. Next, the glass is crushed with a mortar and pestle until it becomes a fine powder. The powder is then carefully sifted so that only the finest grains are used. To create different colors, ceramic dyes are added to the glass powder. . ." log on to learn more! ZevoInsect.com kill insects without toxic poisons. Nanobubble Aeration Naturally Control Algae and Restore Water Quality solitudelakemanagement.com Moleaer (Latin for tiny air) develops industrial scale nanobubble generators to enhance a wide range of processes moleaer.com At ClearBlu, we believe the difference between good aeration and great aeration is in the size of the bubbles. Smaller bubbles have a larger surface area. Find out how our patented fine bubble diffusion process can increase your efficiency rate. clrblu.com/aeration/ NABAS Tech - Nano Air Bubble Aeration System, or NABAS is a natural, chemical free system. The core technology centers around a gas delivery system that disperses gas bubbles and dissolves gas into a desired fluid tank or process stream. Bubbles that are 20 microns or less implode from the pressure of water, releasing the gas inside the fluid. The NABAS delivery system creates a high quantity, 80% or more, of bubbles that are an impressive 5 microns or less. These bubbles are referred to as nanobubbles; they are negatively charged, therefore attracted to contaminant particles, which then carries them to the surface for easy removal access. NABAS is able to achieve DO (dissolved oxygen) 3-4 times higher than conventional aeration products by creating enough nanobubbles to shift the fluid to be in equilibrium with the bubbles instead of the surface. nabastech.com conductive ink / paint numerous companies manufacture conducive ink, so Google a company if you want to buy it or learn to make your own. DIY your own conductive ink 1 makery.info DIY your own conductive ink 2 rosieresearch.com DIY your own conductive ink 3 kobakant.at Pros and Cons interestingengineering.com Aeroponics - growing food in towers instead of fields - using much less water Google Search The Ultimate Step by Step Guide for Composting thereviewsinsider.com The Permaculture Association permaculture.org.uk facebook.com Bioneers bioneers.org Ireland Will Plant 22 Million Trees Every Year to Fight Climate Change The island nation simply isn't lush enough to offset its own carbon emissions, so government officials have announced a plan to grow 440 million trees to change that. marthastewart.com How Your Cat Communicates Using Butt Microbes forbes.com ASU students go to town on sustainability asu.edu Pandemic News from the University of California, Santa Barbara UCSB ramps up production of COVID-19 tests "We've scaled up massively,"UC Santa Barbara molecular biologist Max Wilson said. "For example, we've purified enough of the protein for our CRISPR-based assay to do 500,000 tests in one go." news.ucsb.edu/2020 UCSB develops alternative to decontaminate surfaces that does not involve toxic chemicals As COVID-19 continues to ravage global populations, the world is singularly focused on finding ways to battle the novel coronavirus. That includes UC Santa Barbara's Solid State Lighting & Energy Electronics Center (SSLEEC) and member companies. Researchers there are developing ultraviolet LEDs that have the ability to decontaminate surfaces—and potentially air and water—that have come in contact with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. news.ucsb.edu Aggregated Links added in 2019 Chair Grijalva, Committee Leaders Introduce Landmark Climate Change Legislation Slashing Emissions From Public Lands and Waters December 17, 2019 Press Release haaland.house.gov/media/press-releases/ House Dems propose halt to drilling on public lands in broad climate bill - December 17, 2019 thehill.com Earth Justice Endorses New House Legislation to Curb Climate Pollution House Natural Resources Committee bill would slash emissions from public lands, waters earthjustice.org Congresswoman Deb Haaland Calling for Net Zero Emissions on Public Lands on MSNBC (video) facebook.com Scientists Develop Liquid Fuel That Can Store The Sun's Energy For Up to 18 Years sciencealert.com Cameroon Activist Uses Plastic Bottles to Create Boats For His Community truththeory.com Four Sigmatic - mushroom-based drinks - superfoods, functional mushrooms and adaptogenic herbs, headquartered in Los Angeles. foursigmatic.com A Guide to living PlasticLESS facebook.com The Soil Story - how natural farming sequesters carbon Educational Video thesoilstory.com kisstheground.com/thesoilstory Defend H2O An IRS registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, Defend H2O was formed in June, 2014 to protect and restore the environmental quality of groundwater, surface waters, wetlands and beaches on and around Long Island. The organization's goals are achieved through scientific analysis, public education, and participation in the regulatory and legislative review of projects, programs and other actions that affect water quality and habitat values. defendh2o.org The truth about petro chemicals in beauty products ireadlabelsforyou.com contactderm.org ireadlabelsforyou.com Sani Sticks - enzyme drain sticks amazon.com The Lightyear One Solar Car, by Dutch Company Lightyear, Charges Itself with Sunlight lightyear.one collective-evolution.com Rooftop Panels of Tiny Plants Can Cleanse Polluted Air at 100 Times the Rate of a Single Tree By McKinley Corbley - Apr 30, 2019 goodnewsnetwork.org Caltech Gets a Windfall for Climate Research: $750 Million Billionaires Stewart and Lynda Resnick gave the second-largest donation ever to an American university: $750 million to the California Institute of Technology for environmental study, much of it focused on technological solutions to combat climate change. nytimes.com Yard Care Life How To Start & Make a Compost Pile at Home Beyond Environmental Revolutionizes Hydrocarbon Contamination Cleanup Beyond Environmental has made bioremediation, or bio-cleaning, controllable by transforming the viscosity of the carrier from water to a gel that can stick to the surface on which it is working. According to Bryan Sims, Beyond Environmental president and CEO, "We know that when bioremediation is controllable, it's more effective. Our iSorb Miotechnology makes that control possible—for the first time." manufacturing.net Beyond Environmental - beyondenv.com Can Hemp Clean Up the Earth? Scientists are looking at how hemp could clean contaminated soil—further proving it to be a miracle plant GoodNewsNetwork.org rollingstone.com Malawian Teen Taught Himself How To Build A Windmill From Junk, Brought Power To His Village, ALL Learned From Library Books! urbanintellectuals.com The Ice Stupas Artificial glaciers at the edge of the Himalayas. Photographs by Vasantha Yogananthan Text by Elizabeth Kolbert newyorker.com Farmers in Italy fight soil contamination with cannabis Phytoremediation driven energy crops production on heavy metal degraded areas as local energy carrier europa.eu Non-narcotic industrial hemp could be Port Pirie's saviour: Mayor portpirierecorder.com.au The roles of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in phytoremediation and tree-herb interactions in Pb contaminated soil nature.com Synbio for bioremediation: fighting plastic pollution Apart from the obvious need of spreading the word so that we can all become more socially aware and use less and less plastic, another solution to the problem could be found in bioremediation. Bioremediation is defined as the use of either naturally occurring or deliberately introduced microorganisms or other forms of life to consume and break down environmental pollutants, in order to clean up a polluted site. blogs.plos.org Yeast May Be the Solution to Toxic Waste Clean-Up About 46,000 nuclear weapons were produced during the Cold War era, leading to tremendous volumes of acidic radioactive liquid waste seeping into the environment. A new study suggests yeast as a potentially safer and more cost effective way to help clean up these radioactive waste sites. The study, "Prospects for Fungal Bioremediation of Acidic Radioactive Waste Sites: Characterization and Genome Sequence of Rhodotorula taiwanensis MD1149," was published in Frontiers in Microbiology, Jan. 8. The team of scientists at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) found that one red-pigmented yeast, Rhodotorula taiwanensis MD1149, is extremely resistant to acute and chronic forms of gamma radiation, heavy metals and acid. These characteristics are essential for bioremediation: clean-up of environmental wastes using microorganisms. The team examined 27 yeasts isolated from diverse environments, testing to see how each was suitable for bioremediation under highly radioactive and acidic conditions. The yeast Rhodotorula taiwanesis strain MD1149 was found to be the most resistant to acid and gamma radiation. After subjecting this microorganism to whole genome sequencing, they discovered that it shares resistance traits with Deinococcus radiodurans, a radiation-resistant bacterium which USU researchers have been engineering for bioremediation since 1997. dvidshub.net I Lost My Arm to Microbes, but They Can Save the World Exploring their hidden realm could uncover solutions to our most pressing problems We often follow the precautionary principle to our detriment when it comes to nature's mysteries, equating the unknown with danger. Over the past century, we've turned microorganisms in all their forms (bacteria, fungi, viruses) into enemies that must be sterilized and cleansed from our lives. Instead, let's reframe the unknown qualities of microorganisms to focus on their potential instead of their dangers. Scientists are now exploring the niche processes and surprising functions that come from microbial interactions. Through 21st-century technologies such as low-cost DNA sequencing, we've begun to understand the secret world of microbes and their potential to serve us. blogs.scientificamerican.com Bioremediation being used to clean Madurai temple tank MADURAI: For the fist time in Tamil Nadu, a temple tank in Madurai - Mariamman Teppakulam - is being cleaned using the bioremediation process, as part of the green temples initiative. Green Temple Movement chief technical advisor M P Rajasekharan said this process would use a consortium of microbes to break down the organic waste in the water. As much as 15 kilograms of microbe consortium has been added to the tank which his holding water up to the 10 feet mark timesofindia.indiatimes.com Decades-old dump site gets bioremediation treatment The site spans over an area of around eight and a half acres tribuneindia.com Council nod for phytoremediation technique to cleanse Conolly Canal water of metals thehindu.com Invasive tropical plant removed metal pollutants from British river—new study theconversation.com RiverLink transforms junkyard into park through phytoremediation mountainx.com Bioremediation: Cultivating microbes to clear our oil mess Researchers from National Institute of Technology, Durgapur and Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur in West Bengal, with support from Department of Biotechnology, Government of India,have shown that the one way to efficiently deal with oil sludge, is to cultivate suitable microbes using nutrients, which then disintegrate the contaminants in the sludge. researchmatters.in Saskatoon engineers honoured for remediation project A bioremediation project in Saskatchewan has won an Association of Consulting Engineering Companies—Canada (ACEC) award of excellence. PINTER & Associates Ltd., based in Saskatoon, won in the environmental remediation category for their Enhanced Anaerobic Bioremediation project. The PINTER team sought to tackle the problem of abandoned gas stations and the environmental risks they can pose to a community. The team was asked to remediate a station in La Ronge, Sask. That had approximately 3,000 cubic metres of gasoline-impacted soil and groundwater. Stations like this are often abandoned as the cost to remediate them is often more than the property value itself, especially in rural Canada. canada.constructconnect.com Cascia Hall Senior a Finalist in National Competition Milford was selected for his project on "Designing a Novel Heavy Metal Bioremediation System Utilizing Immobilized Mixed Algae Partnered with Heavy Metal Resistant Microbial Isolates Collected from Contaminated Superfund Mine Sites and Identified with a 16S Ribosomal Subunit Analysis." Milford represented the United States at the 2018 Stockholm Junior Water Prize international competition where he presented his patent-pending system for cleaning contaminated water inexpensively. gtrnews.com Future London - Clean Air Tube pollution: Could bacteria create clean air on the London Underground? Transport for London has committed to maintaining the "cleanest air possible," complying with Health & Safety Executive guidelines. Now, some design engineers based in London may have come up with a solution. In a project supported by Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art, a team of four students have curated palettes of bacteria that could act to neutralise harmful pollutants in the air. The team is testing out bacteria in neutralising the air (Cellul-air) The project, called Cellul-air, uses a process of bioremediation to mix with different pollutants and neutralise them to purify the air. standard.co.uk cellul-air.com $215m to be earmarked for Anzali wetland nano bioremediation TEHRAN—A total budget of 9 trillion rials (nearly $215 million) will be allocated to implement a scheme on restoration of the endangered Anzali wetland in northern province of Gilan by removing contaminants using domestic bioremediation nano-technology, ISNA reported on Wednesday. tehrantimes.com Mushrooms could help clean toxic groundwater in Northern New Mexico santafenewmexican.com Mushrooms Could Help Clean Toxic Groundwater in New Mexico Water conservationists and a Native American women's advocacy group believe they've found a potential solution to a massive, decades-old underground plume of toxic chromium. usnews.com The Technology That Will Build Our Future May Be Found In Mushrooms gizmodo.com A Fungus Could Be One Key to Solving Our Plastic Waste Crisis mentalfloss.com Magic mushrooms: how fungus could help rebuild derelict Cleveland .theguardian.com Denmark navigate sailing towards a sustainable future Mycoremediation - the process of using fungi to clean up the environment - is an innovative, yet simple biotechnology inspired by nature being tested at these World Championships. The floating tube developed by WorldPerfect in collaboration with scientists from Aarhus University has been placed in the sea near the gas station, where more than 300 coach boats are supplied with fuel. sailing.org Plastic-Eating Mushrooms dopemagazine.com Researchers Find a Fungus that Can Break Down Plastic in Weeks futurism.com EarthRx: How Community Mycoremediation Projects Can Clean Up Oil Spills Around the Planet pastemagazine.com Bioremediation Efforts Mushroom in the Aftermath of California's North Bay Fires Ecologists deploy fungi in Sonoma to try to address toxic run-off from ash Bioremediation, the use of organic materials to break down environmental pollutants, isn't a new concept, nor is the introduction of mycelium into bioremediation efforts—called mycoremediation, a term coined by famed mycologist Paul Stamets. Fungi have been used to clean up oil pools in Ecuador and pesticides in Oregon creeks, and mushrooms (and human hair) were deployed to remove some of the 58,000 gallons of oil from San Francisco Bay during the 2007 COSCO-Busan oil spill. In the aftermath of the Sonoma fires, volunteers installed an estimated 300,000 feet of wattles to assist with remediation efforts. Most of the wattles were inoculated with mycelium known to break down hydrocarbons. Although different fungi metabolize and break down different chemicals, oyster mushrooms are especially vigorous when it comes to the biodegradation of hydrocarbons. Gourmet Mushrooms, Inc., a mushroom producer based in Sonoma, offered oyster mushroom substrate for the wattles to strengthen local remediation efforts. Mycellium donations also began to flow in from as far away as Hawaii. earthisland.org Wattle Rockers How to handle the inevitable post-fire toxins that follow the inevitable future fires bohemian.com North Dakota health regulators seek input on permits for bioremediation of oil spills BISMARCK—The North Dakota Department of Health is seeking input on establishing a new permit system for alternative methods of cleaning up oil and other hydrocarbon spills. An informational meeting scheduled next week comes as one company has a pilot project to use bioremediation, also known as landfarming, to remove spilled oil and allow the soil to be reused. The company, Targa Resources, is permitted through the Department of Health for the landfarming project near Alexander in McKenzie County to restore soil that was contaminated by an oil pipeline spill. The project involves introducing naturally occurring microbes, or bugs, that break down the hydrocarbons in the soil. The goal is to reuse the soil rather than hauling it to a landfill. grandforksherald.com Targa Resources has a pilot project in McKenzie County that is using bioremediation, also known as landfarming, to remove spilled oil and allow the soil to be reused. bismarcktribune.com RESTORING MINED-OUT AREAS Research council urges lawmakers to legislate a 'biological response' Published February 7, 2019, The Philippines Policymakers, especially those in the House of Representatives, are now being urged to draft laws mandating mining companies to use bioremediation technologies in rehabilitating mined-out areas. According to National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) Member Nelly Aggangan, miners must be mandated to implement bioremediation technologies as part of their rehabilitation plans. "We should adopt and replicate this technology—and this technology will address the environmental and health issues in the mining industry," she said during the NRCP-Legislative Scientific Forum for Policy Development. gmanetwork.com Native oysters making a return to Pearl Harbor "Our partnership with Oahu Waterkeepers on this oyster remediation project is a great example of Navy's initiative of improving and taking care of our environment," said Bernard. The project builds on a successful feasibility study conducted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources, utilizing a nonnative species, Crassostrea gigas (known as the Pacific Oyster), as a tool to improve clarity and quality of waters within Pearl Harbor. While the Pacific Oyster survives and grows well in Pearl Harbor and it may continue to be used for bioremediation. The new project will focus on native shellfish species because of their deep cultural significance and in hopes of replenishing and restoring these species to the marine ecosystem. The partnership plans to use two species of oyster native to Pearl Harbor: Dendostrea sandvicensis (Hawaiian Oyster) and Pinctada margaritifera (Black-lip Pearl Oyster). "We are developing hatchery production methods for native bivalve species, in part because many local species have become rare and may possibly require protection. For example, the Black-lip Pearl Oyster is already a Protected Species under State Law," stated Dr. Maria Haws, the Director of PACRC. Native oysters filter between 20 and 45 gallons of water per day, depending on their size, removing harmful pollutants including sediment, bacteria, heavy metals, PCBs, oil, microplastics, sunscreen chemicals and nutrients from the water column, which improves water clarity and quality. khon2.com Bioremediation: using microorganisms to clean up the environment FEMS Microbiology Ecology publishes high quality papers that make a significant contribution to the field, covering microorganisms in soil, aquatic and atmospheric habitats - including extreme environments - and includes natural, artificial and managed systems. The journal also supports a poster prize programme, through the Federation of European Microbiological Societies sponsored meetings initiative. blog.oup.com NRCP seeks replication of bioremediation tech among agencies By Ma. Cristina Arayata February 7, 2019, 8:09 pm Share MANILA -- The National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) seeks Congress' support in replicating the bioremediation technology developed by the University of the Philippines (UP), among government agencies, an executive has said. NRCP representatives, together with member Nelly Aggangan who developed the technology went to the House of Representatives on Thursday to present Aggangan's research project. Bioremediation is removing heavy metals and other toxic wastes from contaminated sites. pna.gov.ph Links added in 2018 A Vision for Stewardship The Vision Alignment Project visionalignmentproject.com I see a world where the earth's soils are restored to abundant, vibrant health; where soils that have been depleted and eroded away, the hardpan is soothed and healed; where desert boundaries are shrinking again and true soil is restored to each wounded place; where the microbiota, the plants and animal life unique to each place return to home and thrive; and where the plant and animal life out of place return to home or to the soil; each to its place, in balance in spirit and space. Renewed soils and forests call out to the mists, the rains and the dew and they respond in kind. Streams and springs are running full, clean and healthy. Our reefs and coastal stretches are cleansed of decades of soil and oil. We harvest and recycle the plastic patches in the sea. Our oceans and all that reside there are cleansed of toxins; the ocean teems with life again. The amazing biotic and energetic networks that once held all ecosystems and organisms in graceful and elegant balance are reconnected. Our hands work together and we all take up this loving work, this healing, in recognition of the blessed relationship we have with the earth and the universe. Our gardens and farms are restored to the wealth of diversity they once knew. We no longer need or use chemicals to grow food because we are tending the soil in the way that it needs us to. We are receiving bountiful, healthy, delicious food and in return we care for that which feeds us. Everyone is fulfilled in body or spirit; we all have access to clean water and good food. We share and support each others' wellbeing and in doing so, we need less and our abundance deepens. We place our care of the earth in the center of all our decision making and in that way we are also supported. We are listening, hearing and understanding the messages of the universe. In doing so, we become family once again. 4 Of The Germiest Places In Airports And On Flights Editor's note: the airlines could improve the quality of bacteria and other microbes found on their seats, fold-down trays, etc., by spaying with microbial cleaners. The TSA could improve the bacteria cultures of their bins, as well. No need for more anti-biotic cleaners, because they kill the good bacteria allowing more bad bacteria to thrive. TSA Bins In 2014, journalist Jeff Rossen and his investigative team took samples of surfaces in airports and planes as they hopped on three cross-country flights on different major airlines. Tested by microbiologists, the samples showed that TSA bins are particularly germy. One of them tested positive for "fecal matter at levels high enough to make people sick." This isn't all that surprising, considering people place their shoes in the bins. Akron-Canton Airport in Ohio started combating the spread of bacteria in TSA bins in September 2017 by partnering with a local hospital to use trays lined with self-cleaning orange mats and handles. huffingtonpost.com Bacterial communities use sophisticated strategy to communicate over long distances A theory known as "percolation" is now helping microbiologists at the University of California San Diego explain how communities of bacteria can effectively relay signals across long distances. Once regarded as a simple cluster of microorganisms, communities of bacteria—also called "biofilms"—have been found to utilize ion channels for electrochemical communication that helps the community thrive and survive threats, such as chemical attacks from antibiotics. The findings, led by Joseph Larkin and senior author Gürol Süel of UC San Diego, are published July 25 in the journal Cell Systems. phys.org Bacteria 'translator' allows bugs to talk to each other for first time The findings, from scientists at Imperial College London, allow bacteria that don't usually live together - such as those that normally live on the skin, and those that live in the sea, to communicate. The research, published in Nature Communications, could pave the way for engineering new bacteria systems to aid a number of processes, such as producing green energy. Dr. Guy-Bart Stan, co-lead author from the Department of Bioengineering, said: "In nature, bacteria happily communicate and cooperate with other bacteria they know and recognise - for instance brewing is sometimes only possible via different bacteria and yeasts working together." phys.org Autism risk determined by health of mom's gut, research reveals The risk of developing autism-spectrum disorders is determined by the mother's microbiome—the collection of microorganisms that naturally live inside us—during pregnancy, new research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine suggests. The work raises the possibility that preventing forms of autism could be as simple as an expectant mom modifying her diet or taking custom probiotics. medicalxpress.com The hidden hazards of antibiotic resistance genes in air According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 2 million people in the U.S. become infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria every year. Research has shown that antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) can move from bacteria to bacteria, or even from bacteria to the environment. For example, tetracycline-resistance genes have been found near animal feed operations, and β-lactam-resistance genes have been found in urban parks in California. These studies indicated that airborne transmission could be a factor in the spreading and exposure of ARGs. But current air pollution investigations typically don't take ARGs into account. So, Maosheng Yao and colleagues wanted to examine airborne ARGs on a global scale. Editor's Note: overuse of antibiotics can also cause cancer and other diseases. phys.org Scientists Develop Lab-Made Mineral That Will Suck CO2 From The Atmosphere Editor's note: we usually focus on natural materials, but this is just interesting, even though manmade. forbes.com/ What Even Is A "Natural Antibiotic"? Lots of plants make their own bacteria-fighting compounds to survive, and human beings can take advantage of this by eating them, Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD, professor of medicine and chief of the division of clinical nutrition at the University of California, Los Angeles says. refinery29.com Depleting microbiome with antibiotics can affect glucose metabolism A new study from the Salk Institute has found that mice that have their microbiomes depleted with antibiotics have decreased levels of glucose in their blood and better insulin sensitivity. The research has implications for understanding the role of the microbiome in diabetes. It also could lead to better insight into the side effects seen in people who are being treated with high levels of antibiotics. The study appeared in the journal Nature Communications on July 20, 2018. medicalxpress.com 'Stable marriages' between microbes, nutrients may explain diverse yet stable communities A mathematical model created by University of Illinois researchers could help scientists better understand an intriguing characteristic of microbial communities: their ability to achieve stability despite being so diverse. phys.org Evidence Mounts That Germs May Cause Alzheimer's In the end it will be microbes—bacteria, viruses and fungus—found to be at the root of all disease and aging, and specifically Alzheimer's, contends geneticist Dr. Rudolph "Rudy" Emile Tanzi. Editor's Note: maybe treatment can focus on replacing bad microbes with good microbes. forbes.com Ground rules: how to keep your soil happy and healthy theguardian.com Soil bugs munch on plastics Researchers at ETH Zurich and the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) have now shown in an interdisciplinary study that . . . soil microbes degrade films composed of the alternative polymer poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). Their work has just been published in the journal Science Advances. phys.org Fertilizer destroys plant microbiome's ability to protect against disease University of California, Berkeley, biologists found that spraying tomatoes with microbes from healthy tomatoes protected them from disease-causing bacteria, but that fertilizing the tomatoes beforehand negated the protection, leading to an increase in the population of pathogenic microbes on the plants' leaves. phys.org Use Tea Tree Oil to control bacteria for health and a clean home stylecaster.com Do bacteria ever go extinct? New research says yes, bigtime Bacteria go extinct at substantial rates, although appear to avoid the mass extinctions that have hit larger forms of life on Earth, according to new research from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Caltech, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The finding contradicts widely held scientific thinking that microbe taxa, because of their very large populations, rarely die off. The study, published today in Nature Ecology and Evolution, used massive DNA sequencing and big data analysis to create the first evolutionary tree encompassing a large fraction of Earth's bacteria over the past billion years. phys.org Eat high-fiber foods to reduce effects of stress on gut and behavior Eating high fibre foods may reduce the effects of stress on our gut and behaviour, according to new research published in The Journal of Physiology. medicalxpress.com Microbes in the Hong Kong subway system mix together by evening rush hour Every day, the hundred-mile-long Hong Kong subway system serves nearly five million people commuting from as far away as mainland China. On July 31 in the journal Cell Reports, researchers show how microbes from these diverse travelers mix throughout the day. While each subway line hosts a characteristic set of bacteria during morning rush hour, by evening, these unique bacteria join into one uniform microbiome populating the entire system. phys.org Hong Kong Subway Study Shows How Quickly Bacteria Travel Across a City gizmodo.com When you ride the subway you share bacteria with everyone in your city newscientist.com Scientists: Surprisingly small 'dead zone' off Louisiana NEW ORLEANS (AP) — This year's Gulf of Mexico "dead zone" is surprisingly small, but the oxygen-depleted water rose higher toward the surface than usual, scientists said Tuesday. Dead zones are areas in which water at and above the sea floor holds too little oxygen to support marine life. This dead zone is the fourth-smallest ever measured in Louisiana, and is only about 40 percent the average size predicted earlier this year based on nitrogen and other nutrients flowing down the Mississippi river. "Although the area is small this year, we should not think that the low-oxygen problem in the Gulf of Mexico is solved. We are not close to the goal size for this hypoxic area," said lead scientist Nancy Rabalais of Louisiana State University and the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium. The dead zone covers about 2,720 square miles (7,040 square kilometers), rising in some areas as much as three-quarters of the way to the surface, she said. The sea-floor area is about 50 percent larger than the goal set by the Mississippi River Nutrient/Hypoxia Task Force, she said. Each year's oxygen depletion begins as snowmelt, and followed by spring rains pouring from the Mississippi River into the gulf. The newly deposited fresh water is lighter than salt water, causing two layers to develop. Nitrogen and other nutrients in the fresh water feed a growth spurt of algae and microorganisms at the top. The microorganisms die and fall to the bottom, where their decay consumes oxygen from the bottom up. Winds over shallow areas of the dead zone probably mixed oxygen into water, Rabalais said, while other winds squeezed oxygen-poor water into narrower confines. apnews.com First global survey of soil genomics reveals a war between fungi and bacteria Soil is full of life, essential for nutrient cycling and carbon storage. To better understand how it functions, an international research team led by EMBL and the University of Tartu (Estonia) conducted the first global study of bacteria and fungi in soil. Their results show that bacteria and fungi are in constant competition for nutrients and produce an arsenal of antibiotics to gain an advantage over one another. The study can also help predict the impact of climate change on soil, and help us make better use of natural soil components in agriculture. Nature publishes the results on 1 August 2018. This graphic shows predicted North America costal changes in the best case scenario - if we do something about climate change now. nationalgeographic.com phys.org As temperatures rise, Earth's soil is 'breathing' more heavily The vast reservoir of carbon stored beneath our feet is entering Earth's atmosphere at an increasing rate, most likely as a result of warming temperatures, suggest observations collected from a variety of the Earth's many ecosystems. Blame microbes and how they react to warmer temperatures. Their food of choice—nature's detritus like dead leaves and fallen trees—contains carbon. When bacteria chew on decaying leaves and fungi chow down on dead plants, they convert that storehouse of carbon into carbon dioxide that enters the atmosphere. In a study published August 2 in Nature, scientists show that this process is speeding up as Earth warms and is happening faster than plants are taking in carbon through photosynthesis. The team found that the rate at which microbes are transferring carbon from soil to the atmosphere has increased 1.2 percent over a 25-year time period, from 1990 through 2014. phys.org Warmer soil releasing more carbon, worsening climate change apnews.com Natural Air Purifier Teams Up with Houseplants to Eliminate Indoor Pollutants dornob.com Australian Native Plants Could Clean Up Polluted Soils And Chemical Spills, A New Study Reveals Scientists discovered that Australian native plants could be used in biotechnology to decontaminate polluted soils and chemical spills. A new study indicates that plants such as Australian native plants could be used in biotechnology to clean up polluted soils and chemical spills, including radioactive isotopes. The research, which will be completed in November, is led by Megan Phillips, an environmental scientist from the University of Technology Sydney and other colleagues. They used the biotechnology referred to as "phytoremediation" that makes use of natural plant processes to make contaminated regions safe again, according to Phillips. inquisitr.com New genetically engineered yeast that could clean up heavy metal pollution A genetically engineered version of the fungus in your bread and beer could help clean up the environment. A team of seven scientists at institutions in Romania and Norway developed yeast that could clean up heavy metal pollution - and their research revealed the most effective strains are able to soak up 80 percent of metal ions. inhabitat.com "Living Ink" Laced with Microbes Makes Molecules on Demand 3-D printed gel contains bacteria that produce compounds for medicine or pollution cleanup Various types of microbes break down pollutants, synthesize useful compounds and carry out photosynthesis and other metabolic processes. "We thought 3-D printing might be a nice opportunity to structure these bacteria into functional materials," says Patrick Rühs, a postdoctoral researcher studying complex materials at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (E.T.H.) Zurich and an author of a new paper describing the process. It was published today in Science Advances. scientificamerican.com sciencemag.org Many more bacteria have electrically conducting filaments December 8, 2017 by Janet Lathrop, University of Massachusetts Amherst Microbiologists led by Derek Lovley at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, who is internationally known for having discovered electrically conducting microfilaments or "nanowires" in the bacterium Geobacter, announce in a new paper this month that they have discovered the unexpected structures in many other species, greatly broadening the research field on electrically conducting filaments. Details appear online in the International Society of Microbial Ecology Journal. news.google.com A microscopic fungus could mop up our Cold War-era nuclear waste This hardcore yeast thrives amidst acid and radiation. This strain of the yeast Rhodotorula taiwanensis could one day help clean up radioactive waste Reported January 8, 2018 in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology. popsci.com Bacteria-Basted Supertrees Are Sucking Pollution From Our Waste Sites good.is Enzyme discovery enables first-time microbial production of an aromatic biofuel phys.org Exploration of diverse bacteria signals big advance for gene function prediction In the air, beneath the ocean's surface, and on land, microbes are the minute but mighty forces regulating much of the planet's biogeochemical cycles. To better understand their roles, scientists work to identify these microbes and to determine their individual contributions. While advances in sequencing technologies have enabled researchers to access the genomes of thousands of microbes and make them publicly available, no similar shift has occurred with the task of assigning functions to the genes uncovered. phys.org One Researcher's Story Luka: Erceg: "Microbes are in the air we breathe; they cover every inch of our skin and the ground we walk on. In fact, an estimated one trillion species of microbes live on our planet, and 99.999 percent of them have yet to be discovered. Humans have always coexisted with microscopic life, but it's only now that we're realizing their potential to help solve our most pressing problems—and we've barely scratched the surface." scientificamerican.com Enzyme structures illuminate mechanism behind bacteria's bioremediation prowess This article describes the chemical reactions that take place when microbes eat pollutants - bioremediation. Yea for the good bacteria! phys.org HARApad RF+N Protection Against RF & Magnetic Radiation. Put the HARApad in your lap, then put the laptop, tablet, or phone in your the HARA pad $130 - a good investment in your health. Free shipping! filteremf.com Go directly to HARApad page: filteremf.com Pay with PayPal Call of the Forest (documentary) Watch the Documentary Bran plates and other tableware made of wheat bran biotrem.pl Instead of throwing away bran after processing wheat, a company in Poland is using the bran to make plates and table ware. These are biodegradable, even edible! You can buy them through Amazon: amazon.com Cardboard technology - including bicycles made of cardboard and recycled materials cardboardtech.com Some microbes increase across a range of diseases, so detection of them could give an early heads up that something's not right The number of studies that have found a link between a disease and a specific gut microbiome composition seems to be ever increasing. independent.co.uk Forests fill the air with more than just a fresh scent. Editor's note: we believe the tree chemicals help the earth, but so far science is figuring out whether they can blame trees for climate change. "Don't blame petroleum products" - "both sides do it: - etc. earthdata.nasa.gov thescienceexplorer.com The Shape and Layout of Cities Affect the Weather thescienceexplorer.com A huge number of mystery microbes are living on your skin newscientist.com The body: The great skin safari The savannah of human skin is an ecosystem as exotic as any on Earth. Take a fantastical tour of its terrifying and exotic denizens By Rowan Hooper newscientist.com New technology generates wind power from passing cars greencarreports.com flu.edu techcrunch.com autoblog.com bestclimatepractices.org kimroybailey.com inhabitat.com youtube youtube youtube youtube youtube Scientists discover a way to harvest fresh water from air, including in arid regions. Severe water shortages already affect many regions around the world, and are expected to get much worse as the population grows and the climate heats up. But a new technology developed by scientists at MIT and the University of California at Berkeley could provide a novel way of obtaining clean, fresh water almost anywhere on Earth, by drawing water directly from moisture in the air even in the driest of locations. The findings are reported in the journal Science by a team including MIT associate professor of mechanical engineering Evelyn Wang, MIT postdoc Sameer Rao, graduate student Hyunho Kim, research scientists Sungwoo Yang and Shankar Narayanan (currently at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute), and alumnus Ari Umans SM '15. The Berkeley co-authors include graduate student Eugene Kapustin, project scientist Hiroyasu Furukawa, and professor of chemistry Omar Yaghi. The key to the new system lies in the porous material itself, which is part of a family of compounds known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Invented by Yaghi two decades ago, these compounds form a kind of sponge-like configuration with large internal surface areas. mit.edu This new solar-powered device can pull water straight from the desert air sciencemag.org This Device Sucks Drinking Water Out of Dry Desert Air, Powered Only by The Sun sciencealert.com MIT's new device can pull water from desert air techcrunch.com Microbes with a reserve pack of sulfur May 4, 2018, Max Planck Society SUP05 bacteria are often found in places where there is really no basis for life for them. Researchers in Bremen have now discovered that they are even quite active there - possibly with consequences for the global nitrogen cycle. The bacteria travel with a "reserve pack." In addition, the researchers have deciphered the bacteria's genome. phys.org We May Be Able to Outsmart Superbugs Using Their Own Defenses pbs.org Bacteria may be powerful weapon against antibiotic resistance Some microbes are able to "eat" antibiotics, using them as a nutritious food to grow and multiply salon.com Applying live bacteria to skin improves eczema Atopic dermatitis, more commonly known as eczema, is an inflammatory skin disease that makes skin dry and itchy, causes rashes and leads to skin infections. The cause is unknown, but earlier studies conclude that the skin microbiome - the community of all the bacteria and other microorganisms living on the surface of the skin - plays a major role. salon.com Protein found in tobacco plant has potential to fight life-threatening infectious diseases May 17, 2018, La Trobe University medicalexpress.com Mars-Like Acid Streams Could Help Find Traces Of Past Martian Life ibtimes.com Can Abigail Allwood Find Life on Mars? She made her name identifying the earliest accepted proof of life on Earth. Now NASA is counting on her to repeat the trick. theatlantic.com New Microbe Lineage Discovered In Yellowstone Could Explain Origin Of Life By Shubham Sharma ibtimes.com HARApad RF+N | Protection Against RF & Magnetic Radiation & HeatProbiotics might help your allergies, but we're still not sure how We're still figuring out how the bugs in your gut make you sniffle. Editor's Note: maybe this would explain it - if you want to be healthy build up your immune system and get off drugs popsci.com How bacteria behave differently in humans compared to the lab phys.org Sterol-producing bacteria may change interpretation of geological history phys.org Babies should mix with other children to lower leukaemia risk Not encountering the right germs during the first year of life may be one of the main causes of the most common form of childhood leukaemia. Mel Greaves, at the Institute of Cancer Research in London, has suggested that acute lymphoblastic leukaemia could be prevented by priming infants' immune systems by exposing them to harmless microbes. newscientist.com Chimp Beds Are Way Less Filthy Than Human Beds gizmodo.com smithsonianmag.com A hidden world of communication, chemical warfare, beneath the soil May 22, 2018 by Eric Hamilton, University of Wisconsin-Madison phys.org Yellowstone Microbe Discovery May Help Finally Explain the Origin of Life on Earth newsweek.com phys.org gut microbiome in colon cancer medicalxpress.com How the gut influences neurologic disease May 16, 2018, Brigham and Women's Hospital medicalxpress.com Gut bacteria play key role in anti-seizure effects of ketogenic diet May 24, 2018, University of California, Los Angeles medicalxpress.com Fluid dynamics may play key role in evolution of cooperation May 22, 2018 by Jessica Sieff, University of Notre Dame In a new study, physicists at the University of Notre Dame examined how the mechanical properties of an environment may shape the social evolution of microbial populations. Through computer simulations and analytical calculations, they determined the necessary properties of diffusion and flow that allow microbes to evolve stable social behavior. Their findings also allow for speculation that the evolution of single-cell organisms to multicellular organisms may have taken place in flowing fluids like rivers or streams as opposed to larger bodies of water such as oceans and lakes. "Microbes form groups, like little villages," said Dervis Can Vural, assistant professor in the Department of Physics at Notre Dame. "If a cheater mutant emerges in one, its descendants will multiply at the cost of others, and spread like a tumor. Such non-cooperating groups will grow weak and die." phys.org Virus genes from city pond rescue bacteria May 28, 2018, Uppsala University "We found a new, unexpected mechanism whereby genes from bacteriophages enable bacteria to use their hidden potential and establish a new function," says researcher and lead author Jon Jerlström-Hultqvist. phys.org Study finds gut microbiome can control antitumor immune function in liver May 24, 2018, National Cancer Institute Scientists have found a connection between bacteria in the gut and antitumor immune responses in the liver. Their study, published May 25 in Science, was led by researchers in the Center for Cancer Research (CCR) at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). medicalxpress.com Gut microbiome-mediated bile acid metabolism regulates liver cancer via NKT cells sciencemag.org Algae Living inside Salamanders Aren't Happy about the Situation The world's only known vertebrate-microbe symbiosis appears to be good for the salamander, but stressful for the alga. So why do they put up with it? scientificamerican.com A better B1 building block May 25, 2018, North Carolina State University New NC State research shows that a little-studied B1 precursor, or component, called cHET can be easily taken up and used in extremely small concentrations by marine microorganisms such as phytoplankton, as well as by plants. phys.org Gut microbes may reduce heart disease risk, shows new research A low diversity of gut bacteria may help explain heart attacks in young people, women and certain ethnic groups independent.co.uk Vivid algae lights the way in Sydney, as festival kicks off a new way of thinking By Nicole Chettle The humble microorganism has been given a neon makeover - and, from tonight, is taking centre stage at Vivid Sydney as part of the first living exhibit in the festival's 10-year history. University of Technology (UTS) Sydney professor of marine biology Peter Ralph said the aim was to start a conversation about the benefits of algae. abc.net.au Opinion: Tesla's space-cruising Roadster is carrying a huge load of Earth's germs By H. Jay Melosh and Alina Alexeenko marketwatch.com How stratospheric life is teaching us about the possibility of extreme life on other worlds May 25, 2018 by Starre Vartan, Astrobiology Magazine phys.org Phosphorus nutrition can hasten plant and microbe growth in arid, high elevation sites Glacial retreat in cold, high-altitude ecosystems exposes environments that are extremely sensitive to phosphorus input, new University of Colorado Boulder-led research shows. The finding upends previous ecological assumptions, helps scientists understand plant and microbe responses to climate change and could expand scientists' understanding of the limits to life on Earth. The study, which was recently published in the journal Science Advances, found that even in mountainous terrain above 17,000 feet above sea level, where soils freeze every night of the year, the addition of phosphorus resulted in rapid growth of plants and photosynthetic microbes, allowing them to overcome the chilly, arid climate. phys.org 'Best Hope' For Life On Mars: New Study Tells NASA Exactly Where To Look For Microbial Life On The Red Planet inquisitr.com Bloom Science Plans to Advance Microbial Treatment for Epilepsy xconomy.com Broccoli in space = how probiotics could help grow veggies in microgravity May 28, 2018, University of Washington A new experiment will test whether microbes can help broccoli grow better in challenging conditions in space. phys.org Could we work together with our bacteria to stop infection? May 29, 2018, University of Oxford The benefits of antibiotics to both human and animal health are undisputed. However, as microbes have become increasingly resistant to antimicrobials and other drugs, scientists have become interested in new solutions to the growing superbug crisis, including the use of defensive microbes and faecal transplants. In new research, Oxford University scientists have developed a lab-based approach, creating positive co-dependent relationships between hosts and bacteria, termed 'mutualisms', quickly. These lab-developed bacterial relationships demonstrate how microbes can work with their hosts to prevent infection. Editor's Note: you don't need to transplant poop. Just eat a healthy diet that includes fruit, vegetables - basically a non-corporate diet. phys.org Scientists use dietary seaweed to manipulate gut bacteria in mice May 9, 2018, Stanford University Medical Center medicalxpress.com Popular antibacterial ingredient linked to IBD and gut bacteria issues Brittany A. Roston A popular antimicrobial ingredient found in a variety of consumer hygiene and health products, including soaps and toothpaste, has been linked to health problems. According to a newly published study, the ingredient triclosan may alter gut bacteria leading to other health issues, including colon inflammation and "exaggerated disease development." The study comes from Guodong Zhang and colleagues at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. According to the study, the anti-bacterial ingredient triclosan can cause colonic inflammation when administered in short-term low doses. As well, the ingredient was linked with an exaggerated disease development related to both colon cancer associated with colitis and colitis itself. slashgear.com This common toothpaste ingredient could be wreaking havoc on your gut Triclosan is everywhere, but its days seem to be numbered. A new study, published in Science Translation Medicine on Wednesday, suggests that triclosan exposure could increase rates of colitis and colon cancer. popsci.com Mouse study links triclosan, a common antimicrobial, to colonic inflammation May 30, 2018, University of Massachusetts Amherst medicalxpress.com Antifungal drug resistance is a ticking global time-bomb slashgear.com Resistance to antifungal drugs could lead to disease and global food shortages medicalxpress.com Researchers devise new way to discern what microbes eat May 30, 2018 by Mick Kulikowski, North Carolina State University phys.org Art News Using the visual metaphor of a coral reef, artist Rogan Brown (previously) introduces his audience to the diverse bacteria, archaea, fungi found in the human body through paper-based sculptures. The detailed works are created after months of research and hunting for aesthetic parallels that might link the two surprisingly similar worlds. His series Magical Circle Variations merge these sources of inspiration with a pastel color scheme that can also be found in a coral habitat. "What the reef and the microbiome have in common is that they both consist of biodiverse colonies of organisms that coexist more or less harmoniously," Brown explains. "There are further parallels between coral and human beings in that we are both symbiont organisms, that is we depend on a mutually beneficial relationship with another species: coral only receive their beautiful colors from varieties of algae that live on them and human beings can only exist thanks to the unimaginably huge and diverse number of bacteria that live in and on them." thisiscolossal.com Chemical-feasting bacteria remove likely carcinogen from contaminated water June 4, 2018, New Jersey Institute of Technology Now, scientists at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) have uncovered a rare enzyme in bacteria with the ability to degrade the "likely human carcinogen" and water contaminant, 1,4-dioxane. Researchers say the discovery could help lead to more effective means for treatment of water contaminated by this highly-soluble chemical, known for its resistance to conventional water purification and treatment efforts. The research is featured in the American Chemical Society journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters. "Many products we use every day use a mixture of more than 100 chemicals, and we don't realize that some of them contain traces of 1,4-dioxane that are washed down our drains and released into the environment," said Dr. Mengyan Li, assistant professor of chemistry and environmental science at NJIT. "A one-time exposure isn't extremely toxic, but contamination in drinking water can have a chronic effect that raises cancer risk. "What we are doing is studying microbes that actually consume this contaminant as their food," Li explained. "We hope this research can attract public attention to the idea that bacteria can be very effective in removing contaminants like 1,4-dioxane from the environment or via engineered venues." In their study, Li and NJIT research colleagues Daiyong Deng and Fei Li analyzed a key enzyme associated with the unusual metabolic abilities of Mycobacterium dioxanotrophicus PH-06 = a microbe capable of feeding on 1,4-dioxane as its primary source of energy. phys.org Tesla Powerwall Compact, affordable and simple to install, Powerwall 2 charges during the day and powers your home in the evening when integrated with rooftop solar panels. tesla.com tesla.com 10 home batteries competing with Tesla Powerwall 2 - Business Insider businessinsider.com Carbon Farming Carbon farming involves implementing practices that are known to improve the rate at which CO2 is removed from the atmosphere and converted to plant material and soil organic matter. Carbon farming is successful when carbon gains resulting from enhanced land management or conservation practices exceed carbon losses. marincarbonproject.org modernfarmer.com carboncycle.org carbonfarmingsolution.com futurefarmers.com.au ecowatch.com theconversation.com Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide can be lowered either by reducing emissions or by taking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and storing in terrestrial, oceanic, or freshwater aquatic ecosystems. A sink is defined as a process or an activity that removes greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. fao.org Regenerative Agriculture Regenerative Agriculture is a system of farming principles and practices that increases biodiversity, enriches soils, improves watersheds, and enhances ecosystem services. regenerationinternational.org wikepedia regenerativeagriculturedefinition.com drawdown.org newfarm.rodaleinstitute.org rodaleinstitute.org draxe.com greenamerica.org 5 countries dump more plastic into the oceans than the rest of the world combined China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam are spewing out as much as 60 percent of the plastic waste that enters the world's seas. pri.org How trees, fungi, and bacteria team up against pollution Roots, fungi, and bacteria may team up to help some trees to clean polluted land, according to a new study. Fast-growing trees, such as willows, are known to tolerate and even rejuvenate soil contaminated with petroleum by-products or heavy metals. The clean-up of soil in this way is known as phytoremediation, a process is commonly attributed to "secondary metabolism"—the production of specialized compounds in plants that helps them cope with environmental stress. futurity.org High Hydrocarbon Fraction In A Multiphase Airlift Bioreactor: Direct Interfacial Is The Predominant Mode Of Hydrocarbon Uptake By A Microbial Consortium sciencetrends.com Jacobs Helps Restore Landscape at The Avenue Coking Works in the UK markets.businessinsider.com Dutch centre that produces energy from seaweed collaborating with the UAE Sun and sea are the way forward in clean energy, says the Energy Research Centre that is bringing cutting-edge solutions to Expo 2020 thenational.ae Microbial Biotechnology in Environmental Monitoring and Cleanup A new book on the advances in microbial biotechnology in environmental monitoring and clean-up has just be published by IGI Global. The book is part of the Advances in Environmental Engineering and Green Technologies Book Series. hazmatmag.com Microbial Biotechnology in Environmental Monitoring and Cleanup Tiny microbes make a surprisingly big contribution to carbon release AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE Press Release As erosion eats away at Earth's surface, some types of rocks release carbon they contain back into the atmosphere - and now a new study suggests that microbes play a substantial role in this release. The finding may help scientists better understand how carbon is cycled between the ground and atmosphere over million-year time scales. eurekalert.org The human microbiome: why our microbes could be key to our health A plethora of conditions, from obesity to anxiety, appear to be linked to the microbes inside us. Nicola Davis explains why the microbiome is such a hot topic of research theguardian.com interstitium The interstitium is a contiguous fluid-filled space existing between the skin and the body organs, including muscles and the circulatory system. The fluid in this space—called interstitial fluid composed of extracellular fluid and its solutes—drains into the lymph system. wikipedia Newfound 'organ' could be the biggest in your body cnn.com Is the Interstitium Really a New Organ? A study confirms that the spaces between cells are fluid-filled, rather than tightly packed with connective tissue, but pathologists say the findings' implications remain to be seen. the-scientist.com Could You Fight Off Worms? Depends On Your Gut Microbes Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis made the discovery after studying the microbiomes of individuals from Liberia and Indonesia. They found that the guts of individuals infected with parasites share common microbes—even if they live in completely different geographic locations. Similarly, healthy individuals whose bodies can clear out parasites without treatment seem to share a common gut bacteria. npr.org Why microbes are better than people at keeping DNA mutations at bay sciencemag.org More than half your body is not human Human cells make up only 43% of the body's total cell count. The rest are microscopic colonists. Understanding this hidden half of ourselves - our microbiome - is rapidly transforming understanding of diseases from allergy to Parkinson's. bbc.com Life on toxic Venus? Acid-loving microbes could thrive in clouds Acid-loving microbes may have evolved in the thick, highly-acidic clouds swirling round Venus, and might even still be there. Prospects for Venusian life have generally been dismissed because of the harsh conditions on the planet's surface. But discoveries of ever more microbes on Earth that live in highly acidic conditions is strengthening the case that life may be able to thrive in Venus's dense cloud layer. About 50 kilometres above the planet's hellish surface, sulphuric acid clouds have both milder temperatures newscientist.com Microbes in the Gut Influence Neurodegeneration Researchers from the University of Louisville and from the University of Michigan have been studying the ways in which the intestinal microbiota plays a role in the pathogenic cascade of neurodegenerative disorders. They describe a process of microbiota-associated proteopathy and neuroinflammation, which they term "mapranosis." This concept describes how proteins and other metabolites, produced by gut microbes, influence functions in the brain. medscape.com "Good bacteria" - what are they, will they make me healthy and how do I get some? [humor] To find out I took the unusual , and rather disgusting, step of donating my poo to science. Microbes live on, and in, all of us and they even outnumber our own human cells. But their favourite spot - and where they live in incredible numbers - is our digestive system. bbc.com Bugs, microbes and death can inform the living A new study shows that the postmortem microbiome -- populations of micro-organisms that move in after death -- can provide crucial insights into public health. What's telling is that regardless of many factors -- sex, ethnicity or even type of death -- the microbiome is consistent and distinct, depending on the number of days after death. sciencedaily.com Fossilized Brains Called into Question, Might be Microbes Authors of a new study suggest that 520-million-year-old structures, previously identified as the brains of ancient arthropods, are instead preserved microbial biofilms. the-scientist.com Gut Microbes Can Help Insects Beat Pesticides In 2017, researchers discovered that the oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) had developed resistance to the insecticide trichlorphon thanks to a species of symbiotic bacteria, Citrobacter freundii, in its gut that helps the fly degrade the chemical. A new review paper in the new review paper published in the Annals of the Entomological Society of America compiles this case and other existing research on the links between insect symbionts and insecticide resistance. (Merle Shepard, Gerald R.Carner, and P.A.C Ooi, Insects and their Natural Enemies Associated with Vegetables and Soybean in Southeast Asia, Bugwood.org) entomologytoday.org Remediation Progressing At Contaminated Groundwater Site [Michigan] The site of a former gas company where contaminated groundwater was discovered in Hartland Township is undergoing cleanup, which officials say appears to be going well. In 2015, a chemical called sulfolane was found to have leached into the soil and underlying groundwater on property once occupied by the Merit Energy gas processing plant. The discovery was made at the five acre parcel at Lone Tree and Pleasant Valley Road while the plant was being decommissioned. Merit took action by sampling residential wells and installing monitoring wells to determine the extent of the contamination, which was later determined to be confined to the site. whmi.com Global Bioremediation Technology & Services Market: Demand for Natural Methods of Removing or Neutralizing Contamination to Stoke Growth Bioremediation is a scientific waste management process that uses various, fungi, microorganisms, green plants and their enzymes to reinstate the environment to its original state after removing pollutants from a contaminated site. Bioremediation of water and soil, which is polluted by oil and other industrial waste; is performed by a variety of microorganisms that survive on hydrocarbons. Degradation of pollutants by bacterial microorganisms breaks down the hazardous substances into less toxic biodegradable substances. However, not all pollutants and contaminants are treated by bioremediation using microorganisms. newspharmaceuticals.com The first Bioremediation Center opens in Bosnia and Herzegovina The Center for bioremediation of soil contaminated with oil and petroleum products opened today in Lukavac as the first plant of this kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region, which will enable analyses of the soil and reduction of the amount of pollutants by using natural processes. The center will conduct the soil analyses in two ways, 'ex-situ' and 'in-situ' methods, and the process of bioremediation will begin with the excavation and transportation of the contaminated soil into this center, while the entire procedure for verifying the quality of the soil will last from six to 12 months. In addition to the improvement of the state of the environment, this facility opens up new opportunities for significant remediation procedures, which are highly needed in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The company Kemis BH, which built the center in cooperation with Czech company Dekonta, has obtained an environmental permit for this facility. eng.belta.by Bioremediation: Cultivating microbes to clear our oil mess Researchers from National Institute of Technology, Durgapur and Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur in West Bengal, with support from Department of Biotechnology, Government of India,have shown that the one way to efficiently deal with oil sludge, is to cultivate suitable microbes using nutrients, which then disintegrate the contaminants in the sludge. researchmatters.in Biologists have found an oil-hungry bacterium that's ideal for oil spill cleanup Researchers from the University of Quebec's National Institute of Scientific Research certainly think it could. For the past several years, a research team including Professor Satinder Kaur Brar, Dr. Tarek Rouissi, and others have been searching for the perfect strain of bacteria to munch up large quantities of oil. The results might be a simple, effective and eco-friendly approach to decontaminating the site of oil spills. digitaltrends.com Researchers Pinpoint Oil-Eating Bacterium That May One Day Clean Up Massive Spills According to the Biochemical Engineering Journal paper, a variety of hydrocarbons—including motor oil, hexadecane, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, you name it—can be broken down by purified A. borkumensis enzymes. Not only that, but the biodegradation process itself is remarkably efficient, particularly compared to other bacteria's similar enzymes. iflscience.com Ex-situ biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons using Alcanivorax borkumensis enzymes sciencedirect.com Bad Antibodies Made Good The 'bad apples' of the immune system are also its secret weapon, according to major Australian research published today in the world-leading journal Science. In a world first, scientists from Sydney's Garvan Institute of Medical Research have revealed how a population of 'bad' antibodies in the immune system - which are usually 'silenced' because they can harm the body - can provide crucial protection against invading microbes. The research was carried out in mice. technologynetworks.com Germinal center antibody mutation trajectories are determined by rapid self/foreign discrimination Deborah L. Burnett, David B. Langley, Peter Schofield, Jana R. Hermes, Tyani D. Chan science.sciencemag.org Microbes Come to the Rescue to Reduce Hospital Waste Hospital waste management is no laughing matter, given that one hospital bed can produce up to 0.5 kg of waste per day. A Dutch technology is using microbes to optimize the process with anaerobic digestion. labiotech.eu Microbial Life: A Universe at the Edge of Sight - exhibit We can't see this microscopic universe with the naked eye, or feel it on our skin. Though we may fear the very thought of these organisms, they essentially keep us and our world alive. Two Harvard scientists are leading a mission to increase the understanding that microbes not only were the evolutionary engineers of life on this planet billions of years ago, but are still our allies today. Roberto Kolter, professor of microbiology and immunobiology emeritus at HMS and director of Harvard's Microbial Sciences Initiative, and Scott Chimileski, a research fellow and microbiology photographer at the Medical School, teamed up to share discoveries from across the field in the new exhibition "Microbial Life: A Universe at the Edge of Sight." news.harvard.edu Specific bacteria in the small intestine are crucial for fat absorption A high-fat diet promotes growth of the microbes that boost lipid digestion and absorption A new study - one of a few to concentrate on microbes in the upper gastrointestinal tract - shows how the typical calorie-dense western diet can induce expansion of microbes that promote the digestion and absorption of high-fat foods. Over time, the steady presence of these microbes can lead to over-nutrition and obesity. sciencedaily.com Gut Microbiota Regulates Dietary Fat Digestion And Absorption Gut microbes facilitate production and secretion of digestive enzymes into the small bowel, according to a new study. reliawire.com First land plants were parasitized by microbes By studying liverworts—which diverged from other land plants early in the history of plant evolution—researchers from the Sainsbury Laboratory at the University of Cambridge have found that the relationship between plants and filamentous microbes not only dates back millions of years, but that modern plants have maintained this ancient mechanism to accommodate and respond to microbial invaders. astrobio.net sciencedaily.com What microbes in dead bodies can tell us about the living The postmortem microbiome, populations of micro-organisms that move in after death, can provide crucial insights into public health, a new study shows. futurity.org Sewage microbes make a fuel booster : Research Highlights nature.com Wide range of drugs affect growth of gut microbes, study says | Science | The Guardian A wide range of drugs from cancer therapies to antipsychotics affect the growth of microbes that are found in our gut, researchers say, highlighting that it is not only antibiotics that can have an impact on our internal flora. These microbes, whose genes taken together are known as the gut microbiome, play an important role in our health, including for our immune system and our digestion, and have been linked to a host of diseases such as autoimmune conditions, obesity and mood disorders. While, perhaps unsurprisingly, antibiotics are already known to affect the biodiversity of our gut microbes, in recent years scientists have found that a number of drugs designed to act on human cells—rather than bacteria—also appear to interfere with them. For instance, scientists found that one of the ways the diabetes drug metformin works might be by encouraging the growth of certain bacteria. theguardian.com Researchers prove complex connection between plants and what soil microbes eat "For more than a century, it's been known that plants influence the makeup of their soil microbiome, in part through the release of metabolites into the soil surrounding their roots," said Berkeley Lab postdoctoral researcher Kateryna Zhalnina, the study's lead author. "Until now, however, it was not understood whether the contents of this cocktail released by plants was matched by the feeding preferences of soil microbes in a way that would allow plants to guide the development of their external microbiome." Read more at: phys.org Square Root - Kimbal Musk - Square Roots farmers grow GMO-free, spray-free, leafy greens in indoor farms, right in the heart of Brooklyn. squarerootsgrow.com Miscanthus: The Seeds to Grow a Sustainable, Low-Carbon Economy Renewable energy now represents 24.6% of total electricity generation in the UK (DUKES 2017) with the UK exceeding its third interim Renewable Energy Directive (RED) target for percentage of total energy generation from renewables (8.9% in 2016 compared to the target of 7.5%). Bioenergy makes up by far the largest proportion of that renewable fuel use with around a quarter of this provided by plant biomass with the majority of this imported from North America, Canada and Europe in the form of wood pellets. labmate-online.com Heady Culture Artist Profile: Laura Sullivan Hardwick-based textile artist Laura Sullivan reached out to us recently to share some of the hemp and cannabis-friendly t-shirts she'd created, and the whole Heady team was so captivated by her work that we thought we'd share her story with the good citizens of Heady Nation! Working with hemp fibers is what I believe to be my true reason for being. I know cannabis is our ally, and the medicine the planet herself is calling for in these times given that our major sources of monoterpenes, namely the marine phytoplankton and boreal forests, are being depleted and also that cannabis cleans soil through phytoremediation. So I am here to say, "cannabis is wholesome" and help others to see the true magic we've been gifted. headyvermont.com More press releases Press Release NC Hemp Industry May Play a Major Role in Thwarting Invasive Species Onslaught in North America digitaljournal.com Could hemp plastic save our planet? We need to embrace Hemp or suffer the consequences. Hemp plastic is a biodegradable, sustainable, and non-toxic alternative to petroleum-based plastics that are littering our environment. So why aren't more people talking about it? Hemp is one of the most versatile plants on the planet. Not only can it be used to make medicine, like CBD oil, but it can be turned into fiber for things like clothes and paper, its seeds are incredibly nutritious and it can be used as a fuel source. But did you know that its stalks can be used to make hemp plastic? As plastic continues to pollute our environment, many are looking to hemp plastic as an alternative. 5 Lesser Known Uses for Hemp By Danny Reed #1 Phytoremediation (Decontaminating Soil) help us reverse environmental damage caused by our modern industrial age #2 BioFuel In 2010, researchers at the University of Connecticut concluded that hemp could be a viable source of biodiesel. #3 Industrial Plastics Hemp-based plastics are just as strong (possibly stronger) as traditional plastic but are comprised of biodegradable plant material . . . so no floating garbage continents. #4 Clothing #5 Lifestock Feed mgretailer.com Bengaluru to get 12 MLD water from T.G. Halli reservoir by year-end Minister for Bengaluru Development and Town Planning K.J. George laid the foundation stone for a natural biological system recycling unit at Hessarghatta on Wednesday. The recycling system will treat water from Hessarghatta lake going into the T.G. Halli reservoir. thehindu.com New Textbook Advances in Microbial Physiology, Vol 71—Biology and Life Sciences, Microbiology, Science Books Industries The book contains updates in the field . . . The role of plant growth-promoting bacteria in metal phytoremediation satprnews.com 5 Lesser Known Uses for Hemp By Danny Reed #1 Phytoremediation (Decontaminating Soil) help us reverse environmental damage caused by our modern industrial age #2 BioFuel In 2010, researchers at the University of Connecticut concluded that hemp could be a viable source of biodiesel. #3 Industrial Plastics Hemp-based plastics are just as strong (possibly stronger) as traditional plastic but are comprised of biodegradable plant material . . . so no floating garbage continents. mgretailer.com Jane Philbrick of TILL discussing the importance of getting young people and artists involved in the process of remediating brownfield sites and learning how developments fail or succeed. Philbrick explained that she and her group created a model of remediating brownfield sites that consists of using state and federal money to decontaminate the property with a method called "phytoremediation," where plants are used to remove the lead, zinc and other chemicals that have drained into the soil. Philbrick said their model also requires private developers to build commercial space and intergenerational housing in order to attract a younger demographic that would start families in the area. sheltonherald.com Nanotechnology: Incorporating Modern Knowledge Is Critical For Sustainable Agriculture In modern agriculture, sustainable production and efficiency are unimaginable without the use of agrochemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, etc. Nanomaterials not only directly catalyze degradation of waste and toxic materials, but it also aids the efficiency of microorganisms in degradation of waste and toxic materials. Bioremediation uses living organisms to break down or remove toxins and harmful substances from agricultural soil and water. In particular, some other terms are also generally used such as bioremediation (beneficial microbes), phytoremediation (plants), and mycoremediation (fungi and mushrooms). Thus, with the bioremediation the heavy metals can be removed from soil and water environmentally and efficiently by microorganisms (Dixit et al., 2015). blogs.dunyanews.tv Mushroom farmer still chasing morel dream myjournalcourier.com North Hills students advance to state science competition Senior Lauren Rebel and freshman Hannah Sciulli won first-place honors at the regional competition at Duquesne University and will compete at the state competition in May at Pennsylvania State University. Rebel's winning experiment was called "Microbial Bioremediation of Toxic Pollution." Sciulli's winning entry was called "Bacteria in Our Waterways." triblive.com County: Substance in creek not harmful Officials say a foam-like substance discovered in a creek Tuesday in eastern Davidson County does not pose harm to the community or environment. The substance, found in the creek near the intersection of N.C. Highway 109 and Liberty Church Lane, was determined to be an organic, non-surfactant soap, used in the operation of soil regeneration, Davidson County Emergency Management said in a news release. County officials who investigated the substance Tuesday morning traced it back to AES, a bioremediation company with a site for soil regeneration on Cunningham Road, according to the news release. The owner of the company was on site Tuesday cleaning up the substance, county officials said. North Carolina Emergency Management and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality have also been on site and will be following up with the owner of the company. the-dispatch.com Environmental Remediation Technology Market Analysis, Revenue, Price, Market Share, Growth Rate, Forecast by 2022 factsweek.com Future of the China Bioremediation Technology Market—Growth, Latest Trend & Forecast 2022 islandpostgazette.com Remediating China's Polluted Soils: An Ambitious Endeavour INCLUDING Growing cleansing plants that will induce phytoremediation—certain plants (e.g. sunflowers, willow and Pelargonium) take up and store pollutants in their above-ground parts. These plants can be harvested and the materials used for other purposes, such as timber for building and construction or as biofuels. futuredirections.org.au Steve Zayko of PM Environmental Wins Engineer of the Year Award Currently, Zayko is Manager of Technical Services and Senior Engineer at PM Environmental, Inc. He specializes in innovative technologies, risk assessment, bioremediation, and corrective action/response activity design and implementation. markets.businessinsider.com A surface-display biohybrid approach to light-driven hydrogen production in air Solar-to-chemical production by artificial and bioinspired photosynthetic systems is of tremendous interest to help solve current global energy and environmental problems. We developed a bioinorganic hybrid system for photocatalytic hydrogen production under aerobic conditions by combining light-harvesting semiconductors, hydrogenase catalysis, and self-aggregation of whole bacterial cells. We induced hydrogen production via self-photosynthesis in engineered Escherichia coli cells, which were originally designed for bioremediation, with in situ biosynthesis of biocompatible cadmium sulfide nanoparticles using a surface-display system. We also introduced a biomimetic silica encapsulation strategy into the engineered E. coli cells, enabling this hybrid system to continuously produce hydrogen for 96 hours, even under natural aerobic conditions. This biohybrid catalytic approach may serve as a general strategy for solar-to-chemical production. advances.sciencemag.org Scientists in Bihar identify bacteria that can naturally treat arsenic in groundwater downtoearth.org.in Study: Bacteria reduces concentration of arsenic in groundwater timesofindia.indiatimes.com To remove foul odour emanating from Mithi River, MMRDA to use 'debris collection mechanism' The MMRDA has used the technology based on the bioremediation measures to remove the pollutants which are basically organic in nature from the polluted water. In this project odour control is being carried out through bioremediation method. freepressjournal.in Yeast May Aid In Acidic Liquid Radioactive Waste Removal A new study suggests yeast as a potentially safer and more cost effective way to help clean up these radioactive waste sites. The study, "Prospects for Fungal Bioremediation of Acidic Radioactive Waste Sites: Characterization and Genome Sequence of Rhodotorula taiwanensis MD1149," was published in Frontiers in Microbiology in January. tanktransport.com Study: frontiersin.org Dr. Laura Lackey Named Dean of Mercer School of Engineering Prior to coming to Mercer, Dr. Lackey spent six years at the Tennessee Valley Authority as an environmental/chemical engineer, where she conducted both basic and applied research with emphasis on the mitigation of organic wastes through bioremediation, and two years as an adjunct professor of environmental engineering at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. news.mercer.edu INTACH recommends 'Assi Nadi method' to clean Hussainsagar HYDERABAD: The Delhi chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has recommended bioremediation methods for cleaning up the historic Hussainsagar and the four natural streams feeding it. timesofindia.indiatimes.com Researchers Develop Methods to Clean Polluted Groundwater A recent research study applied experimental data and mathematical models to understand some of the limitations of biodegradation of toxic pollutants that are frequently found in contaminated aquifers labmanager.com Despite HC directions, bioremediation of dumping site near Tawi yet to begin Swarming birds still posing threat to aircrafts Posted on 20/02/2018 by Dailyexcelsior No headway on setting up of Solid Waste Mgmt Plant at new place dailyexcelsior.com Proposed soil bioremediation facility near Happy Valley-Goose Bay up for environmental assessment northernpen.ca Gross misunderstanding: The invisible world of 'Microbial Life' brewster.wickedlocal.com Gut microbes protect against sepsis: Mouse study Sepsis occurs when the body's response to the spread of bacteria or toxins to the bloodstream damages tissues and organs. The fight against sepsis could get a helping hand from a surprising source: gut bacteria. Researchers found that giving mice particular microbes increased blood levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies, which protected against the kind of widespread bacterial invasion that leads to sepsis. sciencedaily.com New company brings together microbes & genomics to improve health, agriculture & industry The biotechnology company Microomics is a spin-off from the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) and the Catalan Institute for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA) specialized in microbiome analysis eurekalert.org 1.6-Billion-Year-Old Breath of Life Frozen in Stone A nondescript series of pockmarks in rock is actually the captured breath of microbes from 1.6 billion years ago. The fossils come from fossilized mats of microbes found in central India. Most of the microbes are cyanobacteria, according to new research published Jan. 30 in the journal Geobiology. livescience.com Evidence of oxygenic phototrophy in ancient phosphatic stromatolites from the Paleoproterozoic Vindhyan and Aravalli Supergroups, India onlinelibrary.wiley.com The silent microbiome crisis It is a crisis some scientists believe has similar proportions to climate change, but it gets much less coverage: Microbes are disappearing from our bodies. Our microbial genes are critical to the regulation of our metabolism, to the ability of our immune system to fight off infection and to the production of the neurotransmitters that power our brain and nervous system. washingtonpost.com Harvard exhibit offers close-up look at microbes University's Museum of Natural History explores the crucial role they plan to sustain life on earth. providencejournal.com Taming biofuel-loving microbes Microbes may help clean up biofuels stored over long periods eurekalert.org Gut microbes linked to severity of intestinal parasitic worm infections A new study indicates that the kinds of microbes living in the gut influence the severity and recurrence of parasitic worm infections in developing countries. The findings, by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, suggest that manipulating the gut's microbial communities may protect against intestinal parasites, which affect more than 1 billion people worldwide. news-medical.net Gut microbes linked to severity of intestinal parasitic infections: study xinhuanet.com Self-driving robots collect water samples to create snapshots of ocean microbes For the first time, scientists will deploy a small fleet of long-range autonomous underwater vehicles (LRAUVs) that have the ability to collect and archive seawater samples automatically. These new robots will allow researchers to track and study ocean microbes in unprecedented detail. sciencedaily.com Next-gen autonomous subs set to study microbes newatlas.com High-fibre diet can help treat Type 2 diabetes Promotion of a select group of gut bacteria by a diet high in diverse fibres led to better blood glucose control, greater weight loss and better lipid levels in people with Type 2 diabetes, the researchers said. indianexpress.com High-Fiber Diet May Lead To Better Blood Sugar Control And Weight Loss In Type-2 Diabetes Patients A new study published in the journal Science has found consuming more dietary fiber can help in the fight against Type 2 diabetes, by promoting a group of healthy gut bacteria. ndtv.com High-Fiber Diet Shifts Gut Microbes, Lowering Blood Sugar in Diabetics New findings suggest that promoting the growth of fiber-loving bacteria may help manage type 2 diabetes. the-scientist.com Microbes could be pumping methane into the erupting gas plumes of Enceladus, one of Saturn's moons, a new laboratory simulation has shown. newsweek.com Some of Earth's Deep Sea Microbes Could Survive on Saturn's Moon A methane-producing archaea survived simulations of Enceladus' extreme conditions, hinting at the possibility of similar extraterrestrial life smithsonianmag.com Studying how tiny microbes thrive in harsh environments could lead to better treatments for human diseases Scientists explore how extremophile called Haloarchaea resists oxidative stress hub.jhu.edu Microbes found in one of Earth's most hostile places, giving hope for life on Mars A hardy community of bacteria lives in Chile's Atacama Desert—one of the driest and most inhospitable places on Earth—where it can survive a decade without water, new research confirms. The work should put to rest the doubts of many scientists, who had suggested that previous evidence of microscopic life in this remote region came from transient microbes. And because the soils in this location closely resemble those on Mars, these desert dwellers may give hope to those seeking life on the Red Planet's similarly hostile surface. sciencemag.org A rare rainstorm wakes undead microbes in Chile's Atacama Desert Superbloom solves mystery of what can survive in one of the driest places on Earth sciencenews.org Life In Earth's Driest Desert Shows How Microbes Might Survive On Mars forbes.com Martian microbes may just be resting—boffins researchers have speculated that long dormant microbes on the Red Planet might reawaken with the introduction of liquid water. theregister.co.uk 4ocean - a plan to raise money to remove plastic from our oceans 4ocean.com Unlimited Clean Energy with The Wavestar machine wavestarenergy.com The Alliance to End Plastic Waste endplasticwaste.org The Horror of a World Without Microbes It's not the paradise that germophobes might imagine. Microbes only became synonymous with disease and disgust in the 19th century, when, in quick succession, biologists realized that bacteria caused illnesses like cholera, leprosy, gonorrhea, tuberculosis and more. And so they became villains: things we needed to destroy, lest they destroy us. Which is fortunate, because the death of all microbes would be a really bad thing. In 2014, the microbiologists Jack Gilbert and Josh Neufeld published a thought experiment, in which they imagined what would happen if all the microbes in the world suddenly vanished. It's a fun essay that draws upon two long-standing scientific traditions: working out how important things are by removing them and seeing what happens; and just using your imagination if actual experiments aren't feasible. theatlantic.com Life in a World without Microbes journals.plos.org Can corals be saved? The key may be in their microbes Biologists are studying corals with techniques designed for humans massivesci.com How Math Can Help Unravel the Weird Interactions of Microbes wired.com Simpler Math Tames the Complexity of Microbe Networks The dizzying network of interactions within microbe communities can defy analysis. But a new approach simplifies the math and makes progress possible. quantamagazine.org Oil-loving microbes could gobble up slicks and spills "About 40% of the oil that ends up in the sea is from natural seeps," said Dr. George Kapellos, who works on the project. "So microbial species have evolved to degrade it." Problems arise when the concentration of the oil is very high and when microdroplets spread far and wide through the action of ocean currents. "We are trying to track the fate of the microdroplets when they are degraded by the microbes," said Dr. Kapellos, who is cooperating with scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Although in its early stages—the project only began in November last year—he has already identified three potential mechanisms that allow the bacteria to break down the oil. The first involves the droplets dissolving in the water column and being consumed by the microbes as they do so. A second is that the microbes attach to the surface of the oil droplet and consume the oil without it needing to be dissolved. The third potential mechanism involves the formation around the oil of colonies of bacteria known as biofilms. phys.org Scientists Peek Inside The 'Black Box' Of Soil Microbes To Learn Their Secrets A tablespoon of soil contains billions of microscopic organisms. Life on Earth, especially the growing of food, depends on these microbes, but scientists don't even have names for most of them, much less a description. That's changing, slowly, thanks to researchers like Noah Fierer, at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Fierer think microbes have lived in obscurity for too long. "They do a lot of important things for us, directly or indirectly, and I hope they get the respect they deserve," he says. These microbes create fertile soils, help plants grow, consume and release carbon dioxide, oxygen and other vital elements. But they do it all anonymously. Scientists haven't identified most of these species and don't know much else about them, either, such as "what they're doing in soil, how they're surviving, what they look like," Fierer says. npr.org Soil Microbes Persist Through National Mall Facelift "My lab is interested in how microbes can move around in the environment, and how they change and adapt as a result of this movement," explains Jo Anne Crouch, a USDA-Agriculture Research Service researcher. Crouch is lead author of the study. "We thought that the new 'imported' turf from New Jersey would introduce different communities of bacteria to the National Mall. However, we found that they weren't significantly different." no-tillfarmer.com Andhra Pradesh, India: MCT embarks on bioremediation of waste at dumping yard Efforts by the Municipal Corporation of Tirupati (MCT) to employ the best practices in solid waste management have resulted in the officials embarking on a pilot project to take up bioremediation works at the decade-old dump site. This was in tune with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's call to work towards effective utilisation of waste, and the municipal officials have envisaged an action plan not only to set up a waste-to-energy plant but also clear accumulated waste at the dumping yard. thehindu.com Minnesota Couple Starts Mushroom Farm A southeastern Minnesota couple's passion for mushrooms may bring them out of the woods and into the region's food markets. usnews.com Podcast: Marvelous Mushrooms On this episode of MOTHER EARTH NEWS and Friends Charlotte Brunin and Robert Riley meet with Tradd Cotter to discuss all things mushrooms. You will learn how Tradd become a mushroom farmer, the importance of mushrooms to your diet and how mushrooms might be key in disaster relief! motherearthnews.com Academic book now available: Mycoremediation. Fungal Bioremediation This pioneering work, the first encyclopedic examination of the application of fungi in bioremediation, coincides with the rise of a new era in fungal technologies. For the first time, readers have a single, cohesive presentation of the current state of the science that will serve as a springboard for future research and new innovations. All aspects of this multidisciplinary field are covered, including degradative fungi, taxonomy, biochemistry, enzymology, reactor engineering, genetic engineering, and the ecology of biodegradation. Not only does the book provide a solid foundation in the theoretical underpinnings of mycoremediation, but it also features step-by-step guidance for a myriad of effective techniques to identify, select, and apply fungi towards the remediation of contaminated sites. satprnews.com Advances in crop microbiome research could revolutionize agriculture The interface between plant roots and soil—a zone called the rhizosphere—and the root itself are sites of colonization for microbes capable of enhancing mineral uptake by the plant, of both actively synthesizing and modulating the plant's synthesis of chemical compounds called phytohormones that modulate plant growth and development, and of protecting plants from soil-derived pests and pathogens. For these reasons, scientists are looking to manipulate the microbes populating this belowground habitat to sustainably increase crop production. geneticliteracyproject.org Moss that can remove lead from water identified Tokyo: Scientists have identified a type of moss that can efficiently absorb a large amount of lead, providing a green alternative for decontaminating polluted water and soil. deccanchronicle.com cows - seaweed - methane Study: Seaweed in Cow Feed Reduces Methane Emissions Almost Entirely foodtank.com A Sprinkle of Seaweed Could Deflate Gassy Cows Scientists are working to curtail the seven billion metric tons of CO2 equivalents cattle spew into the atmosphere every year. nationalgeographic.com Irish farmers to create seaweed eating 'supercows' in bid to fight climate change Change of diet could reduce methane emissions by 99%, researchers claim independent.co.uk Seaweed shown to reduce 99% methane from cattle Welcome for Canadian and Australian studies that also show healthier, more fertile cattle irishtimes.com GreenWave is an ocean farmer and fisherman-run organization dedicated to building a new blue-green economy that creates jobs, mitigates climate change and grows healthy food for local communities. greenwave.org In Antarctic dry valleys, early signs of climate change-induced shifts in soil In a study spanning two decades, a team of researchers led by Colorado State University found declining numbers of soil fauna, nematodes and other animal species in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, one of the world's driest and coldest deserts. This discovery is attributed to climate change, which has triggered melting and thawing of ice in this desert since an uncharacteristically warm weather event in 2001. phys.org White blood cells launch DNA 'webs' to warn of invaders When some of our white blood cells detect viruses or other microbes that have invaded our bodies, they may alert other cells to the threat by spraying out some of their DNA. This unexpected warning system, described in a study out this week, could hasten the body's response to pathogens. "It might be a new way for immune cells to detect infections and get rid of them," says innate immunologist Paul Kubes of the University of Calgary in Canada, who isn't connected to the study. sciencemag.org Fiber Is Good for Us, but Scientists Haven't Known Why Until Now It's a well-known fact that fiber plays a key role in everything from digestive to heart health. And now, we know why it's so crucial. rd.com Can Understanding the Gut Microbiome Improve Clinical Oncology? cancertherapadvisor.com A Self-Portrait of the Microbes that Live on our Skin British artist Mellissa Fisher worked with Professor Mark Clemens from the University of Westminster and Dr. Richard Harvey from King's College London to create these portraits. This collaboration helped the artist get closer to the scientific practice, while helping the researchers explore different ways of culturing and visualizing microorganisms. labiotech.eu Good news on the horizon for Montana Pole Plant, says DEQ The county asked the state to look into alternative methods to treat the dioxin. Bowers said there are "promising, emerging technologies in the field of bioremediation, but they're not achieving cleanup levels." mtstandard.com Your gut microbes may give melanoma treatment a boost Having the right balance between good and bad microbes in the gut may improve the likelihood that immunotherapy successfully treats melanoma, which is the most aggressive and dangerous form of skin cancer. medicalnewstoday.com Treating Disease by Nudging the Microbes Inside Us theatlantic.com Global Algae Innovations globalgae.com How Algae Could Change The Fossil Fuel Industry youtube.com Redefining Leather with Mycelium We are working together to solve today's greatest challenges with products made from mycelium, a rapidly renewable natural resource. Our discoveries are foundational to the field of mycotecture and draw from over 20 years of research into designing and engineering mycelium materials. Along with our visionary partners and customers, MycoWorks is building a better world with nature's best tools. youtube.com mycoworks.com Mushroom leather: The future is fungal This mushroom material can grow a whole cowhide's worth of leather in two months. San Francisco-based start-up MycoWorks developed a method to grow mycelium into a leather-like material that can be used in the same way as animal skins. Their low-tech alternative involves growing the mushroom-leather out of agricultural waste and by-products in a process that is sustainable, environmentally friendly and uses far fewer resources than farming livestock. designindaba.com The Next Leather Jacket Will Be Made From Mushrooms How an artist took the cow out of leather and replaced it with 'shroom skins popsci.com Making Mycelium - 5 steps instructables.com Everything you own could one day be made from mushrooms businessinsider.com The Mighty Antarctic Microbes That Survive on Air Alone atlasobscura.com Chennai oil spill: Disposing of toxic chocolate mousse scooped in buckets, safely thehindu.com Danny Ford, others receive first permits to grow hemp in South Carolina thestate.com Bacteria-Basted Supertrees Are Sucking Pollution From Our Waste Sites good.is Humungous fungus is largest living organism on Earth producer.com Giant Clams - potential to clean up ocean oil spills Back in 2011, CleanTechnica took note of a research project aimed at demonstrating that giant clams can clean up ocean oil spills. Well, file that under S for Setting the bar kind of low. If new research from the University of Pennsylvania bears fruit, giant clams could provide the inspiration for a new solar energy "transformer" system that leverages sunlight to produce biofuel. That could help reduce the need for offshore oil drilling altogether. cleantechnica.com - article cleantechnica.com Virginia's experimental hemp research program still "a work in progress" Virginia is wrapping up its second year of a research program that allows farmers to grow hemp, a crop long banned because of its association with marijuana. thecannabist.co Gene Amplification Technologies Market foreseen to grow exponentially over 2024 satprnews.com Microbial Products Market Strategic Assessment of Emerging Technologies in - By 2027 digitaljournal.com Nature demonstrates how bacteria degrade lignin and provides better understanding to make biofuels The production of biofuels from plant biomass is a highly promising source of energy, but researchers are trying to find microbes that readily degrade recalcitrant lignin found in plant biomass. Recent comprehensive genomic and metabolomic analysis of a known lignin-degrading bacterium provides insight into how this degradation is accomplished. phys.org 5 good reasons why you should stop using soap on your skin Although it does a good job cleaning, soap does not respect the integrity of your skin and can cause premature ageing and acne. Editor's note: this may not apply to natural soap, such as Dr. Bronner's, that works with the skin and does not contain any chemicals. Especially avoid anti-bacterial soaps. thehealthsite.com CD4 T cells, xenobiotic transporters, and metabolites in inflammatory bowel diseases The immune system counters pathogenic microbes and toxins in the environment. The system comprises innate (non-specific) and adaptive (acquired) immunity. When innate immune cells recognize pathogens, the adaptive immune system is called into action. There are two types of adaptive immune responses: humoral immunity mediated by antibodies produced by B cells, and cell-mediated immunity mediated by T cells, a type of white blood cell. medicalxpress.com Get kids interested in Science Jane F. Baker's advanced art class welcomed Marine Biological Laboratory scientist Roger T. Hanlon in early December to talk about his work with octopuses, squid and cuttlefish, which can change their skin color on demand. Ms. Baker said that this watercolor lesson, which calls for the students to make an abstract painting can be challenging for the student artist. Slides of nature and science can be a jumping-off point for students to explore abstract design. capenews.net Indoor plants are natural air filters theadnews.com Solar Bio-battery The solar bio-battery is part of a new type of renewable energy research known as microbial biophotovoltaics (BPV), which make use of cyanobacteria and other photosynthetic algae to convert light into electricity. Living Solar Panels Printed On Wallpaper Harvest Sun's Energy Through Photosynthesis A new type of ultra-thin solar panel made from living organisms could lead to next-generation electrical devices that can be made on a home printer, researchers say. A team of scientists from Imperial College London and Central Saint Martins, also in London, created a bio-solar panel using a micro-organism called cyanobacteria, which uses photosynthesis to harvest energy from sunlight. By using the cyanobacteria as an ink, they can be printed onto paper alongside electrically conductive carbon nanotubes using an off-the-shelf inkjet printer. Potential applications of these bio-solar panels include paper-based diabetes monitors and air quality sensors that resemble wallpaper. newsweek.com Ancient Algae In 1990, scientists found the fossil of ancient algae that they believe may be the oldest known direct ancestor of modern plants and animals. But the exact age of the algae has long been up for debate. New research from McGill University in Canada may have the answer. Bangiomorpha pubescens, a type of red algae, is the first known organism to sexually reproduce, which makes it the ancient ancestor to all sexually reproductive life on Earth. Fossils of this ancient creature found in Baffin Island in Canada nearly 30 years ago could be one of the oldest remnants of modern life. newsweek.com University of Wyoming received $20 million grant from National Science Foundation Vercoe said microbial research is a fairly new scientific field, and much of the research has been focused on how microbes affect the human body, such as gut health. The center also can look for ways to use microbes to improve or support the mining, agriculture, ranching and microbrewery industries. gillettenewsrecord.com Vaginas Have Their Own Microbiome. Here's What You Need To Know About It SmartJane™ is the world's first test that can tell you what's really going on "down there," including different types of HPV, other sexually transmitted infections, and 23 different types of microbes that contribute to your overall health. In addition, SmartJane reports on connections between your unique vaginal microbiome and many health conditions, including bacterial vaginosis, cervicitis, idiopathic infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, and aerobic vaginitis. mindbodygreen.com ubiome.com PSA from your gut microbes: Enjoy the holidays, but don't forget your fiber Anyone watching their waistline this holiday season may want to pay attention to what their gut bacteria are eating. It's not just calories that matter in a healthy diet -- it's fiber, which can influence weight gain, blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, and colon health. Research with mice help shed light on how and why fiber has such a powerful effect on the entire body. sciencedaily.com How to keep your gut healthy over the holidays This year has seen a steep increase in our appreciation of the trillions of microbes that share our bodies. So, here are our tips for keeping your microbial passengers happy over the holidays. Gone are days when we saw the plethora of microorganisms that colonize our bodies as mere hitchhikers. Today, we appreciate that our gut microbiota plays a crucial role in our health. We need to keep our tiny partners-in-crime happy; if we don't, things can go sour rather quickly. medicalnewstoday.com Genes in Space-3 successfully identifies unknown microbes in space spacedaily.com Essential science: Link between gut microbes and despair Research into to the human microbiome continues to produce new medical findings of interest. The latest news is a connection between an imbalance of microorganisms in the human gut and feelings of despair. digitaljournal.com Scientists engineer microbes to form 'memories' of their environment Inserting chemically sensitive genes into the DNA of bacteria can produce lasting "memories" of their environment and show scientists how they communicate. phys.org Links added in 2017 Divers find methane-eating organisms deep in flooded cave futurity.org Mexico: Cryptic Sunken Underworld of Flooded Caves and Subterranean Rivers Revealed by Scientists A cryptic sunken underworld in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula is home to a previously unknown ecosystem being fuelled by methane, scientists have announced. The weird, otherworldly flooded caves and subterranean rivers have been found to host lifeforms in the same way as parts of the deep oceans and lakes - providing scientists with a better understanding of how these hidden worlds function. newsweek.com Exotic Australian Plants Have Superpowers That Can Be Used to Clean Up Chemical Spills And soak up damage after nuclear accidents. sciencealert.com ibtimes.co.uk Australian Native Plants Could Clean Up Polluted Soils And Chemical Spills, A New Study Reveals inquisitr.com From brown to green: DENR battles environmental issues through biotech As the research bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) conducts various researches to help protect and preserve the environment. The ERDB takes advantage of the plant-microorganism relationships in developing biofertilizer that are useful to produce quality planting materials. businessmirror.com.ph Verde Valley rivers face threat in cleanliness According to Hitchcock, reprocessing mining materials is another way to help the river systems recover from heavy metal pollution that enters waterways when it rains. "Novel reprocessing technologies to extract valuable metals and minerals from the waste are being developed using mechanical and natural processes, such as bioremediation," Hitchcock said. "Bioremediation uses microorganisms or plants to consume environmental pollutants. Some of these plants can then be harvested and burned to collect the metal left in the ash." http://www.journalaz.com/news/camp-verde/18289-verde-valley-rivers-face-threat-in-cleanliness.html UTA detects pathogenic bacteria in Texas groundwater near natural gas extraction sites eurekalert.org naturalgasintel.com Vegetable-rich Diet Promotes Bacteria That Fights Inflammation in MS, Study Shows multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com Domestic life may not help your horse's gut health, research suggests horsetalk.co.nz Future research could lessen mastitis susceptibility - ProfDelegates at the the 3rd Milk Quality Academy were told researchers have been able to use next-generation pyro-sequencing to separate bacterial DNA from host DNA in the mammary microbiome. vettimes.co.uk Baby's Microbiome Development Delayed When Antibiotics Given during Labor genengnews.com sciencedaily.com cosmosmagazine.com Here's a New Reason You Should Worry About Antibiotics In the study, published Monday in the journal Nature Microbiology, researchers gave healthy pregnant mice either a normal microbiome or one that had been exposed to antibiotics. Once the mice pups were born, the researchers found that the microbiome changes in the mothers had been passed on to their offspring. time.com Vedanta Biosciences Expands Network of Clinical Collaborations Supporting Development of Microbiome Therapeutics for Cancer Immunotherapy businesswire.com Shroom Out at the Fungus Fair This Sunday It's not just things that will kill you, things that will get you high, and things that taste good on the grill - although that's arguably plenty. Sunday, Dec. 3, the Mycological Society of San Francisco throws its annual Fungus Fair in Golden Gate Park's County Fair Building. sfweekly.com Gadkari appeals to Indian Business Leaders in Uk to Participate in The Project to Clean the Ganges River newkerala.com Could mouthwash put you at risk for diabetes? What you need to know People who used mouthwash twice or more daily had a "significantly" higher risk of developing pre-diabetes and diabetes than those who swished it less frequently, a study recently published in the journal Nitric Oxide found. The authors believe it's the first paper to look at whether mouthwash use is a risk factor for the disease. Editor's note: controversial, but if microbes influence diabetes, repeatedly killing the microbes in your mouth might be a factor. Use a natural mouthwash if you don't want to kill off your microbes. today.com Natural Remedy After the fires, mycoremediation offers a 'tragic opportunity' The disaster of October's wildfires didn't stop once the flames were finally extinguished. The toxic ash left by the firestorms - incinerated plastics, hydrocarbons, solvents, pesticides, heavy metals - lay like a ticking bomb on home sites, awaiting a rain storm to wash the deadly debris into drains and creeks. Once in waterways, the lethal plume could infiltrate watersheds and imperil drinking water and aquatic life. But thanks to an unprecedented public-private partnership, protection from that environmental hazard in hard-hit areas like Coffey Park, Larkfield-Wikiup and Fountain Grove has come from an unlikely source: mushrooms. Erik Ohlsen, a landscape architect and permaculture educator, saw that second wave of disaster coming and acted quickly to rally a diverse team of volunteers, environmental groups, landowners and public agencies to deploy cutting-edge bioremediation techniques using mushrooms and compost to absorb and neutralize the deadly runoff. He created the Fire Remediation Action Coalition on Facebook to help organize the effort and spread the word. bohemian.com Scientists test dog poo to find out more about dogs swimming in Thames As part of a study into how dogs pick up microbes while swimming in the River Thames, scientists spent the day at a Wallingford park sampling steaming fresh piles of evidence. oxfordtimes.co.uk Berkeley Lab studies effects of North Bay fires on Sonoma County water With the coming rainy season, some Sonoma County residents are fearful of the effects of runoff from the recent North Bay fires entering the nearby Russian River, a major source of water for Sonoma and Marin counties. Scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory are studying the fire's impact on the Russian River and the groundwater system, which serves about 600,000 residents in Sonoma and Marin counties, according to an article published by the lab last week. dailycal.org Soil Science News Novel wheat microbiome analysis conducted under four management strategies Shows promising evidence of aboveground microbial communities' importance in plant health American Phytopathological Society A novel study has been conducted on the microbial composition of wheat leaves, stems, and roots under four management strategies: conventional, no-till, organic, and reduced chemical inputs. They took 200-plus samples from each of 24 test plots, using DNA sequencing and culture collections to identify microbial communities, isolate potential strains of pathogen-resistant fungi, and ascertain the influence of management strategies on these communities. Learn more about their findings. sciencedaily.com Cutting Down on Cow Burps to Ease Climate Change Livestock has directly caused about a quarter of industrial-age warming. Scientists in New Zealand are working on an anti-burp vaccine for those methane-emitting cows. Editor's note: or go vegetarian and help the environment in hundreds of ways. bloomberg.com Flies more germ-laden than suspected bbc.com Biomillenia Leverages QIAGEN Bioinformatics in Microbiome-on-a-Chip Discovery of Unculturable Microbes Biomillenia, the developer of Smart Microbes, announced a collaboration with QIAGEN for use of QIAGEN's Microbial Genomics Pro Suite to generate next generation sequence data on microbes identified using Biomillenia's proprietary microbiome-on-a-chip technology. Biomillenia's approach is able to identify strains of microbes previously deemed unculturable, and at unprecedented speeds. technologynetworks.com Chemistry, minerals and microbes in nuclear waste management Current solutions for intermediate and higher activity radioactive wastes storage are temporary. Nuclear waste stores have lifetimes of around 100 years and storage ponds, which dissipate the decay heat from used nuclear fuel and act as powerful radiation shields, several decades. Research into biogeochemical control over radionuclide behaviour is therefore of great value for a deep geological disposal solution, writes Katherine Morris. world-nuclear-news.org NASA is Launching Microbes into Space to Better Treat Astronauts futurism.com The Ocean Scientist With a Hydrothermal Microbe Zoo in Her Lab Anna-Louise Reysenbach is searching the sea floor for clues about life on Earth and beyond. motherboard.vice.com Family risk for childhood asthma may involve microbes found in baby's digestive tract news-medical.net Gut bacteria, not just genetics, linked to asthma english.mathrubhumi.com Researcher discusses the biological crosstalk between microbes and hosts Stavroula Hatzios listens in on dialogues between infectious bacteria and host cells. Trained in chemistry at MIT and Berkeley, she joined West Campus in January 2017 as a faculty member of the Microbial Sciences Institute and the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. Editor's note: I would like to see what the good microbes talk about too. phys.org Intelligence of Microbes INTELLIGENCE IS NOT a quality to attribute lightly to microbes. There is no reason to think that bacteria, slime molds and similar single-cell forms of life have awareness, understanding or other capacities implicit in real intellect. But particularly when these cells commune in great numbers, their startling collective talents for solving problems and controlling their environment emerge. wired.com Sea Plankton on Space Station? Russian Official Claims It's So space.com Bacteria on Space Station Likely From Germy Humans, Not Aliens The organisms swabbed on the outside of the International Space Station are most likely terrestrial, like other space contaminants. news.nationalgeographic.com tass.com dailygalaxy.com We are basically positive that the Russians did not find alien bacteria in space popsci.com Long-haired termite-gut microbes named for rock band Rush Meet the world's most rockin' microbes, a shaggy power trio named after the members of prog-rock band Rush. cnet.com avclub.com livescience.com The Zombie Diseases of Climate Change The Arctic Ocean is home to "permafrost," layers of ice and dirt teeming with dead stuff: plants, animals, and bacteria. Recently the frost has started to thaw, which could release abnormal viruses into the world and reinfect humanity. Editor's Note: maybe there are good bacteria, viruses, and other microbes in there too. Maybe they can help somehow. theatlantic.com Initiative to address challenges facing Hawai'i and the world launches with research projects The eight research projects of the inaugural University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Strategic Investment Initiative have been selected. Each project capitalizes on the strengths of the university and focuses on a challenge facing Hawai'i such as resource management and revitalizing the Ala Wai watershed, the solutions of which can be exported to the world. hawaii.edu Would you put bacteria on your face? This brand thinks you should A new wave of probiotic skincare products has launched over the past year or so, promising to rebalance your skin's microbiome (surface layer of bacteria). While these products have created a stir and many have been applauded for helping to replenish your skin's good bacteria, so far none have contained live bacteria (the kind you'd find in a yoghurt, which could go out-of-date within a couple of weeks). telegraph.co.uk Wildlife Tracking Drones Follow the Whale-road When whales surface and let out their breath, it creates a cloud of spray and fog - hence the call of 19th-century New England whalers: "Thar she blows!" This cloud of exhaled whale breath contains "a biological treasure trove of mammalian DNA, microbiome, stress and pregnancy hormones," NBC News explained. now.northropgrumman.com Adopting a dog could lengthen your life, study says "Other explanations include an increased well-being and social contacts or effects of the dog on the bacterial microbiome in the owner," she said in a university news release. A person's "bacterial microbiome" consists of the trillions of "good" microbes living within the body that help keep it healthy. cbsnews.com Oral bacteria in the gut could drive immune cell induction and inflammatory bowel disease Investigators have investigated the relationship between salivary microbes and IBD, and they found that when the bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae colonizes in an intestine out of microbial balance, immune cells called T helper 1 (TH1) become overactive in the gut, resulting in intestinal inflammation leading to the onset of IBD. sciencedaily.com Connection between Microbiome and Tissue Contractions Critical for Healthy Bowel Functions theglobalhealthnews.com New study 'sheds light' on sun's role in mitigating fungal disease of mango fruit Mango fruits play host to some economically damaging fungal diseases, especially during ripening and storage; but mango growers and suppliers have a new ray of hope...in the form of sunlight. In a recent Phytobiomes journal article, Noam Alkan and colleagues at the Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center in Israel show some promising new research that explores the role of sunlight in boosting the levels of beneficial microorganisms in mango fruits to combat stem end rot. The research, discussed through their article titled, "Microbiome Alterations Are Correlated with Occurrence of Postharvest Stem-End Rot in Mango Fruit," offers a detailed account of their study. phys.org Microbiome Alterations Are Correlated with Occurrence of Postharvest Stem-End Rot in Mango Fruit apsjournals.apsnet.org CALL FOR ABSTRACTS FOR BARCELONA EVENT: DEADLINE 24TH NOVEMBER, 2017 10 days to go: IPA World Congress + Probiota 2018 wants your ground breaking research abstracts! nutraingredients.com Research Links Gut Health to Neurodegeneration Rodent studies presented at the Society for Neuroscience meeting this week tie pathologies in the gastrointestinal tract or microbiome composition with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. the-scientist.com How bacteria in the gut influence neurodegenerative disorders medicalxpress.com The 4 Microbiomes That Keep You Healthy (And How to Best Support Them) Your gut, your skin, your vagina, your blood care2.com Project to produce biogas from waste water A group of biotechnologists from Vignan University [AP, India] have developed a model for conversion of domestic sewage water into biogas and bio-manure. Led by scientist M.S Shivakiran, Department of Biotechnology, VU, two students Manikanta and Ravichandra, the model has employed a method called 'Phytoremediation' through which aquatic plants like water hyacinth could be used to produce biogas. thehindu.com timesofindia.indiatimes.com Alligator weed accumulates heavy metals from its surrounding water and soil Consumption of a weed, commonly sold in the city's markets as a variety of leafy vegetable, could pose a health hazard, warns a recently-published research by the scientists at University of Hyderabad. thehindu.com University Of Virginia And 22nd Century Group Complete Hemp Harvest This year's trial involved identifying promising oil and fiber varieties that could be grown throughout the USA's tobacco belt region. hempgazette.com The fungus among us Fungi is a very large group of organisms in their own kingdom (fungi), which is separate from the plant and animal kingdoms. Fungi include yeasts, molds and mushrooms, to name a few members you may recognize - an estimated 2 million plus species, many of which have yet to be fully understood. yourdailyjournal.com European project to boost multi-trophic aquaculture environment Eight organisations from Spain, France, Ireland, Portugal and the United Kingdom have partnered up to implement project INTEGRATE, intended to improve the environmental performance of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA). fis.com Remediation To Begin Soon For Contaminated Site Of Former Gas Plant Chemically contaminated soil and groundwater on property in Hartland Township [Michigan] will be the focus of cleanup efforts set to begin next week. whmi.com Harnessing Epigenetics to Prevent the Immune System from Attacking Itself whatisepigenetics.com Evidence grows that your microbiome prefers plants (must respond to a short survey to read this one) heraldtribune.com Germ-free lab focuses on tiny life forms that inhabit our bodies At this lab, the largest operation of its kind at an academic institution in the world, research will focus on the trillions of tiny life forms that inhabit our bodies and play an instrumental role in our health, known collectively as the microbiome. "We think of it actually as another organ," says Kathy McCoy, the centre's scientific director. "And so if any organ in your body gets sick, it's going to have an impact on your health." Humans are colonized by microbes from the second they are born and are never without them from then on. McCoy says they play a key role in training the immune system and a host of other functions. Scientists have even been researching a potential link between gut microbes and autism. timescolonist.com Photonic BioSystems seeks licensees for microbial detection and sampling tech Photonic BioSystems is looking for licensees to bring its microbial detection and sampling technologies to market. foodqualitynews.com Mysteries of microbiota Lots of talk last month about the health effects of gut bacteria at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' food and nutrition conference in Chicago. The right balance of good bugs in our lower intestines can stimulate our immune system, help manage our weight and perhaps even protect us from diseases like type 2 diabetes, according to some research. limaohio.com Extremely ancient lifeform discovered in Tasmania Rare freshwater stromatolites have been found in a UN-protected wilderness zone. Andrew Masterson reports. cosmosmagazine.com Experiment on Earth suggests microbes could survive on Mars Astrobiologists estimate the sediment layers on Mars act similarly to ancient Arctic permafrost, preserving microbes in a cryo-conserved state. upi.com Human cells, hardy microbes share common ancestor To Tom Santangelo, single-celled microorganisms called archaea are like ancient mariners, surviving among the most extreme conditions on Earth, including volcanic vents in the deep ocean. The Colorado State University researcher studies how these hardy microbes - which constitute one of three surviving domains of life - express their genes, produce their energy, and thrive in hot, lightless environments. spacedaily.com The Dark, Teeming Vineyard Underworld Explore the rhizosphere, the world below grapevines that might hold the key to the future of farming, and wine. The rhizosphere is the area that immediately surrounds a vine's roots. It teems with microbial life, and it's where countless interchanges take place, not all of them understood. Life in the rhizosphere is far more active than in the surrounding soil. What affect does this have on grape vines and the fruit that they grow? winemag.com To Find New Biofuel Enzymes, It Can Take a Microbial Village Berkeley Lab-led study unveils new source of robust cellulases in compost A new study led by researchers at the Department of Energy's Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), based at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), demonstrates the importance of microbial communities as a source of stable enzymes that could be used to convert plants to biofuels. newscenter.lbl.gov Creative Santa Fe - a positive change By Joseph Kelly Three years ago, in 2015, I moved from Santa Fe to Atlanta to launch my bioremediation company, HiveMind. . . . HiveMind couldn't have been birthed anywhere else - working with dedicated Navajo activists seeking to clean up abandoned uranium mines on the reservation, aided by brilliant mycologists and geologists from The University of New Mexico, and using Santa Fe as a base of operations, often unwinding over beer and chile rellenos at the Cowgirl BBQ. Still, I felt I needed the opportunities afforded by a larger city. santafenewmexican.com Neutrons probe oxygen-generating enzyme for a greener approach to clean water A new study sheds light on a unique enzyme that could provide an eco-friendly treatment for chlorite-contaminated water supplies and improve water quality worldwide. An international team of researchers used neutron analysis, X-ray crystallography and other techniques to study chlorite dismutase, an enzyme that breaks down the environmental pollutant chlorite into harmless byproducts. Their results advance understanding of the catalytic process involved to support future applications in bioremediation and biotechnology. sciencedaily.com Global Environmental Remediation Technology Market by Type (Bioremediation, Pump & Treat, Soil Vapor Extraction), Environmental Medium, Technology, Application (Soil, Ground Water, Sediment, Surface Water), End-User, Geography & Forecast to 2022 Environmental remediation deals with the removal of pollution or contaminants from environmental media such as soil, groundwater, sediment, or surface water. This would mean that once requested by the government or a land remediation authority, immediate action should be taken as this can impact negatively on human health and the environment. This research report provides an in-depth analysis of the global Environmental Remediation Technology Market based on enterprise size, services, solution, end-use industry, and geography. military-technologies.net Gut Microbes Can Shape Responses to Cancer Immunotherapy Studies find that species diversity and antibiotics influence cutting-edge treatments scientificamerican.com Gut microbiome modulates response to anti - PD-1 immunotherapy in melanoma patients science.sciencemag.org Seres teams with cancer heavyweights for microbiome-checkpoint inhibitor combination trial Seres Therapeutics has formed a collaboration to test microbiome therapy SER-401 in combination with an anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor. The Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy is sponsoring the trial, which will take place at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Editor's note: the best therapy for your microbiome is to eat a healthy plant-based diet and avoid antibiotics and other harmful chemicals. fiercebiotech.com businesswire.com endpts.com reuters.com ledgergazette.com How the Gut Microbiome Affects Outcomes in HIV "Gut microbiome" is becoming a buzzword in the health care community. For decades, the gut microbiome was accepted as a simple fact - a collection of microbiota in the intestines that if disrupted, resulted in gastrointestinal signs and symptoms. However, it's increasingly apparent that the gut microbiome has extensive function throughout the body. Strong Evidence Emerging That Gut Microbiome Is a Key Variable in Immunotherapy Efficacy Immunologic fitness orchestrated by the gut microbiome is strongly suspected of mediating response to cancer treatments, according to an area of research that is heating up quickly. Experimental studies published by independent research groups over the past 5 years have made this hypothesis increasingly plausible. Not least intriguing, the specific mix of commensal intestinal microflora may explain why only a limited proportion of patients achieve long-term responses to checkpoint inhibitors. "I want to convince you that the microbiome can actually dictate the cancer immune set-point," said Laurence Zitvogel, MD, PhD, group leader, Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France. medscape.com specialtypharmacytimes.com A Silicon Valley Startup Wants Women To Test Their Vaginal Microbiota At Home San Francisco-based uBiome's new test, which it's calling SmartJane, performs STI testing, HPV high- or low-risk strain identification and microbiome profiling all from a sample a woman collects herself and mails to the company lab for testing. forbes.com Biotech firms race to recruit good bugs in war on cancer (Reuters) - Biotech companies are competing to develop medicines using "bugs as drugs" to fight cancer, building on the latest scientific findings that patients with high levels of good gut bacteria are more likely to respond to modern immunotherapy. reuters.com Researchers harness methane-consuming microbes for use in industrial applications A University of Oklahoma research team, led by OU Professor Lee Krumholz, is studying methane-consuming microbes from extreme environments that can be re-engineered for industrial applications, such as biodegradable plastics and electricity. OU's role in the collaborative study with South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and Montana State University is to collect microbial samples from extreme environmental sites and to extract DNA and RNA to determine the microbial community composition and the microbial activities that pertain to methane consumption. phys.org UD researchers look into microbe genes University of Delaware researchers are taking a deeper look at microbes and how the environment they are in affects their genetics. They want to know where these single-celled organisms are and what they're doing. UD College of Earth, Ocean and Environment professor Jennifer Biddle says microbes in our gut and on our skin can prevent disease. They also make the oxygen we breathe and help degrade trash and litter. "I like to tell people - they're in you, they're on you and they'll kill you, but really most of the microbes we have are quite friendly," Biddle said. delawarepublic.org Seeing the Beautiful Intelligence of Microbes Bacterial biofilms and slime molds are more than crude patches of goo. Detailed time-lapse microscopy reveals how they sense and explore their surroundings, communicate with their neighbors and adaptively reshape themselves. quantamagazine.org Healthy gut bacteria could help protect you from almost EVERY age-related disease, study finds dailymail.co.uk Ganga pollution: Centre turns to 'sewage-eating' microbes to treat Ganga water at 54 new sites timesofindia.com How Is Carbon Trapped In Our Soils? In a string of recent research, studies have found dirt may be the hidden key to a climate solution. It's not the most glamorous of topics for most people, but soils around the world both have the ability to capture and release carbon enough to significantly dampen the effects of climate change. forbes.com Long-term pattern and magnitude of soil carbon feedback to the climate system in a warming world The Ecology of Soil Carbon: Pools, Vulnerabilities, and Biotic and Abiotic Controls annualreviews.org annualreviews.org science.sciencemag.org A pollution solution that's growing on trees - Phytoremediation New research at Moffett Field finds poplars can rid groundwater of TCE "The biggest benefit of having the trees pumping water from the ground is you're able to effectively remediate a much large volume of water and you're able to do it at a much faster pace," he said. "This is a cleanup method that's publicly appealing, effective and it's not resource intensive." mv-voice.com 22nd Century Completes Successful Hemp Field Trials with University of Virginia First harvest identifies proprietary hemp varieties with excellent agronomic qualities CLARENCE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--22nd Century Group, Inc. (NYSE American: XXII), a plant biotechnology company focused on tobacco harm reduction and cannabis research, announced today that the Company and the University of Virginia ("UVA") completed their first successful harvest of hemp plants and identified several promising hemp varieties that could form the foundation for commercial hemp production throughout the legacy tobacco belt region of the United States. businesswire.com Phytoforensics: Using Trees to Find Contamination The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recently prepared on Fact Sheet on how phytoforensics can be used to screen for contamination prior to traditional sampling methods. Phytoforensics is a low cost, rapid sampling method that collects tree-core samples from the tree trunk to map the extent of contamination below the ground. hazmatmag.com 5 Reasons To Get Your Microbiome Sequenced The proper balance of bacteria and fungi in the microbiome plays a critical role in our digestion, immunity, and so many other aspects of our health. Maintaining a healthy gut can feel overwhelming at times - with so much information out there and experts offering conflicting advice. So where do you start? A great place to begin your journey to optimal gut health is by getting a BIOHM Gut Report. mindbodygreen.com BIOHM Health was founded by Dr. Ghannoum, the scientist who named the microbiome and one of the world's leading experts in medically important fungus and microbiome sequencing. Dr. Ghannoum's scientific research has resulted in over 400 peer reviewed scientific papers, and his publications have been cited over 18,000 times. biohmhealth.com The Ultimate Guide To Eating For Your Microbiome by Lynda Griparic I always encourage my clients to eat at least eight servings of microbiome-enhancing foods every day. While that seems like a lot, it's actually quite doable. mindbodygreen.com Gut bacterium indirectly causes symptoms by altering fruit fly microbiome Findings suggest the possibility of manipulating gut microbiome to treat disease Editor's note: if you eat well and take care of your microbiome, you won't need surgery, etc., but for those too lazy for that, modern medicine can intervene. sciencedaily.com Study reveals connection between microbiome and autoimmune disorders Cumming School discovery of new mechanism in the gut microbiome has implications for inflammatory bowel disease ucalgary.ca Healthy aging may be linked to our guts - or rather to the diverse species of bacteria, known as the gut microbiome, that reside there. biotechin.asia Gut Bacteria May Hold Clues to Parkinson's Disease $2.1M grant goes to research on using microbiome to find illness' early signs uml.edu If You Take Acid Reflux Meds, Your Liver Could Be in Trouble If you take this kind of antacid, you may be putting your liver at risk - especially if you like a few glasses of wine with dinner or regularly indulge in cocktails or beer. There are inexpensive and readily available alternatives to PPIs, although these also affect the gut microbiome to a lesser degree. The safest option for any GERD patients is to try non-pharmacological methods, such as losing weight and reducing intake of alcohol, caffeine, and fatty and spicy foods. rd.com The sugars in mum's breast milk, known to feed good bacteria in infants to keep them healthy, could be used to treat a range of conditionsin adults like diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome. A start-up biotech company in the US is planning to isolate the sugars found in breast milk and turns them into prebiotic supplements. This surprising new health trend could see adults using it to improve their gut health. Sugarlogix, based in Berkely, California, has pegged the supplement to be the next big health craze. deccanchronicle.com sugarlogix.com Organic waste recycling business to open next year Eco Depot will transform waste into compost THUNDER BAY -- Work continues on the infrastructure for a new waste diversion facility, the first of its kind in northwestern Ontario, which will initially process up to 30,000 tons of organic waste a year. tbnewswatch.com Health Scientist Focuses on Water Quality and Bioremediations Profile of Phillip Gedalanga What would you like the general public to know about your research? It is important for the public to be more aware of microbial water quality. There are natural microbes present in water that provide no threat to us. Hopefully, we can use such microbes to help us discover when there is a problem and develop an understanding of microbial communities in these environments so we can use them in positive ways. news.fullerton.edu EKOGRID in-situ test for creosote remediation completed for global rollout Greentech specialists Eko Harden Technologies today announces that completion of a year-long controlled test of contaminated creosote soil in Canada using its pioneering EKOGRID technology allows it to proceed with the development of an in-situ solution for railroads authorities, oil and gas producers and timber firms. In the near term, industry will be able to use EKOGRID to eliminate any creosote health risks from soils previously considered untreatable and unreachable by current oxidation or bioremediation methods. youroilandgasnews.com greentechmedia.com greentechmedia.com/ An exploration of magic mushrooms, the psyche, and the forest mcgilldaily.com Heavily polluted River Ravi threatens citizens' lives, Pakistan The heavily polluted water of River Ravi poses serious health and environmental hazards to its consumers as untreated domestic and industrial waste continue to be dumped unchecked into it. They have planned to install 11 treatment plants to make River Ravi pollution-free after EPD put pressure on it." pakistantoday.com.pk Balili River Restoration, The Philippines Prof. Jones Napaldet of the Benguet State University talked on exploring phytoremediation in the revitalization of Balili River and Lito Ayyokad of Hedcor Inc. on clean river initiatives during the whole day forum. Phytoremediation is the use of specific plants, as results of research, to reduce pollution in bodies of water. baguiomidlandcourier.com.ph UO zebrafish study sheds light on how microbes are shared Through collaborations in the UO's Institute of Ecology and Evolution, the Biology and the Built Environment Center and META Center for Systems Biology since arriving at the UO in 2006, Brendan Bohannan also turned to exploring the influences of microbes on both the outside and inside of humans and animals. around.uoregon.edu MSU researchers receive $1.8 million to study methane-converting microbes Montana State University researchers have received $1.8 million from the National Science Foundation for a collaborative project to study methane-consuming microbes and develop ways of using them to make commercial products such as plastics. Building Genome-to-Phenome Infrastructure for Regulating Methane in Deep and Extreme Environments - alludes to where the researchers will look for the microbes: in the thermal features of Yellowstone National Park and underground in a former South Dakota gold mine. The MSU researchers will focus on developing models that explain the metabolism of the microbes, as well as on exploring ways to design and construct biofilms that optimize the methanotrophs' ability to form organic compounds, which could in turn be used to produce plastics, biofuels and other products. montana.edu MSU researchers receive $1.8 million to study methane-converting microbes in YNP bozemandailychronicle.com How gut bacteria saved 'dirty mice' from death By Elizabeth Pennisi some of the microbes naturally residing in your body - your microbiome - help keep you healthy. Researchers aware of this reality have now shown that transplanting gut bacteria from wild mice into "clean" lab mice has made those rodents less likely to die from the flu or develop cancer. The findings could usher in lab mice equipped with different kinds of bacteria to reflect real-world conditions. sciencemag.org Gut bacteria from wild mice boost health in lab mice gearsofbiz.com ASU research discovers photosynthetic microbiomes live on the carbon source of the rocks they excavate While land plants get most of their carbon dioxide from the air, aquatic microalgae and cyanobacteria obtain it from dissolved carbon dioxide or bicarbonates in water. However, a team of researchers led by ASU scientist Ferran Garcia-Pichel has shown new evidence that some cyanobacteria get out their biological pickaxes and get to work digging into solid rocks such as limestones to mine for their carbon sources there. And they do this with particular gusto when the availability of dissolved carbon dioxide in the water is limited. asunow.asu.edu A Macro Look at the Microbiome Indeed, the methods by which the microbiome is studied represent a challenge noted by John Deaton, vice president of science and technology at Deerland Enzymes & Probiotics (Kennesaw, GA). "It's important to understand the limits of the techniques we currently use to analyze the microbiome," he says, "and how to improve and perfect those techniques." nutritionaloutlook.com Are You Getting Enough Prebiotics? Here's How To Know For Sure Undigestible by the human gastrointestinal tract, prebiotic fibers are plant fibers that make their way undigested to the colon, where friendly microflora ferment them and use them as fuel. Like fertilizer for a garden, these "prebiotics" can stimulate the growth of organisms like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria, probiotic species that are absolutely essential for your health. mindbodygreen.com Does Dietary Protein Affect the Gut Microbiome? Previous studies have found that diets with a high protein composition cause the gut microbes to process protein during fermentation instead of carbohydrates, and cause a reduction in the number of bacterial groups that produce the useful compound butyrate. The products of protein fermentation include branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs), ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, phenolic compounds, and amines whereas products of carbohydrate fermentation include short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), acetate, propionate, and butyrate. medicalnewsbulletin.com Synthetic Spider Silk Is on the Way (Finally) Spider silk has been something of the Holy Grail for fabrics. If you're old enough to read this, you're also likely well aware that it's among the toughest materials around. It's also light, flexible, and expensive. Spiders, being tiny, only make a little bit of the stuff. Mass producing it to make ultra-light armor, hyper-strong ropes, or anything else amazingly awesome has been slow going. Until now. Start-up Bolt Threads and others are hoping to make the fabric on large scales. geek.com Glyphosate [aka Roundup] on feed affects livestock: vet A Saskatchewan veterinarian blames glyphosate in feed for livestock health concerns he has encountered but Monsanto disputes that claim, saying studies show gut microbes aren't adversely affected by the chemical. producer.com Ancient sea turtle reveals pigment-based survival trait at least 54 million years old Ancient turtles benefited from a pigmentation-based survival trait -- or dark shells -- just like their modern relatives. upi.com Natural polyreactive IgA antibodies coat the intestinal microbiota Increasingly, we recognize that the gut is a specialized organ for maintaining microbial symbioses alongside nutritional functions. The gut produces large quantities of immunoglobulin A (IgA), which adheres to the surface of gut microbes. Bunker et al. discovered that antibodies produced by naïve small intestinal plasma cells are recirculated and enriched within Peyer's patches, independently of exogenous antigen and T cell help. The resulting polyreactive IgAs are released into the gut lumen and bind to microbial surface glycans, thus innately recognizing the gut microbiota. Polyreactive IgAs appear to be a product of the coevolution of host and microbiota to maintain symbiotic homeostasis. science.sciencemag.org UA researchers find evidence that a drying climate forced ancient humans out of Africa Researchers from the University of Arizona Geosciences Department have found evidence that climate change sent early humans out of Africa and into Eurasia. wildcat.arizona.edu NASA's Dawn mission gears up for close look at Ceres The solar-powered probe, built by Orbital ATK, will remain in a stable orbit around Ceres once it runs out of hydrazine fuel next year, ensuring it does not crash into the dwarf planet and contaminate it with microbes and toxic materials that may have been carried from Earth. spaceflightnow.com Breeding cows to put of less methane gas A group of award-winning scientists think it would be possible through selective breeding to produce gas-free cattle, because a cow's genetic makeup plays a huge role in determining what microbes are found in its gut and, therefore, the amount of greenhouse gas they release into the air. winnipegfreepress.com Researchers discover 'switch' that allows microbes to recognize kin Molecular biologist Daniel Wall and Ph.D. student Pengbo Cao solved a piece of the mystery surrounding how bacteria recognize family members, helping them band together for protection and even unite to become true multicellular organisms for survival. How one-celled microbes recognize their kin is described in a paper by University of Wyoming scientists and published online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. phys.org "Probiotics" revive and restore septic tank systems - South Africa Bioremedial sewage treatment solutions are like probiotics for septic tanks and help revive and restore these systems resulting in much less odour. That's according to Ian Wright, CEO of organic air, water and sewage treatment firm, Biozone. Wright says natural sewage reclamation solutions, like theirs, reduce the frequency of septic tank pump-outs and extend the life of these systems. infrastructurene.ws ozonize.co.za ozonize.co.za facebook.com/getozone/ Science Leader Gains "Out of this World" Recognition Paul Stamets, Founder, Owner and Chief Science Officer for Fungi Perfecti has received an accolade not normally seen in the Natural Products world. markets.businessinsider.com Hot Job: Environmental engineering technician fights contamination in Rochester The New York State Department of Labor projects job openings for environmental engineering technicians in the Finger Lakes region to rise 28.6 percent between 2014 and 2024. Increased demand is expected to be tied to state and local governments focusing efforts and resources on efficient water use and wastewater treatment. democratandchronicle.com Students analyzing lionfish for bioremediation The students of Navarre High School, Navarre Beach Marine Science Station, Gulf Breeze High School and others in Escambia County were partnering with the University of West Florida Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation to find out exactly what the invasive lionfish of the Gulf of Mexico are eating. navarrepress.com news.gulfbreezenews.com pnj.com news.uwf.edu Walla Walla Community College plays role in shaping a nation Since last spring Walla Walla has been home to seven Rwandan students . . . All are enrolled at the college, studying soil science, irrigation technology, precision agriculture and water conservation. All seven are graduates of the Gashora Girl's Academy of Science and Technology near Kigali, Rwanda's capital city. union-bulletin.com/ Hello from the #countryside as InstaScram takes a long ride Singapore - Bollywood Veggies, an organic farm and resource hub. It was opened in 2000 by two larger-than-life individuals. Ivy Singh-Lim, also known as 'The Gentle Warrior' and Lim Ho Seng, who initially set up the farm for their retirement plans. straitstimes.com Herb Fall Conference planned This weekend Jacksons Mill features the annual West Virginia Herb Fall Conference. Many herb growers and sellers, herbalists and mushroom experts, will be sharing their knowledge and expertise in workshop format from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday September 30, 2017 and 9 a.m. to noon Sunday October 1, 2017. theintermountain.com E-waste on Ramganga banks has toxic chemicals: Panel to NGT New Delhi, Sep 27 E-waste lying on the banks of the Ramganga river in Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh contains hazardous chemicals such as chromium and cadmium, a committee has told the National Green Tribunal. The tribunal was hearing a petition filed by scientist Mahendra Pandey, through advocate Gaurav Bansal, seeking action against illegal processing of electronic waste in Moradabad, Bareilly and Shahjahanpur districts of Uttar Pradesh along the Ramganga river, an important tributary of the Ganges. outlookindia.com 'Superficial clean-up not enough; nod for vessels to set sail questionable' CHENNAI, INDIA: Remember the massive oil spill that polluted the Chennai coast a few months ago? The coast is now totally clean, if you were to go by a report Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. The report says scientist Sundar Ramanathan, regional office, MoEF&CC, Chennai along with D Vasudevan, district environmental engineer of the TNPCB and two other pollution board officials, carried out an inspection of Kamarajar Port and the shoreline stretch from Ennore in Tiruvallur district to Kanathur in Kancheepuram district and found no trace of oil or tar balls. newindianexpress.com How FRIM transformed an old tin mine into a lush, green forest The seminar, themed "Planting of National and IUCN Red List Species", was organised by the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) with the support of the Korea Forest Service and Asia Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutions (APAFRI). star2.com Opinion: Here's a natural way to control stormwater, reduce flooding and pollution by Vincent Cotrone Municipalities that are designated MS4 communities (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state Department of Environmental Protection are tasked with finding ways to reduce stormwater runoff. Some municipalities face fines and enforcement for combined sewer overflows that cause untreated sewage to flow into waterways when pipes do not handle increased volumes of stormwater during rain events. So how to do municipalities begin to reduce stormwater runoff and the pollution associated with it? Well, they can increase the size of underground pipes, holding tanks and the capacity of their sewage treatment plants, which would cost millions of dollars. Or, they can consider some greener and cheaper solutions in concert with the grey infrastructure of pipes and holding tanks. One of those green and cheap solutions involves the planting of large-canopy trees. A great deal of research by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service and others has shown that trees and forests reduce stormwater runoff and pollution in several ways. Canopy Interception: Trees work like large umbrellas, intercepting and evaporating rainfall in their canopies. Average interception by deciduous trees can range from 700 to 1,000 gallons of rain water annually, while an evergreen can intercept more than 4,000 gallons. readingeagle.com Two Ways of Making Malaria-Proof Mosquitoes By harnessing the microbes that live inside these bloodsucking insects, scientists are trying to stop them from spreading disease. theatlantic.com The microbes in a mosquito's gut may help fight malaria sciencemag.org Examining the lifestyles of microbes Scientists are identifying and characterizing more microbes each year using DNA sequencing technologies. As each new species is sequenced, scientists add it to the microbial "tree of life," creating a virtual census of what's there. phys.org Manipulating Microbes May be a Key to the Future of Restorative Health Rather than a single bacterial magic bullet, imagine instead a future that involves microbial concoctions tailor-made to your microbiome fingerprint to help restore equilibrium. psmag.com Editor's note - here's the best way to "manipulate your microbes": Fresh and Fit: How to diversify your diet - and why you should There's mounting evidence that eating a diversified diet really is an important part of being healthy. It all stems from the importance of taking proper care of our body's gut microbes. These trillions of bacteria affect our metabolism, immune system and even our mood. They keep our bodies running efficiently. A wider diversity of microbes simply increases that efficiency. nooga.com Fungal microbes as biofertilizers in agriculture and gardening - is the reward greater than the risk? Companies are increasingly producing fungal inoculants and marketing these as biofertilizers to improve plant growth and soil health. However, there is little or no evidence of their effectiveness and possible ecological risks, as shown in a new study published in the journal Functional Ecology on 29 September 2017. phys.org Indigo Harvests $156M to Boost Agtech R&D, Harness Crop Microbes In the past year, Indigo Ag has brought to the market five microbial seed treatments that help plants hold up to crop stresses, such as drought. The company now has its sights set on developing more products for more applications, and it has raised $156 million to support that work. xconomy.com 'Purple Spots' On Ancient Documents Indicate Deterioration By Microbes Many ancient documents were created on parchment, which is derived from animal skin. Over time, parchments can be covered in purple spots, making the documents unreadable. (See upper left image.) For the past 40 years, scientists have tried to figure out what was responsible for the splotches, but little progress was made. But now, a team of mainly Italian researchers believes it has identified a potential cause. DNA sequencing revealed that the purple spots contained greater microbial diversity. The undamaged spots were dominated by the bacterial order Pseudonocardiales. This order was also present in the purple, damaged spots, but these spots also contained a higher fraction of different bacteria, such as Vibrionales. acsh.org Looking for life on Mars? Start with microbes in Antarctica Researchers hope that three thousand year old microbes who have battled the harshest conditions can teach us more about survival wired.co.uk Cold World, Hot Topic: Can Microbes Survive on Mars? CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - A tiny version of Mars on Earth is tucked inside the Space Life Sciences Lab here at NASA's Kennedy Space Center - a specialized simulation chamber that's helping scientists delve into the prospect of detecting life on the Red Planet. space.com Worries about spreading Earth microbes shouldn't slow search for life on Mars theconversation.com The Alien Observatory --"Holographic Lasers Zap Plumes of Water from Vast Ocean of Saturn's Enceladus" (WATCH Video) We may be capable of finding microbes in space - but if we did, could we tell what they were, and that they were alive? Nadeau and colleagues offering evidence that a technique called digital holographic microscopy, which uses lasers to record 3-D images, may be our best bet for spotting extraterrestrial microbes. dailygalaxy.com Panda Gut Microbes Change with the Seasons Scientists have found that pandas, rather than a summer and winter wardrobe, have different sets of gut bacteria for different seasons. The rotating roster of bugs helps pandas make the most of their drab diet of bamboo, bamboo and more bamboo. blogs.discovermagazine.com 'Red snow' created by microbes is supercharging climate change by causing glaciers to melt faster Algae living on Arctic glaciers are turning the surface crimson This is reducing their ability to reflect sunlight creating a vicious circle Experiments in Alaska showed red snow increased melting by almost a fifth dailymail.co.uk $20 million grant will help UW study unseen organisms University of Wyoming researchers were given a $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation to research different fungi, bacteria and microbes - a living thing that is too small to be seen by the naked eye. The research teams will take a close-up look at the microbes using technology including DNA sequencing and computational modeling with the aim of learning the ecological and distribution consequences of microbes. The discoveries may help address statewide challenges, from managing range land, forest and water resources, to improving crop productivity. trib.com Study: Gut microbes may influence multiple sclerosis progression Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, or UCSF, have found that gut microbes may play a role in the neurodegeneration that characterizes multiple sclerosis (MS). By identifying specific gut microbes associated with MS in human patients and showing that these microbes take part in regulating immune responses in mouse models of the disease, the researchers hope to understand the origins of MS and potentially lead to treatments. news.xinhuanet.com New Study Finds 99% of Microbes in Human Body Previously Unknown A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences determined that our bodies are host to a number of diverse microbes that were previously unidentified. contagionlive.com Numerous uncharacterized and highly divergent microbes which colonize humans are revealed by circulating cell-free DNA Mark Kowarsky, Joan Camunas-Soler, Michael Kertesz, Iwijn De Vlaminck, Winston Koh, Wenying Pan, Lance Martin, Norma F. Neff, Jennifer Okamoto, Ronald J. Wong, Sandhya Kharbanda, Yasser El-Sayed, Yair Blumenfeld, David K. Stevenson, Gary M. Shaw, Nathan D. Wolfe and Stephen R. Quake Through massive shotgun sequencing of circulating cell-free DNA from the blood of more than 1,000 independent samples, we identified hundreds of new bacteria and viruses which represent previously unidentified members of the human microbiome. pnas.org Reeves: Mulches For Enhanced, Low-Cost, Low-Maintenance Landscapes The earth's crucial thin layer of soil must be protected, maintained, built and nourished. A mulch cover of various materials on soil enables, conserves and enhances our precious soil. Natural mulch consists of dead leaves, twigs, fallen branches and other plant debris which accumulate on the earth's surface. Bacteria, fungi and other living organisms use these raw organic materials for food, a process we know as decay. In the natural scheme of things, decay is Nature's way of returning to the earth the raw materials borrowed by previous generations of plants. Organic mulches not only conserve moisture, they also feed plants, earth worms, microbes and other beneficial soil life by composting at the moist earth surface. Randy Reeves is a Texas A&M AgriLife extension agent for Gregg County, Texas news-journal.com Recycled Polyester Sustainability Drives Synthetic Yarn Development Recycled Synthetics Gain Ground with the Announcement of Two New Yarns on the Market ispo.com Kelheim's Viloft fibre receives certificate Viloft fibres and wipes made of Viloft and cellulose are completely bio-degradable. Viloft, as all viscose fibres, is made of cellulose - the most abundant material in nature and a renewable raw material of which all plants are made. Therefore, the biodegradation of cellulose is a naturally occurring process in nature. innovationintextiles.com Waiakea Water Becomes the First Water Bottling Company with Fully Biodegradable Bottles Waiakea Water is a founding partner of TimePlast, and together, these two companies promise that the water bottles used for Waiakea Water will degrade over 97 percent faster than plastic bottles being used in all other water bottling companies. positivethefacts.com timeplast.net Editor's note: not sure if this is truly biodegradable, or if the nano particles continue to harm the environment. We prefer plastic made from vegetable sources. Eat Plastics by Eating Fish In the 1950s, mankind produced less than two million tonnes of plastic waste. Fast forward 60 years and we are getting through more than 320 million tonnes each and every year. Plastic takes hundreds of years to biodegrade. Now plastics are entering our food through fish, and at last something might be done about it in the UK at least. sputniknews.com Editor's Note - don't get lost at sputnik - their political stuff is Russian propaganda to divide America. Instead Of Throwing Out This Plastic Wrapper, You Eat It Evoware is made from seaweed - and if you don't feel like eating it, it will biodegrade just fine. fastcompany.com Evoware Indonesia Seaweed-based packaging that replaces billions of small bits of plastics with a nutrient boost. newplasticseconomy.org fastcompany.com Editor's note: always check to see if alternative plastic products fully degrade, or if they just turn into smaller pieces of plastic. Experts say degradable and conventional plastics don't mix A study in Europe found that degradable plastics and substances used in them cause noticeable damage in recycled-content plastic films. Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE), a trade group, said that even low quantities of degradable plastics result in holes and specs in recycled conventional PE films. The group pointed to the results of a trial that compared the quality of recycled films from Northern Europe with those from Southern Europe. resource-recycling.com Timeplast Plans to Put an End to Plastic Pollution with the World's First and Only Nano-Degraded Plastic Timeplast, the world's first and only nano-degraded plastic which promises to end plastic pollution forever, is live on global crowdfunding platform Kickstarter and raising funds to bring the project to life. digitaljournal.com timeplast.net Wetherspoons bans plastic straws JD Wetherspoons has announced it will stop using plastic straws across its 900 pubs in the UK and Ireland by the end of this year, in a bid to curb plastic pollution. Instead it will switch to biodegradeable paper straws, with staff at the pub chain reducing the use of plastic straws during the transition, the firm said earlier this week. Wetherspoons believes the decision will stop 70 million plastic straws being used every year. businessgreen.com Swiss cheese found to contain powerful probiotic that promotes longevity The bacterium Propionibacterium freudenreichii, which is used in the fermentation of Emmentaler - the proper name of Swiss cheese, because it came from the Emmental region of Switzerland - is found to be beneficial to health. naturalnews.com low-tech application of orange crop waste shows potential to restore tropical forests Researchers have come upon a new low-tech tropical forest restoration strategy, beginning with agricultural waste. They studied the effects on soil and forest health of the purposeful deposition of tons of processed orange peels and pulp on centuries-old rangeland remaining inside Guanacaste National Park in Costa Rica. news.mongabay.com Study published in onlinelibrary.wiley.com New Product New Biological Fungicide Approved for Fruit and Vegetable Crops AgBiome announced Howler fungicide received registration from the EPA. The first product to be marketed by AgBiome Innovations and developed by AgBiome Inc., it is a biological fungicide that is highly effective against fungal diseases common to high-value crops such as tomatoes, strawberries, leafy greens, and more. growingproduce.com AgBiome Howler fungicide agbiome.com Press release Howler Fungicide Receives EPA Registration Highly efficacious fungicide for specialty crops developed by AgBiome prnewswire.com Is The Secret To A Healthier Microbiome Hidden In The Hadza Diet? npr.org Seasonal cycling in the gut microbiome of the Hadza hunter-gatherers of Tanzania science.sciencemag.org IBM, Scientists Seek Public's Help With Millions Of Virtual Experiments Mapping The Human Microbiome This week, the biggest study of the human microbiome in history has commenced in a project run by IBM with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Massachusetts General Hospital, University of California, San Diego and the Flatiron Institute, and you too can be a part of it. It's called The Microbiome Immunity Project. forbes.com Microbiome Immunity Project: Project FAQs worldcommunitygrid.org Microbiome Research Conference articles now available NIH features early progress in understanding microbiome's role in IBD Last month at the NIH conference marking the culmination of the 10-year Human Microbiome Project, several researchers shared their early findings on the link between the gut microbiota and inflammatory bowel disease, including their role in disease activity, diagnosis and future therapeutics. Read more healio.com Gene Madsen, expert in environmental microbiology, dies at 64 Eugene L. Madsen, M.S. '81, Ph.D. '85, professor of microbiology, died Aug. 9 in Freeville, New York. He was 64. Madsen was a leading researcher of microbial processes in natural environments whose research and teaching career at Cornell spanned nearly four decades. His work advanced the understanding of the role microorganisms play in the cycling of carbon, nutrients and pollutant compounds in all natural habitats, such as soil, sediments and ground water. news.cornell.edu Dust-up at a School Board Meeting; Bioremediation Loses This Round About two hours into Friday night's debate on whether to dig up and remove pesticide-riddled dirt in the former orchard to make way for a new elementary school, Morgan Hill Unified School District's seven-member board had heard enough. In consecutive 4-3 votes, the school board moved forward with the district's off-haul remediation plan - which is still waiting on final approval from the State Department of Toxic Substances - and a $1.7 million construction contract to do the work - which was awarded to Seward L. Schreber Construction. The offhauling will begin once the district receives the goahead from DTSC. "I warn you, you will live to regret it if you move forward with this," said Gerard, who called the offhaul method a "quick and dirty route" to take in fixing the problem. He preferred the district go with bioremediation, an alternative cleansing option that involves the use of organisms to neutralize toxins in the soil. "We need to re-look at what we're doing here." morganhilltimes.com Press releases and marketing reports for Vertical Farming in India sbwire.com digitaljournal.com military-technologies.net Scientists Study What Might Make Microbes Turn Bad scientificamerican.com Microbes May Thrive in Subsea Permafrost Long After Flooding Two cores from the East Siberian Arctic Shelf reveal how microbial communities develop over thousands of years as submarine permafrost slowly thaws. eos.org Researchers find microbes key to reef survival The health of the world's coral reefs is of particular concern because of their high social, ecological and economic value, as well as their sensitivity to environmental change. "Climate change is happening; oceans are warming and ocean chemistry is changing with detrimental effects on coral reefs," said Timothy Ravasi. eurekalert.org Do Microbes Trigger Alzheimer's Disease? The once fringe idea is gaining traction among the scientific community. Combing data from published reports, the International Alzheimer Research Center's Judith Miklossy and colleagues had found evidence of spirochetes in 451 of 495 Alzheimer's brains. In 25 percent of cases, researchers had identified the spirochete as Borrelia burgdorferi, a causative agent of Lyme disease. Control brains did not contain the spirochetes. the-scientist.com Building for the Future: Going Green at Mystic Seaport What can we do to make our buildings eco-friendly? Here's a good answer from Mystic Seaport, Connecticut: stories.mysticseaport.org. The post includes a video. The Steamboats.com Hall of Fame Over many decades, hardware stores have traditionally offered us only petroleum-based paints, stains, solvents, abrasives, cleaning agents, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, plastics, lubricants, and adhesives. That's changing as microbial and other products come onto the market. Now it is time to move away from petroleum by-product chemicals in to a new age of water-based and plant-based chemicals. Steamboats.com maintains that we can eliminate diseases such as cancer within a generation, once we have safer chemicals and eliminate petro-based chemicals from our environment. We offer similar recognition for petro-free body care products, such as soaps, shampoos, lotions, conditioners, hair dyes, and cosmetics. We actively research deserving companies, but if you want to nominate your own company, or another company, please send in your suggestions (contact information - click here). This is our current list of Hardware Store Product Honorees. These descriptions are drawn from their website descriptions. - Editor LillyMiller.com Lawn and yard care products to treat insects, diseases, weeds, moss, and nutrient-depleted soils. The Lilly Miller website sells WORRY FREE brand products, selected for their low or reduced risks to people, pets, and the environment. These products are certified organic, derived from natural sources, or are made of less worrisome alternatives to traditional garden products. Carver Tripp Danish Finish (postmortem award: a petro-based furniture stain company bought this product and extinguished it), formerly Parks Corporation, Somerset, Massachusetts. VictorPest.com Rodent control solutions you can trust. Besides electronic traps that kill rodents painlessly, they offer a variety of chemical solutions that are biodegradable, non-toxic, all-natural, and ideal for use around people, pets and plants when used as directed. GreenLightCo.com Organic lawn care and organic bug sprays. Green Light's goal is to provide effective, environmentally responsible products for the homeowner and gardener. OrangeGuard.com Home pest control products. From the founder: "We all have ant problems from time to time, I know I really did when I moved into my passive solar earth bermed home in Carmel Valley in 1983. I wouldn't use toxic insecticides because I was an organic type person. Then I read in Science News where someone had killed fire ants by pouring a citrus hand cleaner on them. Light bulbs went off. . . . My goal was an all natural food grade water based solution for my ant problem. Thus Orange Guard was born, out of my own necessity." New Environmental Projects in India Two pilot demonstrative projects for the treatment of drains using bioremediation were approved. The technology will be put to use at Danapur drain in Patna and Nehru drain in Allahabad at a total estaimbed cost of Rs. 1.63 crore. jagranjosh.com Govt approves 10 Namami Gange projects worth Rs 2,033 cr The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved 10 projects in Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh worth about Rs 2,033 crore, the Centre said today. ptinews.com Support for research in Sudbury, across Canada For Laurentian University, a field and laboratory analysis facility for advancing biomining and bioremediation of mine wastes received $149,984, while an advanced mass spectrometry facility for analysis of complex biological samples received $358,781. thesudburystar.com Life Beyond Sight The microbial earth, brought into view Microbes thrive everywhere, from gardens and kitchens to the harshest environments on the planet: under polar ice, in hydrothermal vents at the bottom of the sea, in hot springs that spew acid. A single gram of soil teems with billions of them, and their genetic diversity is equally impressive, dwarfing that of all the plants and animals on Earth. Life at the Edge of Sight: A Photographic Exploration of the Microbial World (forthcoming from The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press), brings the planet-shaping diversity of these single-celled, microscopic organisms into view through stunning images. harvardmagazine.com buy it now at amazon.com Health Matters: How Gut Microbes Influence Depression cityweekend.com.cn Human Gut Microbes May Help Suppress MS, New Research Suggests multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com Space invaders: the challenges of studying microbes in space Conducting research on Earth is challenging enough for most of us, but what if your research specialty is studying organisms in space? Kasthuri Venkateswaran from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory at Caltech takes us behind the scenes of his article on the microbial profile of the ISS. blogs.biomedcentral.com Whole metagenome profiles of particulates collected from the International Space Station microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com University of Delaware researchers receive $6 million to probe viruses, microbes delawarepublic.org Follow Your Gut (Microbes) New research suggests that gut microbes tell flies what to eat. The microbes inhabiting a fruit fly's gut may shape its food preferences, potentially steering the fly to eat the same kind of microbes it hosts, according to a new study published online July 27 in the journal Current Biology. insidescience.org Gut Microbiota Modifies Olfactory-Guided Microbial Preferences and Foraging Decisions in Drosophila cell.com Unexpected Microbial Life in Glacial Clay Could Offer Antibiotic Solutions In the mid-1900's, private entrepreneurs took an interest in the clay long used by the Heiltsuk First Nations people. Over time, the clay is known to have been used for digestive ailments, as an anesthetic, used to treat burns and sprains, and for beauty and cosmetic purposes. In recent years, the new owners of the clay deposit, located on lands belonging to the Heiltsuk, have partially funded research by University of British Columbia microbiologist, Julian Davies, Professor Emeritus, to explore the properties of the clay. invisiverse.com HDR's Mike Classen Helps Create Efficient and Effective Landfill Designs, Solutions Since entering the industry approximately 10 years ago, Classen has implemented efficient compliance monitoring concepts for clients that have saved their agencies thousands of dollars, created efficient and effective landfill designs and solutions and has come up with creative ways to tackle the issue of leachate in landfills. waste360.com Dietary fibre helps 'good' bacteria win battle of the microbiome Feeding beneficial gut bacteria with fibre appears to help a signalling mechanism which limits the growth of harmful pathogens, according to a new study published in Science. nutraingredients.com Controlled feeding studies show promise for evaluating diet-gut microbiome interactions Experimental studies are needed to assess the effects of diet on the gut microbial structure and activity to determine effects on biomarkers and disease. healio.com Antibiotic use in preterm infants harms gut microbiome, contributes to resistance healio.com Viome analyzes your stool to determine the active bacteria and organisms based upon RNA. This is then mapped to recommendations of customized and personalized dietary advice. This dietary advice is to help achieve better health results. nextbigfuture.com viome.com Plants love microbes, and so do farmers University of Queensland The Australian Sunshine Coast's plant diversity has helped researchers confirm that nurture has the upper hand -- at least when it comes to plant microbes. A study of microbial communities necessary for plant development could improve crop and plant yields. sciencedaily.com To restore our soils, feed the microbes By regenerating our soils, we can sequester more carbon underground and slow climate warming salon.com Scientists compare soil microbes in no-till, conventional tilling systems of Pacific Northwest farms phys.org Soil microbiome unaffected by National Mall turf restoration "We thought that the new 'imported' turf from New Jersey would introduce different communities of bacteria to the National Mall," researcher Jo Anne Crouch said. upi.com Researchers study soil microbiomes found under National Mall turf Recently, the turf outside the National Mall in Washington, D.C. was replaced, which gave scientists the chance to study the bacteria present in the soil underneath. The communities of microbes did not change much before and after the renovation, to the surprise of the researchers; these soil communities are known as the soil microbiome. "My lab is interested in how microbes can move around in the environment, and how they change and adapt as a result of this movement," said Jo Anne Crouch, a USDA-Agriculture Research Service researcher. Crouch is lead author of the study. totallandscapecare.com NIH to host workshop on advances, future needs in human microbiome research The 10-year, National Institutes of Health Common Fund Human Microbiome Project was established to understand how microbial communities impact human development, physiology, immunity, brain development and behavior, and to create research resources for this emerging field. nih.gov healio.com Microbiome and health: Stress, diet and genetics responsible for how bacteria influences our immune system geneticliteracyproject.org 2017 Massry Prize Honors Microbiome Research Pioneers Microbiome researchers Rob Knight, PhD, University of California San Diego, Jeffrey Gordon, MD, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and Norman Pace, PhD, University of Colorado Boulder, will share this year's Massry Prize, splitting the $200,000 honorarium. These researchers lead a field that works to produce a detailed understanding of microbiomes—distinct constellations of bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that live within and around us—and methods for manipulating microbiomes for the benefit of human and environmental health. health.ucsd.edu Does Colon Cleansing before Colonoscopy Wipe Out Our Gut Microbiome? Editor's Note: this article will help medical science to be less harmful to the microbiome when they do colonoscopies. However, rather than colonoscopy as the first line of defense for colon health, we recommend colonic irrigation instead. nytimes.com Activated charcoal drug can protect microbiome from antibiotics Antibiotics can save your life, but they can also mess up your microbiome. A special formulation of activated charcoal could help, protecting your body from the side effects of antibiotics, and perhaps even aiding the fight against antibiotic resistance. newscientist.com Q&A: What if we could take control of our changing microbiomes? Until recently, the human microbiome languished in relative obscurity. But now it's drawn all kinds of attention from medicine and from commerce—and three of the field's star researchers are being recognized for their efforts to advance the field. [must 30-day-free-subscribe to this website to read entire article] statnews.com Microbiome may help predict risk for preterm birth The unique microbiome in the female reproductive tract may eventually be used to predict a woman's probability of giving birth prematurely, according to a presentation at the NIH's workshop, "The Human Microbiome: Emerging Themes at the Horizon of the 21st Century." Gregory A. Buck, PhD, from the department of microbiology and immunology at the Virginia Commonwealth University, wrote in the abstract. "Bacterial vaginosis, with its still poorly defined etiology, has a point prevalence of up to 30%, and carries a higher risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes." healio.com Microbiome research ethics looking at a 'critical gap' With a shift from observational to experimental research using human microbiomes, ethical questions associated with the research and use of microbiomes are on the rise, according to a presentation at the NIH's microbiome workshop. "The first phase of human microbiome research involves the initial focus on genomic characterization," Mildred Cho, PhD, associate director of the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, said during her presentation. "However, there are associated ethical, legal and social implications that arise from collecting and using data and samples." healio.com Disrupted gut microbiome makes children more susceptible to amoebic dysentery Similar results in mice associated with decreased white blood cell levels in the gut Children with lower diversity of microbial species in their intestines are more susceptible to severe infection with the Entamoeba histolytica parasite, according to a new study. sciencedaily.com No guts no glory: Harvesting the microbiome of athletes Scientists have now tapped into the microbiome of exceptional runners and rowers, and have identified particular bacteria that may aid athletic performance. The goal is to develop probiotic supplements that may help athletes -- and even amateur fitness enthusiasts -- recover from a tough workout or more efficiently convert nutrients to energy eurekalert.org Success Lingers for International Flavors & Fragrances The company is benefiting from acquisition synergies and is executing productivity programs International Flavors announced the acquisition of Columbia Phytotechnology LLC, which is also known as PowderPure. This acquisition will help the company create minimally processed products from natural ingredients. gurufocus.com UMC grad returns to Crookston for summer "The everyday decisions we make affect the environment and can influence the health of a city and its people," University of Minnesota Crookston graduate DeAndra (O'Connell) Navratil explains. "I want to help find ways to improve the health of people and our environment. crookstontimes.com Hemp Fest Sponsor Spotlight: Vermont Hemp Company The Vermont Hemp Company, who has assisted in planting more than 200 acres of hemp this season, was devised as an applied research and development outfit, interested in the many applications for hemp incorporation: building materials, fiber, bioplastics, and other potential "disruptive technologies." headyvermont.com Why Industrial Hemp Could Prove A Larger Economic Driver Than Marijuana benzinga.com The Cannabis Movement Enters a Brave Green World mgretailer.com Probiotics help poplar trees clean up toxins in Superfund sites Trees have the ability to capture and remove pollutants from the soil and degrade them through natural processes in the plant. It's a feat of nature companies have used to help clean up polluted sites, though only in small-scale projects. Now, a probiotic bacteria for trees can boost the speed and effectiveness of this natural cycle, providing a microbial partner to help protect trees from the toxic effects of the pollutants and break down the toxins plants bring in from contaminated groundwater. washington.edu news.mst.edu Scientists have found bacteria that like gobbling up a common toxic chemical. atlasobscura.com Major investment for burgeoning research projects Laurentian University receives funding for major projects in biomining and forensic studies Two programs at Laurentian University are getting a boost in funding from the federal government, which for one will be a great help in laboratories and classrooms for future innovation. northernontariobusiness.com/regional-news/sudbury/major-investment-for-burgeoning-research-projects-696701 TCE discovery halts Fairchild Drive housing project An approved project to build a 26 row-houses at 277 Fairchild Drive is being delayed by officials with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency after they discovered the site's soil exceeded safety levels for trichloroethylene (TCE). mv-voice.com Pandemic News from the University of California, Santa Barbara UCSB ramps up production of COVID-19 tests "We've scaled up massively,"UC Santa Barbara molecular biologist Max Wilson said. "For example, we've purified enough of the protein for our CRISPR-based assay to do 500,000 tests in one go." news.ucsb.edu/2020 UCSB develops alternative to decontaminate surfaces that does not involve toxic chemicals As COVID-19 continues to ravage global populations, the world is singularly focused on finding ways to battle the novel coronavirus. That includes UC Santa Barbara's Solid State Lighting & Energy Electronics Center (SSLEEC) and member companies. Researchers there are developing ultraviolet LEDs that have the ability to decontaminate surfaces—and potentially air and water—that have come in contact with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. news.ucsb.edu Global Biosurfactant Market to Grow at Around 4% CAGR From 2014 to 2020: Million Insights marketwatch.com Microbes linked to methane increase ecent findings regarding methane emissions recently were summarized in a story at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website climate.gov. gjsentinel.com After 2000-era plateau, global methane levels hitting new highs climate.gov U-M biologist teaches microbe-hunting skills honed at sea ANN ARBOR—University of Michigan biologist Melissa Duhaime recently spent a month on a Russian research vessel off the coast of Antarctica, filtering bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms from thousands of gallons of seawater. ns.umich.edu Flow cytometry, microscopy, and spectroradiometry map microbes in Antarctic snowmelt laserfocusworld.com Bangalore Development Authority banks on microbes to stop Bellandur lake frothing Ragini Jain, who runs the firm 'Gitanjali Envirotech', insists the 900-acre lake can be restored. "There is no need for any hi-tech procedure. All we need is an organic culture with microbes which does not cost much. In a week's time, this will ensure there will not be any nasty smell or foaming from the lake," she told Express. newindianexpress.com How microbes survive in the open ocean Despite their microscopic size and relative isolation, marine microbes catalyze chemical transformations at rates that are critical for maintaining Earth's habitability. science.sciencemag.org New gene catalog of ocean microbiome reveals surprises University of Hawaii at Manoa Oceanographers report completing the largest single-site microbiome gene catalog constructed to date. With this new information, the team discovered nutrient limitation is a central driver in the evolution of ocean microbe genomes. sciencedaily.com Soil microbes persist through National Mall facelift Turf grass microbiome indicates surprising resiliency American Society of Agronomy It's not every day United States history mixes with microbes in the soil. But when the turf on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was replaced, it offered scientists the opportunity to study changes in the soil microbiome underneath. sciencedaily.com Take the Quiz What Does Your Microbiome Say About You? These microbes are generally harmless and sometimes can even be advantageous for our health. They're also treasure troves of information about our lifestyles. Microbiomes are unique to each individual and the overall composition is established by six months of age. Slight changes occur as you move to new environments or live with new people, but for the most part it's like a fingerprint, Dr. Gilbert said. And there's a lot scientists can glean from this fingerprint. nytimes.com From ancient tribes to modern civilization, what do our microbiomes say about us? Though words like "bacteria" and "fungi" might commonly be associated with infections or disease, the ones found in the microbiome are the peacekeepers of your body, helping digest food, fight disease and regulate the immune system. cnn.com NIH to host workshop on advances, future needs in human microbiome research Microbes inhabit just about every part of the human body outnumbering human cells by 10 to 1. Microbes inhabit just about every part of the human body outnumbering human cells by 10 to 1. The 10-year, National Institutes of Health Common Fund Human Microbiome Project was established to understand how microbial communities impact human development, physiology, immunity, brain development and behavior, and to create research resources for this emerging field. On August 16-18, 2017, NIH will host a workshop, "The Human Microbiome: Emerging Themes at the Horizon of the 21st Century." nih.gov Advanced Approaches to Stormwater Runoff Management Through Green Infrastructure EPA has authorized the NPDES stormwater program to 46 states, with EPA largely relegated to an oversight capacity. Because states with delegated programs may impose stormwater management requirements more stringent than those promulgated by EPA, a number of states, led by California, have established Phase II requirements significantly more rigorous than EPA's rules. lexology.com UMC grad returns to Crookston, MN, for summer "When Katy talked about her phytoremediation research—using living plants to clean up soil, air, and water contaminated with hazardous chemicals—I was immediately intrigued," says Navartil. "It led to a chance to work with her on the research and eventually I changed my major." crookstontimes.com India - Dying Hauz Khas lake to get a new lease of life Constructed wetlands are an example of phytoremediation and rely on natural processes such as microbes, filtration, absorption and uptake of nutrients into wetland plants, to purify water. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is going to undertake the work to rejuvenate, conserve and revive the water body along with environmental engineer Tarun Sebastian Nanda and public participation. The landowning agency will be using constructed or floating wetlands for treating sewage in the drain. "The water in the lake comes through a sewage treatment plant (STP) in Mehrauli. It gets polluted in between due to leakages and sewer water entering into the channel," said a DDA official. hindustantimes.com New Delhi - The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has approved 10 projects in Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh worth about Rs 2,033 crore, the Centre said today. Two pilot demonstrative projects of treatment of drains using bioremediation method were approved. indiatoday.intoday.in Laurentian University hosts inaugural meeting for $4M Biomining Network Researchers will present to industry stakeholders on research priorities and visit research sites The national network received $4M in funding from the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, to develop biotechnologies for mine waste stabilization, and the recovery of valuable metals like nickel, copper and zinc. To achieve this goal, EBM, which is comprised of researchers from the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia and Laurentian University, will harness the capabilities of naturally occurring microbial communities. northernontariobusiness.com MicroGen Biotech: Tackling Pollutants in Soil Irish biotech company MicroGen Biotech is developing products that use microbes—the broad range of single-celled organisms that are found all around us—to increase crop yield, improve food safety, and promote soil health. Using a platform technology called the "Constructed Functional Microbiome," MicroGen aims to regenerate depleted or polluted agricultural land. This technology identifies a set of microbes that, once introduced into the soil, can reduce pollutants found in crops while improving yields and overall soil quality. foodtank.com Bad Microbe News New Hutch center to focus on cancers caused by microbes The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is launching a new initiative focused on finding ways to prevent and cure cancers caused by viruses and bacteria. About one in five cancers worldwide—including cervical, liver and stomach cancers—are triggered by microbial infections. The proportion is much higher in some parts of the world, including sub-Saharan Africa, where one out of every three cancer cases is the result of some type of infection. seattletimes.com Craft Beers Can Have Microbes Previously Unknown to Science geek.com Lovers Share Colonies of Skin Microbes, Study Finds The bacteria on your feet can say a lot about you—including who your partner is. New research finds that people who live together significantly influence the microbial communities on each other's skin. nytimes.com In Love? True Togetherness Means Sharing the Same Microbes invisiverse.com News from South Africa: Maize and sugar cane bio-based bags plastic bags A team of local scientists from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research's (CSIR's) polymer and composite research group in Port Elizabeth broke new ground when they recently developed 100% biodegradable plastic bags made from agricultural by-products. The maize and sugar cane bio-based bags are completely biodegradable in mud, soil, water and compost and break down completely in just three to six months. businesslive.co.za Studying Superfunds: Duke Environmental Engineers Investigate How Super-Polluted Areas Affect Early Human Health pratt.duke.edu Vitamin D Deficiency Adversely Affects Vitamin B Production, the Microbiome, and Immunity prohealth.com Mapping The Brain's Microbiome: Can Studying Germs In The Brain Lead To A Cure For Alzheimer's? Harvard researchers, Dr. Rudolph Tanzi and Robert D. Moir, PhD, are heading up a team, funded by the Cure Alzheimer's Fund and the Good Ventures Foundation, that has taken on mapping the microbiome, the population of microorganisms, some helpful and some pathological, that exists inside the brain. The monumental task, dubbed The Brain Microbiome Project, will, they hope, tell them if amyloid beta plaques - known to initiate the pathological cascade of Alzheimer's disease—are being made to protect the brain and if so, from what? forbes.com More Than Bread: Sourdough As a Window Into The Microbiome npr.org Your partner could affect your microbiome, study says Living with our significant other can modify our microbiome, researchers find, but only to a certain extent. Ultimately, our microbial profiles tend to keep their own "imprint," despite the fact that bacteria hop on and off. medicalnewstoday.com From flask to field: How tiny microbes are revolutionizing big agriculture How tiny microbes are revolutionizing big agriculture I am part of a new crop of scientists who are harnessing the power of natural microbes to improve agriculture. In recent years, genomic technology has rapidly advanced our understanding of the microbes that live on virtually every surface on Earth, including our own bodies. Just as our new understanding of the human microbiome is revolutionizing medicine and spawning a new probiotic industry, agriculture may be poised for a similar revolution. Replacing chemistry with biology: The power of microbes In nature, plants coevolve with microbes that live in their rooting zones, on their leaves, and even inside their cells. Plants provide microbes with food in the form of carbon, and microbes make nutrients available to the plants and help prevent disease. But as we started, adding more and more chemicals to our fields and tilling soils, we broke the close connection between plants and microbes by killing many of these beneficial organisms. effinghamdailynews.com/ To restore our soils, feed the microbes seattlepi.com CFANS professor receives NSF grant to support microbiome research network A recent grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to a University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences scientist will lead to the creation of an international network working on plant-associated microbes. Plant Pathology Professor Linda Kinkel was recently awarded the $500,000 NSF grant that will lead to the creation of the Agricultural Microbiomes Project (AMP) research coordination network. twin-cities.umn.edu Protecting our drinking water Certain vegetation, which absorb pollutants (including ammonia, nitrate, phosphorous and heavy metals), can be grown in the pond to clean the water further. This technique is known as phytoremediation. At larger scales, the effluent can be discharged into a constructed wetland, which works in a similar way. Sometimes, the quality of water that has been put through phytoremediation is so good it can be recycled and reused for other, purposes; reducing or even avoiding the need for discharge altogether. nst.com.my A Water Filtration System that Merges Science with Pleasing Aesthetics A plant-based water filtration system, Pratik Ghosh, Innovation Design Engineering, Royal College of Art, Imperial College, London 2017 Drop by drop is a water filtration system for home that uses plants to filter out contaminants. Recommended plants to be used in the filtration system are herbs as they can be easily grown indoors for consumption and the water procured has a scent that is pleasant to taste. The air that goes out of this system is primarily oxygen which enhances the room atmosphere. core77.com dezeen.com/ blog.adafruit.com tuvie.com inhabitat.com trendhunter.com treehugger.com inhabitat.com Agritourism could mean more revenue for Montana ranchers and farmers "We will be seeing people from Canada, our neighbor to the north, coming down to assist our farmers in learning all of the intricacies of the harvest of hemp, because it's a different crop one that we're not used to growing," he said. "We also need to know the different areas of processing for oil seed as an example, for phytoremediation of clean up of a hydrocarbon spill." ktvq.com How New Genetically Engineered Yeast Could Clean Up Heavy Metal Pollution There's now a genetically engineered version of the fungus found in bread and beer that can help clean up the environment. And as we know, the environment severely needs our help. A team of seven scientists at institutions in Romania and Norway developed the yeast that has the potential to clean up heavy metal pollution, with, according to their research, the most effective strains able to soak up 80 percent of metal ions. Editor's note: we want to wager there are microbes capable of cleaning up heavy metal pollution without having to be genetically modified, but we're including this anyway as a new route to clean up heavy metal pollution. collective-evolution.com Genetically Engineered Yeast Soaks up Heavy Metal Pollution laboratoryequipment.com Microbe new to science found in self-fermented beer sciencemag.org Alternative antimicrobial compounds could come from wastewater Municipal wastewater may become a key ally in the fight against antibiotic-resistant disease-causing bacteria, fungi "Certain bacteria in municipal wastewater produce antimicrobial compounds or biosurfactants that can help prevent the growth of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms which cause serious infections in humans," says Dr Thando Ndlovu a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Microbiology at SU. Ndlovu recently obtained his doctorate in Microbiology at SU under the supervision of Prof Wesaal Khan from the same department. sciencedaily.com New and novel paradigm for advancing research on beneficial microbes While beneficial microbes are increasingly used in agriculture, environmental stressors such as heat can quickly kill or render them useless in the field; and discovering new and better treatments is slow due to the large microbial diversity in soils. Researchers now propose using ecological theory and practice to improve the process of microbial technology development. sciencedaily.com What Gene-Swapping Cheese Microbes Could Say About Antibiotic Resistance YOU AND YOUR favorite cheese—whether it's cheddar, Wensleydale, or a good aged goat brie—have something in common: You're both home to a constantly evolving menagerie of microbes. The bacteria inside you and your fermented dairy live together in a community called a biome, growing and changing in response to their environments. And they adapt to their homes—a cow's hide, a chunk of Swiss, or your gut—by stealing their neighbors' genes. wired.com There are a lot of gross microbes on a dollar bill Now, researchers are finding we also share our microbes through our money. From tip jars to vending machines, each dollar, passed person to person, samples a bit of the environment it comes from and passes those bits to the next person, the next place it goes. washingtonpost.com Your kitchen sponge harbors zillions of microbes. Cleaning it could make things worse By Giorgia GuglielmiJul. 28, 2017 , 2:01 PM That sponge in your kitchen sink harbors zillions of microbes, including close relatives of the bacteria that cause pneumonia and meningitis, according to a new study. One of the microbes, Moraxella osloensis, can cause infections in people with a weak immune system and is also known for making laundry stink, possibly explaining your sponge's funky odor. Researchers made the discovery by sequencing the microbial DNA of 14 used kitchen sponges, they report this month in Scientific Reports. Surprisingly, boiling or microwaving the sponges didn't kill off these microbes Indeed, sponges that had been regularly sanitized teemed with a higher percentage of bacteria related to pathogens than sponges that had never been cleaned. Editor's note: throw away your sponge when it begins to smell, or use a washcloth and launder it regularly. sciencemag.org Pond info. Garden Myths, a book and a blog, by Robert Pavlis, dedicated to unearthing the truth about gardening gardenmyths.com/pond-pumps-filters/ amazon.com Building Natural Ponds, a book by Robert Pavlis buildingnaturalponds.com buy the book: amazon.com WhatPond - how to build a pond whatpond.com/pond-building/ Certified Pond Builder - Aquascape Contractor (CAC) aquascapesbybluecreek.com/ These Fanciful Microbes Need Your Coloring Skills smithsonianmag.com Microbes could have evolved to feed on plastic reuters.com/video/2017/07/12/microbes-could-have-evolved-to-feed-on-p?videoId=372079266 Ocular Microbiome Discovered worldhealth.net Scientists study microbes in the desert for clues on climate change businesslive.co.za Hundreds of species of fungi in deep coral ecosystems discovered by botanists phys.org Civic body looking at expediting lake rejuvenation project thehindu.com Light not powered by electricity Self-powered, the GravityLight uses gravity to create clean energy gravitylight.org China is building first 'forest city' of 40,000 trees to fight air pollution indy100.com msn.com standard.co.uk The dust storm microbiome The airborne dust carried in sand storms affects the health of people and ecosystems alike. New research suggests that part of the effect might not be in the particles of dust but rather in bacteria that cling to them, traveling many kilometers in the air with the storms. The researchers found that during a dust storm the concentration of bacteria and the number of bacterial species present in the atmosphere rise sharply, so people walking outdoors in these storms are exposed to many more bacteria than usual. sciencedaily.com Gut microbes influence the body's response to high-fat diet medicalnewstoday.com Gut microbiome changes linked to numerous biomarkers of type 2 diabetes A new study has identified links between alterations in gut microbial populations and multiple markers of obesity and type 2 diabetes. diabetes.co.uk Diabetes: J&J and Seventure Partners launch investment European venture capitalist Seventure Partners and Johnson & Johnson have invested US$12m in Israel-based DayTwo. Based on HbA1c, lifestyle factors and genetic analysis of the individual microbiome, the company's app analyses the individual microbiome to predict blood sugar responses to thousands of different foods. european-biotechnology.com The Practical Chemist Instrumentation for Heavy Metals Analysis in Cannabis Several remediation strategies exist that are common for the reduction/elimination of metals in the environment. Phytoremediation is one method for removing metals from soil, utilizing plants to uptake metals which then bioaccumulate in the plant matter. In one study, cesium concentrations were found to be 8,000 times greater in the plant roots compared to the surrounding water in the soil. In 1998, cannabis was specifically tested at the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site for its ability to remediate the contaminated soil. These examples demonstrate that cannabis must be carefully cultivated to avoid the uptake of toxic metals. cannabisindustryjournal.com How 'Project New Leaf' is unfolding at Cantigny Park in Wheaton Wetland plants can take up or breakdown toxic elements or compounds through a process called phytoremediation, Cantigny horticulturists say. That means their selection of plants will help clean the water of heavy metals, petrochemicals and other hazards before returning to watersheds. dailyherald.com The Briefcase: 22nd Century targets soil cleanup 22nd Century Group Inc. has joined with the University of Virginia on a project aimed at utilizing novel varieties of industrial hemp to clean up and reclaim abandoned mine lands and other polluted areas in Virginia and other areas in the Appalachians. journalnow.com 22nd Century Partners with The University of Virginia to Utilize Industrial Hemp to Clean Up and Reclaim Polluted Lands 22nd Century's proprietary industrial hemp could revolutionize land reclamation initiatives across the United States businesswire.com Prince Charles students take action for clean water Their journey through the water cycle story was led by Know Your Watershed. This spring, students from Prince Charles Secondary discovered—through in-class sessions and hands-on action projects that saw them preventing the spread of yellow flag iris in the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area and installing a mycoremediation water filter at a local farm crestonvalleyadvance.ca Is there hope for Pasig River rehab? Microorganisms can help Microorganisms present in EM mud balls turn harmful bacteria into helpful ones that help in breaking down organic waste. This is part of a larger process called "bioremediation" where microbes clean up contaminated water and soil by secreting enzymes that break down contaminants into smaller pieces. The microbes then consume the broken-down contaminants, thus helping reduce waste in polluted waters. rappler.com Earthworks' Update on Cortina Project VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Jun 22, 2017) - Earthworks Industries Inc. ("Company") (TSX:EWK) is pleased to report that it has initiated remobilization of its integrated waste management project in California, through its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Cortina Integrated Waste Management Inc. (CIWM). The lease area includes a class III landfill (municipal waste), material recovery facility, composting facility, and soil bioremediation. The project will provide long-term revenue to the Tribe along with socioeconomic development and employment opportunities. The county will benefit through local employment and long term waste needs. benzinga.com Mangaluru: To Japanese Environment Hounor for Karnataka Scientist Forty-six-year-old Shrihari Chandraghatgi, who hails from Siddapura of Uttar Kannada District, has been honoured with Environment Minister Award by the Japan Ministry of Environment for "Developing bioremediation technology to clean contaminated soil and groundwater". bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com GHMC proposes NSSS for treating Upparpally lake newindianexpress.com University of Arkansas Professor Slaton Named Fellow by Soil Science Society of America SSSA is the largest soil-specific society in the United States. Members advance the field of soil science and provide information about soils in relation to crop production, environmental quality, ecosystem sustainability, bioremediation, waste management, recycling and wise land use. news.uark.edu Join the 2017 Tour of Gardens and Support WGC's Community projectsWoodinville Garden Club, Woodinville, Washington nwnews.com Microbial Products Market Influencer, Highlights, Key Findings, Major Companies Analysis and Forecast to 2027 The main factor which is driving the market for Microbial products is the demand for various industries. Agriculture industry is growing with rapid speed there by increasing the demand for the microbial products. medgadget.com Global Environmental Remediation Market Will Reach USD 122.80 Billion by 2022: Zion Market Research econotimes.com Cleaning up the Peninsula Boulevard plume EPA offers two preferred options to remediate underground water contamination The recommend course of action is bioremediation where harmless microorganisms such as whey, lactate and emulsified vegetable oil are injected and used to break down the PCE and TCE into non-toxic compounds. A series of vapor extraction wells will then take the gasses to the surface where they can be disposed of safely, officials said. liherald.com Planning phase two cleanup of Peninsula Boulevard plume Calling the contaminated site "complex," EPA officials said the cleanup has been divided into two phases. The first phase, which began in 2011, the EPA designed a pumping well-extraction system that officials said would bring the polluted groundwater to the surface where it can be treated. The federal agency also designed a system of wells that will inject non-hazardous additives in areas of highly contaminated groundwater to reduce the contamination through bioremediation, which uses natural organisms to break down hazardous substances into less toxic materials. The cost was $21.5 million. The proposed second phase of the cleanup addresses the sources of groundwater contamination near the Cedarwood Cleaners and Piermont Cleaners. The plan includes application of non-hazardous additives to the groundwater to break down the contaminants. liherald.com Aquatic & flowering plants can break down harmful effluents from textile dye industry A large number of synthetic chemicals and colouring agents are used in the dye industry. Many of them contain large organic molecules, commonly known as azo-compounds with nitrogen-nitrogen triple bonds. indianexpress.com A city laid waste A new rapid bioremediation process that can remove garbage hills and end their ill effects, promises a low-cost solution to waste management and disposal. It is very important that alternative technologies are carefully evaluated on their merit. indianexpress.com AD, skin microbes intertwined dermatologytimes.modernmedicine.com Marshfield wastewater plant uses microbes to clean water The plant was built in 2000 and was designed to handle the increased sanitary sewer flows that occur with rainwater into sewers in clay soils. The plant used a traditional flow system and, up until two years ago, used chemicals such as ferric chloride to treat the wastewater coming into the facility. Marshfield Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Sam Warp talked about the natural removal of phosphorus and other nutrients from the wastewater treatment plant by fostering microbes at a June 21 water tour presented by Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin and UW Discovery Farms. thecountrytoday.com Microbe mystery solved: What happened to the Deepwater Horizon oil plume Berkeley Lab scientist Gary Andersen led a study that identified all of the principal oil-degrading bacteria in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. phys.org University of Pennsylvania A perturbed skin microbiome can be 'contagious' and promote inflammation, Penn study finds In a new study, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have shown for the first time that, not only can infection with the Leishmania parasite alter the skin microbiome of affected mice, but this altered microbial community can be passed to uninfected mice that share a cage with the infected animals. Role of Gut Microbiome in Metastatic Melanoma Patients on Immunotherapy cancernetwork.com DNAnexus Launches Novel Platform for Human Microbiome Research Community-driven platform to advance microbiome bioinformatics and standards through global research and collaboration businesswire.com Skin Microbiome Can Be Negatively Altered by Topical Antibiotics Scientists at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania say the use of topical antibiotics can dramatically alter communities of bacteria that live on the skin genengnews.com The Kombucha Craze Steps into Art and the Science of the Microbiome A whole new area of research developed in the last decade studies the multiple implications of the microbiome on human health might bring a new perspective on kombucha, which is fermented thanks to a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast. When ingested, the microorganisms can become part of our gut microbiome, which influences all sort of processes from digestion to the immune response and the brain. labiotech.eu Study on human skin microbiome finds archaea abundance associated with age It turns out your skin is crawling with single-celled microorganisms—and they're not just bacteria. A study by the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and the Medical University of Graz has found that the skin microbiome also contains archaea, a type of extreme-loving microbe, and that the amount of it varies with age. phys.org NASA diligently tracks microbes inside the International Space Station "We should be investigating new and different ways of monitoring spacecraft for microorganisms," said NASA scientist Mark Ott. upi.com NASA keeps a close eye on tiny stowaways Wherever you find people, you also find bacteria and other microorganisms. The International Space Station is no exception. sciencedaily.com Hunting microbes or smelling poison: A matter of evolution Université de Genève Mammals possess several lines of defense against microbes. One of them is activated when receptors called Fprs, which are present on immune cells, bind to specific molecules that are linked to pathogens. Researchers showed in 2009 that these same receptors were also present in the nose of mice, probably to detect contaminated food or to avoid sick conspecifics. The biologists now describe how Fprs have acquired this olfactory role during rodent evolution, moving from the immune system to a neuronal system. sciencedaily.com Microbots to the Rescue! Swimming Bots Kill Bad Water Microbes A study from the Max-Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, in Germany, published in the American Chemical Society journal of Applied Materials and Interfaces, highlights a new approach to the problem of water contaminated by E. coli. Their answer? Swimming microbots. invisiverse.com is.mpg.de/en Microbots Decorated with Silver Nanoparticles Kill Bacteria in Aqueous Media pubs.acs.org Microbes from ships may help distinguish one port from another Michigan Technological University Much the way every person has a unique microbial cloud around them, ships might also carry distinct microbial signatures. The key is testing the right waters -- the bilge water from the bottoms of ships. sciencedaily.com Evolution Can Microbes Encourage Altruism? If gut bacteria can sway their hosts to be selfless, it could answer a riddle that goes back to Darwin. quantamagazine.org Cleaning 500 square miles of radioactive waste starts with a single-celled organism dvidshub.net Delivery of hemp seeds to Rodale in Berks delayed The 2014 Farm Bill may have allowed hemp to be grown for research, but farmers across Pennsylvania are discovering getting the seed into the ground isn't easy. Actually, getting seed at all has been a challenge. readingeagle.com Study: Can Oysters Improve Water Quality in Pearl Harbor? bigislandnow.com State studies water quality impact of oysters in Pearl Harbor khon2.com Oyster project aims to enrich water quality at Pearl Harbor pantagraph.com Behind the List with Jay Hill of Bioscience Inc. 30-plus years, 35-plus countries—and counting lvb.com Bioscience, Inc., has been a trusted partner in the field of waste and wastewater treatment and monitoring worldwide for nearly 30 years. Founded in 1984, the Pennsylvania firm specializes in the application of custom microbial cultures for the biological processing of waste, as well as the manufacture of specialized instruments and test kits for wastewater analysis. bioscienceinc.com Join PAC for a farm tour of Mushroom Mountain The Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) invites the public to attend a field trip to Mushroom Mountain in Easley, S.C. Mycologist and founder of Mushroom Mountain, Tradd Cotter, will lead a tour of his facility which currently maintains over 200 species of fungi for food production and a laboratory space for research. The tour of Mushroom Mountain will include an introduction to fungal ecology and life cycles, laboratory tour and research overviews, and the fruiting room. Many aspects of mushrooms, including medicinal properties, cooking, and mycoremediation to soil creation will be discussed along the way. tryondailybulletin.com DENR plans massive cleanup and rehab of Malandog River in Antique, Philippines Part of the planned rehabilitation of Malandog is the adoption of combined eco-friendly and engineering interventions like phyto-remediation, construction of wetlands, planting of bamboos and other plant species along the river banks, rip-rapping or coco-matting and construction and greening of linear parks. news.mb.com.ph news.mb.com.ph NOAA recommends Maine fisheries research projects for $1.5M in funding The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has recommended over $1.5 million in Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program funding for six fisheries research projects in Maine. The goal of the Saltonstall-Kennedy program is to fund projects that address the needs of fishing communities, optimize economic benefits by building and maintaining sustainable fisheries and increase other opportunities to keep working waterfronts viable. mainebiz.biz Bio-on presents a revolutionary new technology to eliminate oil pollution in the sea within 3 weeks. New Minerv Biorecovery technology, patented worldwide by Bio-on and based on the revolutionary 100% biodegradable bioplastic, opens up unprecedented scenarios for environmental recovery and bioremediation of hydrocarbon pollution (oil-bioremediation). Sea water polluted by oil is cleaned within 3 weeks. Bio-on has developed the technology and entrusted validation testing to Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero del CNR (Institute for Marine Coast Environment of the National Research Council - IAMC-CNR) in Messina. Connect4Climate - The World Bank Group partners the project to raise awareness of the benefits of this technology for safeguarding the oceans. globenewswire.com Bio-on - Minerv Biorecovery bio-on.it bio-on.it Sustainability and green solutions on display at Techtextil May 30, 2017, Frankfurt wide range of green products on display and from the Techtextil Symposium programme innovationintextiles.com Bioremediation and Waste Management The process of bioremediation was invented by George Robinson in the 1960s. We can remember the historical events of Gulf war and its impacts on environments which might be the reason of discovery of Giant bug, (Pseudomonas putida) in 1979 by Anand Mohan Chakrabarty. This strain of Pseudomonas putida with hybrid plasmid was used to degrade oil spills above the ocean surface.The prefix "bio" defined the process as biological that is, carried out by living organisms. The noun "remediation" defined the process as one that resulted in the cleaning, or remediation, of the environment, via complete degradation, sequestration, or removal of the toxic pollutants as the result of microbial activity. Degradation means that the microorganisms decompose the pollutants to harmless natural products such as carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O) or other nontoxic naturally occurring compounds. morungexpress.com/bioremediation-waste-management/ Did the microbiome help drive human evolution? Our bodies are made up of many more microbial cells than human cells. Thousands of species of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes live almost everywhere in and on our bodies, including the digestive system, nose, and skin, to name just a few. Some of the earliest research showed that the microbes that live in our digestive systems help us digest food, make some of the vitamins we need, and balance the immune system. statnews.com Can Microbes Compute? Cleverly arranged microbial fuel cells can form the basis for computation! Researchers from the Unconventional Computing Center (I did not make that up) in the UK have figured out, at least theoretically, how to use microbes as computers. sciworthy.com Naturex says botanical blends beat artificial preservatives against meat microbes Naturex is launching two botanical-based preservatives that are more effective than artificial preservatives in fighting Listeria and Salmonella in processed meat products. foodnavigator.com Naturex, global leader in specialty plant-based natural ingredients naturex.com Microbes, Not Food Restriction, Could Be The Key to Our Most Effective Treatment For Obesity In 2008, researchers from Arizona State University found the types of bacteria in the digestive systems of patients after they'd had a form of bariatric (weight-loss) surgery called a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass had changed dramatically, leading them to wonder if these new microbes might be at least partially responsible for ongoing weight loss. sciencealert.com Newly-Evolved Microbes Could Be Eating 90% of Ocean Plastic Around 90 percent of the plastic that, in theory, should be polluting the ocean is "missing" according to some recent surveys. futurism.com The Curious Case of the Caterpillar's Missing Microbes Tobin Hammer, an evolutionary ecologist at the University of Colorado, Boulder, investigated the intestinal microbes of 124 species of wild, leaf-eating caterpillars from the Americas by sequencing a gene commonly used to identify microorganisms. In a preprint posted to the bioRxiv server, Hammer and his team report that they found no sign of what he calls "resident" microbes—a group of organisms that have co-evolved with their hosts. The paper is the latest in a small but growing list of studies that have failed to find gut microbiomes in various animal and insect species. Researchers have had some trouble getting such papers published, probably because it's hard to prove a negative, says Hammer. scientificamerican.com Biodegradation of organic pollutants in groundwater impacted by landfill leachate A PhD position is open at the Division of Soil and Water Management on the biodegradation of organic pollutants in groundwater impacted by landfill leachates. jobs.sciencecareers.org New generation of electronics to be 'flexible like skin' To support the polymer the researchers have also come up with a degradable electronic circuit together with a new biodegradable substrate material. The substrate is designed for mounting the electrical components. This means an entire, flexible electronic device can be disposed of in an environmentally acceptable way through biodegradation into nontoxic components. digitaljournal.com Prashant Ranganathan, 12th grader from Jamshedpur wins top intel science award in US Student of Carmel Junior College in Jamshedpur, Prashant's project 'Biodegradation of Chlorpyrifos using native bacteria' said that farmers should not use pesticides. financialexpress.com hindustantimes.com Protecting the forest: Setting small fires to prevent the big ones Prescribed burns in Arizona azcentral.com How sea-dwelling microbes help form clouds The bubble-bursting role of bacteria in sea spray has a profound influence on the global climate. Andrew Masterson reports. Movements and densities of sea-spray aerosols have a marked influence on the creation of clouds and therefore, ultimately, climate. cosmosmagazine.com Antibiotic-resistant microbes date back 450 million years, study finds Evolution of enterococci traced back to when life was just making it to land cbc.ca Antibiotic-resistant microbes date back to 450 million years ago, well before the age of dinosaurs Survival of mass extinctions helps to explain near indestructible properties of hospital superbugs sciencedaily.com Ignore your gut reaction: scientists say microbes can help conquer fear We will be able to conquer fear by manipulating the bacteria in our gut, according to pioneering Irish research. In the future, doctors may even be able to successfully treat conditions like post traumatic stress disorder by controlling the type of bacteria in a patient's gastro-intestinal tract. independent.ie Soil Microbes May Be Orchestrating Tree Migrations Microscopic soil creatures may determine how quickly tree species march toward cooler conditions scientificamerican.com How Microbes Keep Chocolate On Store Shelves huffingtonpost.ca Meet the Citizen Scientists Who Think Mushrooms Have Superpowers Last month, around 2,500 people with some connection to hallucinogenic drugs gathered at the Oakland Marriott City Center in Oakland, California for what might best be described as the psychedelics state of the union. nymag.com Bacterial Boost For Bio-Based Fuels "Electrical" bacteria are the key ingredient in a new process developed by the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory that recycles wastewater from biofuel production to generate hydrogen. The hydrogen can then be used to convert bio-oil into higher grade liquid fuels such as gasoline or diesel. rdmag.com Lab-scale technology recycles wastewater into hydrogen for use in fuel production phys.org Ecosciences Launches EcoNow as the New Brand of its Bioremediation Tablets JERICHO, NY--(Marketwired - May 9, 2017) - Ecosciences, Inc. (OTC PINK: ECEZ) ("Ecosciences" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the launch of EcoNow as the new brand of its bioremediation tablet products. marketwired.com EcoNow has developed a line of consumer retail products utilizing innovative Oxy-Tab technology. EcoNow OXY-TAB technology provides oxygen, buffers and billions of beneficial bacteria that break down waste, solids, grease, and paper to properly maintain septic tank or remove build-up in pipes and drains. Oxy-Tabs eliminate odors and are non-hazardous, environmentally friendly and biodegradable. As part of the rebranding, the Company has launched the website www.econowconsumer.com as the first step in executing a multipronged marketing plan to increase sales of EcoNow retail products. econowconsumer.com UCM Conducts Research on Microbiomes and Premature Infant Care New research from the University of Chicago Medical Center on the microbiomes of premature babies could have a major impact on the health of infants with necrotizing enterocolitis. chicagomaroon.com Uterine Microbiome By Sally Robertson, BSc Interest in the microbiome of the reproductive tract has been growing over recent years. Studies of vaginal and placental microbiomes have shown associations between these microbiomes and obstetric outcomes and it is plausible that the uterine microbiome is also associated with these outcomes. Since infection is a major cause of preterm birth, many studies over the last ten years have focused on identifying microorganisms residing in the uterus and recording any association with pregnancy outcome. news-medical.net Unhealthy vagina microbiome can make HIV drugs less effective newscientist.com Study points to penile microbiome as a risk factor for HIV in men sciencedaily.com Penis Microbes Linked to Increased Risk of HIV Infection scientificamerican.com Fiber Supplements Influence Gut Microbiome in Obese Children In recent years, investigators have uncovered the essential role that the gut microbiota plays in maintaining proper health and the onset of various disease states. Now, a team of researchers led by scientists at the University of Calgary have just published new data that shows taking a powdered fiber supplement not only alters the gut microbiome but helps children maintain a healthier weight—potentially helping to prevent many diseases caused by obesity. Findings from the study were published recently in Gastroenterology, in an article entitled "Prebiotic Reduces Body Fat and Alters Intestinal Microbiota in Children With Overweight or Obesity." genengnews.com Prebiotic Reduces Body Fat and Alters Intestinal Microbiota in Children With Overweight or Obesity gastrojournal.org Athletes' Microbiomes Differ from Nonathletes Researchers are beginning to uncover a link between activity level and the microbial makeup of one's gut. the-scientist.com A Traumatic Experience Can Reshape Your Microbiome huffingtonpost.com ASCO Presenter Proposes Gut Microbiome Profiling in Checkpoint Blockade Response Trials Researchers with ties to a new cancer-focused microbiome company are looking to bring microbiome profiling to clinical trials of response to cancer immunotherapy drugs, according to a presentation at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago this week. genomeweb.com Gut Microbiome Analysis Could Help with IBD Treatments Researchers say the microbial population in a person's gut might predict how they'll respond to treatment for Crohn's and other inflammatory bowel diseases. healthline.com Imbalanced gut microbiome linked to systemic sclerosis, study suggests sciencedaily.com Study suggests link between imbalanced gut microbiome and systemic sclerosis newsroom.ucla.edu Microbiome Startup BiomX Raises $24 Million in Series A Round CHICAGO (GenomeWeb)—BiomX, a startup focused on microbiome therapeutics via a proprietary microbiome modulation technology platform, said today that it has raised $24 million in Series A venture capital. genomeweb.com Diseased Microbiome Varies From Condition to Condition COLD SPRING HARBOR, NY (GenomeWeb)—There is no one diseased gut microbiome state, according to Cornell University's Emily Davenport. Researchers have been investigating differences between the gut microbiomes of healthy people and those who are sick to determine whether the gut microbiome enters a state of dysbiosis that contributes to disease. In a talk at the Biology of Genomes meeting here Saturday, Davenport described how she and her colleagues developed gut microbiome co-occurrence networks for thousands of people, some of whom were healthy and some of whom had conditions like asthma. Through their analysis, though, they found no consistent community differences in the microbial networks of healthy and sick people that held across various diseases. genomeweb.com Gut microbiome may predict response to biologic therapy for inflammatory bowel disease Massachusetts General Hospital Researchers have identified differences in the composition and the function of the gut microbiome between patients for whom treatment with a monclonal antibody-based drug was effective in inducing remission of inflammatory bowel disease symptoms and those for whom it was not. sciencedaily.com Another kind of superbug: Seeking an edge in the elite athlete's microbiome statnews.com Batelle Presents Bioremediation Research Symposium patch.com Experts in green and sustainable remediation (GSR) practices from Battelle, the world's largest independent research and development organization, will present groundbreaking research at the Fourth International Symposium on Bioremediation and Sustainable Environmental Technology. battelle.org Delegates from Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Faroe Islands and Northern Ireland will attend an international conference in Letterkenny on Wednesday this week looking at bioremediation to manage runoff from agriculture, mining and landfills. (May 2017) highlandradio.com Weeding machines from Mumbai begin cleaning Bellandur lake deccanherald.com Stormwater initiative will green Milwaukee Public Museum entrance "The courtyard will become an inviting space and a more worthy entrance to our great museum, featuring bright, open spaces, native plantings and teaching gardens, all with educational and informative signage," said The Green Team of Wisconsin Business Manager Matt Astbury. onmilwaukee.com German study casts doubt on 'plastic digesting' caterpillars That study, led by Federica Bertocchini of the University of Santander in Spain, concluded that larvae of the wax moth, Galleria mellonella, break down polyethylene as it passes through their digestive system. Polyethylene, ubiquitous in plastic bags and packaging, poses a major threat to the environment, including for animals that get entangled in it, if not properly recycled. phys.org Hint for scientists: find out what is breaking down the rubber ring at the top of the garbage disposal. There is something growing on it that eats rubber. 'Plastic-eating' fungus discovered in garbage dump Pakistani and Chinese researchers have discovered a fungus which feeds on plastic in a rubbish dump in Islamabad. A study titled "Biodegradation of Polyester Polyurethane by Aspergillus tubingensis", authored by nine researchers from Pakistan and China - who stress the need for "new, safer and more effective ways to degrade waste plastic" - found that the fungus aspergillus tubingensis can break down non-biodegradable plastic in weeks by secreting enzymes which pull apart individual molecules. asiaone.com That study about larvae eating plastic is full of holes Some German researchers found that the evidence provided doesn't hold up under further examination. zmescience.com Plastic-eating fungus found in Islamabad rubbish dump en.dailypakistan.com.pk nextshark.com newsinfo.inquirer.net Scientists report the discovery of a plastic-eating wax moth biotechin.asia Can These Plastic-Eating Wax Worms Help Reduce Our Trash? dogonews.com Newly-evolved microbes may be breaking down ocean plastics newscientist.com Anaerobic Biodegradation of soybean biodiesel and diesel blends under sulfate-reducing conditions cfpub.epa.gov Anaerobic Biodegradation of Soybean Biodiesel and Diesel Blends under Methanogenic Conditions cfpub.epa.gov Tuckerton Adopts Resolution to Study Back Bay Mitigation Stafford Mayor John Spodofora noted that sea level is rising and many of the small islands that lie between Long Beach Island and the mainland are inundated with flood waters more often than in the past. He proposes to use the dredge material from lagoon communities to fill geotubes (long, sand-filled bags used to make sand dunes more stable) and attach them to the islands while they de-water, and then back fill with more dredge material and plant "phyto-remediation" vegetation that would remove any chemicals from the dredged mud. thesandpaper.villagesoup.com Lone Pine Tribal Earth Day: 'Our Planet, Our Responsibility' The Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Reservation invites the community to participate in the Fifth Annual Lone Pine Tribal Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 22, 2017 from 9:00AM-1:00PM at the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Reservation Gymnasium located at 1145 E-Sha Lane. This year's theme: "Our Planet, Our Responsibility-We're in it Together" sierrawave.net Using tropical microbes to improve the environment Dr Adeline Ting Su Yien and her colleagues at Monash University's School of Science are investigating the highly diverse genetic pool of tropical microbes for crop improvement; disease control in agriculture and in aquaculture; the removal of toxic metals and dyes from the environment; and accelerating waste recycling. phys.org Food for microbes abundant on Enceladus . . . the discovery makes Enceladus the top candidate for hosting life elsewhere in the solar system sciencemag.org sciencenews.org sciencenews.org nasa.gov/press-release Saturn's moon Enceladus might have the right elements to sustain Earth-like life latimes.com Biostimulants Clamor For A Piece Of The Row Crop Market croplife.com Asheville GreenWorks salutes those who protect area mountains, rivers Asheville GreenWorks held its 2017 Environmental Excellence Awards event to recognize their outstanding work. Winners were chosen based on several factors, including effectiveness and innovation, but most of all, their impact on local social, economic and ecological conditions. wlos.com Land-based microbes, fungi are invading coral reefs upi.com Enzyme structures illuminate mechanism behind bacteria's bioremediation prowess phys.org Discovery of Mechanism behind bacteria's bioremediation prowess hazmatmag.com Novamont to Reduce Impact of Waste Generated at the Giro d'Italia & Boost Recycling Novamont is to provide materials and technical support to increase the environmental sustainability of this year's Giro d'Italia cycling race, reducing waste sent to landfill. Italian bioplastics firm, Novamont, is to provide materials and technical support to increase the environmental sustainability of this year's Giro d'Italia cycling race, reducing waste sent to landfill Novamont explained that its involvement in the "RIDE GREEN" project will lead to a significant reduction of unsorted waste and mitigate disposal in landfill, soil and air pollution as well as greenhouse gas emissions. waste-management-world.com Marcopper dam leaks threaten townsfolk Philippines - The leaks found at the abandoned Marcopper dam in Marinduque province have raised fears anew among townsfolk who might be forced to evacuate if threats to their health and security are not immediately addressed, according to the Department of Health (DOH). newsinfo.inquirer.net Group proposes artists' haven at former Redding wire mill In the first phase, developers would use state and federal money to decontaminate the property with a method called phytoremediation, where plants could be used to clean the lead, zinc and other chemicals that have seeped into the soil. newstimes.com Lead-Tainted Water Is A Big Problem In Pittsburgh. So Is Lead In The City's Soil wesa.fm principle of phytoremediation: School to introduce novel way for mitigating water pollution KOCHI: A novel initiative to battle the overpowering pollution levels by improvising traditional method of using Vetiver grass will be inaugurated on Friday at Perandoor Canal. The project named 'Jalam Jeevamrutham' was developed by a group of students and teachers of a school in the city. timesofindia.indiatimes.com Bio-remediation measures proposed at Brahmapuram KOCHI: Bio-remediation measures may be experimented at Brahmapuram to clear unprocessed waste piled up on the campus. The ailing treatment plant has proved insufficient to treat waste, while a new waste-to-energy plant is yet to come up. Besides Kochi Corporation, a few neighbouring municipalities depend on the Brahmapuram plant for clearing waste. They also pay a processing fee to the Kochi Corporation for waste management. If it agrees to process accumulated waste, the schemes will not work for Kochi, officials said. nyoooz.com World Water Day: Ganga river gets an Intach hope to free itself from being awash in trash firstpost.com Plant scientists to discuss latest UNH research DURHAM—Researchers with the NH Agricultural Experiment Station will discuss their latest research at the Macfarlane Research Greenhouses at a Research "Field Day" Friday, March 31. The event, which will be held as part of the UNH Spring Greenhouse Open House, runs from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. It is free and open to the public. fosters.com HYDERABAD: As International Water Day approaches, state government authorities rather than just conducting 'awareness campaigns' can take a step in the direction of bioremediation, a technique of using plants for decontaminating polluted environment. The importance of this lies in the fact that half of the sewage water that is generated in Telangana ends up in rivers and lakes without getting treated and bioremediation is a cost effective way to treat waste water. newindianexpress.com Clarence Mitchell Library to host science cafe FREEPORT—The Clarence Mitchell Library at Highland Community College, 2998 W. Pearl City Road, will host "Science Café: Bioremediation Technologies and Implementation Strategies" at 1 p.m. March 29. journalstandard.com Why not use plants to clean our waste water? Micro-organisms will help African farmers: Soil microbes to the rescue Sorghum is the fifth most important cereal in the world. In sub-Saharan Africa, many farmers rely on this grain for food and feed. But Striga, a parasitic weed, can have a devastating impact on crop yield. With an 8-million-dollar grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, an international team will now explore the potential of soil microbes to offer crop protection. The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) is coordinating this 5-year project. eurekalert.org Pennsylvania Greenlights 16 Industrial Hemp Research Projects lancasterfarming.com Ten Cool Facts About Hemp From the NoCo Expo 1. Hemp enriches the soil where it's grown. 2. Hemp absorbs toxic metals. 3. It wasn't always banned. westword.com A Dozen PA Entities Approved for Hemp Research Pilot Program The state launched a new Industrial Hemp Research Pilot Program in December 2016 and is receiving quite an education on the various ways that hemp could benefit agriculture, phytoremediation, technology, nutrition and more. marijuanatimes.org Italian Farmers Are Using Hemp to Decontaminate Soil Cannabis is getting a lot of applause these days as a beneficial medical treatment for a variety of different conditions. But now, our favourite plant is receiving mainstream attention for its ability to heal the earth. marijuana.com Ag Department OKs Berks hemp research projects | Reading Eagle READING, PA Hemp, a crop that dominated Pennsylvania agriculture in the 18th century, took another step back to legitimacy since it was outlawed in the 1970s, with the approval of 16 research projects Thursday by the state Department of Agriculture. readingeagle.com Pa. industrial hemp projects get greenlight The Pa. Department of Agriculture approved 16 research proposals this week that will seek to demonstrate the value and viability of industrial hemp cultivation in the state. The projects were approved under the new Industrial Hemp Research Pilot Program, which the department launched in December. philly.com Ag Department OKs Berks hemp research projects readingeagle.com Italian Farmers Are Using Hemp to Decontaminate Soil marijuana.com academic Study on the biodegradation of crude oil by free and immobilized bacterial consortium in marine environment Qingguo Chen, Jingjing Li, Mei Liu, Huiling Sun, Mutai Bao journals.plos.org Here's a list of toxic heavy metals (THM) that are virtually impossible not to take in: mercury, aluminum, copper, cadmium, nickel and lead. In some cities, there more culprits found in our tap water: Manganese Arsenic Chromium 6 (hexavalent) Radon Chloroform This cocktail may accumulate in your liver, gallbladder and/or intestines. Make no mistake these toxic heavy metals are poisonous and if not eliminated, they oxidize and their chemical runoff will mutate and damage any nearby cells. However, the more insidious issue with heavy metals is that they are the prime food for bacteria, viruses, fungus, parasites and worms. Our body and its tissues thus becomes a feeding ground for many strains of bacteria and viruses. When these pathogens consume THM, they release a neuro-toxic gas that attaches itself to ammonia gas. This nightmare concoction permeates into our intestinal lining and so the pathway for inflammation is now driven by the friendship of ammonia permeability and THM. Once the lining of your gut is saturated by their expanding "colon"-ies, they directly poison by releasing neurotoxins and indirectly through their waste and toxic corpses. Yikes! How to Remove Toxic Heavy Metals from Your Gut Nature is grand, she gives us hope. Here are a few powerful options for removing THM: Cilantro: eat a half a cup of this herb, organic, raw, as-is, sprinkled in your salads or in your smoothies. Parsley: eat a quarter cup a day, organic, raw, as-is sprinkled in your salads or in your smoothies. Spirulina: in its powdered form it is the best for removing THM in your gut. Mix 1/4 teaspoon into water or your smoothie. Garlic: eat 2 fresh cloves a day. Red Clover Blossom: brew 2 tablespoons of these flower blossoms to make 2 cups of tea a day. More conveniently use tea bags: look for organic teas produced by reliable companies that use organic teabag components! I recommend Traditional Medicinals. Caterpillar found to eat shopping bags, suggesting biodegradable solution to plastic pollution phys.org The Lowly Wax Worm May Hold The Key To Biodegrading Plastic npr.org Researchers study if caterpillar holds key to plastic litter plasticsnews.com Worms versus plastic Polyethylene, the plastic that is toughest to be degraded, has met its match. The larvae of wax moth Galleria mellonella have been shown to degrade polyethylene into ethylene glycol at an unbelievably fast rate. In a paper ("Polyethylene biodegradation by caterpillars of the wax moth Galleria mellonella") published on April 24 in the journal Current Biology, Federica Bertocchini from the Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology of Cantabria, Spain, and her team found that worms kept in a polyethylene shopping bag formed holes in about 40 minutes. In about 12 hours, nearly 100 wax worms kept in the bag reduced the mass of plastic by 92 mg. About 2.2 holes were made per worm per hour. thehindu.com Seychelles Proposes a Ban on Certain Plastics and Identifies Standards for Biodegradable Replacements openpr.com Plastic-Eating Fungi Found In Rubbish Heap A strain of fungi researchers found in a rubbish heap can break down plastic as it grows. asianscientist.com Synbio for bioremediation—fighting plastic pollution At the beginning of 2016, however, a group of Japanese researchers identified a novel bacterium, Ideonella sakaiensis 201-F6, that shows great promises as an alternative to the disposal of PET. The bacterium appears to be able to fully degrade the plastic, by feeding on it as its major energy and carbon source. phys.org Letters to the Editor Kudos to Francis' bioremediation work durangoherald.com Scientists Delve Into Neanderthal Dental Plaque to Understand How They Lived and Ate The plaque that coated Neanderthal teeth is shedding new light on how our ancestors ate, self-medicated and interacted with humans smithsonianmag.com Neanderthal behaviour, diet, and disease inferred from ancient DNA in dental calculus nature.com Prehistoric 'Aspirin' Found in Sick Neanderthal's Teeth Evidence of pain-killers is just one intriguing detail pulled from a closer look at the DNA in ancient tooth plaque. news.nationalgeographic.com Neanderthal Dental Plaque Shows What a Paleo Diet Really Looks Like Some ate woolly rhinos; some were vegetarians. theatlantic.com Some Neanderthals Were Vegetarian—And They Likely Kissed Our Human Ancestors npr.org Neanderthal microbes reveal surprises about what they ate—and whom they kissed washingtonpost.com FDA digests Ritter's mid-stage microbiome data biopharmadive.com Microbes Set the Stage for First Animals space.com Scientists identify 3 microbes found on your mobile phones indianexpress.com How Bugs Make Smart Homes In Your Smartphones, Pune Scientists Found ndtv.com Pune scientists discover 3 new microbes that grow on mobile screens livemint.com Pune scientists discover three new microbes that grew on cellphone screens hindustantimes.com Counting microbes on a smartphone phys.org Oil cleanup agreement opens path to North Spokane freeway through Hillyard Wallace said the railroad will be allowed to use a bioremediation method in which air circulates into the ground from wells to stimulate bacteria to chew up the oil. The oil is 170 feet below ground, resting on top of the region's aquifer—the city's source of drinking water. spokesman.com Deepest Life on Earth May Be Lurking 6 Miles Beneath Ocean Floor livescience.com These May Be the Deepest Traces of Life on Earth news.nationalgeographic.com Meet the obscure microbe that influences climate, ocean ecosystems, and perhaps even evolution Penny Chisholm has had a 35-year love affair—with a microbe. For her, it's been the perfect partner—elusive during courting, a source of intellectual fulfillment, and still full of mystery decades after their introduction during an ocean cruise. The microbe's long climb to recognition mirrors Chisholm's own. sciencemag.org Microbiome- Competitive Landscape, Technology andPipeline Analysis, 2017 London - DelveInsight's, "Microbiome-Competitive Landscape, Technology and Pipeline Analysis, 2017", report provides comprehensive insights about pipeline drugs across this class. A key objective of the report is to establish the understanding for all the pipeline drugs that fall under Microbiome. prnewswire.com The expanding ecosystem of microbiome startups medcitynews.com CT-based Azitra has raised close to $3 million in a Series A designed to fuel its research on microbiome therapies for the skin. Seeded by Peter Thiel's Breakout Labs, the company identified a strain of bacteria that can be used in lotions to treat conditions like eczema and staph infections. Bios Partners led the round. "The current approach of only addressing a disease's symptoms alone is ineffective, and the microbiome is a nascent area of groundbreaking science that has enormous potential," said Azitra co-founder Travis Whitfill. "That's why we were passionate about launching a commercial organization that harnesses the power of the skin's own microbiome to develop a new kind of dermatology treatment. Such treatments are potentially safer, more highly targeted, and work better with fewer side effects than what's currently available for often intractable conditions." endpts.com Unbalanced Skin Microbiome May Be Key to Acne Development, Study Finds sci-news.com Finch, Takeda to Jointly Develop Microbiome Therapeutic for Ulcerative Colitis ibdnewstoday.com beckersasc.com Gut microbes contribute to age-associated inflammation, mouse study shows sciencedaily.com Skin disease biotech Azitra closes $2.9M Series A for microbiome work fiercebiotech.com Finch Therapeutics, Takeda ink new microbiome GI collab Microbiome biotech Finch Therapeutics has signed a pact with perennial U.S. life sciences dealmaker Takeda to jointly work on FIN-524, a microbial cocktail for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). fiercebiotech.com Gaining weight? Time to balance your microbiome The only way to deal with this toxic overload is to assist the body's natural self-cleansing mechanisms with detoxing. One way you can start detoxing today is by supporting your gut microbiome, the place where more than 70% of your immune system lives. app.com Microbiome, inflammation on the Ingredion radar Rising obesity rates in Asia, rising interest in the microbiome and the connection between food intake and inflammation are among topics on the radar screen at Westchester, Ill.-based Ingredion, said James P. Zallie, executive vice-president, Global Specialties and president, Americas, and Jorgen Kokke, senior vice-president and president, Asia Pacific and EMEA. The executives spoke with Milling & Baking News during the 2017 Consumer Analyst Group of New York conference in late February at the Boca Raton Resort and Club in Boca Raton. foodbusinessnews.net Gut Check: Scientists are Wary of At-Home Microbiome Tests - New services that sequence the bacteria in your digestive tract can provide only limited information for now. technologyreview.com Achievements of the Human Microbiome Project news-medical.net Microbiome: The Inside Story Recently, it has become apparent that our DNA "does not tell the whole story of our individuality and other factors, environmental factors, play an important role in human health and disease," researchers concluded. We can thank two revolutions in biology for this revelation. First, there was epigenetics, where diet and lifestyle changes have been shown to turn genes on and off. Second was our unfolding understanding of our microbiome—that is, how changes in our gut flora "appear to impact greatly on human biology." care2.com Finnish study connects infants' intestinal microbes to childhood diabetes yle.fi Microbes could make drug production more efficient phys.org Microbes evolved to colonize different parts of the human body: Geology software used to measure relative abundance of bugs sciencedaily.com Microbiome Analysis lcsciences.com Microbiome and Disease However, most microbes do not cause ill health and the more researchers learn about them, the more is understood about how important the balance of different microbial populations is within the context of health and disease. Imbalance of the microbial populations can lead to health problems and correcting that imbalance may resolve such problems. news-medical.net Microbiome: Yeast worsens gut disorder Gut bacteria are known to influence intestinal disease, but the role of gut fungi—such as the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae(pictured) has not been well studied. June Round and her colleagues at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City fed mice with S. cerevisiae, then chemically induced gut inflammation, or colitis. Mice that were given the yeast produced more uric acid and had more gut inflammation than untreated animals did. The team found that the yeast increased the intestinal wall's degradation of molecules called purines, leading to higher uric acid levels. Treating the animals with allopurinol, an inhibitor of purine metabolism, eased the colitis. nature.com Connection between gut microorganisms and Parkinson's disease The term microbiome refers to the microorganisms found in a particular niche. In the human body this pattern, if it becomes atypical, is associated with differences in terms of human health and disease. In recent years, following the work carried out as part of the Human Microbiome Project, medical knowledge of the diverse span of microbial species within and across the human body has been significantly enhanced. This has provided valuable insight into prevalence of indigenous opportunistic pathogens and how these shape health and disease. digitaljournal.com digitaljournal.com Microbiome diversity is influenced by chance encounters Study finds a role for randomness in the composition of the gut's microbe populations. MIT researchers found that when they put genetically identical worms into identical environments and fed them the same diet, the worms developed very different populations of bacteria in their gut, depending on which bacteria happened to make it there first. The Gut Microbiome: Your Personal Fingerprint Video: Unlocking the mystery of chronic issues like poor gut health and brain fog might be easier than you think. Dr. Elena Villanueva of Infinity Wellness Center joined us in the studio to tell us more about how they can help patients with these issues. kxan.com Scientists unlock microbiome's secrets Collaborations produce unexpected research on role of bacteria in disease A postdoctoral scholar in neurobiology, Minter and his advisor, Prof. Sangram Sisodia, wanted to take their Alzheimer's research in an unexpected direction, exploring the link between bacteria in the digestive system and brain health. The resulting study broke new ground: It showed that a long-term course of antibiotics in mice weakened some of the telltale symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in the brain, while at the same time producing marked changes in the makeup of their gut bacteria. uchicago.edu Madison microbiome research aims to help health, environment From diabetes, asthma and tooth decay to lake algae, dairy production and panda reproduction, UW-Madison researchers are studying how tiny bugs in our guts, our mouths and a variety of ecosystems help or harm. A new initiative on campus will award up to $1 million in grants to scientists who study microbiomes—communities of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms that live in humans, other animals and the environment, the Wisconsin State Journal reported. wral.com UW-Madison scientists seek to improve health, environment with microbiome research madison.com Human Microbiome Market Set to Surge Significantly by 2020—Persistence Market Research Trillions of microorganisms live in and on the human body. This collection of microorganisms is called human microbiome. These microorganisms include fungi, bacteria and archaea. Recent advances in DNA sequencing technologies has allowed for more comprehensive examination of these microorganisms and evolved intimate relationships with their hosts. Scientists and researchers recognized that the microbiome is responsible for metabolic and developmental processes, such as food digestion, vitamin synthesis and brain function, of the human body. medgadget.com $899.1 Million Human Microbiome Market by Indication, Application, Product, Product Research & Technology Research - Global Forecast to 2025 - Research and Markets The global human microbiome market is estimated to reach USD 899.1 million by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 21.1% during the forecast period (2022-2025). finance.yahoo.com Dawkins' fabled cooperative gene discovered in microbes Geneticists from the Universities of Manchester and Bath are celebrating the discovery of the elusive 'greenbeard gene' that helps explain why organisms are more likely to cooperate with some individuals than others phys.org In situ remediation could revitalize hazardous waste sites In situ remediation utilizes emerging technologies to insert various natural or mechanical elements into groundwater or contaminated soil. The specific strategy employed depends on both the particular pollutants involved and the physical characteristics of the site. mountainx.com Groundwater Contamination Cleanup Underway "We are trying to do a remediation project and clean up the PC plume that's originating in Downtown Casper and traveling northeast towards the river," said Matt Buccholz, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality senior project manager. kcwy13.com k2radio.com Study: Microbes from Young Fish Extend Older Fish's Lives Recolonizing middle-aged animals with bacteria from younger ones kept killifish alive longer than usual, researchers report. the-scientist.com Researchers uncover clue about how tiny microbes self-mutate nsf.gov How a beneficial gut microbe adapted to breast milk phys.org Enzyme structures illuminate mechanism behind bacteria's bioremediation prowess sciencedaily.com Planktonic microbes fire projectiles at their enemies, research shows upi.com Roadkill Microbes Could Fight Yeast Infections acsh.org Biological Restoration of water and land Certain microbes, bacteria, fungi, and plants can remove or metabolise pollutants in soil or water, including assisting in the removal of industrial chemicals, petroleum products, and pesticides. Some compounds—certain heavy metals, such as cadmium or lead, for example—resist bioremediation. However, some studies have found that fish bone and bone char can remove small amounts of lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc from soils. A healthy ecosystem is, in itself, a bioremedial network of organisms, processing each others' wastes, and this process can be enhanced by design. Purely organic systems include bioswales, plant buffers, and biofilters regulated by microorganisms. greenpeace.org Removing the pollutants UAF research focuses on the use of microbes to eradicate spilled hydrocarbons petroleumnews.com Friends of Powow River looks into bioremediation newburyportnews.com Environmental Remediation Market by Environmental Medium (Soil & Groundwater), Technology (Bioremediation, Pump & Treat, Soil Vapor Extraction, Thermal Treatment, Soil Washing), Application, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2022 finance.yahoo.com reportbuyer.com finance.yahoo.com Ocean microbes making global warming worse Microbes are generating a vast pool of marine methane that is contributing to global warming, scientists have confirmed. independent.ie/ West Virginia Water Microbes Altered by Gas and Oil Spills (fracking) cdanews.com Oil and gas wastewater spills alter microbes in West Virginia waters Rutgers' Nicole Fahrenfeld leads research documenting impacts in stream water and sediments from a wastewater disposal facility Wastewater from oil and gas operations—including fracking for shale gas—at a West Virginia site altered microbes downstream, according to a new study. The study showed that wastewater releases, including briny water that contained petroleum and other pollutants, altered the diversity, numbers and functions of microbes. The shifts in the microbial community indicated changes in their respiration and nutrient cycling, along with signs of stress. sciencedaily.com Local reps 'hopeful' after first meeting of crude advisory council The council was established in the Pennsylvania Grade Crude Development Act in 2016, and is required to examine and make recommendations regarding existing regulations and policies of the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and to assist with new policy impacting the conventional oil and gas industry. bradfordera.com Microbes that may be between 10,000 and 50,000 years old have been revived from the inside of enormous, glittering crystals from a Mexican cave. wdef.com Scientists find 50,000-year-old microbes in Mexican caves bostonglobe.com Microbes in glittering cave revived after 10,000 years, scientists say cbsnews.com Giant cave crystals may be home to 50,000-year-old microbes Finding hints that life might survive similarly extreme conditions on other planets sciencenewsforstudents.org New metalloid oxide reducing bacteria found in Manitoba's Nopiming gold mine tailings Researchers have identified new toxic metalloid-reducing bacteria in highly polluted abandoned gold mine tailings in Manitoba's Nopiming Provincial Park. Uncovering new bacteria with high resistance to toxic waste in Canada's extreme environments has potential to contribute to future bioremediation technologies. sciencedaily.com A Probiotic Skin Cream Made With a Person's Own Microbes A new approach to treating eczema harnesses the defensive bacteria that already live on us. . . . S. aureus is a common part of the skin microbiome. But it's particularly abundant on people who suffer from eczema, and especially on the dry, itchy, inflamed patches that characterize the disease. The lines of cause and effect aren't entirely clear, but Gallo and others have suggested that S. aureus could at least partly drive the symptoms of eczema, by causing inflammation and triggering allergic reactions. theatlantic.com Eczema patients treated by drug-producing microbes found on their own skin Certain friendly bacteria are rare on patients but can still kill Staph aureus. arstechnica.com Event: June 1-4, 2017, Sterling, Kansas Study 'Mushrooms, Molds, and Mycorrhizane' at the School of the New American Farmstead at Sterling College Mushrooms are . . . surprisingly powerful tools for both ecologically-based farming and remediation and prevention of pollution. The School of the New American Farmstead at Sterling College is offering a new course in "Mushrooms, Molds, and Mycorrhizae" for those interested in exploring the cultivation and ecology of these fungi. This intensive four-day course, held from June 1-4, 2017, is designed to guide students through mushroom ecology and basic identification, farm reproduction methods and cultivation, mycoremediation, and medicinal mushrooms, extracts, and tinctures. vtdigger.org Event May 9-12, 2017, Germany Hohenstein Group to present at Techtextil/Texprocess 2017 hohenstein.de Hohenstein scientists are currently involved in a collaborative project to develop protein-based water and dirt-repellent finishing agent to provide an alternative to hydrophobic processes using fluorocarbon chemicals (PFC), which are still in common use. The aim is to functionalise textiles in a stable, economical and sustainable way using fungal proteins produced with biotechnology as a replacement for per- and polyfluorinated hydrocarbons that are potentially dangerous to humans and the environment. innovationintextiles.com Kids compete to make the world a better place When faced with the problem of cleaning up a polluted petrochemical site in Ecuador, a team of urban planners from Arizona turned to "microbial degradation" and "phytoremediation" to biologically break down pollutants on the site. A team of urban planners who are still in middle school. azbigmedia.com Discovery Science Place STEM Like a Girl brings East Texas middle school girls together for day of fun Discovery Science Place focused on encouraging girls to seek out opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). . . . Harmonie Hawley, Ph.D., assistant professor at UT Tyler, focused her project on wetlands. She said wetlands are nature's engineers. Her project included using celery to clean water that had been colored with food coloring to simulating a naturally occurring process called phytoremediation, a process that involves the use of plants to stabilize and/or destroy contaminants in the environment. tylerpaper.com From mice, clues to microbiome's influence on metabolic disease The community of microorganisms that resides in the gut, known as the microbiome, has been shown to work in tandem with the genes of a host organism to regulate insulin secretion, a key variable in the onset of the metabolic disease diabetes, new research has found. sciencedaily.com AgBiome Will Enter the Ornamentals Market With a New Biological Fungicide There's a new company entering the market that is aiming to be a game-changer in the world of plant protection. AgBiome, a biological and biotechnology trait discovery and development company, started in late 2012 by six founders, including Eric Ward and Scott Uknes, veterans of the crop protection scene, with the vision of becoming a market disrupter and "the most successful agriculture innovator." Products / contractor agbiome.com greenhousegrower.com US approval for AgBiome biofungicide - The leading online global crop protection and agrochemical news and analysis service including GM crops agra-net.com Zio Fungicide, Developed by AgBiome, Receives EPA Registration prnewswire.com A peek behind AgBiome's RTP innovation curtain (Photos) bizjournals.com Gates Foundation-backed AgBiome earns first product OK from FDA RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.—AgBiome, the startup focusing on improvements in crop science and backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has received EPA approval for its first fungicide product. wraltechwire.com Gut bacteria studies could combat associated imbalances like diabetes UW associate professor Elhanan Borenstein recently published a research paper alongside Ohad Manor, a post-doctoral fellow in the Borenstein lab, focusing on a computational technique called "FishTaco," an acronym for Functional Shifts' Taxonomic Contributors. . . . The crux of the FishTaco is that it combines two datasets about the gut microbiome: the composition and abundance of species, and the different types of genes encoded for activities like vitamin synthesis and breaking down carbs. dailyuw.com cell.com Volatility of the Gut Microbiome Tied to IBD Fluctuations in the gut microbiome over time could underlie inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, researchers suggest. medscape.com Diverse gut microbiome may improve response to immunotherapy for melanoma Patients with melanoma who responded to immunotherapy had a more diverse gut microbiome than nonresponders, according to study results scheduled for presentation at the 2017 ASCO-SITC Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium. healio.com There could be a surprising link between how people respond to a new cancer treatment and their microbiome businessinsider.com There could be a surprising link between how people respond to a new cancer treatment and their microbiome Cancer immunotherapy—treatments that harness the body's immune system to fight cancer—has been gaining traction in recent years as a new approach to treating the disease. But one of its major drawbacks is its variability: For some cancer patients, the drugs have led to remarkable remissions with few side effects. Others have tried them only to find little benefit and a lot of discomfort. . . . A team of researchers has recently discovered a link between people's responses to immunotherapy treatments and the microbes that live in their gut. Having a more diverse gut microbiome, they found, is linked to a better response. The research, which will be presented at an upcoming medical conference, is the first study to make this link in people. businessinsider.com Finch Therapeutics Announces Strategic Collaboration with OpenBiome to Develop Microbiome Therapies for FDA Approval Editor's note: microbial therapies are the key to the future, but chemical companies have ways of screwing up a good thing just for a patent. Like transplanting feces. Microbes for health are already available without having to go through big corporations or feces transpants. Of course they would say that's the only way. People don't want to eat a healthy diet or take supplements. They prefer strange surgeries, but we're listing it here just to keep up with the news. finance.yahoo.com GIVING GUT MICROBES Immigrants in the US are helping scientists understand how gut bacteria can be contagious We have a give-and-take relationship with our gut bacteria: we house and feed them, while they block out the bad microbes and make vitamins for us (paywall), for example. And when our microbiome get out of whack, things can go wrong for us. Certain populations of gut bacteria, says Dan Knights, a computational biologist at the University of Minnesota and Vangay's advisor, are strongly correlated with non-communicable diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. qz.com Biodegradation of Polyethylene by Green Photosynthetic Microalgae Journal of Bioremediation & Biodegradation It is estimated that around 500 billion plastic bags are being used every year worldwide. This widespread utilization is attributed to their cheapness and convenience to use. The vast majority of these bags are discarded as wastes usually after a single use. It has been revealed that after their entry into environment, plastic bags can persist up to 1000 years without being decomposed. Accumulation of plastic bag wastes causes environmental pollution that can be manifested in number of ways. Biological degradation is an attractive, recent and alternative approach to plastic waste management, which is generally a cheaper process, potentially much more efficient and does not produce any hazardous compounds, as in the case of conventional degradation [2]. Additionally, the microbial degradation of polyethylene sheets may yield commercial end products from their biomass [3]. omicsonline.org Applied and Environmental Microbiology report that described the discovery of microbial polyesterase genes. The study described the discovery and characterization of new enzymes from microbial communities associated with moss. These enzymes might some day be used to recycle polyesters, commonly used in textiles, into their monomeric building blocks. asm.org EarthRx: How Community Mycoremediation Projects Can Clean Up Oil Spills Around the Planet pastemagazine.com Saving Urban Brownfields With Little Brown Mushrooms Using mycoremediation, scientists are using mushrooms to clean up contamination in our urban soil. progrss.com The No Shampoo Experiment, 2.0 "Think about the way nature works. Everything from the surface of a leaf to feathers, guillemot eggs, butterfly wings, the scales of a fish, and the skin of a whale is self-cleaning. Other structures utilize various organisms to remove contaminants or allow droplet flow in a non-exploitative, non-toxic, non-polluting way. Take mycoremediation, for instance, or hydrocarbon-chewing microbes." treehugger.com Event University of Minnesota - BioTechnology Institute 2017 MnDRIVE Research Symposium Advancing Industry, Conserving Our Environment Join us for the 2017 MnDRIVE Environment Research Symposium which showcases innovative research from the University of Minnesota. events.umn.edu Demolishing park will cut residents off from new promenade on Hong Kong waterfront The government has failed to recognise natural and well-known phytoremediation and weathering processes, which remove pollutants in the air, water and soil on site. scmp.com Answer Man: RiverLink park still a go? Victoria Road light? Regarding the sprinkler system the reader referenced, Artz said that "was needed as part of a process called 'phytoremediation' that was used to clean up contaminants like diesel, gasoline, and other substances that were present from years of crushing cars (scientifically known as Volatile Organic Compounds or VOC's)." citizen-times.com STEM Salon Connects Mountain State Researchers, Innovators Sanjaya's lab leads an active research program to specifically design plants and microalgae to enhance their bioenergy and nutritional value. He also is involved in phytoremediation, or the innovative use of green plants to clean up the environment. theet.com Kids compete to make the world a better place When faced with the problem of cleaning up a polluted petrochemical site in Ecuador, a team of urban planners from Arizona turned to "microbial degradation" and "phytoremediation" to biologically break down pollutants on the site. azbigmedia.com Probiotic, prebiotic—Pay attention to your microbiome republic-online.com New metalloid oxide reducing bacteria found in Manitoba's Nopiming gold mine tailings Uncovering new bacteria with high resistance to toxic waste in Canada's extreme environments has potential to contribute to future bioremediation technologies eurekalert.org nrcresearchpress.com Microbes in the Gut Egg on Aβ Pathology in Mice alzforum.org Life under pressure: Microbes in extreme environments Biophysical Society Life can thrive in some of the most extreme environments on the planet. Microbes flourish inside hot geothermal vents, beneath the frigid ice covering Antarctica and under immense pressures at the bottom of the ocean. For these organisms to survive and function, so must the enzymes that enable them to live and grow. Now, researchers have homed in on what allows particular enzymes to function under extreme pressures. sciencedaily.com Microbiologist mixes science and art A microbiologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Mary Beth Leigh is the co-founder and director of "In a Time of Change," an arts, humanities and science consortium that pairs scientists with artists to explore different aspects of the natural world. The artists then create original works that interpret what they've learned. newsminer.com Microbiologist Mixes Science and Art A microbiologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is the co-founder and director of "In a Time of Change," a consortium of arts, humanities and science that pairs scientists with artists to explore different aspects of the natural world. usnews.com/ Fairbanks microbiologist mixes science and art juneauempire.com How ticks protect themselves from Lyme bacteria and other microbes University of Maryland School of Medicine For hundreds of millions of years, ticks have survived on Earth by sucking blood from their victims for days, often leaving behind terrible diseases as a thank-you note. But no one has ever looked at why ticks, themselves, are able to survive while harboring bacteria, viruses and parasites. Now, for the first time, scientists have decoded how the ingenious tick immune system fights a myriad of microbes. sciencedaily.com Dandelion fungi could help clean toxic oilsands tailings, says Edmonton scientist Award-winning innovation garners widespread interest from industry including support from Syncrude cbc.ca Birth may not be a major microbe delivery event for babies Study finds no big differences in microbiomes of babies born vaginally or by C-section sciencenews.org Unprotected sex may disrupt the microbiome in vagina newscientist.com/ The guts for sports success: Microbiome study highlights differences in elite athletes nutraingredients.com Learn 'How Microbiomes Influence Health' April 21 Fermilab Arts & Lecture Series will present "Invisible Influences: How Microbiomes Influence Health" with Dr. Jack Gilbert of Argonne National Lab and University of Chicago at 8 p.m. Friday, April 21, in Ramsey Auditorium in Batavia. dailyherald.com Mahim Nature park: Governors oppose MMRDA's revamp plan Erected over a dumping ground in 1994, the 37-acre park is a nature lover's haven in the middle of the city. indianexpress.com Ayala Water & Ecology to clean up Yamuna in India Israeli phytoremediation expert adds fourth project to help rehabilitate affected water bodies in India. israel21c.org Microbiomes more in flux in patients with inflammatory bowel disease Scientists explore role of microbes, 'volatile dysbiosis' in Crohn's, related conditions sciencedaily.com FDA Turmoil, Biology Mystery On List Of Hurdles For Microbiome Drugs xconomy.com Microbes, a Love Story nytimes.com Hijacking bacteria to kill cancer AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE Despite the fact that Salmonella strains have been harnessed to deliver different types of therapeutic agents, these strategies often require multiple injections of microbes, and relapse is common. In search of a better method, Jin Hai Zheng and colleagues used attenuated Salmonella typhimurium bacteria as "Trojan horses," which infiltrated the low-oxygen environments found within tumors and secreted an immune response-triggering signal - from a protein named FlaB, involved in the locomotion of the marine microbe Vibrio vulnificus -- that stimulated the cancer-eliminating activities of protective macrophages. The FlaB-expressing bacteria was proven to be nontoxic, and importantly, didn't invade non-cancerous tissue in rodents. An Innovative New Cancer Therapy Hijacks Bacteria to Fight Tumors gizmodo.com Scientists turn food poisoning microbe into powerful cancer fighter sciencemag.org Editor's note: we usually don't list articles about GMO microbes. However, in this case the cancer treatment they describes sounds worlds better than chemo and radiation. Therefore, we're posting these articles. However, someday they may find a way to prevent cancer through reducing the amount of carcinogens in our environment, and increasing the immune system with better microbiome health. eurekalert.org Israeli firm to clean up toxic Yamuna drain The company has expertise in 'Phytoremediation', that uses shrubs to remove and destroy contaminants in soil and water and 'constructed wetlands'. The Delhi government has roped in an Israeli firm to clean up, through ecological methods, an eight-kilometre stretch of one of the most polluting drains that empties into the highly-polluted Yamuna river. Delhi Water Minister Kapil Mishra said Israeli firm 'Ayala Water and Ecology Ltd' has been tasked with preparing a detailed project report on cleaning up the Bhalswa to Surghat stretch of the supplementary drain. indianexpress.com Ayala Water & Ecology Ltd.: ayala-aqua.com Ayala Water & Ecology to clean up Yamuna in India israel21c.org We Need to Address the Heavy Metals Polluting Our Water futurism.com Analyzing gut microbes and their byproducts essential to understanding human health American Society for Microbiology To best understand the potential of microbes in the gut to affect human health, clinicians need to look not just at the bacteria present in fecal samples but also at metabolites like amino acids that those bacteria produce, according to a new study. sciencedaily.com Immigrants in the US are helping scientists understand how gut bacteria can be contagious qz.com Threats to biodiversity resources discussed (Tamil Nadu, India) Scientific experts spoke about the major threats to our biodiversity resources including habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation, overexploitation, invasive species, air pollution and nitrogen deposition and climate change during the two-day science academies' lecture workshop on 'Plant Diversity and Phytoremediation' held at Periyar University here recently. Organised by the Department of Environmental Science of the university, scientists R. Raghavendra Rao and K.R. Shivanna, T. Muthukumar, Department of Botany, Bharathiar University and P. Thangavel from the university said that that tens of thousands of plant species are endangered and potentially face extinction in this century if current trends continue worldwide. Although the potential extinction crisis faced by plants has been recognised for several decades, only recently there has been a coherent plan of action for their conservation, they added. They emphasised the conservation and sustainable utilisation of plant diversity resources for bio-prospecting. With the increasing demand for herbal drugs, natural health products and secondary metabolites of medicinal plants, the use of medicinal plants is growing rapidly throughout the world, scientists said. K. Murugesan, Professor and Head of the department welcomed the gathering while R. Balagurunathan, Coordinator, School of Life Sciences, Periyar University presided over the function. thehindu.com Which biopastics are really biodegradable? A plastic material can be called as 'bioplastic' if it is either bio-based, biodegradable, or possesses both the properties. The term 'bio-based' means that the material or product is (partly) a resultant of biomass (plants). Biomass used for bioplastics is produced from the stems of crops, such as corn or sugarcane. Biodegradation refers to a chemical process under which microorganisms that are present in the environment transform materials into natural substances, such as water, carbon dioxide and compost. However, users are often not clear with the term 'biodegradation.' A bioplastic called 'polylactic acid' is derived from the plant feedstock and is not biodegradable. This proves that bioplastics are not always biodegradable. However, PET bio-plastic is recyclable just like PET made from natural gas and oil feedstock, as they are chemically the same. Read more: openpr.com Wisynco launches biodegradable foam Substitute material ranging from milk protein and clay, to plant-based matter utilising rice, corn, potatoes, bamboo, and mushrooms, are among the solutions that have been put forward. IT has been said that polystyrene foam, better known as styrofoam, cannot biodegrade. Jamaican manufacturer Wisynco has, however, found it's own solution—a chemical additive called masterbatch pellets made by ECM BioFilms. jamaicaobserver.com Creating family trees for disease-causing microbes could help control outbreaks statnews.com Microbes exist deep inside Earth's craters. Could this be the secret to finding life on other worlds? planetary.org Astronauts encounter Martian microbes in Super Bowl spot + trailer for Life blastr.com Over 90 per cent of oil spill clean-up over Chennai: While Coast Guard officials announced to have removed 90 per cent of the oil slick that floated along the Chennai coast, port authorities began the disposal operations on Saturday. Over 150 tonnes of oil sludge collected from the beaches of Chennai were dumped in the pit dug to carry out the bioremediation procedure, said officials from the research and development wing of the Indian Oil Corporation. deccanchronicle.com IOCL to treat sludge collected from oil spill timesofindia.indiatimes.com Merriam Webster updates tech word list - including "phytoremediation" arstechnica.com/ Merriam-Webster Welcomes 'Microbiome' To The English Language huffingtonpost.com Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) Manipur to set up two centres in Delhi easternmirrornagaland.com Filthy nullahs [ravines] polluting capital's two main parks ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a seminar on Tuesday called upon the citizens to adopt environment-friendly behaviour to make natural streams in the capital free of contamination. They said the Rose and Jasmine Garden and F-9 Park were being polluted by two filthy nullahs. The two streams, originating near the Margalla Hills, become filthy before reaching the two parks on their journey to Korang River, giving the parks an ugly look and causing foul smell in the area. dawn.com 33 Buckets: Solution to global clean water crisis has ASU flavor How can 33 Buckets change the world? Meet the ASU students who are creating a solution to the global clean water crisis. medium.com 33buckets.org Bioremediation of petroleum-contaminated soil and microbial population and activity determination Bioremediation of hydrocarbon degradation in petroleum-polluted soil is carried out by various microorganisms. In the article, collaborating researchers from Xi'an University in China and The Ohio State University argue that little information is available for the relationships between hydrocarbon degradation rates in petroleum-contaminated soil and microbial population and activity in laboratory assay. In their microcosm study, the researchers determined the degradation rate and efficiency of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), alkanes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in a petroleum-contaminated soil using an infrared photometer oil content analyzer and a gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). hazmatmag.com From flask to field I am part of a new crop of scientists harnessing the power of natural microbes to improve agriculture. thecalifornian.com EVENT February 23, 2017: Webinar on Biodegradation of 1,4-Dioxane The webinar will combine recent research and development activities for new and emerging contaminants and technologies with real word applications to characterize and remediate contaminated sites. Specifically, the webinar will discuss the challenges with current remediation techniques for cleanup of 1,4-dioxane contaminated sites, a microbial culture which can grow using 1,4-dioxane as its only source of carbon and energy, and the role of monooxygenase enzymes in catalyzing 1,4-dioxane degradation. The webinar will also include a discussion from Sandra Dworatzek (SiREM) who will provide an update on the work SiREM is doing to grow 1,4-dioxane microbial cultures, testing the microbial culture in laboratory microcosm studies and culture scale up for field applications. hazmatmag.com To register for the free webinar, visit SiREM's website. siremlab.com India: Bioremediation of sludge begins thehindu.com Microbes to give oil sludge eco-friendly burial timesofindia.indiatimes.com Africa: Why Microbes Are Key to Solving Africa's Food Security Crisis allafrica.com Future Farming - How will precision methods change agriculture in the next 40 years? farmandranchguide.com product/contractor SePRO A research-based life sciences company providing innovative products and services for specialty ag and human health markets worldwide. sepro.com New fungicide control Zio, a fungicide from SePRO Corporation, delivers multiple modes of action to efficaciously control a broad spectrum of turf pathogens. golfcourseindustry.com Introducing Zio Fungicide: The future of turfgrass management thestewardsofturf.com From flask to field: How tiny microbes are revolutionizing big agriculture seattlepi.com Microbe that causes food poisoning exerts a sort of mind control over mice sciencemag.org Harnessing Microbes To Improve Mental Health health.good.is Microbes may encourage altruistic behavior phys.org Vitamin B12: Power broker to the microbes phys.org Unhealthy gut microbes a cause of hypertension, researchers find scinecedaily.com UWF Researchers Studying Effects Of Artificial Reefs wuwf.org Bioremediation of petroleum-contaminated soil and microbial population and activity determination hazmatmag.com add to previous: Changes in astronaut's gut microbes linked to spaceflight news-medical.net How We Can Better Plan Our Cities to Utilize Stormwater newsdeeply.com Grandfather of In-Situ Bioremediation Passes hazmatmag.com Calicut University professor collapses, dies timesofindia.indiatimes.com Chennai oil spill: Tiny microbes to play the rescue act business-standard.com The astronauts explored how the immune system adapts in outer space by collecting their biological samples for the Multi-Omics study. The experiment, which began in March 2015 when the One-Year mission began, is researching gut microbes and metabolism to determine how living in space affects the human immune function. spacefellowship.com Algae Market - Global Industry Analysis 2016 - 2024 satprnews.com End of life: how are new technologies helping to shut down spent mines? mining-technology.com Wheatland students take home trophy in city design competition A concept for city that uses mountain snow harvesting and hydroponic gardens earned Wheatland Center students the Rookie of the Year award from the StemForward organization at the Future City Competition held at the Milwaukee School of Engineering last week. kenoshanews.com Metallic Hydrogen For this metal, electricity flows, but not the heat phys.org US scientists create metallic hydrogen, a possible superconductor, ending quest dailystar.com.lb New news about Salmonella Salmonella bacteria don't want your body to starve on their account. The microbes' motives, though, are (probably) purely poop-related. The body sometimes sacrifices appetite to fight off infection: Less energy for the host also means less energy for the pathogen. Understanding how bacteria cope with this tactic can inform treatments. When it reaches the gut, Salmonella enterica bacteria can trigger this type of anorexic response in their host, making it a good model for how microbes deal with less food. Researchers at the Salk Institute in California investigated salmonella fallout in mice. In lab tests, they found that the bacteria aren't as virulent when a mouse isn't eating, and they use the vagus nerve, a superhighway connecting gut to brain, to encourage eating. The bacteria make a protein called SIrP that appears to block signals that dampen appetite. sciencenews.org Microbe that causes food poisoning exerts a sort of mind control over mice When we have food poisoning, the last thing we want to do is eat. But in mice, a microbe that causes this ailment actually increases appetite, a new study reveals. Researchers say they might be able to use the same trick to increase eating in cancer patients and old folks, who often lose their desire for food. sciencemag.org Beer and Wine Makers Turn to Charged Microbes for Clean Water, Power About 50 miles north of San Francisco, a brewery is quietly using a new type of technology, originally created to be used on a space station, to clean 50,000 gallons of dirty wastewater a day and generate energy in the process. At the back of the brewery of Lagunitas Brewing Company, in Petaluma, Calif., three large shipping containers house an unusual design of electrically charged microbes that consume pollutants in beer wastewater and generate usable biogas. The technology was created by an MIT spinout called Cambrian Innovation, which is beginning to grow its customer list considerably in Northern California. greentechmedia.com/ Microbes Control the Massive Turbine Hall at London's Tate Modern Philippe Parreno's Anywhen, occupying the vast hall at Tate Modern, evolves over time in response to the control of tiny living beings. labiotech.eu Eating Well With Kim: Keeping Your Microbes Happy Feed your microbiomes!!! Plant material including fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, legumes, and whole grains make hungry gut bugs happy, healthy and strong- the fiber from these foods is what feeds our good bacteria. When we eat a diet high in processed food, we are essentially starving our gut microbiome and that can prove detrimental. We can include more probiotic foods in the diet and resist the urge to sanitize everything (I once had a pediatrician tell me "a healthy immune system is a challenged immune system"). Probiotic foods are foods that are fermented and contain healthy bacteria. wrdw.com Bioremediation of petroleum-contaminated soil and microbial population and activity determination Bioremediation of hydrocarbon degradation in petroleum-polluted soil is carried out by various microorganisms. In the article, collaborating researchers from Xi'an University in China and The Ohio State University argue that little information is available for the relationships between hydrocarbon degradation rates in petroleum-contaminated soil and microbial population and activity in laboratory assay. In their microcosm study, the researchers determined the degradation rate and efficiency of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), alkanes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in a petroleum-contaminated soil using an infrared photometer oil content analyzer and a gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). hazmatmag.com Bioremediation of long-term PCB-contaminated Soil Researchers at the Academy of Sciences in the Czech Republic along with collaborators from other Universities in Europe recently released a paper that describes how white rot fungi was effective at reducing the level of PCB contamination in soil. hazmatmag.com Head of 100 Bridge St. remediation plan to be on hand on Tuesday Tim Snay of Ransom Consulting Inc. will attend a meeting of the Community Development Corp. of the Southern Berkshires at 6 p.m. at the Great Barrington Fire Station at 37 State Road. The corporation plans to develop the southerly 2 acres of 100 Bridge St.'s 8 acres for affordable housing. The corporation will leave development of the remaining 6 acres for later. Snay will oversee the cleanup under terms set by the Department of Environmental Protection. The site, formerly home of a New England Log Homes factory, is contaminated with dioxins and pentachlorophenol, or PCPs. Dealing with environmental contamination on the site has been controversial, especially after the DEP halted an experimental "bioremediation" plan in 2014. berkshireeagle.com Thumbs up for downer Madison—Many states have a designated state bird, flower—and a state soil. The "Downer" is the official state soil of New Jersey. The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) January 15 Soils Matter blog post explains why Downer is important to the Garden State. wisfarmer.com Opinion: Are microbes the next revolution coming to Big Ag? marketwatch.com Travis environmental restoration program is certified, sustainable TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) -- Saving money, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing green and sustainable remediation (GSR) to clean up contaminated groundwater sites recently earned Travis Air Force Base the honor of becoming the first Defense Department installation to receive greener cleanup certification by ASTM International standards. Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Region IX is using the Travis AFB environmental restoration program's (ERP) success to show other facilities how to use similar GSR approaches to effectively clean up contamination. militaryspot.com af.mil What are biofilms and how they form According to this paper, a bacterial biofilm is defined as "a structured community of bacterial cells enclosed in a self-produced polymeric matrix and adherent to an inert or living surface." In plain English, this means that bacteria sometimes join together, cling to essentially any surface, and form a protective matrix around the group. zmescience.com Paper (abstract only): ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Hall's 'Turf' writings garner him Hall of Fame slot Ronnie Hall, an award-winning writer and editor who traces his writing roots back to the Port Clinton News Herald, was recently inducted into the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association Hall of Fame. Hall, of Port Clinton, has written extensively on the green industry, which includes ornamental plant growers, landscape contractors and lawn service providers, for Turf magazine, owned by Grand View Media. portclintonnewsherald.com From flask to field: How tiny microbes are revolutionizing big agriculture by Matthew Wallenstein, Colorado State University I am part of a new crop of scientists who are harnessing the power of natural microbes to improve agriculture. In recent years, genomic technology has rapidly advanced our understanding of the microbes that live on virtually every surface on Earth, including our own bodies. Just as our new understanding of the human microbiome is revolutionizing medicine and spawning a new probiotic industry, agriculture may be poised for a similar revolution. sfchronicle.com waterseer.org WaterSeer™ condenses pure water from the air without power or chemicals. It is green, sustainable, simple, low-maintenance, easily deployed and scalable for any community. VICI-Labs worked with UC Berkeley and the National Peace Corps Association to develop a device that yields up to 37 liters of pure water a day! A WaterSeer™ Orchard will provide enough clean water for an entire community. Green Dot Bioplastics Create New Biodegradable Plastic for Horticultural Applications Terratek® BD2114 from Green Dot Bioplastics is composed of 80% reclaimed and 80% bio-based material. It is a renewable and biodegradable alternative to conventional plastic pots. This planter made up of reclaimed plant fibers will return to nature without causing any harm once its service life has ended. azom.com greendotbioplastics.com Planting roots for bioplastics a new biodegradable biocomposite for horticultural applications made from reclaimed bio-based feedstocks plasticsnews.com Patent - biodegradable plastic medical use Drug delivery after biodegradation of the stent scaffolding google.es/patents Jacob Bayer and I am the CEO of Luminext Incorporated, an energy consultancy that deals with energy rates, energy efficiency and solar solutions. My company would make a nice addition to the list as we have over 100 pages filled with helpful advice for your readership. We do infographics: energyserviceforless.com energyserviceforless.com Interviews: energyserviceforless.com Quizzes: energyserviceforless.com And as an added bonus, we offer free consultations to all site visitors who look for ways to lower their energy bills. P.S: I noticed that there are quite a few dead links on the page, as it often happens with static pages, Please consider adding my website to the list when you edit it -it shouldn't take more than a minute to add my company and it would mean a great deal to me. Thanks in advance and kind regards, Jacob Sophorolipids Market - Global Industry Analysis 2023 Sophorolipids are surfactants formed by the fermentation of a selected number of non-pathogenic yeast species. These combine green chemistry with low carbon footprint, and hence fulfil certain important eco-friendly criteria. Sophorolipids demonstrate synergistic effects with other secondary surfactants in foaming and cleaning applications. satprnews.com Travis environmental restoration program is certified, sustainable By Merrie Schilter-Lowe , 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) -- Saving money, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing green and sustainable remediation (GSR) to clean up contaminated groundwater sites recently earned Travis Air Force Base the honor of becoming the first Defense Department installation to receive greener cleanup certification by ASTM International standards. af.mil Residents near trenching ground finally get fresh air to breathe Shubham Kishore Soil has covered heaps of garbage lying in the area from years. On the fertile soil, they have planted trees and installed water sprinkles. "We have also decomposed a lot of waste using landfill bioremediation methods," said IMC's health officer Uttam Yadav. timesofindia.indiatimes.com To discover Africa's biodiversity, look to the soil South Africa is finally embarking on a long-overdue initiative: mapping the incredible biodiversity in Africa's soils. It will document the microbial life hidden in the ground in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the data it derives could help solve the continent's crisis of hunger and food insecurity, and give birth to a new industry. bizcommunity.com Soil pores, carbon stores, and breathing microbes Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) recently studied how moisture influences soil heterotrophic respiration. That's the breathing-like process by which microbes convert dead organic carbon in the soil to carbon dioxide. phys.org PUBLIC RELEASE: 17-JAN-2017 Researchers devise methods to identify transmission of microbes from mothers to infants AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MICROBIOLOGY WASHINGTON, DC - January 17, 2017 - It has been assumed that mothers pass on gut microbes to their infants during and just after delivery, a process called vertical transmission, but because of limits in available technology, the evidence of this occurrence has been limited. Now, researchers in Italy have combined laboratory and novel computational techniques to systematically track the vertical transmission of microbes in a pilot study. eurekalert.org Study of microbes reveals new insight about Earth's geology and carbon cycles phys.org Microbes could survive thin air of Mars phys.org Scientists Find Life's Most Ancient Ancestors Could Actually Survive On Mars dailycaller.com Life on Mars: Astrobiologists Prove Microbes can Survive the Think Martian Atmosphere inquisitr.com Dried-up slime could help microbes survive briny waters on Mars newscientist.com Why are our beaches and water so gorgeous? - Here's why! The coloring of the water depends on how much clay, algae, sediment, and other materials that might flow into the beaches through streams of fresh water or rain water. Algae creates a green color, while the sand and clay can form brownish colors. destin.com We always knew our ancestors were microbes. Now we found them. Asgard is a group of microbes, described for the first time in the journal Nature this week, that may well include the organism that gave rise to all complex life—from the tiniest eukaryotes to the tallest redwoods, the dinosaurs and us. washingtonpost.com Microbes rule in 'knee-high tropical rainforests' Rainforests on infertile wet soils support more than half of all plant species. Shrublands on infertile dry soils in southwestern Australia, jokingly called "knee-high tropical rainforests", support another 20 percent of all plants. Nutrient scarcity is the common denominator. In both ecosystems plants team up with soil bacteria or fungi to gather nutrients more efficiently. phys.org Researchers discover 'marvel microbes' explaining how cells became complex phys.org Why Microbes Are Really Our Tiny, Crucial Allies laboratoryequipment.com Study shows how marine microbes recycle iron from the debris of dead algae A new study from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography in La Jolla, California, shows the molecular machinery that helps move iron through the marine environment. The researchers report this week in mSystems, an open access journal from the American Society for Microbiology, on how Roseobacter bacteria claim heme, an iron-containing molecule that's widespread in the ocean, directly from algal cells that have died and disintegrated. Bacteria in the ocean consume material from phytoplankton—like algae—and recycle nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, and iron back into the food web. phys.org Microbes & Hosts Fight to Acquire Essential Metals: This Battle May Open the Door for New Treatments Every time that a bacterial infection occurs within an individual, microbes and hosts engage in a persistent battle over precious metals, such as iron. The host struggles to keep these essential metals away from the microbes, which need them for their survival. In this battle, both the host and the microbes release a number of molecules and proteins. Researchers, such as Elizabeth Nolan, PhD, an associate professor of chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), hope that further analysis of this struggle will provide insight that may help inform the development of new drugs that can be used in the fight against bacterial infections. contagionlive.com Metal-guzzling plants harvested to make nanomaterials chemistryworld.com Gurgaon provides corp a lesson in bioremediation The city corporation, which is running out of ideas to comply with National Green Tribunal (NGT) order with regard to removal of existing garbage piles from Vilappilsala plant might want to look at the successful implementation of bioremediation on a 13-acre dump yard with almost 20 lakh tons of waste and how it was cleared of leachate pools and how height of the piles was reduced by 70%. timesofindia.indiatimes.com Snow microbes used in art Biologists say safe "microbe paint" could be available soon. wthitv.com Mealworms' gut bacteria possible plastic pollution reduction solution, specialist says NORMAN, Okla. - Wei-min Wu, a specialist on environmental biotechnology at Stanford University talked on "Microplastic pollution and recent progress in biodegradation of petroleum-based plastics" on Jan. 4 at the University of Oklahoma. Wu said recent studies showed bacteria contained in mealworms' gut are able to eat and degrade polystyrene and polyethylene foams, providing a possible solution to the reduction of the plastics pollution. greenevillesun.com RiverLink announces another step toward completion of Karen Cragnolin Park ASHEVILLE, NC—The site of the EDACO junkyard for over 20 years, RiverLink's Karen Cragnolin Park on Amboy Road in West Asheville has taken one more step towards becoming a part of Asheville's ever-expanding greenway system. Using a process known as "phytoremediation," RiverLink has been working to clean the contaminated soil on the site since 2013. After taking soil samples on the last of 26 pockets of contaminated soil earlier this month, RiverLink is pleased to announce the samples were proclaimed within safe limits of contaminants by Pace Analytic Services, the EPA-mandated laboratory testing the site. mountainx.com Of BSU's effort towards climate change Benguet State University through one of its research centers, Higher Education Regional Research Center (HERRC) implemented the " R and D Program Towards Environmental Sustainability of the Cordillera Highlands Amidst Changing Climate. " The program is composed of ten projects, seven agriculture, forestry & natural resources (AFNR) and three social studies, implemented on September 2015 and still continuing to date. sunstar.com.ph Open-source phytoremediation project tackles the Tiber River's pollution crisis Despite its historic significance, Rome's Tiber River has become extremely polluted. In a bid to clean up the murky, trash-infested waters, deltastudio designed Albula, an interactive floating structure that combines elements from historic water mills with bio-based techniques like phytoremediation. Even better, the Albula is designed as an open-source and scalable project that can be replicated in a variety of contexts. inhabitat.com How Hemp Can Clean Up Radiation From Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Hemp plants were shown to be effective in cleaning the soil around the site of Russia's Chernobyl nuclear disaster and were even considered for use near Fukushima. mintpressnews.com Westmoreland County angles for piece of hemp industry That process, known as phytoremediation, can benefit brownfields and abandoned coal mine sites triblive.com Story image for phytoremediation from The Scientist Putting Phytoremediation into Action. Researchers studying the use of bacteria and plants to remove toxins from the soil the-scientist.com South TX Gardener: Plants that can help Clean the Environment Canadian database for bioremediation has remarked that they have seen degradation of benzene a aromatic hydrocarbon found in gasoline. kiiitv.com Degradation study of lindane by novel strains Kocuria sp. DAB-1Y and Staphylococcus sp. DAB-1W This study was carried out to isolate and characterize the bacterial strains from lindane-contaminated soil and they were also assessed for their lindane-degrading potential. 7thspace.com MSU Central Agricultural Research Center hires new soil microbiologist montana.edu Arctic Spill Research - Sawdust Researchers are looking into adding a bioremediation element to the chemically modified sawdust. This Special Sawdust Is Designed To Clean Up Oil Spills In The Arctic yahoo.com/news New weapon against oil spills Researchers at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are testing chemically modified wood flour to determine whether it can enhance the burning of crude oil after a spill. Tests of small batches treated with components of vegetable oil indicate the material will grab onto crude oil and help keep it near the surface. PNNL senior research scientist George Bonheyo, who is also a research professor of bioengineering at Washington State University, calls the material "incredibly buoyant, ice-repelling and water-repelling." Editor's note: this is not 100% natural, but it's a step in the right direction. triblive.com ASU Inside and out, ASU engineer studies the role microbes play in health asunow.asu.edu NCA - Restore - Reveal - Revitalize The Newtown Creek Alliance is a community-based organization dedicated to protecting the environmental, recreational and commercial integrity of Newtown Creek. newtowncreekalliance.org Queens Gazette Newtown Creek Alliance's Accomplishments qgazette.com The Secret Lives of Marine Mammal Microbes Probing the mystery of what goes on inside the guts of dolphins and whales blogs.scientificamerican.com Diagnosing and Understanding Elevated Temperature Landfills (Part 1) The first of a three-part series, this article talks about characteristics and challenges associated with ETLFs and their management. waste360.com Diagnosing and Understanding Elevated Temperature Landfills - Part 2 A small percentage of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills in North America have reported elevated and increasing temperatures above those normally associated with a hot gas well. Temperatures above 66 °C (150°F) or even 121 °C (250°F) have been reported in some cases. waste360.com Diagnosing and Understanding Elevated Temperature Landfills - Part 3 (coming soon) waste360.com Circadian rhythms and the microbiome: Disrupting daily routine of gut microbes can be bad news for whole body New research is beginning to show that the composition and activity of the microbiota exhibits a daily, or circadian, rhythmicity, just like we do. theconversation.com salon.com Tired of waiting on humans, microbes cooperate to clean up our messes. grist.org Microbes living in people's bodies can tell you when they died theaustralian.com.au Microbes That Keep Time After someone dies, their microbiome changes in ways that researchers say could be used to gauge how long it's been since death occurred, even after a couple of months, Scientific American reports. genomeweb.com The deepwater horizon aftermath The oil discharged into the Gulf of Mexico following the explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) rig in 2010 contaminated more than 1,000 square miles of seafloor. . . . The scientists have now analysed long-awaited data from the Natural Resource Damage Assessment to determine the specific rates of biodegradation for 125 major petroleum hydrocarbons. domain-b.com The Deepwater Horizon aftermath Researchers have analyzed 125 compounds from oil spilled in the Gulf of Mexico to determine their longevity at different contamination. sciencedaily.com Microbes: Not just nasty germs, our bodies' allies wcsh6.com Mapping the molecules made by a lichen's resident microbes phys.org How to keep your gut microbes happy at Christmas health.spectator.co.uk Product News: Rainin Pos-D™ Pipettes Allow Environmental Microbiology Researchers to Investigate Biodegradation of Oil Researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks are using a METTLER TOLEDO Rainin Pos-D™ positive-displacement pipette to investigate the role of chemical dispersants in the biodegradation of oil in Arctic marine environments. - See more at: selectscience.net selectscience.net Alltech Crop Science emphasizes the importance of a healthy agribiome on World Soil Day farmforum.net The Importance of a Healthy Agribiome In Focus on World Soil Day Celebrated in several countries on Dec. 5, World Soil Day raises awareness about the importance of soil preservation and stimulates discussion on effective crop practices. These discussions quickly become a call to action. Many producers are looking to decrease the damage caused by inefficient management practices and, subsequently, improve crop results through a balance in soil microbiology. More natural farming practices combined with modern science can help increase diversity in the soil biology. Dr. Steven Borst, general manager of Alltech Crop Science, emphasizes the importance of integrating biological technologies into existing management programs to feed the soil. "We need to work with nature, not against it, to grow not only our crops, but our soil as well," said Borst. americanagnetwork.com ag.alltech.com alltech.com/ Plant microbes and technology will be key to farming success southwestfarmpress.com Microbes: Our tiny, crucial allies theconversation.com Microbes: Not just nasty germs, our bodies' allies king5.com The Weather Channel: Toxic Lake: The Untold Story of Lake Okeechobee Youtube A new perspective on microbes Most of us considered microbes little more than nasty germs before science recently began turning our view of the microbial world on its head. . . . Members of our microbiome, especially those living in the gut, not only help keep their disease-causing cousins at bay, they also make many compounds that we need, but that our own bodies cannot make. phys.org Microbes: Not just nasty germs, but our allies khou.com Counter-attack of the microbes Nepal has issues of overuse of antibiotics in both humans and animals, uncontrolled prescription, or hospital-based infections A healthy human body has its own defence mechanism and can fight off a majority of the infecting pathogens. However, the very young, the very old and immunologically compromised individuals may not be able to fight these on their own and have to rely on antibiotics. Even healthy people can only fight off so much of the infection, and may need antibiotics. The whole cycle then repeats itself: patients get treated for infection, they may recover if the pathogens in their body are not AMR bacteria, but if the treatment may be difficult or in some cases, useless. If patients do recover, they may become hosts to AMR bacteria which they can then pass on to others over their lifetime. The irony of this is that the very activities that should be making a person healthy is doing quite the opposite. nepalitimes.com Genome Canada funding research to study how microbes eat away at pipelines The federal government is funding research to understand how microbes in oil and gas pipelines cause corrosion, which can cost the energy sector billions of dollars a year and increase the risk of a damaging leak. theglobeandmail.com Ancient microbes could offer insight on better mining wastewater strategies Professor Lesley Warren and her colleagues are mining the genomes of microbes that thrive in wastewater generated by the resource extraction industry. Insights into how these organisms derive energy from metals and sulphur compounds could lead to new strategies for preventing pollution and optimizing mine reclamation. news.engineering.utoronto.ca Editor's note: we hope they will find out the right balance of microbes to save their pipes, without trying to kill all the microbes. Kill kill kill - it won't work because the microbes will always win, and we would end up with lots of poison in our environment. Genes, birthplace shape up our gut microbes timesofindia.indiatimes.com Marine Microbes Could Help Clean Up Environmental Pollutants Marine bacteria first discovered off the coast of Puerto Rico more than 50 years ago could one day help clean up toxic pollutants in the environment. Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego researchers uncovered a new enzyme in marine bacteria that evolved to remove bromine from carbon. Bromine is one of four highly reactive members of the elemental group known as halogens that are also commonly found in man-made industrial chemicals such as pesticides and flame retardants. Enzymes that remove halogens from man-made industrial compounds can be used to rid the environment of these harmful pollutants. scienceblog.com Marvel microbes may explain how complex life evolved indianexpress.com UMN study: Microbes vs. weed seeds A team of researchers at the University of Minnesota, with 15 farm cooperators, are trying to find out by studying how weed seeds interact with microbes and specifically what role microbes may play in weed seed viability and decomposition. Post doctoral researcher Adria Fernandez is leading the charge on the ground for this project in a relatively new field of work, along with principal investigator Craig Sheaffer and others. An emerging technology allows scientists to sequence soil samples to determine how many of which types of bacteria, fungi and other microbes are present. The microbe-weed seed connection is just one branch within what is sure to become a vast field as more is learned about the technology and all its potential applications. agrinews.com Newly discovered soil microbes may have helped eat methane after Porter Ranch natural gas leak latimes.com As Methane Surges, Scientists Look to Nanotech and Microbes to Capture It seeker.com Methane-Eating Microbes Produce Food for Farmed Animals Edible protein produced naturally by microbes could help feed the world. seeker.com Microbes carve tiny rock homes for their barnacle chefs newscientist.com academic paper Biodegradation of Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) by a Microbial Consortium in a Continuous Up-Flow Packed-Bed Biofilm Reactor: Kinetic Study, Metabolite Identification and Toxicity Bioassays Guadalupe Alfonso-Gordillo, César Mateo Flores-Ortiz, Liliana Morales-Barrera, Eliseo Cristiani-Urbina Published: December 1, 2016 journals.plos.org Digital microbes for munching yourself healthy Hundreds of different bacterial species live in the human gut, helping us to digest our food. The metabolic processes of these bacteria are not only tremendously important to our health - they are also tremendously complex. A research team has taken an important step in modelling the complexity of the human gut's bacterial communities - the microbiome - on the computer. sciencedaily.com Digital Microbes Could Give More Insight into Gut Health The computer model collection, known as AGORA, can also be used to investigate how microbes affect the metabolism of other microbes and that of the human host. nutritionhorizon.com Sewage biofiltration plant gets the Aconex treatment The Lagares project in Vigo is creating Spain's largest biofiltration sewage treatment plant. With an initial capacity of 147,000 cubic meters a day, the plant serves 800,000 people. The existing facility is being expanded and modernized to improve space utilization and operational flexibility. Biofiltration technology is being implemented to treat waste water for compliance with environmental safety standards. aconex.com Degradation of Landfill Leachate Compounds by Persulfate for Groundwater Remediation A paper recently published in Chemical Engineering Journal describes batch experiments where persulfate was compared to hydrogen peroxide and permanganate for its ability to oxidize organic compounds in groundwater contaminated by landfill leachate. Complementary experiments were conducted to evaluate biodegradation (natural attenuation) potential for the system. hazmatmag.com Biodegradable Superabsorbent Materials Market Increase in environmental awareness along with requirement to minimize dependency on traditional sources is the driving factor predicted to favour industry expansion. medgadget.com Amazing Discovery: Medicine-Making Microbes Found in Dirt Beneath New York City natureworldnews.com Urban park soil microbiomes are a rich reservoir of natural product biosynthetic diversity pnas.org Survey of New York City soil uncovers medicine-making microbes Researchers at The Rockefeller University have shown that the dirt beneath New York City teems with our tiny allies in the fight against disease. In soil collected from city parks, the team dug up genetic evidence of bacteria capable of producing a wide range of compounds whose potent effects might be harnessed as medicines. Their work is described in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. sciencedaily.com Study: New York City Dirt Rich in Bacteria Related to Medical Treatments Researchers say soil from parks contains microbes that could lead to new antibiotics and medical treatments wsj.com alternative farming Are Aquaponics a Sustainable Alternative to Conventional Agriculture Methods in New York City? Activists are looking towards innovative alternatives to conventional models of agriculture, which, of course, require a great deal of land. In urban areas, where poverty is typically high and space scarce, is booming. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 15 to 20 percent of the world's food is now being produced in cities. nycfoodpolicy.org Food from storage messes with honey bee gut microbes The availability of nutritious pollen has decreased over the past decade. Researchers suspect that what honey bees eat is disrupting the bacterial communities that reside in their gut—and, in turn, negatively affecting their health. futurity.org Gut microbe movements regulate host circadian rhythms Even gut microbes have a routine. Like clockwork, they start their day in one part of the intestinal lining, move a few micrometers to the left, maybe the right, and then return to their original position. New research in mice now reveals that the regular timing of these small movements can influence a host animal's circadian rhythms by exposing gut tissue to different microbes and their metabolites as the day goes by. Disruption of this dance can affect the host. sciencedaily.com The circadian rhythm of our microbes earthsky.org The Microbes Have Won Again - Scientific American Blog Network Editor's note: stop trying to kill all the microbes - better to flood the bad microbes with friendly microbes. Probiotics work better than antibiotics. This article misses the point entirely. War on all microbes! Kill kill kill! Maybe they have to dominate and kill the latest powerful virus to come along, but they would be better off if they simultaneously looked for powerful friendly microbes to help with their work. blogs.scientificamerican.com Gut Microbes Linked to Neurodegenerative Disease Bacteria in the intestine influence motor dysfunction and neuroinflammation in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. the-scientist.com Do Microbes in the Gut Trigger Parkinson's Disease? alzforum.org Parkinson's May Actually Originate From Microbes in the Gut futurism.com Weight-controlling microbes can be resistant to short-term dieting Microbiologist Jason Tetro says long-term diets are most effective way to shed extra pounds cbc.ca Dieting? Your gut microbes might delay the benefits - Medical News Today medicalnewstoday.com How Your Gut Bacteria May Be Thwarting Your Diet forbes.com Study links microbes to yo-yo dieting vanguarddaily.com Gut microbes contribute to recurrent "Yo-Yo" obesity | Knowridge Science Report knowridge.com Gut microbes switch host genes on and off under influence of diet - Medical News Today medicalnewstoday.com Microbes Might Explain Why Many Diets Backfire - The Atlantic theatlantic.com Vaginal microbes point toward early detection and screening for endometrial cancer eurekalert.org A Swab Test For Endometrial Cancer? Vaginal Microbes May Aid Early Diagnosis Of Female Cancer Of Reproductive Organs medicaldaily.com New method to diagnose cancer An international group of scientists has created a new approach to the diagnostics of breast cancer with the help of nanoparticles of porous silicone. phys.org Scientists learn how to ramp up microbes' ability to make memories sciencedaily.com BACTERIA BREAKTHROUGH: Scientists discover microbes can have MEMORIES Researchers at Rockefeller University and their colleagues at the University of California, Berkeley have found a way to make bacteria encode memories much faster than before. express.co.uk How Tiny Microbes In Your Gut Affect Your Mood kpbs.org Old microbes hold key to life deccanchronicle.com Gut Microbes Alter Host Gene Expression Metabolites Found to Communicate with the Epigenome In our DNA are genes which make up the code that makes life possible. However, genes can be altered by many environmental factors which switch some genes on or off. The complete set of genes that make up our entire DNA is called the genome, and molecules called epigenome communicate with the genome. worldhealth.net Digital microbes for munching yourself healthy Hundreds of bacterial species live in the human gut, helping to digest food. The metabolic processes of these bacteria are not only tremendously important to human health - they are also tremendously complex. A research team at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) of the University of Luxembourg has taken an important step in modelling the complexity of the human gut's bacterial communities - the microbiome - on the computer. The researchers gathered all known data on the metabolism of 773 bacterial strains - more than ever before. Working from this data, they developed a computer model for each bacterial strain. This collection, known as AGORA, can now be used on the computer to simulate metabolic processes taking place in the microbes and to investigate how they affect the metabolism of other microbes and that of the human host. The LCSB team publishes its results in the scientific journal Nature Biotechnology. The collection of predictive metabolic models is available to researchers via vmh.life. phys.org Digital microbes for munching yourself healthy Hundreds of different bacterial species live in the human gut, helping us to digest our food. The metabolic processes of these bacteria are not only tremendously important to our health - they are also tremendously complex. A research team has taken an important step in modelling the complexity of the human gut's bacterial communities - the microbiome - on the computer. sciencedaily.com Microbes produce organic plastics from flue gas, electricity sciencedaily.com New technology could help break down city's plastic problem Investors say organic additive can dramatically cut biodegradation time A group of entrepreneurs want to introduce an inexpensive but organic additive to the plastic used in Hong Kong which they claim will slash the time it takes for the waste to biodegrade in landfills. scmp.com caution: broken down plastic may still pollute the environment Rockefeller's Science Outreach program explores the microbes in food This year's cohort focused on exploring the vast assortment of microbes—called the microbiome—in our food. First, they learned the basics: Microbes are microscopic organisms that are all around us—beneficial in some ways (fermentation of food), harmful in others (infectious disease). Then, the students designed their own research projects. For example, some students compared microbes in organic and non-organic food, while others chose to analyze the microbes in frozen yogurt. newswire.rockefeller.edu Gut microbes influence development of wet AMD New research reveals that microbes in the gut play an important role in the development of neovascular or wet age-related macular degeneration. medicalnewstoday.com Your A.T.M. Is Covered in Microbes, but Mostly Harmless nytimes.com New York's ATMs Teem With Nasty Stuff citylab.com Links added in 2016 Our evolving relationship with microbes University of Minnesota experts will gather to talk about what we know, and what we don't know, about the microbial world and the role it plays in our health and our environment. Dan Knights, assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and the BioTechnology Institute at the University of Minnesota. Michael Sadowsky, professor in the Department of Soil, Water & Climate, and Director of the BioTechnology Institute at the University of Minnesota. Cara Santelli, assistant Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, and a member of the BioTechnology Institute at UMN. Their talk is called, "It's Complicated: Our evolving relationship with the microbial world in and around us," and it's part of a series the university is calling, "The Petri Dish." The speakers joined MPR News host Tom Weber in studio for a conversation. To hear the full conversation, click the play button at this URL: mprnews.org Scientists at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) of the University of Luxembourg create comprehensive computational metabolic models for different gut microbes news-medical.net Microbes from a 220-year-old bottle of beer create a new brew Researchers used yeast recovered from a bottle found in a shipwreck from 1797 to brew a mild-tasting beer they've named Preservation Ale. wasthingtonpost.com Canada's Food Guide Needs To Reflect Our Microbes huffingtonpost.ca On average, our bodies are comprised of about 30 trillion human cells give or take about 10 trillion. However, there is a greater number of microbial cells living inside of us. Tens of trillions of these are bacteria, consisting of several hundred different species. Over the last decade, researchers have gained insight into how certain gut microbes, particularly bacteria, influence our health. They have learned the mere presence of some species can affect us. Yet the majority of effects on wellness come as a result of the byproducts these organisms make. GarCo landfill uses microbes to treat soil fouled by oil gjsentinel.com Berkeley researchers discover thousands of new microbes, complete genomes A study published Monday from campus and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researchers uncovered new information about the genetic role of individual microbes and how they work to affect our climate. dailycal.org Radiation splice-bio.com Meet Conan the Bacterium: The Most Radiation-Resistant Microbe According to the Guinness Book of Records the honor of the most defiant bacteria belongs to the little-known Deinococcus radiodurans, a microbe so tough the scientific community dubbed it "Conan the Bacterium". Biofiltration Seattle Builds First-Of-Its-Kind Stormwater System wateronline.com Researchers discover microbes able to convert compounds released from coal directly into methane phys.org Healthy microbes make for a resilient Great Barrier Reef | Cosmos cosmosmagazine.com Do microbes control our mood? - ScienceDaily sciencedaily.com Feed Microbes Oxygen to Help Clear Spilled Oil - Scientific American scientificamerican.com Study reveals corals' influence on reef microbes | EurekAlert! Science News eurekalert.org UNH scientists receive grant for soil microbes research - News - fosters.com - Dover, NH fosters.com Grant to aid study of microbes' role in soil carbon cycle cornell.edu UMass microbiologist awarded $2.5 million grants to study how soil microbes contribute to global warming Kristen DeAngelis will lead a team of other researchers to investigate how soil--which is the largest repository for carbon in the natural world--may disperse carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thus feeding global warming. masslive.com Researchers Restored A Colony Of Microbes In The Gut | Popular Science popsci.com toxiccleanup911 is against genetic modification of microbes - nature has already made all the types of microbes we need for planetary healing - don't mess with Mother Nature Surfing the world for microbes By Erika Johnson, UC San Diego Surfer, ocean steward and chemistry doctoral student Cliff Kapono begins his worldwide expedition this fall to discover if surfers have a unique microbiome, and if so, how these marine bacteria and chemicals impact human health. universityofcalifornia.edu Metagenomic study links microbes to flavors in kefir A team of food scientists and microbiologists in Ireland have used high-throughput sequencing to analyze how microbial populations change as kefir ferments. It's a new frontier in food analysis: Using the data, collected over a 24-hour fermentation period, the researchers were able to connect the presence of individual microbial species and their associated pathways to flavor compounds in the fermented milk beverage. phys.org Soil microbes flourish with reduced tillage Microbes improve soil quality by cycling nutrients and breaking plant residues down into soil organic matter. In an effort to detect consistent patterns across a large geographical area, researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 62 studies examining the effect of tillage on soil microbes. No-till systems had greater soil microbial biomass and enzymatic activity. Tilled systems that used a chisel plow were equivalent to no-till systems, in terms of microbial biomass. sciencedaily.com For the past several decades, farmers have been abandoning their plows in favor of a practice known as no-till agriculture. Today, about one-third of U.S. farmers are no longer tilling their fields, and still more are practicing conservation tillage—using equipment that only disturbs the soil to a minimal degree. jg-tc.com farmanddairy.com Training microbes to hunt out cancer and pollutants Tiny microbial cells can be adapted to carry out specific jobs wired.co.uk Gut microbes linked to immunotherapy response in melanoma patients Patients with malignant melanoma - whose disease has spread - are more likely to respond to immunotherapy treatment if they had greater diversity in their gut bacteria, according to new research. sciencedaily.com Alternative to anti-biotics Researchers develop new strategy to immunize against microbes that cause foodborne illness news-medical.net Stanford bioengineer's microscope features interactive microbes stanford.edu This Smartphone Microscope Lets You Play Games With Microbes Introducing the LudusScope, a 3D-printed, open-sourced system that lets you control and play games with living microbes on your smartphone. . . . LudusScope was developed by Stanford engineer Ingmar Riedel-Kruse, and he envisioned it as a new way of interacting and learning about common microbes. It's meant for use in educational settings, and teachers can easily 3D print their own LuduScope using plans downloaded from the internet. gizmodo.com newatlas.com futurity.org psfk.com alternative energy Poland Unveils Glow-In-The-Dark Bicycle Path That Is Charged By The Sun The luminous blue cycling strip, which can be found near Lidzbark Warminski in the north of Poland, was created by TPA Instytut Badań Technicznych Sp. z o.o. It's made from a synthetic material that can give out light for up to ten hours at a time once charged by the sun throughout the day. boredpanda.com thisiscolossal.com techcrunch.com newatlas.com abcnews.go.com alternative energy Milking microbes for energy could help replace fossil fuels Scientists have found a way of producing electricity and fuel for cars from bacteria and green algae, and scaling up these techniques could create a reliable source of renewable energy that could be used as an alternative to fossil fuels. horizon-magazine.eu radiation Team finds 'alien' microbe that feeds on cosmic rays Nearly all organisms on Earth require carbon, oxygen, and sunlight to survive, but the discovery of an unusual microbe that thrives deep within a South African gold mine has experts wondering if living organisms might have adapted to survive on seemingly uninhabitable planets. redorbit.com Almost alien microbe found eating radiation athens-times.com Aliens Could Be Feeding on Cosmic Rays for Survival, Scientists Found natureworldnews.com Microbes on Mars A Tough Row to Hoe for Early Martian Microbes space.com What the man who first looked for microbes on Mars has to say about the Viking anniversary Gilbert Levin directed one of the microbiology experiments. 40 years later, here's what he has to say. astronomy.com Has Curiosity Found Fossilized Life on Mars? There are compelling structures in a slab of sedimentary Mars rock, but their discovery alone won't prove there was ancient life on Mars. seeker.com The Red Planet is cold and bleak, and its surface is bombarded with intense radiation. But some of Earth's toughest microbes might be able to survive there bbc.com Could these Cauliflower-like Shapes on Mars Have Been Sculpted by Microbes? popsci.com NASA Mars Exploration mars.nasa.gov BOOK: The Microbes of Mars, by Barry DiGregorio amazon.com Is there really life on Mars? What evidence is there that there may or may not have been life on Mars? scienceline.ucsb.edu American Museum of Natural History Case Study: Fossil Microbes on Mars? amnh.org New Bacterial Life-Form Discovered in NASA and ESA Spacecraft Clean Rooms The previously unknown microbe was tough enough to survive stringent sterilization at two locations. Might it survive a trip to Mars? scientificamerican.com Searching for Life in Martian Water Will Be Very, Very Tricky The risk of microbial contamination could prevent humans and even robots from visiting the most promising parts of the Red Planet scientificamerican.com Evidence that life once existed on Mars might have been discovered, scientists suggest Unusual mineral outcrops on Mars look very similar to microbe-created formations here on Earth independent.co.uk Microbial stowaways to Mars identified Bacteria found on the Curiosity rover reveal the types of microorganisms that spacecraft carry. by Jyoti Madhusoodanan nature.com Visiting Mars? Don't forget to take the invisible microbe to survive in an alien planet hngn.com popsci.com masslife.com 2bn-yo water found deep underground offers clues to possible life on other planets rt.com contractor / products Microbial skin care products joomo.com Embrace microbes to go truly natural says skin care expert Nick Wallen, director of JooMo cosmeticsdesign-europe.com Mix and match microbes to make probiotics last A study published September 29 in Cell Host & Microbe suggests matching the right bacterial strain to the gut environment is crucial for making a real change. phys.org Could deep sea microbes help fight climate change? There are compelling reasons for studying archaea and bacteria at the bottom of the sea. Both organisms play a fundamental role in gobbling up methane, a greenhouse gas that gets trapped at the bottom of the ocean in the form of an icelike solid substance. bendbulletin.com MacArthur winner Victoria Orphan showed how deep-sea microbes keep greenhouse gas out of the atmosphere latimes.com Ask a MacArthur genius: Could elusive deep-sea microbes help fight climate change? washingtonpost.com Exposing children to microbes good for their health Modern lifestyles with an emphasis on hyper-cleanliness have a negative effect on children's lifelong health. Early exposure to microbes will give children the best immune start to life, insist two microbiologists who've written thought-provoking new book, Let Them Eat Dirt. Professor Brett Finlay and Dr Marie-Claire Arrieta insist there is undeniable evidence that early exposure to microbes is beneficial to children's wellbeing. Kindle amazon.com Hardcover: amazon.com Audible: amazon.com irishexaminer.com First Signs Of Animal Life On Earth May Be From Microbes astrobio.net Ancient microbe fossils show earliest evidence of shell making 809-million-year-old eukaryotes turned calcium phosphate into armor sciencenews.org To understand the oceans' microbes, follow function, not form phys.org Earliest Signs Of Animal Life May Be From Microbes seeker.com Video Paul Stamets spent his live exploring fungi, their role in enriching the forest soil with nutrients and ultimately in helping our home planet defend itself against us humans. dailylinked.net Pathogenic Gut Microbes Flourish in Wake of Tissue Repair Response genengnews.com 'The Mind-Gut Connection': Could Your Gut Microbes Be Affecting How You Feel? wbur.org Novozymes moves on Microbes in recent Acquisition labiotech.eu Microbes in newborn's gut may triple allergy, asthma risk upi.com Study investigates steel-eating microbes on ship hulls upi.com Microbes help plants survive in severe drought phys.org Arcadia Power - sign up for alternative energy arcadiapower.com Harness the Power of the Sun: The Complete Guide to Using Solar Energy improvenet.com Composting 101 planetnatural.com Going Green with Solar Panels in the Home homeadvisor.com 24 Ways to Make Your Classroom Eco Friendly This Year populationeducation.org Eco & Environmental Scholarships, Internships, and Activities fastweb.com Go Green & Get Green: Tax Rebates and Incentives for Green Home Improvements redfin.com Green Jobs: A Resource Guide for Individuals with Disabilities dol.gov News & Research: Arizona State University Polytechnic prof Milton Sommerfeld exploring the possibilities of algae as super food, fuel, fertilizer and more asu.edu The Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation (AzCATI) azcati.com azcati.com/about Algae Industry Magazine - news from ASU algaeindustrymagazine.com ASU Bio Design Institute biodesign.asu.edu biodesign.asu.edu/news/ Dr. Hinsby Cadillo-Quiroz, Cadillo Lab cadillo.lab.asu.edu Dr. Ferran Garcia-Pichel askabiologist.asu.edu garcia-pichel.lab.asu.edu Aerobic Bioremediation clu-in.org There was a toxaphene cleanup done a few years back in my area that may be of interest. Anaerobic degradation of toxaphene will be accomplished by loading contaminated soil into lined pits or "burritos" and adding amendments, including starch, phosphate, bloodmeal and water. The burritos will be sealed and allowed to heat in the desert sun. epaosc.org EPA is responding to soils contaminated with the pesticide toxaphene, resulting from the disposal activities of a pesticide aerial applicator who ceased operations over 20 years ago. epaosc.org ASU wins $1Mil DOE algae research grant (2015) algaeindustrymagazine.com New Technology for Algae Blooms algaeindustrymagazine.com Is Yogurt Enough? There's a controversy brewing over how to foster a good microbiome, or community of microbes in the body. Google definition: The microbiome is the framework of the immune system, so medical researchers have been investigating. Factors to build a strong microbiome: A balanced diet that includes raw fruit and vegetables, fermented foods like yogurt or sauerkraut, regular exercise, drink enough water. Other factors: inherit a richly diverse and strong microbiome, birth through the vaginal canal, and breast feeding as an infant. Harmful factors: Antibiotics, anti-bacterial soaps and sprays, antibiotics residue in meat, pesticides and herbicides in food, carcinogens in household products, some otc and prescription drugs, chemotherapy, over-consumption of alcohol, sugar, unhealthy fats, tobacco, stress, overwork, and sleep deficit. A word to the wise researcher: to build up a healthy microbiome, begin with the factors that help and eliminate the factors that harm. It's that simple. However,it's not so simple yogurt alone, or a daily probiotic pill, can do the trick. Developing a healthy microbiome must be a process that begins with diet, exercise, and healthy lifestyle choices. I've used table salt to get rid of weed patches in our 2-3/4 acre community. Salt works best in planters where there is no irrigation, because running water will wash the salt away. First, pick the weeds and get the roots, then lay a solid layer of salt down. The weeds will not come back. You can get 2 lb salt for $1 at a dollar store. Works great! This formula looks great too. - Nori (your webmaster) More links - go to 2016 * 2015 Search Tools! sitemap - a list of pages at this site |