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Magical fairytale forest. Coniferous forest covered of green moss. Mystic atmosphere.

The Unusual Functions of Geosmin

The compounds responsible for the earthy smell of recent rain are produced by a wide variety of bacteria and fungi. Recent research sheds light on why microbes bother.

The Unusual Functions of Geosmin

The Unusual Functions of Geosmin

The compounds responsible for the earthy smell of recent rain are produced by a wide variety of bacteria and fungi. Recent research sheds light on why microbes bother.

The compounds responsible for the earthy smell of recent rain are produced by a wide variety of bacteria and fungi. Recent research sheds light on why microbes bother.

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bacterial communication

bacterial communication

A side-by-side illustration of bacterial nanotubes, conjugative pili, and type 3 secretion systems such as injectisomes and flagella

Infographic: What Are Bacterial Nanotubes?

Sruthi S. Balakrishnan | Jun 1, 2021 | 5 min read

Unlike other cellular appendages, bacterial nanotubes are made solely of lipids and can connect the cytoplasm of different microbial species.

A scanning electron micrograph of a coculture of E. coli and Acinetobacter baylyi. Nanotubes can be seen extending from the E. coli.

What’s the Deal with Bacterial Nanotubes?

Sruthi S. Balakrishnan | Jun 1, 2021 | 10+ min read

Several labs have reported the formation of bacterial nanotubes under different, often contrasting conditions. What are these structures and why are they so hard to reproduce?

An illustration of a flask of bacteria, a weighted microscope slide, and two bacteria exchanging materials via nanotubes.

Infographic: Sources of Variation in Bacterial Nanotube Studies

Sruthi S. Balakrishnan | Jun 1, 2021 | 2 min read

Differences in how researchers prepare and image samples can lead to discrepancies in their results.

Our Pets May Harbor Much More Than Coronavirus

Ashley Yeager | Jul 13, 2020 | 3 min read

While concern over SARS-CoV-2 in dogs and cats has captured attention, scientists have also been investigating whether pets can transmit multidrug-resistant bacteria to us.

Competition and Cooperation of Cheese Rind Microbes Exposed

Ashley Yeager | Jan 1, 2019 | 4 min read

Transposon mutagenesis give scientists a rare look at the most important interactions within microbial communities.

Rotem Sorek Searches for Bacteria’s Defenses Against Viruses

Sukanya Charuchandra | Oct 1, 2018 | 3 min read

Using his expertise in microbiology and bioinformatics, he is bringing a new understanding to microbial immune systems.

Show Me Your Moves

Marissa Fessenden | May 1, 2015 | 9 min read

Updated classics and new techniques help microbiologists get up close and quantitative.

Visualizing the Vibe

Jyoti Madhusoodanan | Oct 1, 2014 | 4 min read

Retrieving sound from video recordings of inanimate objects can have surprising applications.

Chris Palmer | Aug 5, 2013 | 5 min read

A round-up of recent discoveries in behavior research

Kate Yandell | May 1, 2013 | 3 min read

Meet some of the people featured in the May 2013 issue of The Scientist.

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