Microbiology: Bacteria that grow at 250°C

Isolation and characterization of novel iron-oxidizing bacteria that grow at circumneutral pH.

A gel-stabilized gradient method that employed opposing gradients of Fe2+ and O2 was used to isolate and characterize two new Fe-oxidizing bacteria from a neutral pH, Fe(2+)-containing groundwater in Michigan. Two separate enrichment cultures were obtained, and in each the cells grew in a distinct, rust-colored band in the gel at the oxic-anoxic interface. The cells were tightly associated with...

Trees that Grow

We study the notion of extensibility in functional data types, as a new approach to the problem of decorating abstract syntax trees with additional information. We observed the need for such extensibility while redesigning the data types representing Haskell abstract syntax inside Glasgow Haskell Compiler (GHC). Specifically, we describe a programming idiom that exploits type-level functions to...

Compatible Solutes in Microorganisms that Grow at High Temperature

Patterns that Grow

Chemotactic bacteria have been observed to congregate into highly regular patterns. When the bacteria are placed in the center of a dish, a wave of bacteria can travel outward, leaving a regular pattern of spots or stripes in its wake. Although chemotaxis and excretion of an attractant can readily cause a pattern forming instability from a uniform state, they are not capable of generating patte...

Hair That Does Not Grow.

density ( fig. 1 ). Pull test was positive on the whole scalp. His eyelashes, eyebrows and body hairs were normal in length and pattern. The rest of the physical examination was normal, without any abnormalities of skin, teeth or nails. A trichogram from the parietal region showed a decreased anagen to telogen ratio of 22/78 (against 90/10 in normal condition) with all hair presenting tapered t...