Australian research shows microbes may turn dust into gold

July 14, 2006

(AP) -- Researchers in Australia have uncovered evidence that a tiny microbe may have the Midas touch of Greek legend, capable of turning dust to gold. Findings reported in the July 14 issue of the U.S.-based magazine Science suggest a bacteria known as Ralstonia metallidurans may play a key role in forming gold nuggets and grains.



Content from The Associated Press expires 15 days after original publication date. For more information about The Associated Press, please visit www.ap.org .

Similar stories from PHYSorg:


The Midas Bug -- the bacterial alchemy of gold

created Aug 01, 2006 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (19) | comments 0

Bacterium helps formation of gold

created Oct 07, 2009 | popularity 4 / 5 (8) | comments 0

Dust around a primitive star sheds new light on universe's origins

created Jan 15, 2009 | popularity 4 / 5 (6) | comments 0

Findings suggest nanowires ideal for electronics manufacturing

created Nov 13, 2008 | popularity 4.6 / 5 (16) | comments 0

First evidence that bacteria get 'touchy-feely' about dangerous biofilms

created May 19, 2008 | popularity 4 / 5 (3) | comments 0


print this article email this article download pdf blog this article bookmark this article     Stumble it Digg this share on Facebook retweet share on Reddit add to delicious
Rate this story - 4 /5 (51 votes)


July 14, 2006 all stories

Comments: 0

4 /5 (51 votes)
  • Stumble this up

  • Digg this

  • share this


Other News

Right-handed chimpanzees provide clues to the origin of human language

Biology / Plants & Animals

created 42 minutes ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Most of the linguistic functions in humans are controlled by the left cerebral hemisphere. A study of captive chimpanzees at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center (Atlanta, Georgia), reported in the January 2010 issue ...


How cells tolerate DNA damage -- start signal for cell survival program identified

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created 12 minutes ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Cancer researchers of the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch, Germany, have gained new insights into how cells react to DNA damage. Dr. Michael Stilmann, Dr. Michael Hinz and Professor Claus Scheidereit ...


Jellyfish swarm northward in warming world (AP)

Jellyfish swarm northward in warming world

Biology / Ecology

created 21 hours ago | popularity 4.1 / 5 (11) | comments 1

(AP) -- A blood-orange blob the size of a small refrigerator emerged from the dark waters, its venomous tentacles trapped in a fishing net. Within minutes, hundreds more were being hauled up, a pulsating ...


EU: bluefin tuna catches to be reduced

Biology / Ecology

created 3 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(AP) -- The EU Commission says over 45 countries who catch tuna have agreed to cut catches of the threatened Atlantic bluefin tuna next year.


Ancient penguin DNA raises doubts about accuracy of genetic dating techniques

Ancient penguin DNA raises doubts about accuracy of genetic dating techniques

Biology / Evolution

created Nov 10, 2009 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (23) | comments 13

Penguins that died 44,000 years ago in Antarctica have provided extraordinary frozen DNA samples that challenge the accuracy of traditional genetic aging measurements, and suggest those approaches have been ...