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

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

Bacterium helps formation of gold

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

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

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

Findings suggest nanowires ideal for electronics manufacturing

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

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

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

Rate this story - 4 /5 (51 votes)

rank
1
2
3
4
5

view popular

Other News

IKK may act as both inhibitor and promoter of Huntington's disease

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

2 hours ago | not rated yet | 0

The kinase IKK phosphorylates the protein mutated in Huntington's disease to promote its removal and neuron survival, but IKK may be a double-edged sword that increases neurotoxicity in later stages of the disease. The study, ...

Study shows loss of 15-42 percent of mammals in North America

Biology / Ecology

Dec 17, 2009 | 3.2 / 5 (9) | 5

If the planet is headed for another mass extinction like the previous five, each of which wiped out more than 75 percent of all species on the planet, then North American mammals are one-fifth to one-half the way there, according ...

African leaf-eating monkeys are 'likely to be wiped out' by climate change

Biology / Ecology

Dec 18, 2009 | 3.3 / 5 (7) | 4

(PhysOrg.com) -- Monkey species will become 'increasingly at risk of extinction' because of global warming, according to new research published this week.

Researchers Reveal That Environmentally Devastating Zebra Mussels Can Be Controlled

Biology / Ecology

Dec 14, 2009 | 3.3 / 5 (6) | 3

Cloaked in a delicate brown and cream striped shell and measuring a mere inch in length, the zebra mussel certainly doesn’t look ominous. This tiny invasive species, however, has wreaked havoc in waterways ...