November 8, 2012

A Vast Array of Life... in Your Belly Button

Souri Somphanith, PLoS Blogs


AP Photo

Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what kinds of life might exist out there? Well, you can look down – at your belly button that is – and wonder the exact same thing.

According to research published today in PLOS ONE, the belly button is home to an array of bacterial life ranging from the common (like Staphylococci) to the rare (like Archaea which have never been found before on human skin).

Read Full Article ››

TAGGED: belly-button, citizen science, bacteria

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES

November 8, 2012
Bacteria, Metal Catalyst Make Biofuel
John Timmer, Ars Technica
Although battery-powered vehicles are making great strides, it's tough to match the energy densities found in hydrocarbons. So they'll always be an excellent choice for applications where weight or long distances are... more ››
November 7, 2012
Capsules Help Good Bacteria Reach Gut
Elinor Hughes, Chemistry World
Most probiotic bacteria that are added to foods, such as yoghurt, to aid the digestive system are not reaching their intended target in the intestine. Instead, the majority are being destroyed in the stomach before they can do... more ››
ONE of the crucial transitions of modern health care was from herbal to chemical medicine. Doctors had known for millennia that willow bark and poppy sap relieve pain. But it was not until the late 19th century, when Felix... more ››
October 30, 2012
'Self-Healing' Concrete Undergoes Testing
Paul Rincon, BBC News
Experimental concrete that patches up cracks by itself is to undergo outdoor testing.The concrete contains limestone-producing bacteria, which are activated by corrosive rainwater working its way into the structure.The new... more ››