Bacteria
Bacteria are a biological cell, roughly a millimetre in length, that were among the first living forms on Earth. The biomass of bacteria on Earth is larger than all of the animal and plant biomass combined. Although bacteria have a bad reputation, rightly so due to the illnesses they can cause such as pneumonia, food poisoning and meningitis, bacteria such as probiotics in the gut help food digestion and restore the balance of bacteria in the gut. Fossilised remains of bacteria have been discovered on Mars.
You're (probably) cleaning your reusable water bottle wrong
A microbiologist explains what nasties may be lurking inside your water bottle.
Why does my belly button smell? A doctor explains
GP Dr Nish Manek explains the (extremely gross) science behind stinky navels – and what you can do about the problem.
Your local river could be full of human poop. Here’s how to tell (and stay safe)
What you really need to know before your next open water swim.
New microbiome breakthrough could be key to fighting obesity
Researchers have more than a gut feeling about how to prevent weight gain in the not-so-distant future.
101 random fun facts that will blow your mind
Our collection of the best interesting trivia covers animals, biology, geography, space and much more.
Wearing headphones might be helping bacteria grow in your ears
Sealing off the entrance to your ears can increase the population of bugs.
Adorable babies (and a few scientists) discover key link between your gut and brain health
They may look cute, but it was these babies’ poop that the scientists were really interested in.
Stacked on top of each other, how tall would all the world’s germs and bacteria be?
The answer will blow your mind.
How dangerous is it to wear a tie?
Loosen that cravat, undo that dicky bow and throw off that necktie. There may be health implications from wearing the smart but restrictive neckwear.
Are viruses the key to fighting infections?
Are phages – viruses that hunt and kill bacteria – part of the solution to antimicrobial resistance?
In pictures: Welcome to the most diverse waters on planet Earth
Join the scientific mission to see what secrets of early life can be uncovered in the salt lakes of Chile's Atacama Desert.
Should I take my shoes off inside the house?
Keep them on, if you can stomach knowing what they carry on their soles.
What a mysterious green sludge discovered in lava caves tells us about life on other planets
Researchers studying bacteria in Hawaii’s lava caves have discovered intricate communities working together in hostile surroundings.
Will melting permafrost release ancient viruses and bacteria?
Climate change is causing permafrost to thaw, and estimates suggest that by 2100 up to two-thirds of Arctic near-surface permafrost will be lost.
Macrophages: What are they and how do they kill bacteria?
They travel around the body, gobbling up bacteria the way that Pac-Man dealt with those pesky ghosts.
Is it true you can’t just cut the mouldy parts off food?
You may think you are carefully eating around the mould, but there are likely to be hidden toxins lurking below the surface.
Future of evolution: 10 ways nature is changing to adapt to life among humans
Whether it's COVID, cockroaches or bacteria in your fridge, everything around us evolves no matter what we throw at it.
Put down the disinfectant: Should we be encouraging helpful bacteria into our homes?
Bacteria aren’t always bad. Some, like the billions that live in our guts, are vital for our health. So should we make our homes and cities more hospitable to these beneficial microbes?
Bacteria-killing viruses can help us win the fight against antibiotic resistance
Initial experiments on zebrafish show bacteria-killing bacteriophages can boost the effectiveness of antibiotics.
Do we get our gut bacteria microbiome before or after birth?
We strongly advise not reading this before lunch.
Fasting may help protect against infection by altering the gut microbiome
Study in mice finds that fasting reduces the likelihood of being infected by bacteria responsible for causing gastroenteritis.
Artificial sweeteners can turn healthy gut bacteria into pathogens
Sugar substitutes could cause harmful bacteria to invade the intestine, which can potentially lead to life-threatening infections.
Scientists are burying 2,000 pairs of underpants in Switzerland
Exploring a new Y-frontier in ecological research.
New strains of bacteria found on the International Space Station
Three unknown species have been discovered growing on the ISS, but don't break out the anti-bac wipes just yet.