Nature’s Battery

https://cdn0.iconfinder.com/data/icons/eco-1/512/eco_charge-512.png
https://cdn0.iconfinder.com/data/icons/eco-1/512/eco_charge-512.png

The best way to provide light at night is store energy and it use it later just like batteries in a flashlight. Researchers have recently discovered that bacteria can create their own version of a battery by rearranging microscopic magnetic particles. In their experiment researchers showed that a group of bacteria removed electrons from minerals during the day. Then at night, bacteria put electrons back into the minerals essentially recharging the minerals and replacing the electrons that had been lost. The bacteria could do this repeatedly. This means that bacteria can store the charge, by holding onto the electrons, and send the charge along to power something external, like a battery could for a lightbulb.

 

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-03/eaog-nss032415.php Press release

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150326151654.htm News story

http://www.kurzweilai.net/how-bacteria-can-use-magnetic-particles-to-create-a-natural-battery News story

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/347/6229/1473 Original article

First Science Tidbit – Chewing gum gets rid of bacteria

chewing-gum

Reducing bacteria in the mouth is a good thing. Recent evidence shows that chewing gum reduces the amount of bacteria in the mouth. Researchers determined that 10 minutes of chewing gum provided the maximum benefit. After 10 minutes the benefits decreased as bacteria attached to the gum were re-released into the mouth. By removing bacteria from the mouth, oral hygiene improves. This leads to a decrease in plaque buildup and helps promote good breath.

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0117191

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/28912/20150127/too-lazy-to-floss-chewing-gum-removes-as-much-bacteria-as-flossing.htm

http://www.realclearscience.com/journal_club/2015/01/21/chewing_gum_removes_bacteria_from_your_mouth_109038.html

http://www.medicaldaily.com/oral-health-hack-chewing-gum-removes-100m-bacteria-10-minutes-similar-flossing-319120