Hibernating bacteria can invade hospitals and survive outer space - but their energy budget reveals a weakness
Bacteria can enter a hibernation state called dormancy, where they become highly resistant to extreme conditions such as heat, dryness, radiation, and even space. This state is characterized by the bacteria's chemical processes being shut down and their protein armor protecting them from harm. The bacteria remain in this state until environmental conditions improve.
Why it's good news: This news reveals a potential weakness of these otherwise hardy bacteria, which could lead to new discoveries and strategies for controlling their spread in environments like hospitals.
The science section covers breakthroughs in medicine, physics, biology, and technology. We surface discoveries that expand what humanity can do, from new treatments reaching clinical trials to engineering feats that seemed impossible a decade ago. Every link goes to the original publisher so you can read the full study or press release yourself.
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