Scientists have long wondered how ocean animals and microbes work together. Some research says these relationships follow a pattern where closely related animals share similar bacteria. But earlier studies didn’t always agree on this idea. Now, a new study takes a closer look at one group of bacteri
Wolfberry, also known as goji berry, is a superstar in the plant world. It's packed with nutrients and has amazing medicinal benefits. But there's a big problem: root rot disease. This nasty issue can really mess up the plant's growth and quality. Scientists have found a cool solution to this proble
The Fukushima disaster in 2011 left Japan with a big problem: high levels of radiocesium in the environment. This stuff is dangerous and sticks around for a long time. One surprising place it showed up was in wild mushrooms. These mushrooms have a special relationship with trees. They form a team, s
Cities around the globe are buzzing with a fresh idea to make urban living more sustainable. This concept is called industrial and urban symbiosis. It is a way for different groups to work together to use resources wisely and cut down on waste. It is based on the idea of a circular economy, where
The world beneath our feet is a bustling ecosystem, full of interactions that shape the world above. One such interaction involves beans, bacteria, and bugs. Specifically, the relationship between beans and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, known as rhizobia, has long been seen as a win-win. But what about
Understanding when bacteria first emerged on Earth is a big puzzle, mainly because bacteria fossils are rare. Scientists have found a new way to solve this puzzle by looking at ancient partnerships between bacteria and other life forms. They used genes found in mitochondria–the tiny powerhouses insi
Earthworms have tiny buddies living in their excretory organs. Two of these are Verminephrobacter and Flexibacter-like bacteria. Almost all lumbricid earthworms host Verminephrobacter, which are passed from parent to offspring. These bacteria have been with their earthworm friends for a very long ti
Big Tech companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Salesforce are teaming up to push for nature-based carbon removal solutions. They've formed the Symbiosis Coalition, pledging to buy up to 20 million tons of carbon removal credits by 2030. But is this just a way to buy their way out of reducing
