Scientists discovered the "fingerprints" of mysterious viruses hidden in an ancient group of microbes that may have helped fuel the rise of all complex life on Earth: from fungi to plants to humans.
Scientists discovered the fingerprints of mysterious viruses hidden in an ancient group of microbes that may have helped fuel the rise of all complex life on Earth: from fungi to plants to humans.
Climate-friendly microbes break down dead plants, but don t release methane
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Microbe samples collected from the Tengchong Yunnan hot springs in China helped scientists identify an entirely new archaea phylum. Photo by Jian-Yu Jiao/Sun Yat-Sen University
April 23 (UPI) Researchers have identified a new class of microbes that digest bits of dead plants without emitting methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
According to a new study, published Friday in the journal Nature Communications, novel microbes, found in hot springs and geothermal sediments, could play an important and under appreciated role in the global carbon cycle.
Advertisement Climate scientists should take these new microbes into account in their models to more accurately understand how they will impact climate change, lead study author Brett Baker, assistant professor at the University of Texas, said in a press release.