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Environment

Tree bark microbiome has important overlooked role in climate

Tree bark has a total surface area similar to all of the land area on Earth. It is home to a wide range of microbial species unknown to science, and they can either take up or emit gases that have a warming effect on the climate

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Lichen: Image made using visible light (sun or Xenon flash), the two

Environment

How lab-grown lichen could help us to build habitations on Mars

Features

A hand holding glowing prion proteins, from which fossils and microbes emerge.

Life

A sinister, deadly brain protein could reveal the origins of all life

Features

Life

Cloud microbes' colours could help us detect life on other planets

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Life

How cocoa beans' microbiomes are key to the finest chocolate flavours

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Earth

Deep-living microbes could 'eat' energy generated by earthquakes

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2YP7KC6 Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents Mid-Pacific, Deep sea exploration 2025. Deep-sea mining, Deep Ocean Volcanoes

Life

Earth's extraordinary deep biosphere is our next great frontier

Culture

Environment

Vegan cheese could be about to get a lot closer to the real thing

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Life

Biotech firm aims to create ‘ChatGPT of biology’ – will it work?

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Discovering the marvels of mucus is inspiring amazing new medicines

Health

Discovering the marvels of mucus is inspiring amazing new medicines

Mucus does far more than just act as a protective barrier. Emerging research reveals ways to harness its power and deliver treatments for everything from yeast infections to inflammatory bowel disease

Features

Environment

Microplastics could be hampering the ocean’s ability to capture carbon

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Earth

Earthquakes could be an overlooked source of underground hydrogen fuel

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Environment

Hot methane seeps could support life beneath Antarctica’s ice sheet

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Environment

Flourishing microalgae could offset emissions as the planet heats up

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