John Travis

All Stories by John Travis

  1. Bulletproof bacteria

    Bacteria can survive being blasted into space.

  2. Smoking out microbes

    The addictive compound nicotine kills bacteria, which may explain why smokers get lung disease.

  3. Some like it hotter

    A microbe found on the ocean floor can grow at 121°C, a new record for the upper temperature limit for life.

  4. Chopping up a microbial tail

    An enzyme made by immune cells destroys the proteins that make up bacterial tails.

  5. Eggs and more grown from mouse stem cells

    Stem cells from mouse embryos can be converted into eggs, skin, or heart muscle.

  6. Gut Check

    The normal microbial inhabitants of our intestines do a lot for their host.

  7. Memorable Shot: Smallpox vaccine has lasting effect

    People vaccinated against smallpox decades ago may retain significant immunity to the virus that causes the disease.

  8. Health & Medicine

    Eating right early might reduce premature births

    Malnutrition around the time of conception may promote early delivery of offspring.

  9. Gypsy Secret: Children of sea see clearly underwater

    Children who regularly dive to collect food have better-than-normal underwater vision because their eyes adapt to the liquid environment.

  10. Tech

    A Breath of Fresh Air: Bacteria rid sewage of its stink

    Wastewater-treatment plants can use hydrogen sulfide-degrading bacteria instead of chemicals to reduce odors.

  11. Second cold-sensing protein found

    Researchers have found a second mammalian cell-surface protein that enables nerve cells to recognize cold temperatures.

  12. Paddle Power: Surprising shape of key cellular pore unveiled

    A molecular pore that controls the flow of ions into cells has an unexpected shape and mechanism.