Scientists discover a new organism that conducts electricity
Looks like scientists have found a new cousin to the eels! Well, not another
eel
, but a bacterium that can conduct electricity. And no, it doesn't zap, but it does work like
biological wiring
hidden in the mud.
The findings are published in
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
. The novel species of bacteria act as electrical wiring, and could hold the potential to develop
bioelectronic devices
for use in medicine, industry, food safety, and environmental monitoring and cleanup.
The researchers discovered the
cable bacteria
species in a mud flat at the
Oregon coast
and named it
Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis
is named in honor of the Native Americans of the region where the species was found.
Poll
Would you support funding for further research on bioelectronic applications of bacteria?
No
Yes
Cheng Li, who was a postdoctoral researcher at Oregon State University at the time of the research, and Clare Reimers, distinguished professor emerita in the OSU College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, identified the new species.
Provided by Cheng Li
The new cable bacteria have rod-shaped cells connected in a line, with a shared outer membrane, forming filaments that can reach several centimeters in length. Though conductivity is unusual among bacteria, this is an adapted process to optimize their metabolic processes in the sediment environments in which they live. The new organism shares similarities with the Ca. Electrothrix genus and the other known cable bacteria genus, Ca. Electronema, in terms of metabolic pathways and genes.
'This new species seems to be a bridge, an early branch within the Ca. Electrothrix clade, which suggests it could provide new insights into how these bacteria evolved and how they might function in different environments,' Li said. 'It stands out from all other described cable bacteria species in terms of its metabolic potential, and it has distinctive structural features, including pronounced surface ridges, up to three times wider than those seen in other species, that house highly conductive fibers made of unique, nickel-based molecules.'
The fibers are responsible for the bacteria's ability to perform long-distance electron transport, linking oxygen or nitrate at the surface with sulfide deeper in the sediment. This ability to carry out chemical reactions over distance makes them important for
sediment chemistry
and nutrient cycling.
'These bacteria can transfer electrons to clean up pollutants, so they could be used to remove harmful substances from sediments. Also, their design of a highly conductive nickel protein can possibly inspire new bioelectronics,' Li added.
FULL I Big Update On Trump Tariffs; '18 Proposals On Paper. Terms With India...' I Karoline Leavitt
Cable bacteria can live in both freshwater and saltwater environments, and also thrive in diverse climatic conditions.
The new organism gets its name, Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis from the Yaqona people, whose ancestral lands encompassed Yaquina Bay. Yaqona referred to the bay and river that made up much of their homeland, as well as to the people themselves.
representative img
'Naming an ecologically important bacterium after a Tribe recognizes its historical bond with the land and acknowledges its enduring contributions to ecological knowledge and sustainability,' Li further added.
(Pic courtesy: Cheng Li)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
5 days ago
- Mint
Aspergillus fumigatus, lethal fungus spreading across US raises alarm — Florida, Texas, California & more states at risk
A deadly fungus that can rot human tissue from within is rapidly spreading across the United States, with experts sounding alarm over rising temperatures, widespread drug resistance, and the lack of national disease tracking. According to a report in The Daily Mail, the airborne fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is nearly impossible to avoid and poses an especially grave risk to individuals with weakened immune systems. The fungus causes aspergillosis, a serious lung infection that can lead to organ failure and death, particularly in cancer, asthma, or HIV patients. As the news report notes, its spores are so small they are inhaled without notice. Once inside the lungs, the fungus can trigger chronic infections or even spread to the brain, heart, and kidneys in more invasive forms. Despite its danger, aspergillosis is not a reportable disease in the US — meaning infections, hospitalizations, and fatalities are not systematically tracked, making outbreaks difficult to identify. Citing health data, the news outlet reported that invasive aspergillosis hospitalisations in the US rose by around 3% annually between 2000 and 2013. By 2014, nearly 15,000 hospital stays were linked to the infection, costing an estimated $1.2 billion. Intensive care autopsies also revealed it ranks among the top four infections most likely to cause death. Around 400,000 people are estimated to suffer from chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, the long-term form of the disease. Invasive cases, though less common, are far more fatal — with only 59% of organ transplant patients surviving a year after infection, and just 25% of stem cell transplant patients, according to studies cited by The Daily Mail. The fungus thrives in warm, damp environments and can survive temperatures above 120°F in compost piles. According to The Daily Mail, the highest exposure levels are being recorded in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, and California — states with hot, humid climates and extensive farming activity. Dense urban centers like New York, Houston, and Los Angeles are also vulnerable due to aging infrastructure and population density. A University of Manchester study warned, the news report stated, that if fossil fuel use continues unchecked, Aspergillus fumigatus could expand by over 75% by 2100, putting millions more at risk across the southern US. Perhaps most concerning is the rising drug resistance. Azole antifungal drugs — commonly used to treat human infections — are also widely applied in agriculture to protect crops. Experts cited by the news outlet said that this practice may be driving environmental resistance, with drug-resistant fungal spores jumping from soil to humans. A study in Applied and Environmental Microbiology found azole-resistant strains of Aspergillus fumigatus in farm soils across at least seven US states. Some strains are resistant to multiple standard treatments, and the mixing of fungal types may be accelerating the resistance crisis. The World Health Organization has named Aspergillus fumigatus a "critical priority" due to its high mortality rates and the increasing threat of untreatable infections. The news outlet reported that the WHO is urging global investment in new antifungal drugs, faster diagnostic tools, improved hospital protocols, and enhanced training for healthcare professionals. The organization is also calling on pharmaceutical firms to include children in clinical trials for fungal treatments. Doctors are advising those with compromised immune systems to avoid gardening, soil, and moldy environments, wear protective masks in dusty areas, and ensure clean air circulation in hospitals and homes. US hospitals have begun strengthening mold inspections and antifungal protocols in response to the growing concern.
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- The Hindu
Researchers from Calicut varsity develop cost-effective nanoclusters
Researchers from the Department of Nanoscience and Technology at the University of Calicut have developed a novel device based on gold–copper alloy nanoclusters, a ground-breaking advancement in next-generation light-emitting diode (LED) technology. E.S. Shibu, Assistant Professor at the Smart Materials Lab attached to the department, and Rival Jose, his PhD student, are behind the initiative. They claim that although invisible to the naked eye, these clusters display exceptional photophysical properties, including strong light emission, excellent photo and thermal stability, and environmental compatibility. These qualities make them ideal for future applications in sustainable lighting, display technologies, and biomedical imaging. According to Mr. Shibu and Mr. Jose, what sets this innovation apart is its fabrication method—a simple, solution-based, environmentally friendly process that avoids the use of toxic or expensive host materials. This makes the technology both sustainable and cost-effective. The core of the invention lies in atomically precise nanoclusters made of just a few metal atoms, they say. The newly developed nanocluster-based LED emits pure red light and achieves an external quantum efficiency of 12.6%. Mr. Shibu says that this is among the highest performances recorded in the category of nanocluster-based, solution-processed, non-doped LEDs with saturated red emission. Their findings were published in Advanced Materials (Wiley), one of the most prestigious journals in the field of materials science, with an impressive impact factor of 27.4. This also marks the first-ever publication from the University of Calicut in such a high-impact journal. The achievement was made possible through national and international collaborations with institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Tampere University, Finland, and Hokkaido University, Japan. The research was primarily supported by funding from the Department of Science and Technology- Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence, with additional support from Science and Engineering Research Board-Startup Research Grant, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment-Science Research Scheme, and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.
NDTV
08-06-2025
- NDTV
NDTV Exclusive: On World Oceans Day, Ocean With David Attenborough Makers Deep Dive Into Life Under Water
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. David Attenborough, aged 99, returns with the documentary Ocean with David Attenborough. The film highlights ocean threats like destructive fishing and coral reef bleaching. 3 billion people rely on the ocean for food, risking severe shortages if damaged. New Delhi: Age is truly just a number, and Sir David Attenborough, English broadcaster, biologist, natural historian and writer proves so time and again. Having spent a lifetime exploring Earth's most remote corners, he is an encyclopedia of nature's many marvels. At 99, brimming with more passion than ever, the legend is back with Ocean with David Attenborough. A riveting documentary where he takes us on a journey of re-awakening, and delivers his most personal message to date, that the ocean is on the brink of exploding. In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, Toby Nowlan, Director and Producer and Enric Sala, Executive Producer, Marine Biologist, and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, tells us that it is a story of hope, and why we can't give up just yet. How Late Is Too Late? This is not the first time that we have heard about the many perils that lie underwater, our small actions turning into big disasters for the oceans that surround the planet. The immersive cinematography as witnessed in the trailer of Ocean, showcases the life residing under the seas. Hard facts and realities that we are oblivious to. It highlights challenges, from destructive fishing techniques to mass coral reef bleaching, that our oceans are combating. From bottom-trawling (the act of dragging weighted fishing nets along the Ocean floor), and the threats it poses on the ocean, the documentary treads on several territories as Attenborough brings forth the most remarkable findings that will restore our ocean's health to its prior glory. When asked about why is it that we are inconsistent in sensing the gravity of the situation, director Toby offers his view from the filmmaker's perspective. He says, "It's quite clear that people have this disassociation from the ocean. Many people who live in cities or landlocked countries, don't necessarily see the ocean as this place that's tied to every part of their lives. But, every other breath we take is from the ocean. It draws down a third of our carbon emissions. It's responsible for absorbing 90% of our excess heat as a planet and as a species. Since the Industrial Revolution, the ocean is tied to us." Walt Disney Shedding light on the mission that the film aims at, Toby adds, "For me, the mission of the film is to really reveal the ocean's many roles in our lives, that was as much a realisation for David Attenborough. After showing us the natural world for almost 100 years, he's come to this conclusion. He says it's his most important story. The greatest message he's ever told is that we all wake up and see ourselves, even though we all live on land, we're all really marine creatures. We are tied to the ocean. And we need to understand it better because if we can protect it properly, we can live in a world where we not only survive but thrive on land. " Worst-Case-Scenarios If We Don't Protect Our Oceans But somewhere, consistency is lacking. Producer Enric shares insight on what are the worst-case scenarios that can harm the planet if we don't rectify our missteps right away. He says, "The worst case scenario is an ocean where there's going to be very little fish left in the ocean for people to feed. 3 billion people rely on the ocean for food. Let's talk about India, it is a country with an enormous population of small-scale fishers. The cost of the population depends heavily on fish. The ocean is a bleak feature for marine life and all the people that depend on it. And that's just one of the things that this documentary helps you absorb." Enric Sala adds, "1/4 of our carbon emissions depends on marine life. If there is less marine life, the ocean will lose that capacity. So we depend on the ocean for everything we need to survive. But starting with the case of India to make it local to you, the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of small scale features." David Attenborough's Vision David Attenborough, a fierce advocate of environmental preservation has unearthed the many shocking occurrences that are not above sea level for us. He shares his vision for the documentary, "My lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery. Over the last hundred years, scientists and explorers have revealed remarkable new species, epic migrations, and dazzling, complex ecosystems beyond anything I could have imagined as a young man. In this film, we share those wonderful discoveries, uncover why our ocean is in such poor health, and, perhaps most importantly, show how it can bounce back to life." Walt Disney Attenborough's pledge is simple, "If we save the sea, we save the world." As for his fans, director Toby wholeheartedly believes, it's hope against hope, but that's what pushed them to work on this documentary. It is also the takeaway for every environmental enthusiast and David Attenborough fan. Toby concludes, "For me, the big take-home here, is one of hope. There are some shocking scenes in the film but hope overpowers everything. This is real. If we save the sea, we save our world. And that is a win for every human and living thing on the planet." Watch Ocean with David Attenborough this World Oceans Day on Sunday, 8th June at 7 pm only on National Geographic and JioHotstar.
