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Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 18, 2025 at 8:58am

With a comprehensive dataset and in-depth profiling of Gowanus microbial communities, researchers were able to identify previously undocumented microbial lineages and assess their potential for environmental remediation.

Metagenomic analysis of sediment samples from the Gowanus Canal revealed a diverse microbial community comprising 455 distinct microbial species, including bacteria, archaea, and viruses.

Across both surface and core samples, researchers identified 64 metabolic pathways involved in the degradation of organic contaminants, alongside 1,171 genes associated with the detoxification of heavy metals such as iron, copper, and nickel. Researchers identified 2,319 biosynthetic gene clusters, many of which may be linked to the production of novel secondary metabolites with potential therapeutic or industrial value.
A comprehensive screening of antimicrobial resistance genes demonstrated the presence of 28 resistance genes across eight different antibiotic classes, including agents commonly used in clinical settings such as rifampin and aminoglycosides.

Coexistence of pollutant-degrading genes and antimicrobial resistance likely arises from ecological adaptations driven by prolonged exposure to urban and industrial waste. Microorganisms within the canal deploy multiple degradation pathways to metabolize pollutants like toluene and phenolic compounds, while simultaneously exhibiting traits that confer resilience to heavy metal stress.
Findings suggest that extreme urban ecosystems like the Gowanus Canal may act as reservoirs of both beneficial and hazardous genetic elements. Some of the antimicrobial resistance genes appear to originate from human gut-associated microbes, likely introduced through untreated sewage overflow, raising urgent new concerns around public health risks.

While not an experiment any scientist would have chosen to run, if future research findings lead to novel industrial or clinical insights, it could transform the Gowanus Canal from a symbol of urban neglect into that of a living laboratory. One where the pressures of prolonged contamination have forged a microbial community that has created the keys to future ecological restoration and molecular innovation.

Sergios-Orestis Kolokotronis et al, Metagenomic interrogation of urban Superfund site reveals antimicrobial resistance reservoir and bioremediation potential, Journal of Applied Microbiology (2025). DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxaf076

Part 2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 18, 2025 at 8:55am

Extreme microbial adaptations arise in one of  most polluted waterways

The industrially ravaged Gowanus Canal, long regarded as a symbol of urban environmental neglect, is being reimagined through the lens of scientific inquiry as a complex reservoir of microbial life shaped by intense selective pressures.

Research  has discovered microbes in Brooklyn's Gowanus Canal that carry genes for breaking down industrial pollutants and neutralizing heavy metals. Genetic screening also uncovered resistance to multiple antibiotic classes and thousands of biosynthetic gene clusters with implications for developing new antibiotics, industrial enzymes, and bioactive compounds.

Built in the mid 1800s, the 2.9 km long industrial canal has experienced over 150 years of unregulated environmental abuse. As a hub of heavy industry, various mills, petroleum and chemical plants have lined the canal banks.

Unknown volumes of arsenic, heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, coal tar, petroleum products, volatile organic compounds, chlorinated solvents and untreated sewage overflow have discharged into the small waterway.

Designated a Superfund site in 2010, the Gowanus Canal is one of the most contaminated waterways in the United States. When the EPA began evaluating the site for restoration, they discovered approximately two hundred previously unknown and unpermitted pipes that discharge directly into the canal.

So toxic are the sediments and extreme the environment that mere skin contact with the water poses a health hazard for humans. To microbiologists, such extreme environments are highly intriguing opportunities to see how life finds a way to adapt and even thrive. Microbial life has previously been discovered in similarly extreme contexts.

Discoveries in NASA clean rooms revealed microbes that lived off of paint and cleaning solutions. An enzyme that revolutionized early genomic research came from a bacterium found in the hot springs of Yellowstone National Park. Microorganisms discovered in contaminated environments have previously been used to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons and other pollutants.

While the Gowanus Canal is unquestionably an environmental disaster, it can also serve as a long-running experiment in microbial evolution.

In the study, "Metagenomic interrogation of urban Superfund site reveals antimicrobial resistance reservoir and bioremediation potential," published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology, researchers performed a metagenomic analysis of microbial communities in the Gowanus Canal.

Part 1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 18, 2025 at 8:46am

The absorption of some of the starlight in the planet's atmosphere leaves imprints in the stellar spectrum that astronomers can piece together to determine the constituent gases of the exoplanet's atmosphere.

The earlier, tentative, inference of DMS was made using JWST's NIRISS (Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph) and NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph) instruments, which together cover the near-infrared (0.8-5 micron) range of wavelengths. The new, independent observation used JWST's MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) in the mid-infrared (6-12 micron) range.
This is an independent line of evidence, using a different instrument than the scientists did before and a different wavelength range of light, where there is no overlap with the previous observations. "The signal came through strong and clear."
It 's an incredible realization seeing the results emerge and remain consistent throughout the extensive independent analyses and robustness tests.
DMS and DMDS are molecules from the same chemical family, and both are predicted to be biosignatures. Both molecules have overlapping spectral features in the observed wavelength range, although further observations will help differentiate between the two molecules.
However, the concentrations of DMS and DMDS in K2-18b's atmosphere are very different than on Earth, where they are generally below one part per billion by volume. On K2-18b, they are estimated to be thousands of times stronger—over ten parts per million.
Earlier theoretical work had predicted that high levels of sulfur-based gases like DMS and DMDS are possible on Hycean worlds (covered in oceans). Given everything we know about this planet, a Hycean world with an ocean that is teeming with life is the scenario that best fits the data we have, say the scientists.
While the results are exciting, it's vital to obtain more data before claiming that life has been found on another world. While scientists are cautiously optimistic, there could be previously unknown chemical processes at work on K2-18b that may account for the observations.
Scientists have to conduct further theoretical and experimental work to determine whether DMS and DMDS can be produced non-biologically at the level currently inferred.
The inference of these biosignature molecules poses profound questions concerning the processes that might be producing them.
It's important that we're deeply skeptical of our own results, because it's only by testing and testing again that we will be able to reach the point where we're confident in them,"  the scientists add. "That's how science has to work."

Nikku Madhusudhan et al, New Constraints on DMS and DMDS in the Atmosphere of K2-18 b from JWST MIRI, The Astrophysical Journal Letters (2025). DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/adc1c8

Part 2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 18, 2025 at 8:38am

Astronomers detect strongest sign yet of possible life on a planet beyond our own

Astronomers have detected the most promising signs yet of a possible biosignature outside the solar system, although they remain cautious.

Using data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the astronomers have detected the chemical fingerprints of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and/or dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), in the atmosphere of the exoplanet K2-18b, which orbits its star in the habitable zone.

On Earth, DMS and DMDS are only produced by life, primarily microbial life such as marine phytoplankton. While an unknown chemical process may be the source of these molecules in K2-18b's atmosphere, the results are the strongest evidence yet that life may exist on a planet outside our solar system.

The observations have reached the 'three-sigma' level of statistical significance—meaning there is a 0.3% probability that they occurred by chance. To reach the accepted classification for scientific discovery, the observations would have to cross the five-sigma threshold, meaning there would be below a 0.00006% probability they occurred by chance.

The researchers say between 16 and 24 hours of follow-up observation time with JWST may help them reach the all-important five-sigma significance. Their results are reported in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Earlier observations of K2-18b—which is 8.6 times as massive and 2.6 times as large as Earth, and lies 124 light years away in the constellation of Leo—identified methane and carbon dioxide in its atmosphere. This was the first time that carbon-based molecules were discovered in the atmosphere of an exoplanet in the habitable zone.

Those results were consistent with predictions for a 'Hycean' planet: a habitable ocean-covered world underneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere.

However, another, weaker signal hinted at the possibility of something else happening on K2-18b. Scientists didn't know for sure whether the signal they saw last time was due to DMS, but just the hint of it was exciting enough for them to have another look with JWST using a different instrument.

To determine the chemical composition of the atmospheres of faraway planets, astronomers analyze the light from its parent star as the planet transits, or passes in front of the star as seen from Earth. As K2-18b transits, JWST can detect a drop in stellar brightness, and a tiny fraction of starlight passes through the planet's atmosphere before reaching Earth.

Part 1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 18, 2025 at 8:23am

The discovery of carbonate suggests that the atmosphere contained enough carbon dioxide to support liquid water existing on the planet's surface. As the atmosphere thinned, the carbon dioxide transformed into rock form.
NASA says future missions and analysis of other sulfate-rich areas on Mars could confirm the findings and help to better understand the planet's early history and how it transformed as its atmosphere was lost.
Scientists are trying to determine whether Mars was ever capable of supporting life—and the latest paper brings them closer to an answer. It tells us that the planet was habitable and that the models for habitability are correct.
The broader implications are the planet was habitable up until this time, but then, as the CO2 that had been warming the planet started to precipitate as siderite, it likely impacted Mars' ability to stay warm.

"The question looking forward is how much of this CO2 from the atmosphere was actually sequestered? Was that potentially a reason we began to lose habitability?"
The latest research fits with his ongoing work on Earth—trying to turn anthropogenic CO2 into carbonates as a climate change solution.

Learning about the mechanisms of making these minerals on Mars helps us to better understand how we can do it here.
Studying the collapse of Mars' warm and wet early days also tells us that habitability is a very fragile thing. It's clear that small changes in atmospheric CO2 can lead to huge changes in the ability of the planet to harbour life.
The most remarkable thing about Earth is that it's habitable and it has been for at least four billion years. Something happened to Mars that didn't happen to Earth.
What is it and how can we avoid such a situation, if we ever can, here on Earth?

We must catch these answers that are blowing in the thin Martian atmosphere and embedded in the dust on the planet's surface.

Benjamin M. Tutolo, Carbonates identified by the Curiosity rover indicate a carbon cycle operated on ancient Mars, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.ado9966. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ado9966

Part 2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 18, 2025 at 8:16am

Curiosity rover finds large carbon deposits on Mars

And scientists are trying to answer some of the questions on earlier Martian life and that of the Earth at present with these findings

Research from NASA's Curiosity rover has found evidence of a carbon cycle on ancient Mars, bringing scientists closer to an answer on whether the red planet was ever capable of supporting life.

The team is working to understand climate transitions and habitability on ancient Mars as Curiosity explores Gale Crater.

The paper, published in the journal Science, reveals that data from three of Curiosity's drill sites had siderite, an iron carbonate material, within sulfate-rich layers of Mount Sharp in Gale Crater.

The discovery of large carbon deposits in Gale Crater represents both a surprising and important breakthrough in our understanding of the geologic and atmospheric evolution of Mars. 

The abundance of highly soluble salts in these rocks and similar deposits mapped over much of Mars has been used as evidence of the 'great drying' of Mars during its dramatic shift from a warm and wet early Mars to its current, cold and dry state.

Sedimentary carbonate has long been predicted to have formed under the CO₂-rich ancient Martian atmosphere. 

NASA's Curiosity rover landed on Mars on Aug. 5, 2012, and has traveled more than 34 kilometers on the Martian surface.

Part 1

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 17, 2025 at 10:23am

People, not alligators, are at fault in most alligator bite cases

Risky human behavior, not aggression by alligators, is the leading cause of alligator bites, according to a study by scientists.

Published in the journal Human–Wildlife Interactions, the research is the first to develop a ranking system that categorizes human actions immediately before an alligator encounter. Researchers found that in 96% of recorded incidents, some form of human inattention or risk-taking preceded the attack. The findings show that alligator bites are not random; they're preventable.

The insights come at a time of year when alligator activity is ramping up. Mating season, which runs from April through June in some places, brings more frequent movement and territorial behavior among alligators, making human awareness and safe practices even more essential.

To reach their conclusions, the team analyzed nearly three centuries of records from 1734 to 2021 on human–alligator interactions using the CrocBITE database, now called CrocAttack.org. The team then augmented that information with internet searches, literature review and communications with wildlife agencies. Each case was classified by the level of human behavior risk: no risk, low, moderate or high.

Most bites occurred following moderate-risk behaviors, such as swimming or wading in areas known to be inhabited by alligators. The highest proportion of fatal bites occurred after high-risk behaviors, such as deliberately entering alligator-inhabited waters. In contrast, low and no-risk behaviors, like walking near water or simply being present on land, rarely resulted in attacks.

The takeaway lesson from this study is that many bites can be prevented if humans are aware of their surroundings and minimize risky behaviors such as walking small pets near bodies of water or swimming where alligators are known to be present, say the researchers. 

The most surprising finding was how high the percentage was for humans engaging in risky behavior. This indicates that humans—rather than alligators—are at fault in the vast majority of cases where bites occur.

The results emphasize that alligators aren't seeking conflict, but they will respond when humans provide what scientists call an "attractive stimulus," such as by splashing, swimming or entering alligator habitats.

Although some bites happened without clear warning, in many cases, people unknowingly triggered the alligator's natural response to defend itself or to hunt.

Researchers stress that humans are entering the environment of a large, wild predator much like hikers entering bear country or swimmers in shark-inhabited waters and should assume some level of responsibility and attentiveness.

Mark S Teshera et al, Human-Alligator Incidents in the United States: Risky Human Behaviors Cause Most "Attacks", Human–Wildlife Interactions (2023). DOI: 10.26077/wvfj-s221. digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/vie … cle=1885&context=hwi

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 17, 2025 at 9:54am

Bonobos refuse to participate when faced with unequal rewards

To better understand the evolutionary origins of fairness, researchers  investigated inequity aversion in bonobos, one of humans' closest relatives.

 The researchers conducted two rounds of experiments using established inequity paradigms: one in which the bonobos exchanged tokens for rewards, and another in which they tested whether their reactions might have been caused by disappointment in the experimenter. The study is published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

The results showed that bonobos refused to participate more often when they received a lesser reward than their partner. Unlike chimpanzees, their responses could not be explained by disappointment alone, supporting the idea that bonobos genuinely recognize and respond to unfair treatment.

Unlike chimpanzees, their reactions were not simply due to disappointment with the experimenter, but reflected a genuine aversion to unequal treatment.

Interestingly, bonobos were more tolerant of inequity when interacting with closely affiliated partners, similar to patterns seen in humans. This suggests that social bonds may influence reactions to fairness, reinforcing the idea that inequity aversion has evolved as a stabilizing force for cooperation.

Kia Radovanović et al, Bonobos respond aversively to unequal reward distributions, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.2873

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 17, 2025 at 9:05am

The researchers made two other remarkable discoveries:

First, unlike other methods, the new light-emitting technique remains effective even after extensive washing of the shooter's hands. This is important for forensic investigations, as suspects often try to tamper with or remove evidence of their involvement.

Second, bystanders standing approximately 2 meters away from the shooter also tested positive for lead traces on their hands. "These findings provide valuable pieces of the puzzle when reconstructing a shooting incident. But, a positive test also needs to be carefully interpreted. It does not automatically mean that you fired a gun.

The researchers think this new method will be especially beneficial to first responders, such as police officers, who can use it to rapidly screen potential suspects and witnesses to secure crucial evidence.

Kendra Adelberg et al, Perovskite-based photoluminescent detection of lead particles in gunshot residue, Forensic Science International (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112415

Part 2

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on April 17, 2025 at 9:04am

Forensic Science: Glowing gunshot residue: New method illuminates crime scene clues

Crime scene investigation may soon become significantly more accurate and efficient thanks to a new method for detecting gunshot residues. Researchers  developed the technique that converts lead particles found in gunshot residue into light-emitting semiconductors. This method is faster, more sensitive, and easier to use than current alternatives.

Forensic experts at the Amsterdam police force are already testing it in actual crime scene investigations. The researchers published their findings in Forensic Science International on March 9.

The innovative light-emitting lead analysis method offers exciting opportunities for crime scene investigations. When a weapon is fired, it leaves gunshot residue containing lead traces on the surrounding environment, including clothing and skin.

Obtaining an indication of gunshot residue at the crime scene is a major advantage, helping us answer key questions about shooting incidents. For instance, determining whether the damage found could have been caused by a bullet and determining the relative position of a person who might have been involved in a shooting incident. We test for lead traces on possible bullet holes and a suspect's or a victim's clothing or hands.

Currently, police send all samples to the lab for analysis. However, the methods used there are often time-consuming, labor-intensive, and require expensive equipment.

The new analysis method builds on recent advances in perovskite research. Perovskites are a promising material used in applications ranging from solar cells to LEDs. A few years ago, researchers  developed an easy-to-use lead detection method based on perovskite technology.

In this method, a reagent converts lead-containing surfaces into a perovskite semiconductor. Shining with a UV lamp will make the newly formed semiconductor emit a bright green glow visible to the naked eye—making even small traces of lead easily detectable.

In 2021, Noorduin and Lukas Helmbrecht (formerly Ph.D. student in the group) established a start-up company to develop this lead testing method into a practical lead detection kit: Lumetallix. Over the past years, many people worldwide have been investigating their surroundings using the Lumetallix test kit. They report positive tests in all sorts of objects, for example: dinner plates, beer glasses, but also in paint dust at construction sites.

Now researchers developed an altered version of the Lumetallix reagent for the forensic application: one that reacts especially well with lead atoms in gunshot residue and produces a long-lasting green glow.

To validate the effectiveness of this method, the researchers conducted a series of controlled experiments. The results revealed well-defined luminescent patterns that were clearly visible to the naked eye, even at extended distances.

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