Microbe Magazine

Cover: Jupiter's moon Europa. The existence of large amounts of water on solar system bodies such as Europa has led researchers to examine whether such environments could support life (see p. 167). (NASA photo.)
Cover: Jupiter's moon Europa. The existence of large amounts of water on solar system bodies such as Europa has led researchers to examine whether such environments could support life (see p. 167). (NASA photo.)
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FEATURES
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Microbial Habitability of Icy Worlds
For most of Earth's history, life was microscopic and, even today, microorganisms dominate the planet. Hence, we believe that, if life exists beyond Earth, it likely started as microorganisms and may remain at this stage. Much of contemporary astrobiological research focuses on the metabolic...
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A Darwinian View of the Hygiene or “Old Friends” Hypothesis
The notion that urban life is associated with increases in chronic inflammatory disorders traces back to the 19th century, when physicians in Europe noticed that allergies were rare among farmers. In sharp contrast, hay fever was regarded as the hallmark of prosperous, educated city sophisticates...
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Microbial Origins and Consequences of Dimethyl Sulfide
Once we, too, were misled that the tangy seaside smell was ozone and that it was good for us. In reality, it is mostly a different gas–dimethyl sulfide (DMS)—but one that exerts remarkable effects, from fluffy clouds to penguin behavior. No doubt former English poet laureate John Betjeman (1906–1...
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