Breakthrough Discovery: Scientists Find Organism That Transmits Electricity Like a Wire
Daily Galaxy | May 06, 2025A newly discovered species of bacteria that conducts electricity like a living wire is shaking up the scientific world. Named Candidatus Electrothrix yaqonensis, the organism was found in Oregon’s Yaquina Bay mudflats and described in a study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology. …
Unlike its microbial cousins, Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis features pronounced surface ridges, up to three times wider than those of other cable bacteria. These ridges house highly conductive fibers made from rare nickel-based proteins, a previously unseen biological structure. …
The bacterium’s ability to transport electrons over long distances gives it an edge in the complex chemistry of marine sediments. These traits allow it to connect sulfide-rich layers deep in the mud with oxygen or nitrate at the surface, completing critical redox reactions.
Sure, they’ll start with bacteria, but I’ve seen The Matrix…
Dear NSF.
Subject: Gain of function RFP
Proposal:
Bluetooth bacteria
Grant Request:
2.3 Billion dollars.
Supplemental Info:
Write “Advancing diversity equity and inclusion in Serbia’s janitorial communities.” on the memo line of the check.
Damn, I already cut my cable.
There used to be a great electrical. conductor in the Eplectrolux vacuum cleaner. Very powerful motor. I mean it wasn’t quantum mechanical or superconducting but it was really good. Well until it broke. Then we got a Herbert Hoover.
Didn’t anyone watch THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN!!!!
Of course we did.
The “odd-man hypothesis” is a hypothesis that states that unmarried men are better able to execute the best, most dispassionate decisions in crises – in this case, to disarm the nuclear weapon intended to prevent the escape of organisms from the laboratory in the event the auto-destruct sequence is initiated.
Newly discovered? How about finding one that gives me money.
What this situation absolutely, positively calls for is a miniaturized Raquel Welch to go check it out in white Spandex.
“… rare nickel-based proteins, a previously unseen biological structure. …”
I’d say that “previously unseen” would rate as rare. Very, very, very rare.
Will they escalate to dimes?
Has a federal judge ruled on this yet?
But I was told the science was settled.
???
Profit!