Bacteria-Killing Viruses Wield an Iron Spike 97
sciencehabit writes "Scientists have long known that a group of viruses called bacteriophages have a knack for infiltrating bacteria and that some begin their attack with a protein spike. But the tip of this spike is so small that no one knew what it was made of or exactly how it worked. Now a team of researchers has found a single iron atom at the head of the spike, a discovery that suggests phages enter bacteria in a different way than surmised (abstract)."
Viruses wield iron swords (Score:5, Interesting)
So, now that we have confirmation that viruses have discovered and now use iron weapons expect this to be the latest Syfy movie.
*THIS* is exploration (Score:5, Interesting)
It's a bright future for people who like life. People who are happy with their handful of decades followed by decline and don't have the courage to live longer can ignore these things.
A lone atom doesn't make a sword (Score:5, Interesting)
A single iron atom isn't going to much of a sword. Iron swords work because the iron atoms support each other.
A lone iron atom might do something chemically like pretend to be a heme molecule to bypass the bacteria's defenses.
Re:A lone atom doesn't make a sword (Score:5, Interesting)
Except the iron atom isn't at the exact point, it's within the point and seems to serve as an anchor around which are an oxahedral cluster of folds wrap.
The key is that the iron ion allows the creation of a structure which won't unfold as it penetrates.
Re:*THIS* is exploration (Score:-1, Interesting)
Re:*THIS* is exploration (Score:4, Interesting)
There are enough resources in the universe to support an effectively limitless expansion of the human race.