JERUSALEM, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Israeli researchers have discovered how certain bacteria survive harsh desert storms by forming protective layers on dust particles, the Israel Institute of Technology (Technion) said Tuesday in a statement.
The study, published in Nature's Communications Earth and Environment, found that species of Firmicutes bacteria, including Bacillus, form microscopic protective coatings that shield themselves from extreme dryness, radiation, and nutrient shortage while traveling through the air during dust storms, Technion said.
These airborne bacteria can travel long distances and potentially influence ecosystems and human health in new regions by introducing traits like antibiotic resistance or affecting plant growth, it said.
The researchers successfully isolated and cultured these bacteria in the laboratory after collecting them during actual dust storms, it said.
The study suggested that dust storms may naturally select the most adaptable and innovative bacteria, which could improve these bacteria's usefulness in agriculture, construction, medicine and other practical applications. ■
