- A volcano makes hot lava that covers the ground.
- The lava cools and soon becomes hard black rock.
- Microbes reach the new rock within just a few hours.
- Scientists collect and study samples very soon after cooling.
- They also take rainwater and tiny air particle samples.
- Many different microbes appear during the first months.
- A cold winter kills some microbes and reduces diversity.
- After winter the small microbial community becomes more stable.
Difficult words
- microbe — A very small living organism, often invisibleMicrobes
- sample — A small piece taken to study or testsamples
- diversity — Many different types in a group or place
- community — A group of living things in one place
- stable — Not changing much over time; steady
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever seen a volcano?
- Would you like to study rocks or microbes?
- What is the cold season where you live?
Related articles
Wheat fiber protects mice from intestinal inflammation
Two research papers report that adding wheat fiber to the diet protects mice from intestinal inflammation. Gut bacteria release polyphenols from the fiber that reduce inflammation, and authors suggest whole-grain foods may lower IBD risk.
Low pesticide exposure speeds aging in fish
Researchers found that long-term exposure to low levels of a common agricultural insecticide caused faster physiological aging and shorter lifespans in wild and laboratory fish. The study links telomere shortening and lipofuscin buildup to chlorpyrifos exposure.
New analysis: Titan may have a slushy interior, not a deep ocean
Reanalysis of Cassini data suggests Titan has a thick, slushy layer with tunnels and pockets of meltwater near a rocky core rather than a single deep ocean. The result could change ideas about habitability and will be testable by the Dragonfly mission.
High-fat diet lets gut bacteria reach mouse brains
Emory University researchers found that a short high-fat diet can let live gut bacteria travel to the brain in mice. The bacteria moved along the vagus nerve; returning to a normal diet reduced this effect and researchers call for more study.