Mighty Microbe

Bacillus pasteurii is one of the more useful bacteria you'll ever meet. Researchers have discovered a way to use it to turn sandy soil, treacherous during earthquakes, into stable ground. Mix urea, soil and calcium, inject a little bit o' bug and voilà! The cementer bug feeds on urea and deposits calcite, which cements the soil together and turns shifting sand into sandstone.
Available In any meadow
sil.ucdavis.edu












Afterbirth for Dinner
Canada Spends Big to Save GM, So Why Not Mexico?
Photos: U.S. Marines Open a New Offensive in Afghanistan
The Incredible Shrinking Sheep of Scotland
In Peru Sports, Men Bumble, And Women Shine
Photos: The Real-Life John Dillinger
The Battle Over Michael Jackson's Legacy
Photos: India's Contraband Wildlife
Photos: Sacha Baron Cohen's Outrageous Brüno Promotions
The Recession Hits Summer Camp