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Super Bacteria Create Gold

SchrodingerZ writes "With the price of gold skyrocketing in today's market, Michigan State University researchers have discovered a bacterium that can withstand high toxicity levels that are necessary to create natural gold. '"Microbial alchemy is what we're doing — transforming gold from something that has no value into a solid, precious metal that's valuable," said Kazem Kashefi, assistant professor of microbiology and molecular genetics.' The bacteria is Cupriavidus metallidurans, which is conditioned to be tolerant to heavy, toxic metals and to be 25 times stronger than most bacteria. When put into gold-chloride (a natural forming toxic liquid), the bacteria reproduces and converts the liquid into a gold nugget. The complete process takes about a week to perform. This experiment is currently on tour as an art exhibit called 'The Great Work of the Metal Lover.'"

7 of 180 comments (clear)

  1. Reality TV producers are better than bacteria by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 5, Funny

    They seem to be able to create cash for themselves from shit.

    --
    Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
  2. Re:Gold-chloride found in nature? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yes it's only created in a lab - and it's extremely expensive to create. But this finding will allow gold chloride makers to recoup some of their investment, and once they realize some economies of scale I'm sure they can make a profit.

  3. Re:Darn it! by ceoyoyo · · Score: 5, Funny

    You thought they'd found bacteria that can do nuclear fusion maybe?

  4. SHIT GOLD BRICKS by Jeremiah+Cornelius · · Score: 5, Funny

    For fun and profit.

    --
    "Flyin' in just a sweet place,
    Never been known to fail..."
    1. Re:SHIT GOLD BRICKS by Obfuscant · · Score: 5, Funny

      And the goose in my backyard. Until I cut him open to get all the gold out.

  5. Re:Misleading headline by camperdave · · Score: 5, Funny

    This was known to the Illuminati ages ago. Why do you think they ordered the US to get off the gold standard. They knew it would be worthless soon.

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    When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
  6. F*cking alchemists how do THEY work? by poity · · Score: 5, Funny

    And I don't wanna ask a scientist. Y'all mothafuckas lying, and gettin' me pissed!

    --
    your thin skin doesn't make me a troll