New Atlas

Science Audio available

Oil-eating bacteria discovered at the bottom of the Mariana Trench

Michael Irving April 12, 2019

Plunging down to a depth of about 11,000 meters, the Mariana Trench is the deepest part of the ocean, so it’s no surprise that we don’t really know what’s down there. New species and strange sounds have turned up recently, and now researchers have discovered a new group of oil-eating bacteria.

A new group of oil-eating bacteria have been discovered in the Mariana Trench

Bicycles Audio available

Lubri Disc puts a new spin on chain lubrication

Ben Coxworth April 5, 2019

Lubricating your bike's chain can be a messy and wasteful business, as excess oil drips off the chain and onto the ground. German startup The Outsider Team is out to do something about it, though, with its Flectr Lubri Disc.

The Flectr Lubri Disc is presently on Kickstarter

Medical

Do certain essential oils have antibiotic properties?

Michael Irving December 4, 2018

Essential oils are most commonly associated with aromatherapy and other alternative “medicines." Now a team at Johns Hopkins has found that some essential oils may have antibiotic properties, particularly against a persisting form of the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

Researchers have found that some essential oils, such as garlic, may have antibiotic properties

Environment

Stingrays' smell damaged by exposure to oil spills

James Holloway November 15, 2018

It's well reported that oil spills can have a catastrophic biological and environmental impact. But to date, few studies have examined the effect of whole crude oil on senses of a marine vertebrate. A new study is the first to confirm effects on stingrays' sense of smell.

The team compared Atlantic stingrays exposed to oil with others in clean water

Materials

Wood-based sponge hates water but loves oil

Ben Coxworth October 24, 2018

Removing oil spills from water is a difficult business, with various approaches having met with mixed results. Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Forestry believe they may be onto something, however, in the form of a reusable "wooden" sponge that absorbs oil while leaving water behind.

A sample of the sponge material draws red-dyed oil from a beaker of water

Materials

Filtration membrane switches between loving oil and water

Ben Coxworth May 28, 2018

Sometimes, people want to clean up polluted water, by removing spilled oil from its surface. Other times, they want to purify oil-based fuel, by removing water from it. An inexpensive new "smart" membrane created at Canada's University of British Columbia can switch between doing both.

A scanning electron microscope image of the treated copper mesh

Environment

Absorbent polymer made from waste products quickly soaks up oil spills

Darren Quick April 18, 2018

Using waste products of the petroleum and refining industries, researchers have created an absorbent polymer that can quickly soak up crude oil and diesel from sea water.

Researchers have created an absorbent polymer that can quickly soak up crude oil and diesel from ...

Materials

Clear, durable "omniphobic" coating repels almost any liquid

Michael Irving April 11, 2018

Our phones follow us everywhere – which often puts them in the line of fire for spilt drinks or rain. But now a team at the University of Michigan has developed a durable, clear coating that could help phones – or any surface, for that matter – repel almost any liquid.

Applied to a pane of glass, the new omniphobic coating easily shakes off a shower of ...

Health & Wellbeing

Study claims chemicals in essential oils can disrupt hormones

Rich Haridy March 18, 2018

A new study is rekindling a debate over the safety of essential oils. The research suggests lavender and tea tree oils contain potential hormone disrupting chemicals and could be responsible for a condition called prepubertal gynecomastia where young boys develop abnormal breast tissue.

New research suggests lavender and tea tree oils could contain chemicals that disrupt our endocrine system

Automotive

Re-refined oil keeps Aston Martin Vantage AMR Pro smooth (and clean)

Scott Collie July 4, 2017

Supercars aren't known for being friendly to the environment, but Aston Martin has used the Vantage AMR to debut a more sustainable approach to engine oil. A new management system developed alongside Nexcel allows the hottest road-going Vantage to lubricate itself with re-refined engine oil.

Aston Martin is using re-refined oil in the Vantage AMR Pro, seen here taking on the ...