Trying to make my own vegan soy yoghourt from scratch, I ended up with an uncultured mess. Please advise on proper microbial use, or improvements upon whatever else it was that I mucked up. [more inside]
posted by monocultured on Nov 18, 2009 - 8 answers

Is it possible for bacteria, and/or viruses to ever physically adapt to soap, alcohol, peroxide, iodine, ect.? [more inside]
posted by MrMulan on Nov 16, 2009 - 14 answers

Its that time of the year again, when I get the furnace cleaned, install a new filter, clean the humidifier ( and install a new humidifier pad), and start it all up. In the last few years, I've seen something called the "Swordfish" advertised. Its an ultraviolet light that is connected to the furnace ductwork and kill bacteria as well as mold that passes by the light. I've read some reviews about it and it sounds as though it does work. However I'm still a little skeptical. Does anybody have one or have any thoughts on it?
posted by Taurid on Nov 6, 2009 - 7 answers

I'm toying with an idea for a short story or maybe a long story or maybe no story, but the idea has led me to a point where I have a question for those of you who have some knowledge about science and biology. Read on, brave adventurer! [more inside]
posted by kbanas on Oct 12, 2009 - 19 answers

Fecal coliform contamination. Not in bathrooms, or kitchens, or doorhandles, or workplaces, but on you. Related to a previous Mefi post which I've been unable to find. [more inside]
posted by Barmecide on May 29, 2009 - 11 answers

How do you fix a stomach blitzed by antibiotics? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 6, 2009 - 10 answers

What kinds of bacteria make red and yellow spots in agar nutrient gel? [more inside]
posted by zeoslap on Apr 2, 2009 - 12 answers

I ate some cheddar cheese with a pink bacterial plaque growing on it, could this be something that'll make me sick? [more inside]
posted by CTORourke on Mar 23, 2009 - 18 answers

How do I heal my gut? [more inside]
posted by missuswayne on Mar 20, 2009 - 15 answers

Seeking info on the effectiveness of Cupron textiles, which are supposed to have wrinkle- and microbe- fighting properties due to being plated or impregnated with copper. Anybody have personal experiences with the pillowcases, bed sheets, towels, socks, etc, or can offer informed critiques of the company's studies? [more inside]
posted by cybercoitus interruptus on Mar 3, 2009 - 1 answer

Kid's due this spring, and we've amassed huge piles of used baby gear. What are some safe disinfecting procedures that will reliably rid all this stuff of any lurking mold, bacteria AND viruses? [more inside]
posted by Bardolph on Feb 11, 2009 - 12 answers

What's the best way to do a pitri dish culture of a bacteria, to determine its positive/negative response to a variety of applied substances? [more inside]
posted by peter_meta_kbd on Jan 25, 2009 - 6 answers

Is gym-provided workout clothing safe to wear? [more inside]
posted by abdulf on Dec 29, 2008 - 10 answers

Should-I-Eat-This-Filter: I left a half-dozen eggs on the counter yesterday... [more inside]
posted by dubold on Oct 10, 2008 - 37 answers

Boiled some stock on Monday, stock sat out for 2 days. Can I salvage it? [more inside]
posted by nitor on Oct 8, 2008 - 16 answers

HouseholdChemicalsFilter: Due to a latex allergy, general hatred of inner-glove dampness, I prefer to clean the house without using gloves. Am I putting myself in any grave danger? [more inside]
posted by sunshinesky on Sep 28, 2008 - 17 answers

Help me settle a bet about the total number of identified bacteria and viruses. [more inside]
posted by greytape on Sep 22, 2008 - 8 answers

Which strains of (harmless) bacteria are most susceptible to radiation? [more inside]
posted by iconjack on Aug 14, 2008 - 6 answers

My Zojirushi rice cooker is contaminated with some kind of bacteria or mold. If I leave cooked rice in it for more than 24 hours, the rice goes mushy and stinky. This never happened with my $15 cooker. Help! [more inside]
posted by rxrfrx on Jul 23, 2008 - 20 answers

Probiotic vitamin tablets: How can bacteria be made into a tablet? Aren't they alive? How can they be dried? [more inside]
posted by humblepigeon on Jun 11, 2008 - 9 answers

Should I use helpful bacteria to unclog shower and bath drains? [more inside]
posted by bad grammar on May 18, 2008 - 13 answers

Tell me about antisceptic hand washes and building resistance in microorganisms. [more inside]
posted by Cosine on Apr 9, 2008 - 19 answers

How long can I leave a cup of tap water sitting out and not worry about what might be growing in it? What about an opened bottle of spring or carbonated water? [more inside]
posted by ellenaim on Feb 15, 2008 - 19 answers

So, thanks to the doctor, I'm on some weapons-grade antibiotics, and it looks like all the friendly symbiotic bacteria in my tract are going to be/may already have been destroyed. I guess this is sort of an opportunity, so I'm wondering, anyone have any recommendations for what to repopulate my intestines with? [more inside]
posted by evariste on Jan 27, 2008 - 25 answers

Potential food born illness in baked appetizer - what should I do? [more inside]
posted by janelikes on Nov 21, 2007 - 9 answers

Why do bacteria and viruses make us sick? [more inside]
posted by serazin on Nov 10, 2007 - 30 answers

BadBreathFilter: By using mouthwash on an irregular basis, am I actually strengthening the bacteria in my mouth? [more inside]
posted by bitteroldman on Oct 7, 2007 - 18 answers

I wish to stain a colony of bacteria so that I can make relative measurements of their genome size, and I do not want to harm them in the process. Is this possible?
posted by paradroid on Sep 28, 2007 - 3 answers

Following some dental adventures, I seem to have some lingua villosa nigra, aka "black [hairy] tongue". Reportedly harmless, but is there anything (a) I should know or worry about, and (b) I can do to quash it on the double? [more inside]
posted by cortex on Aug 9, 2007 - 11 answers

How do women who mud wrestle or take regular mud baths (esp. naked, say at a spa) avoid getting mud in their, er, orifices—or do they avoid it? [more inside]
posted by limeonaire on May 24, 2007 - 26 answers

What is the nature of adhesives in adhesive tape? I have a regional bigwig who suggests that our use of double-faced tape should be discontinued because the adhesive contains sugars that might host bacteria. These tapes anchor seasonal / promotional tags to regular food service signage.
posted by namret on Feb 19, 2007 - 10 answers

Tips for getting a sick pussycat on a feeding tube to eat by mouth again (and a cautionary tale)? [more inside]
posted by Scram on Jan 26, 2007 - 34 answers

My crockpot failed to heat up last night. I now have a pot of raw chicken and onions that's been sitting out for 10 hours. Would it be safe to eat if I cooked it? [more inside]
posted by jheiz on Nov 5, 2006 - 17 answers

Asking for a friend: Is "stale" Gatorade .. or any sugar based drink okay to drink? [more inside]
posted by wannabehippie on Aug 21, 2006 - 24 answers

A test by the Department of Environmental Protection has confirmed Coliform bacteria is present in well water. The sample does not contain E. coli, which would be indicative of fecal contamination. How does one go about determining the source of this contamination, and what remedial action should be taken?
posted by furiousxgeorge on Aug 17, 2006 - 10 answers

How bad for your health are toilet seats? [more inside]
posted by twine42 on Aug 3, 2006 - 23 answers

Will using ice that melts and is then refrozen over a couple of weeks (thru a portable icemaker) make me sick? [more inside]
posted by longlight on Jul 30, 2006 - 8 answers

We got our Green-Cheek Conure about 10 days ago; he is about 4 months old. This afternoon at his checkup to make sure he was “fit for purchase,” a strange microorganism was found in his fecal sample. The vet had never seen it before. The microorganism is about equal in size to Megabacteria (i.e. really big for something microscopic) and it looks like a pine needle: a long, skinny, tapered cigar shape. Some of the pine needles have nodes in the center (see drawing inside for a rough visual interpretation.) Have any of you ever seen or heard of a microorganism like this? Research online has turned up nothing so far. Our best guess is that it is a yeast of some sort (like Megabacteria, also known as Avian Gastric Yeast.) [more inside]
posted by Infernarl on May 3, 2006 - 3 answers

Is vinegar really effective as a household cleaner? [more inside]
posted by catfood on Apr 12, 2006 - 33 answers

Is it ok to put still-warm leftovers in the fridge or freezer? [more inside]
posted by antifuse on Jan 25, 2006 - 44 answers

Any biologists in the house? What would be a recommended book for identifying bacteria, pollen, and other nitnoy under a regular microscope? [more inside]
posted by chef_boyardee on Dec 26, 2005 - 7 answers

Where can I learn more about the dangers of harmful bacteria in all kinds of poultry? [more inside]
posted by rorycberger on Dec 2, 2005 - 12 answers

Are there any animals that have evolved a use for radioactivity? If so, what ways is it used? If not, why has this not happened? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Nov 23, 2005 - 32 answers

Where do you go when you need something quick-drying, antibacterial, and superior in moisture wicking? [more inside]
posted by rschram on Oct 9, 2005 - 5 answers

Does microbial activity in the gut of organisms contribute to their thermoregulation? [more inside]
posted by yesster on Oct 3, 2005 - 7 answers

Cold/Flu Contagion:

1) Is there any truth to the rumor that "once you manifest symptoms, you're no longer contagious?"
2) If you're recovering from one illness, are you more or less suceptible to others? eg: If I've just gotten over a cold, is my immune system weak and susceptible to strep throat? Or is it on high-alert and likely to protect me better?
3) Following on number 2, why don't more people get multiple viruses/bugs at once, or in rapid sequence? Anecdotally, it seems that most people enjoy an interval of good health after recovering from something. Is that true?
posted by scarabic on Feb 16, 2005 - 4 answers

My dental assistant has made a lot of interesting, maybe controversial claims. I'd like to know how common these ideas are, and how well supported. [+] [more inside]
posted by RustyBrooks on Feb 1, 2005 - 20 answers

Many times in my various workplaces, I've noticed people "nesting" in the ladies restroom. By this I mean, using one of those papery toilet seat covers before sitting down. Most of these incidents involve a restroom that is spotless, and sometimes it was only used by a few people. I'm of the mind that using these things is if anything, less sanitary, as it increases the chance of (*ahem*) fluids getting on the seat. I can't find any info either way - your thoughts? [more inside]
posted by agregoli on Nov 2, 2004 - 12 answers

A post on the blue got me thinking about something.. We are exposed to (and potentially infected by) bacteria/virii/parasites all of the time. There are treatments for most bacterial and parasitic infections. However, for many types of infections, a large percentage of people show no discernable symptoms. What should one do then? [MI] [more inside]
posted by eas98 on Jul 27, 2004 - 26 answers

I've occasionally heard it said that "For a bacteria, moving through water is like a person trying to wade through liquid concrete" (or jello, or mud, or whatever...) What is a good layman's explanation for this scaling of viscosity? Is it simply that at the scale of a bacterium, the strength of the intermolecular forces in a fluid are more comparable to the strength that a bacterium has to push itself through the fluid, or is there something deeper to it?
posted by badstone on Jun 28, 2004 - 3 answers