3-D Computer-Generated Illustration of an <i>Escherichia coli</i> Bacterium (IMAGE)
Caption
New research has revealed how bacteria thin the liquid they are swimming through in order to free themselves when trapped by walls or other obstacles. This finding could influence methods to control bacterial growth on medical, industrial, and agricultural surfaces. The new study by researchers at Penn State University, published in a recent issue of the Royal Society journal Interface, used mathematical models to understand how the bacteria's flagella -- the spinning hairs they use like a tail for propulsion -- help them to overcome the force of a flowing liquid in order to navigate complex environments.
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Alissa Eckert and Jennifer Oosthuizen, CDC
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