4 ms·

Annoying this uses the word "bugs," which is commonly used to mean insects; the article actually discusses only "microbes" and "bacteria." These can be called b

by alanh 4y ago

Annoying this uses the word "bugs," which is commonly used to mean insects; the article actually discusses only "microbes" and "bacteria." These can be called bugs colloquially, but why not just use the word "microbes" in the title? This might seem pedantic, but it is not a new result to have find microbes that can digest plastics; AFAIK no "bugs" (insects or other creepy-crawlies) have gained such abilities yet, so the result is a very clickbaity headline.

PaulDavisThe1st 4y ago
"I'm not feeling well" "Oh, got a bug from someone?"
- misnome 4y ago
  So, colloquially?
  - PaulDavisThe1st 4y ago
    "Bugs" is more or less only ever used as a colloquial term.
cwkoss 4y ago
I think I read about some mealworm-y bug that can eat styrofoam (however the microbes in that worm's gut were doing the actual digestion of the styrene) Edit: found this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uoOUAfY6Cc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uoOUAfY6Cc and Thoughtemporium: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS9PWzkUG2s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS9PWzkUG2s
danwills 4y ago
Actually there's a worm/larva that can eat styrofoam, not sure whether this is a great link, but: https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/beetle-larvae-can-survive-on-polystyrene-alone-67251/amp https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/beetle-larvae-can...
- hinkley 4y ago
  I thought they determined it was bacteria in the gut?
  - alanh 4y ago
    Well, yes, but still. This is fascinating!
deleted 4y ago
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