Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Site Tools

  • AAAS
  • Subscribe
  • Feedback

Site Search

Search Advanced

Science 15 December 2006:
Vol. 314. no. 5806, p. 1653
DOI: 10.1126/science.314.5806.1653o
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

This Week in Science

In the deep ocean, high-temperature life is restricted to chemolithotrophic systems or secondary processing of organic material originally formed by photosynthesis at the surface. Mehta and Baross (p. 1783; see the Perspective by Capone) have isolated a methanogenic archaeon living near hydrothermal vents that fixes nitrogen at 92°C, which is 28°C higher than the current known upper temperature limit for this process. This organism possesses an ancient nitrogenase that can function at these high temperatures and pressures. As well as biotechnological application, this discovery has important implications for the extent of life in the subsurface, which is likely to be limited by biologically available nitrogen.




ADVERTISEMENT
Click Me!

ADVERTISEMENT
Click Me!

To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)