Judging from a single, very small survey of San Francisco's BART and Muni systems, fabric seats on public transportation may not be the best choice for public health. A biologist tested one Muni plastic seat and one cloth BART seat—both chosen at random—for bacterial growth. The Muni seat had a couple of harmless bacteria that were easily cleaned off. The BART seat, on the other hand, was home to mold and several different kinds of bacteria, including some antibiotic-resistant strains. This sampling is small enough that it might just reflect a particular line, or part of the train, rather than a systemic issue. So I wouldn't panic if you have to ride BART every day. But it's certainly worrisome enough to warrant more study soon. (Submitterated by Jack)
Are cloth seats a public health hazard? Possibly.
- COMMENTS
- Science
Kitchen science: Unexplained cooking phenomena
Cooking is both an art and a science, and there are many things science still can't tell us about cooking. I've always enjoyed the idea that cooking is just tiny… READ THE REST
Scientist identify the phonetic alphabet of whales
We've known that whales are intelligent, emotional mammals who often sing songs. But now, a team of researchers from Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative) and the MIT Computer Science and… READ THE REST
Echidnas blow snot bubbles to stay cool in summer
Echidnas are bizarre little critters that blow snot bubbles from their nose to stay cool in the summer. In this short Echidna film, we learn how these snot bubbles keep… READ THE REST
Save $169 on a lifetime license to Microsoft Windows 11 Pro and never look back
TL;DR: Revamp your digital world with this incredible lifetime license to Microsoft Windows 11 Pro, with its seamless interface and top-notch security, for only $29.97 (Reg. $199) until 11:59 PM on 1/07.… READ THE REST
Upgrade your tech for the new year with this refurbished iPad Pro, less than half price right now
TL;DR: Save over $350 on a refurbished Apple iPad Pro 10.5" 256GB, plus a free accessories bundle, with this sweet deal on sale for just $315.99 right now. Tech fans, it's time… READ THE REST
Make your rockstar dreams a reality for only $15.97 with this Guitar Lessons Training Bundle
TL;DR: The perfect last-minute holiday gift for an aspiring rocker, the 2024 Guitar Lessons Training Bundle is only $15.97 (Reg. $480) until 11:59 PM on 12/25. It's really never too late to make… READ THE REST