- Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln identified Rhodopseudomonas palustris, a photosynthetic bacterium, capable of absorbing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a hazardous PFAS (“forever chemical”), removing 44% from water in 20 days. However, some PFOA was later released back into the environment as cells broke down.
- While the bacteria did not fully degrade PFAS, the findings suggest a possible stepwise mechanism where microbes could trap contaminants in their membranes. Future research may explore genetic engineering to enhance retention or enable full degradation.
- The study combined microbiology, chemical engineering and environmental science, leveraging specialized PFAS detection methods and biological testing to advance sustainable cleanup strategies.
- PFAS chemicals are persistent, toxic and linked to cancer, immune suppression and hormone disruption. Current remediation methods (like activated carbon filtration and incineration) are costly and inefficient—microbial solutions could offer a scalable, eco-friendly alternative.
- This research aligns with recent findings that human gut bacteria may also help sequester PFAS, suggesting nature-based solutions could play a key role in combating pollution. Future studies will explore microbial engineering to improve degradation efficiency.
(Natural News)—In a breakthrough study that could reshape environmental cleanup strategies, researchers at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) have identified a photosynthetic bacterium capable of interacting with toxic “forever chemicals,” known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
The findings, published in Environmental Science: Advances, suggest that naturally occurring microbes may one day be harnessed to mitigate PFAS contamination – a persistent global threat to water supplies and public health. BrightU.AI‘s Enoch defines PFAS as a group of synthetic chemicals characterized by strong carbon-fluorine bonds that make them highly stable and resistant to degradation in the environment.
The decentralized AI engine, however, notes that that this stability also contributes to their persistence, hence the term “forever chemicals.” PFAS have been widely used in various industries since the 1940s due to their unique properties, such as water and oil repellency, heat resistance, and non-stick characteristics. Some of the most well-known PFAS include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).
The study, led by Rajib Saha and Nirupam Aich, focused on Rhodopseudomonas palustris, a common photosynthetic bacterium found in soil and water. Their research revealed that this microbe can absorb PFOA, one of the most resistant and hazardous PFAS compounds, into its cell membrane.
During controlled lab experiments, R. palustris removed approximately 44% of PFOA from its surroundings within 20 days. However, researchers observed that much of the absorbed chemical was later released back into the environment—likely due to cell breakdown—highlighting both the promise and current limitations of this biological approach.
“While R. palustris didn’t completely degrade the chemical, our findings suggest a stepwise mechanism where the bacterium may initially trap PFOA in its membranes,” said Saha, Richard L. and Carol S. McNeel Associate Professor. “This gives us a foundation to explore future genetic or systems biology interventions that could improve retention or even enable biotransformation.”
The global PFAS problem and future solutions
PFAS compounds, dubbed “forever chemicals” due to their extreme persistence in nature, have been linked to serious health issues, including hormone disruption, immune suppression and cancer. Current remediation methods—such as activated carbon filtration and incineration – are costly, energy-intensive and often ineffective at complete destruction.
Microbial strategies, if refined, could offer a more sustainable and scalable solution. The Nebraska team’s findings open the door to future research in synthetic biology and genetic engineering to enhance bacteria’s ability to degrade PFAS rather than just temporarily sequester them. The team is already planning follow-up studies to explore microbial engineering techniques that could improve PFAS degradation efficiency.
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This discovery aligns with emerging research suggesting that gut bacteria may also play a role in mitigating PFAS exposure. A recent Nature Microbiology study found that certain human gut microbes can absorb and safely sequester PFAS, reducing bodily accumulation.
While these findings are preliminary, they collectively point toward nature-inspired solutions for tackling one of the most stubborn pollution crises of our time. As regulatory pressure mounts to ban PFAS worldwide, biological remediation – whether through engineered microbes or natural processes – could become a cornerstone of environmental cleanup efforts.
Watch Marjory Wildcraft explaining how to remove PFAS from the human body.
This video is from the Marjory Wildcraft channel on Brighteon.com.
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Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.