Studies find hardy Earth microbes may resist conditions on Mars

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) – A hardy bacteria common on Earth was surprisingly adaptive to Mars-like low pressure, cold and carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere, a finding that has implications in the search for extraterrestrial life. The bacteria, known as Serratia liquefaciens, is found in human skin, hair and lungs, as well as in fish, aquatic systems, plant leaves and roots. “It’s present in a wide range of medium-temperature ecological niches,” microbiologist Andrew Schuerger, with the University of Florida, told Reuters. …