#Microbiology

A recent wave of research is changing the way people think about the simple habit of leaving shoes at the door. Studies have shown that everyday footwear can harbor a surprising mix of microbes gathered from streets, parks, and public spaces, and these microbes can be tracked indoors, landing on floors, carpets, and kitchen counters. The question for Thai households is not only about cleanliness, but about how our homes, families, and communities might be affected when guests or residents bring footwear inside. The message is straightforward but nuanced: removing shoes at the threshold may be a practical step to reduce the microbial journey from outside to inside, especially in spaces where children crawl, elders sit, or meals are prepared.

In a development that closes a contentious chapter in astrobiology and microbiology, the prestigious journal Science has officially retracted the infamous ‘arsenic life’ paper, nearly 15 years after its publication ignited global debate and skepticism. The retraction follows ongoing criticism and failed attempts to replicate the groundbreaking claim that certain bacteria could substitute arsenic for phosphorus in their DNA—a proposal that, if proved true, would have revolutionized our understanding of the building blocks of life.

A landmark moment for science unfolded as the arsenic-life study published in Science was formally retracted after a 15-year global debate. The decision marks a return to rigorous standards after years of critique and failed replication attempts that questioned the claim that certain bacteria could substitute arsenic for phosphorus in DNA.

The 2010 study, funded by NASA and conducted on GFAJ-1 bacteria from Mono Lake, California, sparked worldwide interest by suggesting arsenic could replace phosphorus in life’s chemistry. If proven, the claim would have broadened humanity’s view of life beyond Earth and sparked renewed curiosity in extremophiles. In Thailand, researchers, educators, and students watched closely as discussions unfolded about the limits of biology and the methods used to test extraordinary ideas.