Mystery Solved Life

Bacteria use cool trick to make ice

Microbes sort water molecules into heat-sapping formation

artificial snow on a ski slope

ICE, ICE BABY  Pseudomonas syringae bacteria can freeze water at above-freezing temperatures, so they’re often used to help make artificial snow for ski slopes. 

Mr. Green/Shutterstock

By Sarah Schwartz

- More than 2 years ago

Scientists have discovered how one microbe plays it cool.

Until now, it was a mystery how Pseudomonas syringae bacteria turn water into ice at temperatures above a normal freezing point.