New tool for studying magnetic, self-propelled bacteria that resemble compass needles

In the Marvel Comics universe, Professor Xavier and the X-Men are only able to fend off their archrival Magneto, the magnetic mutant with the ability to control metals, once they truly understand the scope of the villain's powers. To better understand the behavior of the microbial world's Magnetos--the magnetically influenced water-dwellers known as magnetotactic bacteria--three researchers from Europe and Russia have developed a new tool that allows these unique microscopic species to be studie...