My son recently read a story at school about Snowflake Bentley. He was one of the first to study, observe, and photograph snowflakes. I'm sure people at the time thought it was a bit odd... after all, it's just snow. But today's scientists wouldn't scoff. Today's scientists are busy studying what's at the center of snowflakes. Are the snowflakes falling outside my window this morning pure crystallized bits of ice? Lacy, white, and beautiful? Or are are they harbingers of bacteria called Pseudomonas? Often, when snow forms the moisture has to find something to cling to -- soot, dust, and sometimes bacteria. In some samples, researchers have found as much as 85% of the nuclei in snow to be bacteria.

But, not to worry, this isn't a bacteria that can make you ill. Pseudomonas can harm certain plants, such as tomatoes and beans. Researchers are continuing to study the finding to see what impact this bacteria can have. Is it harmful in any way? Or can this knowledge actually be beneficial -- for example, could planting crops affected by Pseudomonas positively encourage more rain and snow to the area?