A Mysterious Substance Lying In Caves

We've already known that stalactites inside limestone caves harden over a long period of time, creating unique scenery in the process. Over the past few years researchers have been interested in a type of stalactite known as "moonmilk" that is only found in certain limestone caves and does not harden. Moonmilk is rumored to have been used as stomach medicine to suppress heartburn since the middle ages in Europe, but the primary component is the same as in regular stalactites. Why moonmilk stays soft has long remained a mystery, yet researchers have recently discovered that this is caused by bacteria that live in the cave. The mechanism involved could also be applied in a rather unexpected way. We'll follow an academic survey closely as researchers investigate moonmilk.