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3000-year-old Microbes

Posted by michael on from the stuff-you-found-at-the-back-of-your-refrigerator dept.

marga writes "Science Daily is running a story about a group of researchers the have been drilling into the Antarctic ice and discovered 3000-year-old microbes that could come back to life if put in contact with liquid water. And not only that, they claim that they have uncovered a whole new ecological system lying beneath the Lake Vida."

2 of 34 comments (clear)

  1. Worried by dar · · Score: 4, Informative

    I know I worry too much, but this makes me think of the Andromeda Strain.

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    My other Slashdot ID is much lower.
  2. Re:"contaminate" by jnana · · Score: 4, Informative

    They didn't actually drill far enough down to enter the water. They went to within three meters of the bottom of the ice. They found what they did in this ice, and are preparing to go back and actually drill through the ice, when they have equipment that can prevent contamination. The Nature article is much better than this Science Daily.