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Breakthrough Gives 3-D Vision of Dawn of Life

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the like-looking-at-really-old-black-and-whites dept.

butterwise writes "MSNBC reports that a new scanning technique could revolutionize paleontology. The new technique is allowing researchers a virtual dissection of half-billion-year-old fossilized embryos." From the article: "The Chinese, Swedish, Swiss and British researchers on Donoghue's team used a 1,640-foot-wide (500-meter-wide) particle accelerator in Switzerland to scan the minute fossils, and then fed the information into a computer that generated complete 3-D images of the internal structures in fine detail."

11 of 54 comments (clear)

  1. Did anyone else doublecheck the URL by Anti_Climax · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...When they read the photo summary that mentioned the "Penis Worm"?

    That'll teach me to RTFA.

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    Even people that believe in pre-destiny look both ways before crossing the street.
    1. Re:Did anyone else doublecheck the URL by porkmusket · · Score: 2, Funny

      I think it's awesome they could've called it a Priapulida but went with penis worm. That's some good reportin'!

    2. Re:Did anyone else doublecheck the URL by spun · · Score: 4, Funny

      Or how about the quote halfway down?

      "The results are truly orgasmic," Donoghue said.

      What do you know, I get the same results from my penis worm.

      --
      - None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
  2. Here's a phrase you'll never again see on MSNBC. by !ramirez · · Score: 5, Funny

    From the article...

    "The results are truly orgasmic," Donoghue said.

    The whole embryo thing makes that funny on so many levels.

  3. what? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    A series of images, created using a new scanning technique, shows the interior or fossil embryos of an ancient relative of the penis worm known as Markuelia. The creature lived in China and Siberia in the Cambrian Period.


    Markuelia? I call mine Ivan the Terrible.

  4. Did they say "Penis"? by Sebastopol · · Score: 2, Funny

    "...shows the interior or fossil embryos of an ancient relative of the penis worm known as Markuelia."

    Sorry, but I'm too immature for this science thing.

    Tee hee.

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  5. They combine the following into one article... by skogs · · Score: 3, Funny


    "ancient relative of the penis worm"

    "The results are truly orgasmic," Donoghue said.

    I am definitely not old enough to read this. In fact, I don't think I ever will be. Penis worm, and Orgasmic. They should never be together.

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    Who is this that even the wind and the waves obey Him? Surely this computer must submit also!
  6. Re:Spiffy, but... by counterfriction · · Score: 2, Funny

    What are you talking about "get it out in the field"? Its research, not "Particle acclerator 3d microscopic embryo scanner, order yours today!"

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    Sig free's the way to be.
  7. so let me get this straight by RelliK · · Score: 2, Funny

    These guys were studying "penis worm" and came to the conclusion that "the results are truly orgasmic". You know, you could have done that without the particle accelerator...

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    If you think big enough, you'll never have to do it.
  8. I like fossils as much as the next guy.... by Cisko+Kid · · Score: 1, Funny

    But I never described any of my finds as "orgasmic".

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    I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.- Douglas Adams
  9. and as an added bonus... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...this process actual adds so much energy that it re-animates the embryo, causing it to grow into a full-grown dinosaur in a matter of weeks. So, it's definitely a step forward in the ..... ARRRRGH!!!!!!! IT FEEDS!!!!