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Bacteria Found Alive In Ice 120,000 Years Old

Posted by kdawson on from the by-some-definitions-of-alive dept.

FiReaNGeL notes research presented this morning at Penn State on the discovery of a new, ultra-small species of bacteria that has survived for more than 120,000 years within the ice of a Greenland glacier at a depth of nearly two miles. From the psu.edu announcement: "The microorganism's ability to persist in this low-temperature, high-pressure, reduced-oxygen, and nutrient-poor habitat makes it particularly useful for studying how life, in general, can survive in a variety of extreme environments on Earth and possibly elsewhere in the solar system. This new species is among the ubiquitous, yet mysterious, ultra-small bacteria, which are so tiny that they are able to pass through microbiological filters. Called Chryseobacterium greenlandensis, the species is related genetically to certain bacteria found in fish, marine mud, and the roots of some plants."

5 of 326 comments (clear)

  1. Addendum to the report by elrous0 · · Score: 5, Funny
    Further reports indicate that communication with the Penn State research station that unearthed the bacteria broke off shortly after the discovery. Another nearby research station is planning an expedition to the site, however, after discovering one of the Penn State sled dogs wandering into their camp.

    "This is a great discovery. There is nothing at all to worry about." said the oddly-behaving scientist who discovered the sled dog.

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  2. But what about quality of life by techmuse · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sure, the bacteria survived. But how do you think it felt, being trapped in ice for 120,000 years? The first few years were probably ok. After that, it probably got really good at checkers. After the 1000th year, it proved that P=NP. At year 10,000, it dreamed of starting its own civilization. But then it started to go mad. Mad. MAD, I tell you. Now that it is free, the bacteria wants nothing but to seek revenge upon all other life forms for continuing to prosper and evolve while it was trapped beneath the ice. Buried alive. Buried alive...

    (Kaaaaahn....)

  3. What's Next? by Dareth · · Score: 5, Funny

    I am sure after all these years, this bacteria is either:

    A) Eager to evolve into an organism capable of having sex.

    B) Eager to start posting regularly on Slashdot.

    Yes, these options are mutually exclusive.

    --

    I only look human.
    My mother is a halfling and my dad is an ogre, so that makes me an Ogreling
  4. Re:Young earth creationists by murky_lurker · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well, I guess that just about wraps it up for God.

  5. Oblig. Futurama by Dachannien · · Score: 5, Funny

    But how do you think it felt, being trapped in ice for 120,000 years? Fry: "Bender! What was it like, lying in that hole for a thousand years?"
    Bender: "I was enjoying it until you guys showed up!"