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UV-Resistant Micro-Organisms Discovered In the Stratosphere
junglee_iitk writes "Three new species of bacteria, which are not found on earth and highly resistant to ultraviolet radiation, have been discovered in the upper stratosphere by some Indian scientists. These bacteria, which do not match any species on earth, were found in samples collected through a balloon sent up to the stratosphere in April 2005. The payload consisted of a cryosampler containing 16 evacuated and sterilised stainless steel probes. Throughout the flight, the probes remained immersed in the liquid neon to create a 'cryopump effect.' These cylinders after collecting air samples from different heights ranging from 20 to 41 km were parachuted down and safely retrieved, it said." Here's the Indian Space Research Organisation's press release on the discovery. Adds an anonymous reader: "This paper in International Journal of Astrobiology [PDF] speculates how microorganisms reach the stratosphere."
Interesting information to be sure...
But how do these micro organisms interact with Human cells ?
Can they survive down here ?
Are the body snatchers on their way ??!!
Surely, we should welcome our new microscopic overlords before they take
over our minds and......**gurgle**
End of Line.
they're found on earth now!
Was Rimmer right after all?
Lister: Your explanation for anything slightly peculiar is aliens, isn't it? You lose your keys, it's aliens. A picture falls off the wall, it's aliens. That time we used up a whole bog roll in a day, you thought that was aliens as well.
Rimmer: Well we didn't use it all, Lister. Who did?
Lister: Rimmer, ALIENS used our bog roll?
Rimmer: Just cause they're aliens doesn't mean to say they don't have to visit the little boys' room. Only they probably do something weird and alien-esque, like it comes out of the top of their heads or something.
Lister: Well I wouldn't like to be stuck behind one in a cinema.
I, for one, welcome our new radiation resistant bacterial overlords!
This is a serious question. I am an English major.
That's no atmosphere! That's a swarm of radiationresistent-bacteria reflecting radiation!
I think we can keep recursing like this until someone returns 1
So we should all arm ourselves with clorox water pistols?
...from the results of the Scoop mission. Trying to collect bacteria from outer space and the upper atmosphere is a terrible idea.
They are lighter than very small rocks.
Evolution is a set of trade-offs.
No, evolution is just what happens. Nothing more, nothing less. It ain't an RPG.
...I can't help thinking of the headline like this: "Creatures that Can Breathe Underwater Discovered Underwater."
Shop as usual. And avoid panic buying.
*WE COME IN PEACE!*
*shudder*
Personally, to destroy human kind I would first find some sort of virus that is produced in a plant in fertile Africa. Preferably this virus would grant superhuman strength and ability to a few, but would be highly toxic and deadly to most people. I would then create a giant pharmaceutical corporation to both research the virus, in small cells so no on knew too much, and fund the research of the virus. Any incidental profit is a plus.
In order to test the virus I would have secret facilities around the US as well as facilities in Africa which are staff by poor Africans desperate for jobs. I would then have those facilities have a fake disaster which is actually a releasing of the virus to test it on the populace. After my secret American facility and the city which it lays underneath are destroyed by the US government in order to contain the infection, and my company eventually collapses. I would hire a striking attractive brunette to investigate a parasite that is capable of control humans. This parasite will conveniently pop up in Spain.
I would then conduct research on the parasite, strengthening it, using a facility in Africa that is based over where the original virus came from. I would then blend the virus and parasite to create a super bio-weapon which either consumes the host or allows the host superhuman abilities. The whole plan hinges on the fact that I inject myself with a parasite that allows me to control all the other infected by the engineered parasite. With this, I unleash the bio weapon on earth, destroying most of humanity while leaving the rest of the infect in a state where I can control them.
"Lack of speed can be overcome. In the worst case by patience." --Znork
The whole plan hinges on "my terribly naive view of biology".
Nerd rage is the funniest rage.
Given that material is exchanged between the Earth and Mars, I have to wonder if these might not be Martian bacteria.
Great! That's all we need in these tough economic times: more illegal aliens!
1. panspermia, which these uv bacteria represent, means where life started isn't the issue, nor is how life started the issue. that discovering, for example, life on mars simply is no big deal, because life is simply EVERYWHERE. and that, in certain conditions ideal for life, such as you identify, the concern is not so much how life can start independently, but the new conception is that these are simply places that tiny intergalactic travelers can settle down in, colonize, and then give rise to more complex life forms, like us
2. ewoks on endor. enough said
intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
They convert energy directly into matter. Didn't you read Andromeda Strain?