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cmcclain | September 12, 2007
One of the challenges of doing research in the deep-sea is the expense of getting down there and staying down there long enough (i.e., needing ships, ROVs, and submersibles). One way around that is to leave sensors on the bottom to collect data even when nobody is around. However, then you run into a power supply problem--can't exactly run out and change the batteries every couple of weeks. The solution? Microbial fuel cells. Clare Reimer's group at OSU have been working on seafloor fuel cells that exploit the naturally-occurring bacteria and geochemistry to generate power for deep-sea…
grrlscientist | September 12, 2007tags: Alex, African grey parrot, Psittacus erithacus, cognition, learning, speech disabilities, Irene Pepperberg
Alex, the African grey parrot, Psittacus erithacus,
who worked with Irene Pepperberg for more than 30 years.
Image: Brandeis University.
Alex, the African grey parrot who worked with Irene Pepperberg, has managed something that most of us never will: his obituary is in today's LATimes (even more remarkable, it was in yesterday's NYTimes);
Some scientists have questioned whether Alex was as smart as he seemed. African grey parrots are very social birds, and some scientists…
zooillogix | September 12, 2007Fascinating footage taken with time lapse photography...
A hapless tree teeming with squirrels...
Doomed lemmings... kind of looks like they're running off a Marshmellow Peep
Nail Fungus
Yes, those are sleep fungi underneath the nail
More great footage here or buy your own here at the Mochimochi store.
cmcclain | September 12, 2007Photosynthesis, that is. Get your mind out of the gutter! This admittedly sexy anaerobic green sulfur bacterium is capable of photosynthetic growth in the dark ocean depths. It's able to use geothermal radiation from black smoker hydrothermal vents as a light source, making it the only photosynthetic organism known to use a light source other than sunlight.
Just as hot electric-stove elements radiate light, black smokers glow dimly as 400 degrees C fluid emerges. Most of the glow lies in the infrared spectrum, which the microbes can't absorb, but part of the light reaches the edge of the…
grrlscientist | September 12, 2007I am sorry to tell you this, but the SB database is experiencing some problems at this moment that prevents essays and comments from publishing at odd moments. So even though I have essays in the queue, they are not appearing as they ought. Be patient; I think that the SB god, Tim, is working on this issue as I write. (If not, we all promise to riot, now wouldn't that be fun to watch?).
Hopefully, this comment will publish ... ? Well, I guess this is a test.
cmcclain | September 12, 2007Diffuse flow vent with microbial mat (white)
Metagenomics is a powerful set of research tools, as well as a field of study in its own right. The purpose of genomics is to determine the DNA sequence of an organism and deduce its functionality and potential interactions with its environment and neighbors based on that information. It follows, then, that metagenomics is concerned with the DNA sequences of a collection of organisms and the various functions and interactions of the group. In principle, metagenomic studies of the deep sea are no different from metagenomic studies of, say, soil…
grrlscientist | September 12, 2007tags: Australia, blog carnivals
The 12 September issue of the Carnival of Australia is now available. This carnival focuses on stories about Australia, most of which are written by Australians. I am pleased to say that they included a story that I wrote, even though I am not Australian.
cmcclain | September 11, 2007The Johnson-Sea-Link manned submersible (Photo courtesy of Chip Baumberger)
Nature provides a treasure-trove of chemicals that can be used in chemical manufacturing processes, or developed into drugs for the treatment of human disease. Since the discovery of penicillin in 1929 and its impact on the treatment of infections, the pharmaceutical industry has used terrestrial microorganisms as a productive source of new therapeutic agents. In fact, the majority of antibiotics currently used in clinical practice are derived from microbial products. The intensity of this research led to a dramatic…
cmcclain | September 11, 2007Guess what?! I got a fever, and the only prescription... is more microbes!* Luckily, there is help for me. That may be a far stretch, but there are some posts. They have the fever over at Tales From the Microbial Laboratory, but they probably always had it. Cesar at Twisted Bacteria is keeping the momentum too with his second contribution of the week, Finding A Needle in Ocean. A cute little bacteria toy complete with flagella will probably be all the rage this holiday season. Do not be the last on your block with one. And don't forget to head over to the dauntingly titled Metagenomics…
cmcclain | September 11, 2007Behind the scenes here at DSN things are frantic to bring you the very best of microbes. We got so much lined up this week that I am developing Carpal tunnel syndrome in my clicky finger. But you the readers are worth all the pain and suffering!
So as you peruse the posts of microbial week, what could be better than a little background music. Good Ol' Kevin Z, DSN's old whipping boy, over at the Other 95% has blessed us with a special song just for Microbial Week-O' Bacteria.
tqa | September 11, 2007
We can never forget the pain, the terror, the anguish that a few twisted individuals were able to cause in just a few short hours. We must never forget the strength, the hope, and the love that thousands upon thousands of people demonstrated in response over the days, weeks, and months that followed. September 11th, 2001 was a day that was filled with tragedy, and we should remember that. But we should also remember the unbridled human decency that so many thousands of nameless people expressed through words and deeds in response.
I will cite but one tiny story, among so many, to begin the…
cmcclain | September 10, 2007Bathymodiolus azoricus mussels
Like many bivalves, the deep-sea hydrothermal mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus anchors itself to the bottom using byssal threads. Bacteria have been spotted within these threads and may be responsible for the unusually high metal concentrations of iron, copper, and zinc in the byssus, as demonstrated by X-ray microanalysis of the deposits surrounding bacterial cells. Fluorescent probes, specific to the methanotroph endosymbiont bacteria typically found in the gills of these mussels, also hybridized with the intra-byssal bacteria. This suggests these symbiotic…
cmcclain | September 10, 2007Who says microbes can't be adorable and charismatic? Just look at this cute little devil! This recently identified deep-sea thermoacidophile accounts for about 15% of the archaeal population around hydrothermal vents. That's right, it can grow at temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees C and over a pH range of 3.3 to 5.8 and look precious doing it. These archaea may be playing a key role in iron and sulphur cycling at hydrothermal vents. The bug's provisional name is Aciduliprofundum boonei, but its common name is 'little devil blob.' I personally think that Peter should dress up his new…
cmcclain | September 10, 2007Head on over to Twisted Bacteria who is helping us celebrate microbial week. There is great post about the elusive habitat of some marine bacteria...or are they terrestrial?
But these "marine" bacteria, generally found in shallow waters, were quite similar to their counterparts from land. For this reason, it was assumed that any actinomycetes obtained from the sea were just wash-offs from the shore.
grrlscientist | September 10, 2007tags: Alex, African grey parrot, Psittacus erithacus, cognition, learning, speech disabilities, Irene Pepperberg, interview
For those of you who are grieving the sad loss of Alex, the African grey parrot who worked with researcher, Irene Pepperberg, you should know that when you awaken tomorrow morning,there will be an interview on National Public Radio's All Things Considered. This interview was just taped this evening. I will provide a streaming link tomorrow after the show airs.
cmcclain | September 10, 2007Here at DSN we give microbes a dedicated week at other blogs it is all microbes all the time. At the wonderfully titled Small Thing Considered, you should check out both Swimming by the Light of the Sun and Gifts From Above. The site has more credentials and awards than can fit on an office wall. It is the blog for the American Microbiology Society and the writing comes from Moselio Schaechter, distinguished professor and emeritus from Tufts.
grrlscientist | September 10, 2007tags: blog carnivals, encephalon, cognition, learning
I suppose it goes without saying that I have been interested in learning about brain and behavior for most of my life, and many of my interests have focused on all aspects of the development of birdsong and bird food caching behavior. Additionally, since I have lived with parrots for nearly my entire life as well, I am of course very interested in understanding how they learn their behaviors and how to speak. So, as a result, I have been invited to host the next edition of the blog carnival, Encephalon, two weeks from now on 24 September…
pharyngula | September 10, 2007I have been chastised for hating framing and shown an example of "framing" done right. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like framing at all, at least not the kind Nisbet has been pushing, and what I actually hate is the way framing is being used as a stalking horse for irrelevant atheist-bashing.
The example is exemplary. Carl Safina took a group of evangelicals to Alaska to show them first-hand the ecology of the area and the effects of climate change. This is great stuff, and a beautiful instance of public outreach and education, and I am all in favor of it. Do more! However, it's not…
bleimanb | September 10, 2007
Aye-ayes do not respond well to light, and you must never, ever feed them after midnight.
According to a new study conducted by Brian Verrelli a researcher at the Biodesign Institute, aye-ayes, a rare primate found only in Madagascar have the genes to see in color, even though they are completely nocturnal and have been for millenia. Why is this so significant? Verrelli and his...
colleagues study three genes in particular called opsins which are responsible for color vision in humans. Aye-ayes come from an ancient mammal strain, one that split away from monkeys and humans over 60 million…