The ever-interesting blog of Moselio Schachter, Small Things Considered has another post of thought-provoking microbes: hyperthermophiles. These wee beasties live at 90°;C in anoxic conditions. I particularly liked the passing comment:
Growth and division of these organisms was observed at 90°;C under anoxic conditions using a dark-field light microscope (which takes quite a set-up).
Um yes. I'm betting that was a Herculean effort! In particular this is interesting because there is a bias in identifying microbes that do not culture in ordinary lab conditions. These researchers are to be congratulated for going to such lengths.
More like this
This week, Nature has an article on the reconstruction of global tectonics during the past 200 million years.
"Soon the earth will tilt on its axis and begin to dance to the reggae beat to the accompaniment of earthquake. And who can resist the dance of the earthquake, mon?" -Peter Tosh
I've got this press release that will be of interest to many:
"Tell me what you feel in your room when the full moon is shining in upon you and your lamp is dying out, and I will tell you how old you are, and I shall know if you are happy." -Henri Frederic Amiel
Perhaps they set their lab up in a sauna.