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“When I am with you, we stay up all night. When you’re not here, I can’t go to sleep. Praise God for those two insomnias! And the difference between them.”
- Rumi
A new strain of Cyanobacteria discovered
A Cyanobacterium with a uniquely internal endoskeleton has been discovered in Mexico.
Cyanobacteria, otherwise known as blue-green algae, derive their energy through photosynthesis by converting carbon dioxide and water to glucose and releasing oxygen as a by-product. It is reported that this capability played a large role in stimulating Earth’s transition from an inhabitable to habitable state.
In this case, the scientists were studying stromatolites (sedimentary structures) from the shallow waters of Lake Alchichica in Mexico when they came across the Cyanobacteria with an internal endoskeleton comprised of calcium, stronium, barium, magnesium, and carbonate granules.
Research into the origin and purpose of this evolutionary divergence is ongoing.
the significance of this discovery is huge! just, I can’t, this is amazing!!!!
(via scientificthought)
Zac Efron lets Vanessa walk first so people know how amazing she is.
Will Smith does THIS.
gold.
I will forever reblog this photo. love it.
Will Smith is basically the best.
(via fathsenja)
A polar bear smells a seal under the ice. Unfortunately for the bear, the ice is too thick. (Planet Earth Live - BBC)
(via scientificthought)
Bioluminescence in the Gippsland Lakes
Noctiluca scintillans doing what it does best in the Gippsland Lakes, a small chain of inland lakes in Victoria, Australia.
The events that transpired to make this happen are quite miraculous; firstly there was widespread fires in Victoria that burned pretty intensely for quite some time. Then, they were followed by intense flooding that inundated many areas of Gippsland amongst others. The basic effect was that floodwaters carried nutrient-rich soil and ash from the higher reaches into the Gippsland basin, leading to a eutrophic condition in which algae and bacteria can thrive.
This gave rise to a particularly prolific cyanobacteria getting a foothold, Synechococcus. Essentiallysmothering the lake in cellular life, it gave an opportunity for some pretty special creatures to breed prolifically given an abundant food source - Noctiluca scintillans, a bioluminescent Dinoflagellate.
And so, you end up with photographs like this. A once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, captured for all to share.
Photo source: http://philhart.com/content/bioluminescence-gippsland-lakes
(via scientistintraining)
i died
(via dianahermawati)
I will always love you. wait… what? :O
(via showmeurdreams)
