A viscous black gunk oozing from the rudder graft of a Great Lakes research vessel flummoxed everyone who looked at it, but disguised in it was a huge discovery: a new lifeform.
The muck was first spotted when the R/V Blue Heron was taken to a Cleveland shipyard for propeller repairs. It looked thick like grease or oil, but the rudder shaft wasn't supposed to be lubricated by anything but water, and the material didn't have a strong petroleum odor. It also didn't leave a sheen on water, nor did it burn up in a blowtorch flame.
That's when scientists at the University of Minnesota Duluth got involved. They didn't expect to find much until the results of single-gene DNA sequencing came back—and, microbial ecologist Cody Sheik said, “A lot of the sequences came out really novel."
A second round of sequencing then confirmed that the goo microbes were unique, albeit not especially diverse. They reconstructed the genomes of more than 20 microbes, and compared them to comprehensive databases of previously identified organisms. They found several novel archaea– members of a domain of single-celled, prokaryotic life that are distinguished from bacteria by their cell membrane composition.
One of the microbes they found represents not just a new species but an entirely new order of archaea. For now, it's being called ShipGoo01, and a ShipGoo002 might be on the horizon.
Read more at the link in our bio.
Accidentally running face-first into your mom’s butt is funny, no matter your species.
Swipe for more hilarious shots from the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards—and see even more images at the link in our bio.
The crew of Artemis II hasn't reached the moon yet, but it has already transmitted something spectacular back to Earth.
See more about this wondrous image at the link in our bio.
A young YouTuber has identified a new type of renewable energy: hamster wheel power.
And with a little engineering know-how, it can reliably power up small electronics.
See our full coverage at the link in bio.
133 years ago this month, the world descended on Chicago—and was treated to a litany of technological breakthroughs like never before.
Today, there's almost no sign it ever existed. Except through these color photographs.
See more about the fair at the link in bio.
📸: public domain
The people have spoken, and they have chuckled.
Behold the honorees from the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards People's Choice Awards.
See even more at the link in our bio.
WD-40® Brand built its legacy on the iconic blue and yellow can with a little red top, but 73 years later, the brand continues to innovate. Offering a variety of specialty solutions designed for the world’s toughest jobs.
Take their WD-40 Specialist® Penetrant with EZ-REACH® product. It cuts through rust and frees stuck parts, with a flexible 8-inch straw that delivers product exactly where it’s needed. Learn more at the link in bio.
