October 21, 200619 yr Hahnsoo writes "A colony of bacteria found 2.8 kilometers below the Earth's surface in a South African gold mine is able to sustain itself without energy from the Sun. While sub-surface colonies of microorganisms utilizing sulfur (mostly near deep sea hydrothermal vents) is not new, this particular colony is unusual. The colony does it by relying on radioactive uranium to split water into hydrogen gas. Thus, instead of solar energy and photosynthesis, this species relies on radioactive materials and sulfur/hydrogen to facilitate its energy needs. There is some speculation about life on other planets in the article as well." OBSCVRVM PER OBSCVRIVS ET IGNOTVM PER IGNOTIVS OPVS ARTIFICEM PROBAT
October 21, 200619 yr LIFE IN SPACE!!!!!!!!!! (w00t) This post is not to be enjoyed, discussed, or referenced on company time.
October 21, 200619 yr Awesome! "My hovercraft is full of eels!" - Hungarian tourist I am Dan Quayle of the Romans. I want to tattoo a map of the Netherlands on my nether lands. Heja Sverige!! Everyone should cuffawkle more. The wrench is your friend.
October 21, 200619 yr This reminds me of The Thing and a couple of X-Files episodes. :ph34r: The quote mentions things living near hydrothermal vents. Its not just micro organisms that can live there. You can find small crustaceans living there too. Little crabs living at a the bottom of a trench in water that is many times hotter than boiling point. Surely the presence of complex creatures in such inhospitable environments is evidence of Intelligent Design! All hail FSM!!
October 21, 200619 yr "There are fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world" http://entertainmentandbeyond.blogspot.com/
October 21, 200619 yr 2.8 kilometers below the Earth's surface in a South African gold mine <{POST_SNAPBACK}> That's... that's... here! ZOMG IT'S ME!!!!! I'M THE BACTERIA!!!!!!! ^Yes, that is a good observation, Checkpoint. /God
October 21, 200619 yr Author The quote mentions things living near hydrothermal vents. Its not just micro organisms that can live there. You can find small crustaceans living there too. Little crabs living at a the bottom of a trench in water that is many times hotter than boiling point. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Should be pretty trivial to engineer new species that use this alternative source of life, too ... a whole genetically modified ecosystem ... OBSCVRVM PER OBSCVRIVS ET IGNOTVM PER IGNOTIVS OPVS ARTIFICEM PROBAT
October 21, 200619 yr Never underestimate the natural world to hold wonders beyond imagining if you actually go out your door looking for them. Murphy's Law of Computer Gaming: The listed minimum specifications written on the box by the publisher are not the minimum specifications of the game set by the developer. @\NightandtheShape/@ - "Because you're a bizzare strange deranged human?" Walsingham- "Sand - always rushing around, stirring up apathy." Joseph Bulock - "Another headache, courtesy of Sand"
October 21, 200619 yr I wonder how it evolved. As dark is the absence of light, so evil is the absence of good. If you would destroy evil, do good. Evil cannot be perfected. Thank God.
October 21, 200619 yr Author I wonder how it evolved. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> As it is a bacteria, then it may have come from a normal bacteria, OR spontaneously from some proto-life organic molecules, like that from which bacteria originated. It will be interesting to sequence it. OBSCVRVM PER OBSCVRIVS ET IGNOTVM PER IGNOTIVS OPVS ARTIFICEM PROBAT
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