Bacteria Found Alive In Ice 120,000 Years Old 326
FiReaNGeL notes research presented this morning at Penn State on the discovery of a new, ultra-small species of bacteria that has survived for more than 120,000 years within the ice of a Greenland glacier at a depth of nearly two miles. From the psu.edu announcement: "The microorganism's ability to persist in this low-temperature, high-pressure, reduced-oxygen, and nutrient-poor habitat makes it particularly useful for studying how life, in general, can survive in a variety of extreme environments on Earth and possibly elsewhere in the solar system. This new species is among the ubiquitous, yet mysterious, ultra-small bacteria, which are so tiny that they are able to pass through microbiological filters. Called Chryseobacterium greenlandensis, the species is related genetically to certain bacteria found in fish, marine mud, and the roots of some plants."
Addendum to the report (Score:5, Funny)
"This is a great discovery. There is nothing at all to worry about." said the oddly-behaving scientist who discovered the sled dog.
120,000?? (Score:4, Funny)
Somebody is lying!
Re:Young earth creationists (Score:3, Funny)
But what about quality of life (Score:5, Funny)
(Kaaaaahn....)
Only 120,000 years old? (Score:5, Funny)
Hell, I've got bacteria in my refrigerator that's as old as that.
Hopefully it's harmless (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Anonymouse Coward (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Hopefully it's harmless (Score:5, Funny)
Re:But what about quality of life (Score:5, Funny)
Ironically, the reason for it melting was due to the scientists using more bore holes than necessary to connect all of the pockets of bacteria cultures in the ice.
Achoo! (Score:3, Funny)
Do we ...
(Achoo!)
*sniff*
... have any immunity?
I have to wonder... (Score:5, Funny)
If you put the bacteria into a radioactive, poisonous desert with a rat, a cockroach, Cher and a lawyer, which would survive longest, and would it actually eat the others?
What's Next? (Score:5, Funny)
A) Eager to evolve into an organism capable of having sex.
B) Eager to start posting regularly on Slashdot.
Yes, these options are mutually exclusive.
Re:I have to wonder... (Score:1, Funny)
Flesh eating bacteria (Score:5, Funny)
I can just see it now...
Breaking news:
Scientists have genetically engineered flesh-eating bacteria that is too small for scientists to detect. Drinking from your faucet is in advised as no filter can filter them out. Symptoms include explosive diarrhea then your eyeballs will fall out.
Re:Young earth creationists (Score:5, Funny)
Oblig. Futurama (Score:5, Funny)
Bender: "I was enjoying it until you guys showed up!"
John Mccain called ... (Score:5, Funny)
I think you'll be safe (Score:5, Funny)
120,000 Years Old ?? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Young earth creationists (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Young earth creationists (Score:5, Funny)
Not that it matters, there are plenty of best sellers and classic with bad grammar.
Yes, I know there are others.
Re:Young earth creationists (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Young earth creationists (Score:5, Funny)
Also i could probably prove the DM exists in most D&D campaigns from the characters POV.... though i do like the analogy, it should replace cars on slashdot to represent the world. Nerdier than cars and if anything weird happened we could blame it on gnomes.
The real question... (Score:4, Funny)
C'mon... come ooooon... (Score:2, Funny)
120,000 year old Bacteria UnEarthed (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Young earth creationists (Score:1, Funny)
Commit? Why isn't there a ROLLBACK TRANSACTION button?
Re:Young earth creationists (Score:4, Funny)
Re:I think you'll be safe (Score:3, Funny)
Obligatory quote (Score:3, Funny)