*What's life about*

[basketballfan22]

Here Marcus and Pann, you guys might like this. How tetrapods (4 legged creatures) came from the sea:
The origin of tetrapods

Insects and fish are some of the oldest life forms of the planet, I mean sharks were around before even the dinosaurs. Insects are even older than fish, but they too probably came from the sea, evolving from very, very early forms of shrimp, plankton and trilobites. Some think that they evolved from very early segmented worms or water bears (tardigrade).

Incidently, "water bears" are probably the toughest life form on the planet as this video will show:


Taken from wikipedia:
Tardigrades are able to survive in extreme environments that would kill almost any other animal. The following are extremes states Tradigrades can survive:

Temperature – Tardigrades can survive being heated for a few minutes to 151 °C (424 K or 304 F),[21] or being chilled for days at −200 °C (73 K or -328 F),[21] or some can survive temperatures for a few minutes at −273 °C (~1 degree above absolute zero/0 Kelvin or -458 F).[22]

Pressure – they can withstand the extremely low pressure of a vacuum and also very high pressures, more than 1,200 times atmospheric pressure. Tardigrades can survive the vacuum of open space and solar radiation combined for at least 10 days.[23] Some species can also withstand pressure of 6,000 atmospheres, which is nearly six times the pressure of water in the deepest ocean trench, the Mariana trench.[13]

Dehydration – although there is one report of a leg movement in a 120-year-old specimen from dried moss,[24] this is not generally considered "survival",[25] and the longest tardigrades have been shown to survive in a dry state is nearly 10 years.[26][27] When exposed to extremely low temperatures, their body composition goes from 85% water to only 3%. As water expands upon freezing, dehydration ensures the tardigrades do not get ripped apart by the freezing ice (as waterless tissues cannot freeze).[28]

Radiation – tardigrades can withstand 1,000 times more radiation than other animals,[29] median lethal doses of 5,000 Gy (of gamma-rays) and 6,200 Gy (of heavy ions) in hydrated animals (5 to 10 Gy could be fatal to a human).[30] The only explanation found in earlier experiments for this ability was that their lowered water state provides fewer reactants for the ionizing radiation.[31] However, subsequent research found that tardigrades, when hydrated, still remain highly resistant to shortwave UV radiation in comparison to other animals, and that one factor for this is their ability to efficiently repair damage to their DNA resulting from that exposure.[32]

Environmental toxins – tardigrades can undergo chemobiosis—a cryptobiotic response to high levels of environmental toxins. However, these laboratory results have yet to be verified.[24][25]

Outer space – Tardigrades are the first known animal to survive in Space. Since September 2007, Tardigrades were taken into low Earth orbit on the FOTON-M3 mission and for 10 days were exposed to the vacuum of space from which they returned alive.[33][34] After being rehydrated back on Earth, over 68% of the subjects protected from high-energy UV radiation survived and many of these produced viable embryos, and a handful had survived full exposure to solar radiation.[23][35] In May 2011, Italian scientists sent tardigrades into space along with other extremophiles on STS-134, the final flight of Space Shuttle Endeavour.[36][37][38]

Their conclusion was that microgravity and cosmic radiation "did not significantly affect survival of tardigrades in flight, confirming that tardigrades represent a useful animal for space research."[39] In November 2011, they were among the organisms to be sent by the US-based Planetary Society on the Russian Fobos-Grunt mission's Living Interplanetary Flight Experiment to Phobos; however, the launch failed.

This life form is over 500 million years old, making it one of the oldest on earth, and it's super tough resilience is probably what enabled the species to survive the 5 mass extinctions that have hit the planet. They will likely outlive humans, even if we destroy much of the planet in nuclear war.

LOVE The Most Extreme. I used to watch that shit all the time. My favorite show on Animal Planet ever. The water bear is one of the coolest things ever!

[basketballfan22]

Panntastic, may I ask what you do for a living? Did you attend university; and if so, what did you get your degree(s) in? Same questions for you Flagg.

[human project]

Now I know your all going to love this!!!!

Scientists working 2.4 kilometres below Earth's surface in a Canadian mine have tapped a source of water that has remained isolated for at least a billion years. The researchers say they do not yet know whether anything has been living in it all this time, but the water contains high levels of methane and hydrogen -- the right stuff to support life.

Micrometre-scale pockets in minerals billions of years old can hold water that was trapped during the minerals' formation. But no source of free-flowing water passing through interconnected cracks or pores in Earth's crust has previously been shown to have stayed isolated for more than tens of millions of years.

For more info check out:
http://www.nature.com/news/reservoir...-water-1.12995

No way cool as hell..... A billion years is before there even was life so if it is there it must of just accumulated but then again I guess that's how it ends up......

[human project]

Now I know your all going to love this!!!!

Scientists working 2.4 kilometres below Earth's surface in a Canadian mine have tapped a source of water that has remained isolated for at least a billion years. The researchers say they do not yet know whether anything has been living in it all this time, but the water contains high levels of methane and hydrogen -- the right stuff to support life.

Micrometre-scale pockets in minerals billions of years old can hold water that was trapped during the minerals' formation. But no source of free-flowing water passing through interconnected cracks or pores in Earth's crust has previously been shown to have stayed isolated for more than tens of millions of years.

For more info check out:
http://www.nature.com/news/reservoir...-water-1.12995

Up too 2.64 billion years..... I can't even fathom that

[basketballfan22]

No way cool as hell..... A billion years is before there even was life so if it is there it must of just accumulated but then again I guess that's how it ends up......

Not true. The first organisms were prokaryotes (from what has been discovered), where fossils have been found dating back to 3.5 billion years ago. I remember studying this in one of my biology classes in college. The Earth is about 4.6 billion years old, so life has been on this planet for most of its existence.

[panntastic]

Not true. The first organisms were prokaryotes (from what has been discovered), where fossils have been found dating back to 3.5 billion years ago. I remember studying this in one of my biology classes in college. The Earth is about 4.6 billion years old, so life has been on this planet for most of its existence.

If I can find the article I will post it but they believe the earth was formed with bacteria on It.

Panntastic, may I ask what you do for a living? Did you attend university; and if so, what did you get your degree(s) in? Same questions for you Flagg.

I did go to UNi yes but for engineering
Science is just something I find fascinating.
As for a job I teach from time to time. But not science far far far from it lol.
Now can I ask what made you as this question?

[panntastic]

Not true. The first organisms were prokaryotes (from what has been discovered), where fossils have been found dating back to 3.5 billion years ago. I remember studying this in one of my biology classes in college. The Earth is about 4.6 billion years old, so life has been on this planet for most of its existence.

You seem to have a great grasp on all things science
What's your background?
I saw your replies about religion in the singularity thread
Very educated indeed

[basketballfan22]

If I can find the article I will post it but they believe the earth was formed with bacteria on It.



I did go to UNi yes but for engineering
Science is just something I find fascinating.
As for a job I teach from time to time. But not science far far far from it lol.
Now can I ask what made you as this question?

Pure curiosity. From the posts I have read from you (not just in this thread), you seem fairly articulate and intelligent. One of my degrees is in mathematics, and I sort of guessed that you come from a quantitative field (e.g. math, physics, engineering). It is funny how one is able to recognize that when he/she comes from a similar field.

[basketballfan22]

You seem to have a great grasp on all things science
What's your background?
I saw your replies about religion in the singularity thread
Very educated indeed

Oh, thanks. Yeah I have two bachelor's degrees; one in mathematics and another in ecology and evolutionary biology. I am planning to attend graduate school for my Ph.D in math with the end goal of becoming a professor of mathematics at a university or college. I love knowledge in general though regardless of the field or the practicality of it.

[panntastic]

These kind of threads really get the mind going.
Have you gone back to the beginning post and read through
Some really amazing things going on for sure

[basketballfan22]

I must admit that I have not. I will take the time and read through it eventually. Primarily I read the last 2-3 pages.

[panntastic]

I must admit that I have not. I will take the time and read through it eventually. Primarily I read the last 2-3 pages.

You know what I never even realised there were that many pages!
Suppose its like a good book when your into it deep you just keep going.

[panntastic]

Now this is truly amazing!!!
Russian scientists claimed Wednesday they have discovered blood in the carcass of a woolly mammoth,
adding that the rare find could boost their chances of cloning the prehistoric animal.

An expedition led by Russian scientists earlier this month uncovered the well-preserved carcass of a female mammoth on a remote island in the Arctic Ocean.

Semyon Grigoryev, the head of the expedition, said the animal died at the age of around 60 some 10,000 to 15,000 years ago, and that it was the first time that an old female had been found.

But what was more surprising was that the carcass was so well preserved that it still had blood and muscle tissue.
"When we broke the ice beneath her stomach, the blood flowed out from there, it was very dark," Grigoryev, who is a scientist at the Yakutsk-based Northeastern Federal University, told AFP.
"This is the most astonishing case in my entire life.

How was it possible for it to remain in liquid form? And the muscle tissue is also red, the colour of fresh meat,"
he added. Grigoryev said that the lower part of the carcass was very well preserved as it ended up in a pool of water that later froze over.
The upper part of the body including the back and the head are believed to have been eaten by predators, he added.
"The forelegs and the stomach are well preserved, while the hind part has become a skeleton." The discovery, Grigoryev said, gives new hope to researchers in their quest to bring the woolly mammoth back to life.

"This find gives us a really good chance of finding live cells which can help us implement this project to clone a mammoth," he said.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-05-russian...mmoth.html#jCp

[panntastic]

Bump for any new insight

[marcus300]

Now this is truly amazing!!!
Russian scientists claimed Wednesday they have discovered blood in the carcass of a woolly mammoth,
adding that the rare find could boost their chances of cloning the prehistoric animal.

An expedition led by Russian scientists earlier this month uncovered the well-preserved carcass of a female mammoth on a remote island in the Arctic Ocean.

Semyon Grigoryev, the head of the expedition, said the animal died at the age of around 60 some 10,000 to 15,000 years ago, and that it was the first time that an old female had been found.

But what was more surprising was that the carcass was so well preserved that it still had blood and muscle tissue.
"When we broke the ice beneath her stomach, the blood flowed out from there, it was very dark," Grigoryev, who is a scientist at the Yakutsk-based Northeastern Federal University, told AFP.
"This is the most astonishing case in my entire life.

How was it possible for it to remain in liquid form? And the muscle tissue is also red, the colour of fresh meat,"
he added. Grigoryev said that the lower part of the carcass was very well preserved as it ended up in a pool of water that later froze over.
The upper part of the body including the back and the head are believed to have been eaten by predators, he added.
"The forelegs and the stomach are well preserved, while the hind part has become a skeleton." The discovery, Grigoryev said, gives new hope to researchers in their quest to bring the woolly mammoth back to life.

"This find gives us a really good chance of finding live cells which can help us implement this project to clone a mammoth," he said.

Read more at: Russian scientists make rare find of 'blood' in mammoth

Now that would be good a clone mammoth

[panntastic]

Now that would be good a clone mammoth

Imagine a pet mammoth

[RaginCajun]

Imagine a pet mammoth

A mini one would be awesome!

[marcus300]

I'd like to wrestle one

[panntastic]

I'd like to wrestle one

Minus tusks and I'm in there with you

[marcus300]

Minus tusks and I'm in there with you

I'll need a wing man, thanks

[panntastic]

I'll need a wing man, thanks

If its a tag team effort **** it keep tusks
We're going to need a stihl saw and some eyewear this would get messy

[krugerr]

How have I only just noticed this thread?

I want to live my life happily, I want to make my partner the happiest woman in the world for her whole life, I want to be a great father to my step-son and to any future children, I also have the ambition to be remembered, I upsets me to think that after I am gone, only my family will remember me, and although in the end, they're the ones that matter. Im selfish and I want to be a figure, someone that achieved something. Im unsure how I will get there, but I will.

You only get one life, we dont get do overs. In every situation I try to think "Will I regret this?" If no, then I do it. A few times I have bitten my tongue, and not said or acted as I wanted, and these situations then eat at me for weeks. Always thinking "What if I had said", this is one of the biggest changes I have made to my life. Has it made me a better person? Probably not, some people probably think I am a dick, however, I am a happier person. Simple things, the other day I opened the door for a lady and she just walked past me without nodding, or just acknowledging me, that is a thing that really winds me up. So I made a point of loudly saying "You're welcome!" - I think it embarassed her. Oh well!

[panntastic]

How have I only just noticed this thread?

I want to live my life happily, I want to make my partner the happiest woman in the world for her whole life, I want to be a great father to my step-son and to any future children, I also have the ambition to be remembered, I upsets me to think that after I am gone, only my family will remember me, and although in the end, they're the ones that matter. Im selfish and I want to be a figure, someone that achieved something. Im unsure how I will get there, but I will.

You only get one life, we dont get do overs. In every situation I try to think "Will I regret this?" If no, then I do it. A few times I have bitten my tongue, and not said or acted as I wanted, and these situations then eat at me for weeks. Always thinking "What if I had said", this is one of the biggest changes I have made to my life. Has it made me a better person? Probably not, some people probably think I am a dick, however, I am a happier person. Simple things, the other day I opened the door for a lady and she just walked past me without nodding, or just acknowledging me, that is a thing that really winds me up. So I made a point of loudly saying "You're welcome!" - I think it embarassed her. Oh well!

How have you not noticed it lol
Go to the start there's some amazing debates that have happened and some very educated members discussing as adults

One of the best threads on here by far in my eyes

[basketballfan22]

Now this is truly amazing!!!
Russian scientists claimed Wednesday they have discovered blood in the carcass of a woolly mammoth,
adding that the rare find could boost their chances of cloning the prehistoric animal.

An expedition led by Russian scientists earlier this month uncovered the well-preserved carcass of a female mammoth on a remote island in the Arctic Ocean.

Semyon Grigoryev, the head of the expedition, said the animal died at the age of around 60 some 10,000 to 15,000 years ago, and that it was the first time that an old female had been found.

But what was more surprising was that the carcass was so well preserved that it still had blood and muscle tissue.
"When we broke the ice beneath her stomach, the blood flowed out from there, it was very dark," Grigoryev, who is a scientist at the Yakutsk-based Northeastern Federal University, told AFP.
"This is the most astonishing case in my entire life.

How was it possible for it to remain in liquid form? And the muscle tissue is also red, the colour of fresh meat,"
he added. Grigoryev said that the lower part of the carcass was very well preserved as it ended up in a pool of water that later froze over.
The upper part of the body including the back and the head are believed to have been eaten by predators, he added.
"The forelegs and the stomach are well preserved, while the hind part has become a skeleton." The discovery, Grigoryev said, gives new hope to researchers in their quest to bring the woolly mammoth back to life.

"This find gives us a really good chance of finding live cells which can help us implement this project to clone a mammoth," he said.

Read more at: Russian scientists make rare find of 'blood' in mammoth

That is very interesting. I recall my brother's talking about cloning a mammoth, but this was before this article came out. I never understood why we don't collect and preserve blood samples of endangered animals that way we can bring them back from the brink of extinction.

[marcus300]

That is very interesting. I recall my brother's talking about cloning a mammoth, but this was before this article came out. I never understood why we don't collect and preserve blood samples of endangered animals that way we can bring them back from the brink of extinction.

That's am interesting view I wonder why this doesn't happen

[marcus300]

How have you not noticed it lol
Go to the start there's some amazing debates that have happened and some very educated members discussing as adults

One of the best threads on here by far in my eyes

The thread slowed down drastically when the mounting evidence of how old the earth was towards what the Bible states. Debate stopped but still very interesting and have loads more questions.

[basketballfan22]

That's am interesting view I wonder why this doesn't happen

Yeah, I argued with my little brother about this. He was excited about the prospect of cloning a mammoth (which I agree), but I argued it would be more important if we cloned critically endangered species. He doesn't have the same level of passion for the environment and animals that I do though.

[panntastic]

The thread slowed down drastically when the mounting evidence of how old the earth was towards what the Bible states. Debate stopped but still very interesting and have loads more questions.

That was always going to be the case Marcus.
Unless god himself came and showed proof and debunked science on how the universe came about, facts beat fiction.

I watched a truly amazing documentary today on black holes being at the centre of a universe.
They linked all the giant telescopes on the planet up to look deep into the centre of the Milky Way and it showed a black hole

Very interesting

[basketballfan22]

That was always going to be the case Marcus.
Unless god himself came and showed proof and debunked science on how the universe came about, facts beat fiction.

I watched a truly amazing documentary today on black holes being at the centre of a universe.
They linked all the giant telescopes on the planet up to look deep into the centre of the Milky Way and it showed a black hole

Very interesting

Lmao. Panntastic, God is fact! Duh! There isn't a center of the universe though. Physicists hypothesize that supermassive black holes are at the center of most (if not all) galaxies though.

[Zodiac82]

That is very interesting. I recall my brother's talking about cloning a mammoth, but this was before this article came out. I never understood why we don't collect and preserve blood samples of endangered animals that way we can bring them back from the brink of extinction.

I remember them talkin about trying to clone aa mammoth maybe 10 or so years ago....I wonder what happened to that?

-Release the Kracken!!!-

[MR-FQ320]

That was always going to be the case Marcus.
Unless god himself came and showed proof and debunked science on how the universe came about, facts beat fiction.

I watched a truly amazing documentary today on black holes being at the centre of a universe.
They linked all the giant telescopes on the planet up to look deep into the centre of the Milky Way and it showed a black hole

Very interesting

Pann, was it on normal telly ? What was it called ?

[basketballfan22]

I remember them talkin about trying to clone aa mammoth maybe 10 or so years ago....I wonder what happened to that?

-Release the Kracken!!!-

Yeah, I remember that too. Maybe they were just hypothesizing the possibility if they ever found a preserved enough specimen.

[panntastic]

Pann, was it on normal telly ? What was it called ?

Was on discovery channel mate will see if I can go back on it later and check what it was called
Very interesting though