Bird Jobs | Space Drugs | Fly’s Feelings

Last week I mentioned future Martian postcards, and NASA unexpectedly delivered in jaw-dropping fashion. Check it out!

What should I ask NASA for this week?

-Steve

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Bird Jobs

Some birds are interviewing to save their species. Conservationists hold tryouts for endangered Bali mynas to check who's ready for wild survival.

• Only found in Bali, Indonesia

• Wild population = less than 50

• Birds tested for adaptability and risk taking

Scoring in either extreme of a bold-cautious scale meant the mynas were likely to survive if released. Researchers will monitor these newly wild birds to see how their test scores hold up. Really hoping they included window ID training.

“Tell me about a time you pooped on a windshield”

Space Drugs

“Made in space” labels are in the works for pharma. Varda Space Industries successfully launched its first orbital-factory.

• Goal: Cheap R&D/manufacturing of protein crystals (active ingredients)

• Microgravity = no convection currents = precise growth

• Context: ~2 gal. of mRNA for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vax lead to ~$76b in revenue

With companies like SpaceX acting as Uber for satellites, costs of microgravity production will continue to drop. Many orbital-manufacturers will follow Varda as we move towards a sci-fi future. Can’t wait to see branded constellations!

Out of this world

Fly’s Feelings

Fly death is contagious, sort of. Seeing dead friends shortens lifespan for at least 1 species of fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster).

• 2 serotonin-related neurons triggered when seeing friendly corpses

• Artificial activation identified these as R2 & R4

• Aging process accelerated compared to control flies

Interestingly, activation of R2 by itself increased fly lifespan. Further research on how death perception affects physiology could lead to better help for humans exposed to high-stress environments. And make us feel for flies.

There is literally a fruit fly watching me type this #awkward

Clickables

🐧 Blue fairy penguins exist

🐔 Finally, a way to take chickens on a walk

🐍 Real snake playing snake on a wall - so meta

🐢 When using a turtle taxi is actually fast

📸 Feel good w/amazing nature pics (don’t tell st3v about #7)

st3v on site

Birb Chat

After learning birds could be interviewed, st3v brought a Bali myna in to ask the important questions. (normally “birb” is cool, strictly “bird” in professional settings)

Forward to a friend!

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