Glowing Shrimp | Earthy Energy | Petal Wings

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(if you haven’t experienced them…treat yo’ self this weekend!)

-Steve

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Glowing Shrimp

“Sea fireflies” light up Caribbean waters in synchronized shows. The bioluminescent marine ostracods are shrimp-like animals that glow-up for mating sessions.

• Distantly related to actual fireflies

• Glowing comes from blue mucus packets

• Syncing confirmed via study using artificial light pulses

Researchers regard these light shows as an evolutionary paradox, attracting mates as well as competition. Further investigation is needed to better understand and help bioluminescent species before human light pollution renders them extinct. And to develop glowing boogers.

Save the light show!

Earthy Energy

Google has been searching for geothermal energy, and finding plenty of results in Nevada. The company-turned-verb took geothermal harvesting sideways, literally.

• Geothermal energy normally requires finding extraction zones

• Drilling horizontally instead of vertically creates them

• Currently producing 3.5 MW (enough for ~2,600 homes)

Google believes this will help them run solely on green energy by 2030. If scaled, it could provide a consistent energy source independent of weather cycles that affect wind and solar. Meanwhile, Bing is still searching.

Set geothermal as your default energy browser

Petal Wings

If you ever see a beautiful orchid flying towards you, it’s probably a bug. The orchid mantis uses its petal-shaped appendages to glide better than any other arthropod.

• Mimics flowers to lure in prey

• 4 petal-legs increase its “wing” area by 20-36% when gliding

• Growing does not impact air distance, indicating adaptability

This is the first known air-utility body part in wingless arthropods, though researchers believe many more will be discovered upon re-examination. Still, best to avoid flying flowers…unless you’re at a wedding?

It’s a bird…it’s a plane…it’s an ORCHID MANTIS

Unnatural Selection

Last week: “Which would you rather have?”

Team “arms” is rumored to still be high-fiving in celebration.

st3v on site

Robo-Luminescence

After being bitten by a radioactive ostrocod, st3v has had trouble hiding his super powers.

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