Happy 4th of July weekend! I spent last weekend riding my bike around Vermont and accidently eating flies going downhill. Expecting a more high quality protein diet these next few days.

-Steve

Join The Convo for weekly briefings on the coolest STEM news!

Octo Brains

Great minds think alike! While studying octo-brains, researchers found active LINE transposons, or jumping genes, which also exist in human brains.

• LINE = Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements

• Act as a copy/paste function likely aiding in learning processes

• Found in two common species: Octopus vulgaris and Octopus bimaculoides

This is an example of convergent evolution, when unrelated species adapt similarly over time. It could explain why octopi are far more intelligent than most other invertebrates...and escape rooms.

Why are they called TENtacles if there's only eight?

NOtosynthesis

Researchers discovered a way to grow plants in complete darkness. They replace light with a two-step electrocatalytic process.

• Converts CO2 , electricity, and water into acetate

• Plants consume that acetate in lieu of sunlight

• Used to grow green algae, yeast, and mycelium that produce mushrooms

Growing plants in the dark can lead to food being produced more efficiently and with less land. This potentially improves agriculture on Earth and in space. Finally, we can garden in dark mode.

No sun, no problem

Deer in Lights

Rudolph’s nose isn’t the only thing he changes. Reindeer eye color adjusts depending on the time of year.

• Changes occur in the tapetum lucidum (reflector system of fibers inside eyes)

• Summer = loosely packed fibers = gold eyes

• Winter = tightly packed fibers = blue eyes

By altering their tapetum, reindeer tailor their vision to the most prominent light waves each season. An especially helpful hack to find food and avoid predators. And now we finally know why we never see a deer in sunglasses.

Do you see what eye see?

Clickables

• Dragons exist, but only as baby nightjars

• NASA sent a small box around the moon

• Forever young, how some reptiles literally avoid aging

• Building the world's largest carbon-capture facility

• Fluffy crabs make their own sweaters

st3v on site

Gardening in the Dark

What's tricky is harvesting in the dark.

Thank you for reading!

Missed last week’s Convo?

Catch-up here: Caffeine Buzzz | Bluetiful Bee | Beekeeping - The Convo Kit #54

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