Roly-poly Operation | “Worker” Ant | Astro-immune

I don’t often think about being hit by pigeon droppings. But this week, I was nearly splattered three times!

Here’s to sharing my good luck vibes with you via highly complicated newsletter-osmosis. (but maybe don’t walk too closely)

-Steve

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Roly-poly Operation

Nature’s cross between an armadillo and a pine cone (pangolins) inspired the latest life saving millirobot.

• Pangolins = only scaled mammal

• Millirobot = 2 x 1 cm of aluminum scales

• Rolls around inside human bodies via magnetic field

While inside, the millirobot can deliver medication or stop internal bleeding by heating up to 158 °F. Further development will improve operability and provide another option for minimally invasive procedures. And introduce everyone to pangolins.

Dr. Pangolin, scrubbed and ready for surgery

“Worker” Ant

Ants found the fountain of youth, but it’s actually a parasite. Ingesting the tapeworm Anomotaenia brevis can triple their lifetime.

• A. brevis provides age-slowing levels of antioxidants

• Infected ants lounge while their colony picks up the slack

• Uninfected caregivers die far sooner than normal

Ideally host-ants live long enough to be gobbled up by a woodpecker where A. brevis matures. Researchers continue to investigate exactly how the parasite forces co-workers to pick up the slack. Ah yes, reminds me of college.

Anyone know when Antony is submitting their slides?

Astro-immune

Our immune systems are less psyched about space travel than we are. Researchers found altered genes compromised astronaut’s ability to fight viruses.

• Blood samples provided pre, during, and post ISS missions

• Reviewed white blood cell gene expression

• 2 gene clusters changed in response to location

Fortunately gene clusters returned to normal levels within a year of coming home. More research is needed to determine why this happens and how to prevent it for future extended space travel. Good, my insurance doesn’t cover urgent care facilities in LEO.

At least there’s no pollen in space

Clickables

🐌 Giant snails invade Florida…again

🌏️ NASA illustrated Earth’s sinus infection 

🚗 How NASCAR saved I-95 this week

🏖️ You know it’s summer when a water bear finds its beach ball

🚚 Fast and Furious: Delivery - 1,400hp electric super-van

st3v on site

Snail Wars VI: Return of the Stalk-Eyes

st3v decided to investigate a Clickable this week. His relationship with giant snails has come a long way since last time they invaded Florida.

Forward to a friend!

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