Scuba Spiders | Bacteria Rx | Instant Diamonds

Seeing a bird use ground effect while riding my bike with a tailwind feels like a sign. Not just any sign. One of those wind vanes with a dynamic arrow.

-Steve

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Scuba Spiders

Spiders have learned how to scuba dive. Unlike the hibernating aquatic bees we recently met, some spider species evolved traits to thrive underwater.

• Diving bell spiders create silk canopies for transporting air

• Others build watertight nests to create air pockets

• Desis formidabilis regulate salt concentration to enjoy sea food

These and many other adaptations (air trapping hairs!) help spiders survive changing conditions such as tides or flooding. Conservationists are searching for more aquatic species to better understand climate change impact. Or pitch a new superhero crossover.

Twenty Thousand Legs Under the Sea

Bacteria Rx

Bacteria could be the key to treating cancer. Scientists engineered bacterial syringes by modifying their existing structures.

• Bacterial syringes naturally inject proteins into cells

• Scientists loaded specialized proteins into modified syringes

• Tail fiber alterations target cell types, like cancer

Modified bacterial syringes were efficient in finding and injecting leukemia cells. Further development could revolutionize targeted cancer treatment and gene therapy. Like if Liam Neeson was bacteria.

Nature’s courier

Instant Diamonds

It only takes 3 hours to create forever. Synthetic diamonds can now be grown faster than you can watch Dune 2.

• Traditional process time = several days to weeks

• Traditional pressure requirement = 49k atmospheric pressures (atm)

• New method grown at 1,877°F in just 1 atm

By dissolving carbon into a liquid metal alloy, scientists formed crystals within 15 minutes. If scaled, this process could revolutionize quantum computing, which utilizes diamonds for rapid calculations. And change heist movies forever.

Soon we’ll be ordering diamonds on Etsy

Unnatural Selection

Last week: “Cooler cephalopod?”

Technically speaking, squid have TENtacles, but octopus only have EIGHTacles.

st3v on site

Surf’s Up

Aquatic spiders chose waves, naturally. st3v agreed, despite how hard it is to surf with wheels for feet 🤙.

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