💬 Viral Diet | Martian Water | Wall-Climbing Robots

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...Saturday. Welcome to THE best newsletter of 2023. (so far)

-Steve

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Viral Diet

Mmm, viruses. Scientists recently discovered the first known organism to enjoy a viral diet.

• Pond water samples hosted chlorovirus for testing

• Virus populations were measured after adding various microbes

• 1 microbe, Halteria, grew 15x while dropping viral levels 100x

Follow-up testing confirmed viral appetite using fluorescent dye that glowed in little microbe bellies. With this evidence, researchers are continuing their search for other “virovores”. Though Halteria commented they “still eat meat, socially”.

Vir-à la Carte

H2Opal

Would you drink rock-water? Researchers recently discovered Martian Opal, a potential hydration source for future astronauts, in archived Curiosity rover data.

• Opal forms when certain rocks are weathered by water

• A liquidy solution hardens after nesting in crevices

• Estimates state ~3’ of opal could provide 1.5 gallons of water

This suggests water was on Mars more recently than we thought. Meaning remnants of potential life may still be underground and could be discovered by Perseverance’s current search. No word on Mars’ opal syrup pancake potential.

Martian mineral water

Zappy Feet

Quadruped robots can now climb up walls. Magnetic forces grant KAIST’s MARVEL spidey abilities without the need for a toxic bite.

• MARVEL = Magnetically Adhesive Robot for Versatile and Expeditious Locomotion

• Travels 2’ per second carrying up to 100 lbs.

• Maneuvers over 2” obstacles on walls

MARVEL’s feet switch from magnetic to normal via a brief electric trigger. By not requiring electricity to remain “sticky”, it can stay off the floor for longer. Aka the next “floor is lava” world champion.

Friendly neighborhood spider-bot

Clickables

• Human + mouse brain collab

• From the company that brought you CDs, Sony’s electric car

• Virtual “people” for hire

• Swedish kayak vending machines  

• Color-changing CARmeleon is ready to blend in anywhere

st3v on site

Spider-st3v

Inspired by MARVEL's wall walking, st3v asked me to turn this picture upside down. He's just doing a handstand, but it's a reeeally good one.

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Catch-up here: 💬 Water Ants | Hot Nostrils | Anti-Aging

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