cmcclain
Posts by this author
September 12, 2007
One of the challenges of doing research in the deep-sea is the expense of getting down there and staying down there long enough (i.e., needing ships, ROVs, and submersibles). One way around that is to leave sensors on the bottom to collect data even when nobody is around. However, then you run…
September 12, 2007
Photosynthesis, that is. Get your mind out of the gutter! This admittedly sexy anaerobic green sulfur bacterium is capable of photosynthetic growth in the dark ocean depths. It's able to use geothermal radiation from black smoker hydrothermal vents as a light source, making it the only…
September 12, 2007
Diffuse flow vent with microbial mat (white)
Metagenomics is a powerful set of research tools, as well as a field of study in its own right. The purpose of genomics is to determine the DNA sequence of an organism and deduce its functionality and potential interactions with its environment and…
September 11, 2007
The Johnson-Sea-Link manned submersible (Photo courtesy of Chip Baumberger)
Nature provides a treasure-trove of chemicals that can be used in chemical manufacturing processes, or developed into drugs for the treatment of human disease. Since the discovery of penicillin in 1929 and its impact on…
September 11, 2007
Guess what?! I got a fever, and the only prescription... is more microbes!* Luckily, there is help for me. That may be a far stretch, but there are some posts. They have the fever over at Tales From the Microbial Laboratory, but they probably always had it. Cesar at Twisted Bacteria is keeping…
September 11, 2007
Behind the scenes here at DSN things are frantic to bring you the very best of microbes. We got so much lined up this week that I am developing Carpal tunnel syndrome in my clicky finger. But you the readers are worth all the pain and suffering!
So as you peruse the posts of microbial week, what…
September 10, 2007
Bathymodiolus azoricus mussels
Like many bivalves, the deep-sea hydrothermal mussel Bathymodiolus azoricus anchors itself to the bottom using byssal threads. Bacteria have been spotted within these threads and may be responsible for the unusually high metal concentrations of iron, copper, and zinc…
September 10, 2007
Who says microbes can't be adorable and charismatic? Just look at this cute little devil! This recently identified deep-sea thermoacidophile accounts for about 15% of the archaeal population around hydrothermal vents. That's right, it can grow at temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees C and over…
September 10, 2007
Head on over to Twisted Bacteria who is helping us celebrate microbial week. There is great post about the elusive habitat of some marine bacteria...or are they terrestrial?
But these "marine" bacteria, generally found in shallow waters, were quite similar to their counterparts from land. For this…
September 10, 2007
Here at DSN we give microbes a dedicated week at other blogs it is all microbes all the time. At the wonderfully titled Small Thing Considered, you should check out both Swimming by the Light of the Sun and Gifts From Above. The site has more credentials and awards than can fit on an office wall…
September 9, 2007
What do they all have in common? Deep-sea coral microbial ecology. Coral microbial ecology is the study of the relationship of coral-associated microorganisms to each other, the coral host, and to their environment. Just as we humans have beneficial bacteria living on our skin and in our…
September 9, 2007
A lot of planning goes into our theme weeks at DSN. It usually starts several months prior with a simple idea born out of discussion that start with "Wouldn't it be cool". I love theme weeks! As I ready the posts for the week, I am giddy with anticipation. Behind the scenes, things are frantic…
September 9, 2007
Greek mythology portrays Atlas supporting the world, but the time has come to break it to you, Atlas is a metaphor for the vast unseen majority - the microbes. The few microbes that cause blood to spew from every human orifice get all the press. Most microbes are quietly minding their business and…
September 8, 2007
Last year DSN, although not a Sb'ling, participated in the Donor's Choose Campaign. Various bloggers here at Sb, with the help of our readers, raised money for classrooms across the US. DonorsChoose is an organization that helps teachers fund classroom projects and other student learning…
September 6, 2007
Clione, a shell-less snail know as the Sea Butterfly swims in the shallow waters beneath Arctic ice. Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Explorer and Elisabeth Calvert, University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
September 5, 2007
"Welcome to the ugly underbelly of marine science...The author does not condone the behaviors depicted on this website. Marine invertebrates should not use drugs or consume alcohol"
August 30, 2007
Stumbled upon the site Catalogue of Organisms for those with an inordinate fondness for systematics. It's high on the geek-o-meter which is probably why I love it so much. You got to love a site that dedicates a whole post to Gastrotrichs. Christopher as done a couple posts on deep-sea fish, the…
August 30, 2007
...of ten strangers, picked to be on the same expedition, 5 scientists and 5 evangicals working together to find out what happens, when people stop being polite, and start getting real...
A group of five scientists and five evangelical leaders began traveling together on August 25th to observe…
August 29, 2007
A great website called howtoons produces cartoon how-to guides to build a variety of thing to teach children, and adults, basics of engineering and science. My favorite is the Soda Bottle Submarine. When I am back ashore I plan on building a whole fleet and taking over the world.
August 29, 2007
Bornrich.org, which is not a site I visit often, as a list of the most popular luxury submarines. Most of these we have covered before. There is just something about the name and design of the Proteus that draws me in.
The 65-feet Proteus is exceptional and is capable of offering the ultimate in…
August 24, 2007
BBC has a great game for the kids or those young of heart. Yeah I pretty much have lost a few hours of my life to this. You control a submersible and your goal is to explore.
August 24, 2007
I don't buy it but...
In an issue of Superman released early in 1943, the superhero protects American navy ships from deep-sea creatures under the control of a Nazi agent. Superman manages to defeat the creatures and their master when the whistle used to control the monsters breaks and they turn on…
August 23, 2007
From NG: Despite its delicate, decorated appearance, this jewel squid was found 1,650 lung-crushing feet (500 meters) beneath the surface of the North Atlantic. Scientists on a recent deep-sea expedition found the squid, called Histioteuthis, along with an abundance of other species thought to be…
August 23, 2007
Don't blame me for not pointing it out sooner, but I have only seen Titanic once and as I recall it was an excruciating experience. Luckily, Leonardo is redeeming himself (more later). The Russian expedition planting a flag on the Arctic floor seems to be plagued with further controversy.…
August 23, 2007
A giant squid arrives on Italy's shore intact...reporters at scene report Cioppino needed more garlic.
First step purchase 500 gallons of formalin...next step order special-made tupperware measuring 30 feet.
Yiddish proverb...Small children disturb your sleep, big children your life...takes on new…
August 21, 2007
Knowing my fascination with body size variation among organisms , Peter sent a link along for a new paper, "Why don't all whales have cancer? A novel hypothesis resolving Peto's paradox." Included in the email was a gentle prodding to post on this unique paper.
Peto's paradox is that cancer is…
August 21, 2007
As predicted, the bandwagon is rolling. Steven Milloy, of the ironically titled junkscience.com, writes in the Canada Free Press about us "alarmists". One study questions one aspect of global warming and the whole theory is thrown out.
Why is it when someone highlights a real problem they are…
August 19, 2007
Some new waves, pun intended, are being generated this week concerning the meridional overturning circulation (MOC). You are already familiar with the MOC as the ocean conveyor belt. To refresh your memory, the MOC is a thermohaline current, so named because currents are forced by differences in…