1. To those of you that romanticize working with animals:

    I have six different kinds of poop smeared on my jeans tonight.

  2. gno-sis asked: Are you sure they weren't talking about the education system, not education in general? 'Cause I could understand that thinking a lot better.

    Oh no, they’re talking about education. I mentioned the education system being shit… they’re talking about the education itself. 

    Your education isn’t useless, your nations politics are.

  3. Listening to someone rambling about how education is completely useless.

    I ask you this as a friend, dear followers:

    Someone punch me in the face, repeatedly, until I drop dead, because I cannot handle this shit anymore.

  4. Flawless evolution at work (unfortunately, it doesn’t have a species bias). In the 1980’s, cockroaches in a Florida ‘test kitchen’ mysteriously defeated a poison bait that had, up until then, worked. Researchers eventually discovered that many of the roaches had lost their sweet tooth, and in just five years, the trait became so widespread that the bait was rendered useless. A study published Thursday explains the genetic mutation that allowed this to happen. In “normal” cockroaches, glucose excites neurons that tell the brain the food is “sweet”. However, in mutated cockroaches, glucose not only activates the “sweet” neuron, but another that tells it “yuck”. The “yuck” neuron overpowers the signal from the “sweet” neurons, so the brain gets the message that the food tastes awful.  Read More. [Photo Source.]

    Flawless evolution at work (unfortunately, it doesn’t have a species bias).

    In the 1980’s, cockroaches in a Florida ‘test kitchen’ mysteriously defeated a poison bait that had, up until then, worked. Researchers eventually discovered that many of the roaches had lost their sweet tooth, and in just five years, the trait became so widespread that the bait was rendered useless.

    A study published Thursday explains the genetic mutation that allowed this to happen. In “normal” cockroaches, glucose excites neurons that tell the brain the food is “sweet”. However, in mutated cockroaches, glucose not only activates the “sweet” neuron, but another that tells it “yuck”. The “yuck” neuron overpowers the signal from the “sweet” neurons, so the brain gets the message that the food tastes awful. 

    Read More.

    [Photo Source.]

  5. Bacteria Found Growing In Subzero Arctic Frost, Which Is Good News For Mars Life “A team of researchers in the Canadian Arctic is reporting on an interesting find: bacteria that thrive at –15 degrees Celsius. That is the coldest environment bacteria have ever been found to grow in.” Planococcus halocryophilus, whichmakes its home in the tiny veins of salt water in the arctic permafrost, can grow and survive in temperatures as low as -25 degrees celsius. Why are scientists so interested? Well, aside from how amazing this discovery is on its own, it also has major implications for the search for bacteria on Mars and Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Both mars, and its moon, may have similar habitats to the one this bacteria has made its arctic home.  

    Bacteria Found Growing In Subzero Arctic Frost, Which Is Good News For Mars Life

    “A team of researchers in the Canadian Arctic is reporting on an interesting find: bacteria that thrive at –15 degrees Celsius. That is the coldest environment bacteria have ever been found to grow in.”

    Planococcus halocryophilus, whichmakes its home in the tiny veins of salt water in the arctic permafrost, can grow and survive in temperatures as low as -25 degrees celsius.

    Why are scientists so interested? Well, aside from how amazing this discovery is on its own, it also has major implications for the search for bacteria on Mars and Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Both mars, and its moon, may have similar habitats to the one this bacteria has made its arctic home.

     

  6. As soon as I get permission to post these photos you are getting so many baby raccoon photos.

  7. mortaccia asked: Could you find a reason why there have been no herbivorous snakes in terms of evolution ? Thank you for your amazing work!

    There’s a great write-up on the subject here!

    And hey, thanks :)

  8. climateadaptation:

    Discovery Channel exploits wolf killing, garners highest cable TV ratings among males 25-54.

    Lately, these shows have also filmed killing of wolverines, lynx, grizzly bears, rattle snakes, and crocodiles for no reason other than ratings. The wolf, above, was no threat to Tanana. The show exploits viewer’s naivete about guns by shooting this animal with an AR-15 semi-automatic gun. That’s not how Alaskans hunt, they use hunting rifles, not assault weapons that look good on camera. In fact, Alaskan outdoorsmen and women are appalled at this blatant exploitation of both the animal and the audience. There is no need for this.

    My point is that we are at a critical time in human history. Species are going extinct at a rapid pace, science education is under attack from aging politicians, and young people are generally experiencing nature less and less.

    I am genuinely worried about the future of this country’s environmental leadership. Federal conservation programs, which have taken decades to create, are weakening. The ethic of conservationism (a conservative ethos) is dwindling. Young people are being pulled in the direction of technology, and away from grandeur, away from fresh air and nature.

    It seems to me that one important aspect of this messy new milieu are education based TV companies who heretofore have been untouched by healthy criticism.

    I think it’s time to analyze the impact of these shows. I believe that the Discovery Channel et al are not contributing to a healthy planet nor are they assisting educating viewers. It seems to me they are mastering fear for short term gain and profits. If I am correct, and I believe I am, these companies need to stop and focus on their mission, which is non-fiction, education-based media - not sensationalism or harm.

    I hope you agree with me.

    (via rorschachx)

  9. ichthyologist: Catshark Also known as dogfish, catsharks are a family of ground sharks consisting of over 150 species. Their name comes from their feline-like eyes. Most species are small, growing no longer than 80 cm. Daniel Kwok on Flickr

    ichthyologist:

    Catshark

    Also known as dogfish, catsharks are a family of ground sharks consisting of over 150 species. Their name comes from their feline-like eyes. Most species are small, growing no longer than 80 cm.

    Daniel Kwok on Flickr