Category Science

Geologists propose that lying beneath New Zealand is a long-hidden continent called Zealandia.

A continuous expanse of continental crust covering 4.9 million sq/kms, Zealandia is bigger than the Indian subcontinent, but it would be the smallest of the world’s continents. Unlike the others, around 94 per cent of Zealandia hides beneath the ocean. Only New Zealand, New Caledonia and a few small islands are visible above the sea, Zealandia rises about 9800 feet above the surrounding ocean crust. “If it wasn’t for the ocean level, long ago we’d have recognized Zealandia for what it was – a continent,”says geologist Nick Mortimer.

Zealandia rises about 9800 feet above the surrounding ocean crust.”If it wasn’t for the ocean level, long ago we’d have recognized Zealandia for what it was – a continent.” says geologist Nick Mortimer.

Zealandia probably began as part of the south-eastern edge of the super continent Gondwana before it began breaking off around 100 million years ago. This break-up distorted Zealandia, ultimately lowering it below sea level.

Zealandia faces a battle for continent status as there is no scientific body that formally recognizes continents. Recognizing it as a continent would help scientists piece together ancient super continents, and help in the study of how geologic forces reshape landmasses over time.

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A Single gram of poison from Bruno’s casque-headed frog (Aparasphenodon brunoi) is enough to kill 80 humans. The frogs deliver the toxins into the bloodstream of the predator using bony spines that grow out of their skulls which are rooted in glands that secrete the toxic mucous. The frogs live in holes on trees, closing the hole with their heads to maintain humidity inside and reduce water loss from the body. The top of their heads is similar to the barks of trees, making it difficult for a predator to see them. But in case the disguise is identified, it’s impossible for the predator to grab the frog by the head to pull it out of the hole.

Venomous animals have toxins associated with delivery mechanisms that can introduce the toxins into another animal.

Although most amphibian species produce or sequester noxious or toxic secretions in the glands of the skin to use as anti predator mechanisms, they have been considered poisonous rather than venomous because delivery mechanisms are absent.

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Created by the Institute ofAdvance Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) the world’s first 3D printed pedestrian bridge is 12 metres long and 1.75 metres wide, and spans a body of water in Castilla-La Mancha Park in Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain. The bridge is made up of eight parts, each made of concrete powder micro-reinforced with thermoplastic polypropylene. “This is an evolutionary technique which involves depositing layers of material one sheet on another. Instead of using ink like a normal printer, we were depositing layers of material one sheet on another. Instead of using ink like a normal printer, we were depositing construction material, “said the IAAC team.

The institute stated in a press release that the parametric design allowed for the optimal distribution of the material and minimized the amount of waste by recycling the raw material during production. The design also allowed for maximum structural performance. The material is used only where it is needed, with complete freedom in terms of form, maintaining its porosity thanks to the application of generative algorithms and challenging the traditional techniques of construction.

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No man-made object has survived on Venus for more than 127 minutes. A Soviet spacecraft called Venera 13 lasted for 127 minutes when it arrived on the planet: it was eventually crushed by the enormous heat and pressure of the planet. Venus’ 470 degree Celsius temperature, sulphuric acid atmosphere, and overwhelming air pressure (90 times greater than our home planet’s) have left scientists with the challenge to develop technology to withstand such a harsh environment.

After a four-month journey to Venus, the spacecraft descended through the planet’s atmosphere, plunging through the clouds toward the surface. Venera 13 then popped a parachute and rode it all the way down.

Venera 13 touched down safely on March 1, 1982, in the southern hemisphere of Venus, on an area that the Lunar and Planetary Institute describes as “a typical expanse of Venusians’ plains.” The broad area around the landing site is known to contain lava flows and small dome volcanoes, which may indicate an active surface.

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The Naica mine in Chihuahua, Mexico, yields zinc, lead, and silver – and giant gypsum crystals, some reaching more than 30 feet long, that have made the Cueva de los Cristales or Cave of Crystals famous.

Recently, NASA researchers found microbes that thrive on iron, sulphur, and other chemicals, trapped in fluid pockets inside the massive crystals. Analysis suggests that the microbes may have been tucked away in these tiny time capsules for 10,000 to 50,000 years and may have been dormant for some or all of that time. But they “remained viable and were able to be regrown”. The microbes that ended up growing were genetically distant from any known living microbes.

The microbes could represent some of the toughest extremophiles on the planet – dwelling at depths 100 to 400 metres below Earth’s surface and enduring temperature of 45 degree to 65 degree Celsius. Studies like these show that some microbes are hardy creatures, willing to turn just about any habitat into a home.

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Indian long pepper may soon be used as a potential cancer treatment drug, according to a new study. It contains a chemical that could stop the body from producing an enzyme that is commonly found in tumors in large number, according to a study in Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Long pepper’s medicinal properties date back thousands of years. Its benefits were even cited by Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician known as the father of medicine. Its cancer-fighting secret lies in a chemical called Piperlongumine (PL), which has shown activity against many cancers including prostate, breast, lung, colon, lymphoma, leukemia, primary brain tumors and gastric cancer.

Using x-ray crystallography, researchers were able to create molecular structures that show how the chemical is transformed after being ingested. PL converts to , an active drug that silences a gene called GSTPI. The GSTPI gene produces a detoxification enzyme that is often overly abundant in tumors.

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