Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.

By Alton Parrish (Reporter)
Contributor profile | More stories

Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

Neither Animal Nor Vegetable, But It's Alive In The Sea

Wednesday, October 10, 2012 8:44

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.

Euglenids are unicellular protists (neither animal, nor vegetal) living in the sea and in fresh water. Scientists are intrigued by one of their peculiarities, a way of moving called “metaboly”, different from their other movement, i.e. the flagellar one. This is a unique way of moving because it is the result of big deformations of the animal, but not much more is known about it. Actually, not much more was known about it, because a group of SISSA scientists has tried to give an answer to this matter. The results have been published on October 9, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS).

Credit: SISSA/PNAS

Firstly, the group led by Antonio De Simone, Professor at SISSA, provided a detailed description of this mysterious movement. “We used some microscope videos of those animals and we described their movement quantitatively, using the method of statistical learning”, explained De Simone. “Then we used the data to formulate a mathematical model of the movement in which the sliding of the membrane is fundamental”.

“We haven’t yet a direct proof that this protist moves as described by our model, but we have provided a detailed description of a mechanism according to the data we have observed”, clarified De Simone. This work is an example of what scientists call reverse engineering, i.e. design of new technologies starting from observation of nature (Velcro is the most famous example of it, it was devised after observing how some seeds “stick”, such as burdock).

“Just think of all the possible medical applications of micro-robots and micro-cameras able to move inside the human body”, added De Simone. “Studies like this will lay the foundations to develop similar systems, as well as give some answers to biologists on the nature of euglenids and the evolutionary meaning of their way of moving”.

“Sliding motion is the basis of the mechanism hypothesized by SISSA”, clarified Alfred Beran, biologist at OGS (the Italian National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics). “To date we do not have any microscopy technique to observe in vivo the stripes on the membranes of euglenids, but we are working on it, and it is one of our main goals”.

Contacts and sources:
Sissa Medialab

http://intl.pnas.org/content/early/2012/10/08/1213977109.abstract

Citation: M.Arroyo, L. Heltai, D. Milan, and A. DeSimone, “Reverse engineering the euglenoid movement” PNAS October 9, 2012

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

LION'S MANE PRODUCT

Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules

Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.

Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.

Comments

Visits:	1,707,714,656
Stories:	8,448,379