Monday, June 16, 2008

Influx June links

In 1969 a hefty lump of carbonaceous solar system detritus exploded over Murchison, Victoria (Aust). The collected fragments are now known as the Murchison meteorite and the study of its rich organic content has given scientists and cosmic philosophers plenty to ponder. The meteorite was found to contain amino acids, including some very unusual types not usually found here on earth. The chirality of the amino acids has also led to discussions about the origin of the left handedness in amino acids common to life on earth. Some researchers have also claimed that structures seen under the electron microscope may be nanobacteria (similar claims have been made for the Martian meteorite ALH84001). Now uracil and xanthine, important precursor molecules to nucleic acids (DNA + RNA) have been found in the Murchison meteorite, and analysis indicates that the nucleobases contain a heavy form of carbon which could only have been formed in space.

It appears that brain synapses vary in complexity with humans presumably possessing the dual core Pentium equivalent.
Its also good to see that the most complex information processing structure in the known universe is capable of running smoothly for at least 115 years.
To another information network, the hive. Bee language is a well characterised form of communication. It appears more consistent than human language however: despite regional differences, bees from across the globe have been shown to communicate with each other.

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