Tag

Lichen

All articles tagged with #lichen

science-and-technology2 years ago•1 min saved

"Survival of Lichen on International Space Station Exterior"

Lichen from Antarctica's McMurdo Dry Valleys survived 18 months on a platform attached to the outside of the International Space Station's Columbus module, demonstrating potential for life to exist on Mars. Despite emerging in worse shape than temperate lichens tested separately in "Mars-like conditions," over 60% of the cells remained intact after exposure to Mars, indicating lichen's resilience to extreme conditions in outer space. This study adds to previous evidence of lichen's ability to withstand the harsh environment of space, suggesting its potential for survival beyond Earth.

via ExplorersWeb|

#international-space-station #lichen #mars

science2 years ago•4 min saved

"Unveiling the Unique Night Vision of Santa's Reindeer in Winter"

Reindeer may have evolved their vision to spot their favorite food, lichen, during dark and snowy Arctic winters. Researchers have found that reindeer can see in the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum, allowing them to detect UV-absorbing lichens against the snowy landscape. This ability gives reindeer an advantage in locating their primary food source, especially during the scarce winter months. The study also explains why reindeer eyes change between summer and winter, with their tapetum transitioning to a vivid blue that enhances the low light of polar winter. The researchers suggest that reindeer eyes are optimized to single out lichens, which are crucial for their survival in the barren environment.

via Phys.org|

#arctic #evolution #lichen