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Title: Bizarre iron-shelled snail that lives in underwater volcanoes and can endure searingly high temperatures and pressures draws in minerals from the environment to reinforce its scaly 'armour', genetic analysis reveals
Source: [None]
URL Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/science ... elling-iron-shelled-snail.html
Published: May 7, 2020
Author: Michael Havis For Mailonline
Post Date: 2020-05-07 12:19:13 by Ada
Keywords: None
Views: 1482
Comments: 7

The scaly-foot snail is the only creature known to incorporate iron in its skeleton
It survives high temperatures and high pressures of underwater volcanic vents
Decoding its genome for the first time could revel secrets of life's early evolution
Their resilient iron-coated shells may also develop stronger protective armour

The mystery of the volcano-dwelling snail and its iron shell has been unravelled by scientists after its genome was decoded for the first time.

The scaly-foot snail (Chrysomallon squamiferum) survives in what researchers have called the 'impossible living conditions' of underwater volcanic vents.

Enduring searing temperatures, high pressure, strong acidity and low oxygen, it is the only living creature known to incorporate iron into its skeleton.

Studying it will reveal the secrets of how early life evolved, scientists hope, as well as unlocking its 'huge potential' for medicine and other applications.

And now a team at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has made a breakthrough, decoding its genome for the first time.

The team identified 25 'transcription factors' – proteins that directly interpret the genome – that contribute to the production of tissue-stiffening minerals.

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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 2.

#1. To: Ada (#0)

Some like it hot ;)

NeoconsNailed  posted on  2020-05-07   18:37:09 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


#2. To: NeoconsNailed (#1)

Some like it hot ;)

When I did mineral collecting, a bunch of us from the club were on a filed trip to a quarry in the midwest.

One of the guys that was not very bright was walking across a charged filed that was rigged to blow Monday morning.

I hollered at him, "YOU BETTER GET OUT OF THERE BEFORE YOU BLOW US ALL TO KINGDOM COME!"

He violated one of the most basic safety rules. NEVER walk into a charged field. :-/

BTP Holdings  posted on  2020-05-07   18:54:01 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


Replies to Comment # 2.

#4. To: BTP Holdings (#2)

Gracious -- it's live days ahead of time?

NeoconsNailed  posted on  2020-05-07 23:06:05 ET  Reply   Untrace   Trace   Private Reply  


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