RenoVous

  Scientists have sequenced the entire genome of an Australian lungfish to better understand the genetic adaptations of terrestrialization - when the first fish dragged itself out of the water onto land about 430 million years ago.  Lungfish are ancestors of those Sarcopterygii. It is the longest genome to date, 14 times the human genome.  It has 43 million base pairs with large intergenic regions and repeating introns, which don't code for proteins. "Phylogenomic analysis ascertained that the lungfish occupy an evolutionary key-position as closest living relatives to tetrapods, underscoring their importance for understanding innovations associated with terrestrialization," the authors wrote. These adaptations include: Development of limb-like structures A single dorsal lung The ability to detect scents in the air "It is genomically halfway between a fish and a land-based vertebrate." This is Granddad, the oldest known lungfish.  He had to be euthanized in 2017

  Last year I made a post specifically for the Challenger  explosion:  Here But January 28 has more history as well. Such as this, from 1985. We had to sing this for a school concert once, holding a banner that then hung in the music teacher's classroom. In 1777, General John Burgoyne thought he had a plan to isolate New England from the rest of the colonies, allowing for an attack on Philadelphia.  He might have been successful had he not overextended his supply chain.  As they marched south, the Americans were able to cut the supply line.  He surrendered in Saratoga in October of the same year. Had he not been involved in the war, he most likely would have been remembered as a dramatist.  He was a notable playwright and poet.  He also wrote and translated operatic pieces. Stephen Biko was a leader of the "Black Consciousness" movement in South Africa during apartheid.  In 1972 he helped organize the Black People's Convention but was banned from politics the followin

  Woke up to a good snow this morning. We had some snow last weekend too - we took a little drive around one lake to another. Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe - it was just too crowded to park and get out. So we stopped at Washoe Lake instead.

  January 26, 1788 marks the first arrival of British ships at New South Wales, and the raising of the Great Britain flag.  While many choose to celebrate the diverse society and landscape of the nation, others prefer to call this Invasion Day, because of the many Indigenous lives lost. A recent poll showed 49% of Australians believe the date should be changed. Australia gained independence on January 1, 1901 so that's a frontrunner.  Prior to the 26th being made official, many Australians celebrated Anzac Day, a day of remembrance for soldiers, as their national holiday.  Gaining support is May 8, because "mate." A quick news search shows the many protests going on, the marches for Indigenous recognition. "Always was, always will be Aboriginal land." It wasn't until May 27, 1967 that Aboriginals were granted Constitutional rights. There are two groups: Aboriginal peoples, related to those who already inhabited Australia when Britain colonized the island - a

  Nominees for Best Fashion Film Showing Up Showing Out - Margot Bowman Drag Syndrome - Jess Kohl Won Best Director Winner Le Mythe Dior - Matteo Garrone Best New Fashion Film WATA - Ronan McKenzie and Joy Yamusangie Also won Best New Director and Best Music Best Experimental Fashion Film Stories from a Twelfth-Floor Hotel Room - Zheqiang Zhang Video not on YouTube so click  Here  for Vimeo. FFFM

  The Danakil Depression in Ethiopia - here, Lake Karum peeks out through a hole in the salt flats. It lies at the junction of three tectonic plates, developed as a result of Africa and Asia moving apart.  This area is about 410 feet below sea level, and is one of the hottest places on Earth.  The average temperature is 94 degrees F.  Volcanic activity helps heat the various spring waters up to 212 degrees. A cone formed around a small geyser. They discharge brine and acidic liquid, producing cones of salt. Erta Ale is an active basaltic shield volcano, and the most active in Ethiopia. It also holds the longest existing lava lake, present since around 1906. Dallol, a cinder cone volcano, was formed by the intrusion of basaltic magma into the Miocene salt deposits and the subsequent hydrothermal activity. The Afar people still mine for salt here, as their grandfather's grandfather's did. Salt is considered "white gold" and was a form of currency until the 20th century.

 This morning I wanted to check out the Inauguration Concert - hosted by Tom Hanks, there were performances by Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Yo-Yo Ma, and more.  Here are a few. There wasn't a separate video for Yo-Yo Ma's performance, so here is the full event, set to start at his cover of Amazing Grace.

  President Joe Biden First Lady Dr. Jill Biden Madam Vice President Kamala Harris Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff The Delaware Humane Association hosted an Indoguration Ceremony on Sunday to celebrate Major being the first shelter dog to move into the White House. He was adopted in 2018 - Biden's other dog, Champ, was with them in 2008 during their VP terms. Through the event, the Association was able to raise over $100,000. So here's to the next four years.  May we not lose our shit, America.

  First a creek we checked out - it looked like a perfect nursery spot, but we didn't see any fish. Wall Canyon, our destination. The dam side was frozen, and here you can see some ice chunks floating by. Eyes on the cast. Eyes on the fish. Hubby cooked it up last night, delicious.  This morning I'll add some to my bagel with cream cheese.  Yummmmmmmmmmm.

 In honor of Martin Luther King Jr Day, I found a Black-Owned brand to spotlight. Grass Fields aims to "show what Africa is all about, and educate others on how on point our style is."  All the African prints in their collections are sourced from Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, and sometimes the Ivory Coast.  The brand is owned by sisters Christelle and Michelle Nganhou.  Their workshop is in the UK, but they hope to open one in Cameroon, where they are from. Site MLK Jr Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.

  Yucca brevifolia - Joshua Tree They were named by Mormon settlers who felt that their outstretched limbs guided them on their westward journey.  But they're not actually trees, they're succulents.  Living in dry ecosystems, such as the Mojave Desert, they are well adapted to store water.   Since they aren't trees, they don't have annual growth rings, so determining their age can be difficult.  Scientists have to measure the height of the tree and then divide by an estimate of growth per year, (and it is a slow growth).  One in California is believed to be nearly 1,000 years old, but 150 is the more common lifespan. Joshuas need a cold period in order to flower, and because of this they are vulnerable to climate change.  The US Fish and Wildlife Service is currently reviewing listing the plant under the federal Endangered Species Act.  In September 2020, California added it to their Endangered Species Act, and it is illegal to cut down, damage, or remove a Joshua Tree

  You may have heard recently that someone, some terrible person (or people), broke the law by even touching a manatee, and scraped TRUMP into the algae on its back.  They took advantage of the gentle nature of these animals and performed an atrocious political act. Manatees are considered endangered/vulnerable (status under debate).  They are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978. The algae finds a manatee's back to be ideal breeding ground, and the manatees receive a sort of sunblock in return.  They like to be in warm shallow waters so it is a benefit. Manatees typically swim solo or with a calf.  When seen in a group, it's either for mating or simply because they're all enjoying a good spot in the ocean.  They are herbivores, though occasionally a small fish will be eaten from the vegetation. Manatees are considered slow moving creatures, typically swimming 3-5 miles pe