California: Saat sedang menggali sebuah situs kuno, peneliti dari California Utara, Amerika Serikat, dikejutkan dnegan penemuan bakteri yang diperkirakan berusia puluhan ribu tahun. Seperti diwartakan Thirdage.com, baru-baru ini, bakteri berusia 34 ribu tahun di Death Valley. Bakteri tersebut bentuknya sangat kecil, serta berada di dalam kristal garam.
Kristal garam tumbuh dengan cepat, bersifat menyimpan apa pun yang terjadi di dekatnya. Hal tersebut mirip dengan miniatur bola salju yang dibuat secara alami.
Brian Schubert, salah satu peneliti, mengaku terkejut dengan penemuan bakteri tua tersebut. "Bagian yang paling menarik untuk saya adalah ketika kami mampu mengidentifikasi sel dunaliella (alga) di sana," ungkapnya. Ia menambahkan, "Sekalipun dalam keadaan kelaparan, bakteri akan langsung memasang pola bertahan hidup."
Menakjubkan memang, bakteri tersebut masih hidup. Namun, mereka tidak menggunakan energi apa pun untuk "berenang" di sekitarnya. Bahkan, mereka tidak berkembang biak, mereka tidak melakukan apa-apa kecuali mempertahankan diri.
Langkah selanjutnya, para peneliti akan mencari tahu cara bakteri dapat bertahan dalam keadaan hibernasi. Penelitian tambahan mungkin dilakukan guna mendapatkan informasi mengenai perbaikan DNA mikroba.(DES/ANS)
Bacteria Survive For 34 Thousand Years
California: We're exploring an ancient site, researchers from Northern California, United States, surprised the discovery of the bacteria moved at an estimated tens of thousands of years old. As Thirdage.com proclaimed, recently, the bacteria was 34 thousand years in Death Valley. The bacteria form a very small, as well as inside the salt crystals.
Salt crystals grow rapidly, is to save whatever is happening nearby. This is similar to a miniature snow balls created by nature.
Salt crystals grow rapidly, is to save whatever is happening nearby. This is similar to a miniature snow balls created by nature.
Brian Schubert, one of the researchers, said parents shocked by the discovery of these bacteria. "The most interesting part for me was when we were able to identify cells Dunaliella (algae) in there," he said. He added, "Even in a state of starvation, the bacteria will instantly set up patterns of survival."
Amazing indeed, the bacteria are still alive. However, they did not use any energy to "swim" in the vicinity. In fact, they do not breed, they do not do anything except to defend themselves.
The next step, researchers will find out how the bacteria can survive in a state of hibernation. Additional research may be conducted to obtain information on microbial DNA repair. (DES / ANS)
