#manganese-rich

[spacenutspod]

The Space, Astronomy and Science Podcast. SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 55 *New findings point to an Earth-like environment on ancient Mars A new study using data from NASA’s Mars curiosity rover suggests there was once an Earth-like environment on ancient Mars. *Could purple be the new green in search for alien life A new study suggests that life on other planets with different atmospheres and orbiting different types of stars wouldn’t display Earth like forests of green. *HyImpulse’s SR75 rocket blasts off Germany’s HyImpulse has successfully launched its SR75 sounding rocket on a test flight from Southern Launch’s Koonibba Test Range west of Ceduna on South Australia’s west coast. *The Science Report Being vegetarian is linked to a much slower progression of prostate cancer. A new way of cleaning up per-and poly-Fluro-alkyls – the so called forever chemicals. Why do people prefer their alcoholic beverages cold. Skeptics guide to when psychics say the Russian invasion of Ukraine will end. https://spacetimewithstuartgary.com  https://www.bitesz.com/show/spacetime/   This week’s guests include: Lígia Fonseca Coelho from Cornell university Associate professor Lisa Kaltenegger from Cornell University Shannon Curry from the University of Colorado boulder and principal scientist for NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN spacecraft MAVEN   And our regular guests: Alex Zaharov-Reutt from techadvice.life Tim Mendham from Australian Skeptics Jonathan Nally from Sky and Telescope Magazine   🌏 Get Our Exclusive NordPass deal here ➼ https://www.bitesz.com/nordpass . The discount is incredible! And it’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! ✌   Listen to SpaceTime on your favorite podcast app with our universal listen link:  https://spacetimewithstuartgary.com/listen and access show links via https://linktr.ee/biteszHQ Additionally, listeners can support the podcast and gain access to bonus content by becoming a SpaceTime crew member through www.bitesz.supercast.com or through premium versions on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Details on our website at https://spacetimewithstuartgary.com For yur daily dose of Space and Astronomy News, check out Astronomy Daily the Podcast. Available wherever you get podcasts. Or listen and get details from our website at www.astronomydaily.io

[deepwoundsandfadedscars]

Went to the museum today to see the new fossil on display and brooo it's so cool

[jpitha]

The Oxygen Breathers

I thought I posted this one here, but it looks like I didn’t, so here you go!

It was always an event when the Humans visited.

They'd arrive in their sleek, smooth, thick ships; completely at odds with the other ships of the Coalition. Human ships always looked like they were grown rather than built. People would whisper how the Humans made their ships as tough as they were. How human ships could go atmospheric and land on the ground.

It was nonsense of course, no ship - human or otherwise - could do that. Kre'kk figured that the Humans probably spread that rumor themselves.

After they'd arrive, they would come out of the docking umbilical in their small, highly polished suits. They were a rare class of sapient indeed.

The Oxygen Breathers.

Most 'civilized' people in the Coalition came from worlds with manganese sulfur atmospheres. The humans with their oxidizer for a breathing gas were seen as brash, reckless folks who make decisions without proper consideration. Given the reactive nature of their atmosphere, it's practically a given that they too are more reactive in their choices.

Kre'kk stands at attention at the end of the umbilical ready to welcome the humans for their - hopefully - short visit. They come from a high gravity world with a single massive moon - fully a quarter of the size of their own planet itself - so their environmental defaults are... somewhat extreme compared to the rest of the Coalition. The never fail to mention the moon.

As they approached, they reach one half unit away from Kre'kk and stop. He looked down at them - they were about half his height - and he made the Universal Gesture of welcome. The humans reciprocate and Kre'kk’s head frill rustles.

"Welcome to Coalition Orbital 43559 - known to the Lemilar as 'Habilamen.' I am Administrator Kre'kk and I welcome you as equals for you visit."

The human at the head of the group is wearing a slightly different suit. Still polished and reflective, but where the rest of the humans are wearing suits of pitch black - darker than interstellar space - this one is a deep vermillion red. Kre'kk is drawn to the color. It's so rich! It almost looks wet.

When they begin to speak, a simplified icon of a human face is projected onto the smooth polished surface of the helmet. It seems that the humans have taken some care to make themselves look less frightening in their environmental suits. "Thank you for the greeting, Administrator Kre'kk. I am Captain Margaret Kellerman and this is my crew." She gestures behind her. "We plan on staying only for three cycles demi in order to take on a load of Ribanium and trade with any interested parties. I will share with you a manifest of what we have available to trade." She gestures on her arm, and the file appears on Kre'kk's pad.

Kre'kk is taken aback at her voice. It's so clear. She seems to be speaking through a translator, but it is getting the nuance and overtones of the Lemilar Trade Language perfectly. She could have a career as an entertainer or storyteller easily if she was a difference species. Kre’kk swallows. "Uh, thank you Captain, I have received your file and will distribute it. Please make use of our facilities during your stay."

Captain Kellerman's helmet flashed a icon of a face, smiling - without their teeth - broadly. "Thank you Administrator Kre'kk, we shall."

For two cycles, Kre'kk held out hope that the human's visit would be without incident. They came in quietly, did some minor trading, loaded their Ribanium and spent a… reasonable amount of money on entertainment and refreshments - suitable for their systems - while on board. Kre'kk felt they were trying very hard to be model visitors. Apparently they knew humans had a reputation in the Coalition for being... rowdy.

On the last demi cycle before the Humans were scheduled to depart a group of Felimen came over, angry. They had spent the entire two cycles previous loudly complaining that the humans shouldn't be here, and that they had captured Felimen colonies long ago and had begun the process of 'poisoning them' to be more suitable to them. The Human authorities maintain - and have the receipts to prove - that they purchased the planets legally from the Felimen, and never attempted to hide their goals of colonization and geoengineering. Regardless, a long, bloody war had followed and the humans had pushed the Felimen to capitulate and were currently engaged in a Cold War with each other.

Kre'kk was alerted as soon as the shouts started. The Felimen seemed to come to the humans wanting to cause trouble. For their part, the humans tried their best to talk the Felimen down. Their helmet icons were looking sad and quiet and they gestured in ways to try and reduce tension. The Felimen were having none of it though.

As Kre'kk undulated over to try and calm them, one of the Felimen in the back had wheeled out a battle rifle. Kre'kk had no idea how they had snuck it in, but it was completely banned on the Orbital and was cause for immediate expulsion. Before he could sound the alarm and get the Orbital authorities to come, they fired at the group of humans.

It proved to be a fatal error in judgement.

One of the humans in the front of the group was struck directly in their center of mass. They staggered back, and their suit showed significant damage. Luckily for them the suit was not penitrated. The humans reputation for building strong was well earned apparently.

Faster than Kre'kk could follow and only confirmed by viewing the security footage after the fact, three of the humans brought massive slug throwers to bear. Kre’kk knew that the Coalition sapient races find chemical powered metal slug throwers to be far too heavy to be hand weapons. If they are used, they're tripod or vehicle mounted. The humans are apparently experts in their manufacture and use, and can swing them around like they weigh nothing.

The noise of the slug throwers in the hall was deafening. Kre'kk winced as his active noise cancellation dampened the noise and wondered how the humans could take the noise without being injured, but he assumed they must also have some kind of noise cancelling built into their environmental suits.

They fired for a short time indeed, but it was more than enough. All of the Felimen were dead, with the ones in the front unrecognizable. The silence in the hall after they finished firing weighed heavy. It felt like an eternity after they had stopped before the station alarms sounded.

Kre'kk moved over to the humans. They were checking eachothers suits and cleaning up the small yellow colored pieces of metal that come flying out of their throwers when they fire. "Brass" is what they call it. Kre'kk gestured an apology. "I'm sorry. Battle weapons are banned here. You're going to have to leave now."

Captain Kellerman's icon showed pure fury. Her gauntlet covered hand pointed at him accusingly. "You're going to take their side, Administrator? You were here, you saw them. They shot first! They damaged the suit of one of my crew! It was through the luck of Forturne herself that his suit was not pierced!”

Kre'kk slid back one half unit unconsciously. "Be that as it may, you responded with… disproportionate force to their attack. It was uncalled for."

Captain Kellerman sputtered, her melodic voice taking on frightening undertones as the translator worked overtime to relay her fury to Kre'kk. "Uncalled for!? Administrator Kre'kk with all due respect you are out of line. You know about the war I assume, but do you know what they did to our colonies? They dropped nanobombs on our legally purchased colonies. They weren't trying to take back land, they were trying to obliterate us. I was there, I saw it with my own eyes."

Kre'kk was taken aback. This was not part of the standard narrative about the war. "I did not know that no, the Felimen-"

"The Felimen tell their own version of the war in order to garner support and sympathy against 'the aggressor human' I'm sure." Captain Kellerman sounded bitter in the translated voice. "Kre'kk. Your people border the Felimen opposite us do you not?"

"Yes, our territory borders theirs but-"

"And have you by any chance heard of some border worlds coming under some kind of unknown trouble? Maybe a strange illness, or unusually strong weather on the worlds?"

Kre'kk's frill rippled worriedly and he said nothing. He had heard about things like that.

Captain Kellerman cleared her helmet. Suddenly, Kre'kk saw her clearly. Small, with bilateral symmetry, close set binocular eyes and a small mouth, this was the first time Kre'kk saw a human as they are, not as their icons show them. They are predators. They are hunters.

They are terrifying.

Kre'kk unconsciously made a gesture of fear and slid back another half unit. Captain Kellerman's face contorted into a snarl. "Know this Kre'kk. It's only a matter of time before they do to you what they attempted - and failed - to do to us. Think hard about who your friends are and who in the Coalition you can come to for help when they start dropping nanobombs on your worlds." Just as suddenly as it had cleared, her helmet darkened again, and the cartoon icon of her face returned. It felt like a mockery to Kre'kk now.

The humans picked up the rest of their debris and freed their weapons. Faster than Kre'kk could ripple, they were all carrying slug throwers. "We're leaving, Administrator Kre'kk. If any Felimen even come within 5 units of us-" The people behind her cycled a round into their rifles for emphasis "-we will take it as a provocation and will respond with 'disproportionate' force."

"Y-yes Captain. I will relay this information."

"Oh and Administrator Kre'kk? Your Station will be added to the list of Orbitals where humans will not go. We will do no trading, sell no wares, and offer no defense. You and yours will do well to consider your stance vis-a-vis us and the Felimen."

Without another word, the group of humans turned and marched towards their ship. Shaking, Kre'kk signaled that they were not to be interrupted and made sure their warning about Felimen was relayed.

After they left and the mess was cleaned up, Kre'kk sat in his quarters and stared out the window at the planet below a long time. One of his creche mates was living on a newly founded colony bordering Felimen space. He began composing a message to beam to her asking if she had any plans about moving back.

[theambitiouswoman]

Foods You Can Eat Instead of Taking Vitamins and Supplements 🍎🥥🥦🥑🍌

Vitamin A: Carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale.

B Vitamins: Whole grains, meat, eggs, nuts, legumes.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Whole grains, legumes, nuts, pork, fortified cereals.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Dairy products, lean meats, almonds, leafy greens. Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Poultry, fish, nuts, legumes, whole grains.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): Meat, poultry, eggs, avocado, whole grains.

B6: Chicken, turkey, fish, bananas, chickpeas.

Folate (Vitamin B9): Leafy greens, legumes, citrus fruits, fortified grains.

Vitamin B12: Animal products (meat, fish, dairy), fortified plant-based foods.

Vitamin C: Citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers.

Vitamin D: Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel), fortified dairy products, sunlight.

Vitamin E: Sunflower seeds, almonds, vegetable oils, nuts, spinach, broccoli.

Vitamin F (Essential Fatty Acids): Fatty fish, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts.

Vitamin H (Biotin): Eggs, nuts, sweet potatoes, salmon, avocado.

Vitamin K: Leafy greens (kale, spinach), broccoli, Brussels sprouts.

Vitamin K2: Fermented foods (natto, cheese), animal products, leafy greens.

Vitamin L1 (Anthranilic Acid): Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower), legumes.

Vitamin P (Bioflavonoids): Citrus fruits, berries, onions, green tea.

Vitamin Q (Ubiquinone): Fatty fish, organ meats, spinach, cauliflower.

Vitamin T (L-carnitine): Red meat, poultry, fish, dairy products.

Vitamin U (S-Methylmethionine): Cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts.

Betaine: Beets, spinach, whole grains, seafood.

Boron: Fruits (apples, pears), legumes, nuts, avocado.

Calcium: Dairy products, leafy greens (kale, collard greens), almonds.

Carnosine: Beef, poultry, fish.

Carnitine: Red meat, dairy products, fish.

Catechins: Green tea, black tea, dark chocolate.

Choline: Eggs, liver, beef, broccoli, soybeans.

Creatine: Red meat, fish, poultry.

Chromium: Broccoli, whole grains, nuts, brewer's yeast.

Chondroitin: Cartilage-rich foods (bone broth, connective tissue of meat).

Copper: Shellfish, nuts, seeds, organ meats, lentils.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): Fatty fish, organ meats, nuts, soybean oil.

Ellagic Acid: Berries (strawberries, raspberries), pomegranates.

Glucosinolates: Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower).

Glucosamine: Shellfish (shrimp, crab), bone broth, animal connective tissues.

Glutamine: Dairy products, meat, poultry, cabbage.

Inositol: Citrus fruits, beans, nuts, whole grains.

Iodine: Seafood, iodized salt, dairy products.

Iron: Red meat, poultry, beans, lentils, spinach.

L-Theanine: Mushrooms, black tea, white tea, guayusa.

Lignans: Flaxseeds, whole grains, cruciferous vegetables.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Leafy greens (spinach, kale), corn, eggs.

Lycopene: Tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit.

Magnesium: Spinach, nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans.

Manganese: Nuts, seeds, whole grains, leafy greens, tea.

Melatonin: Cherries, grapes, tomatoes.

Omega-3 fatty acids: Flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, fatty fish.

PABA (Para-Aminobenzoic Acid): Whole grains, eggs, organ meats.

Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5): Meat, poultry, fish, whole grains, avocado

Pectin: Apples, citrus fruits, berries, pears.

Phosphorus: Dairy products, meat, poultry, fish, nuts.

Prebiotics: Garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, bananas (unripe), oats, apples, barley, flaxseeds, seaweed.

Probiotics: Yogurt, kefir, fermented foods (sauerkraut, kimchi).

Potassium: Bananas, oranges, potatoes, spinach, yogurt.

Polyphenols: Berries, dark chocolate, red wine, tea.

Quercetin: Apples, onions, berries, citrus fruits.

Resveratrol: Red grapes, red wine, berries, peanuts.

Rutin: Buckwheat, citrus fruits, figs, apples.

Selenium: Brazil nuts, seafood, poultry, eggs.

Silica: Whole grains, oats, brown rice, leafy greens.

Sulforaphane: Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts), cabbage.

Taurine: Meat, seafood, dairy products.

Theanine: Green tea, black tea, certain mushrooms.

Tyrosine: Meat, fish, dairy products, nuts, seeds.

Vanadium: Mushrooms, shellfish, dill, parsley, black pepper.

Zeatin: Whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds.

Zinc: Oysters, beef, poultry, beans, nuts, whole grains.

[ventsesh24]

༄˖°.🍂.ೃ࿔*:･🥮Holiday Szn🍁˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚🥧𓍢ִ໋🌰✧˚

10 Nutrition-related Facts about Seasonal Foods:

❅ Pumpkins: Rich in beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body, which supports eyesight, immune function, and skin health. One cup of cooked pumpkin provides over 200% of your daily vitamin A needs!

❅ Butternut Squash: Abundant in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure. It’s also high in fiber, aiding digestion and helping maintain stable blood sugar levels.

❅ Cranberries: Packed with antioxidants like proanthocyanidins, which lowers inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. They may also help prevent urinary tract infections by reducing the ability of bacteria to adhere to the urinary tract lining.

❅ Pomegranates: A single pomegranate contains over 40% of your daily vitamin C requirement, making it a great immune booster during the winter.

❅ Sweet Potatoes: High in fiber and complex carbohydrates, sweet potatoes provide long-lasting energy and are an excellent source of vitamins C and B6, which support brain health.

❅ Brussels Sprouts: Rich in vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting and bone health. They also contain glucosinolates, compounds with potential cancer-fighting properties.

❅ Kale: Packed with vitamins A, C, and K, which all support wound healing and tissue repair by promoting collagen production and maintaining healthy skin and blood vessels. It’s also rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that promote eye health.

❅ Beets: Beets are a natural source of nitrates, which can help improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. They’re also high in folate, essential for cell growth and DNA repair.

❅ Pears: Loaded with soluble fiber, pears help reduce cholesterol levels and support gut health by feeding beneficial bacteria in your digestive system.

❅ Winter Squash: High in vitamin C and manganese, which support collagen production and bone health. They’re also low in calories but filling, making them great for weight management.

Each of these foods is not only delicious but also a nutritional boost during the colder months!

[materialsscienceandengineering]

A research team led by Professor Jihyun Hong from the Department of Battery Engineering Department of the Graduate Institute of Ferrous & Eco Materials Technology at POSTECH, along with Dr. Gukhyun Lim, has developed a groundbreaking strategy to enhance the durability of lithium-rich layered oxide (LLO) material, a next-generation cathode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This breakthrough, which significantly extends battery lifespan, was published in the energy journal Energy & Environmental Science. Lithium-ion batteries are indispensable in applications such as electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS). The lithium-rich layered oxide (LLO) material offers up to 20% higher energy density than conventional nickel-based cathodes by reducing the nickel and cobalt content while increasing the lithium and manganese composition. As a more economical and sustainable alternative, LLO has garnered significant attention. However, challenges such as capacity fading and voltage decay during charge-discharge cycles have hindered its commercial viability.

Read more.

[beautyandlifestyleblog86]

Zucchini Fritters with Lemon Ricotta

Ingredients:

1 medium zucchini (grated)

½ cup ricotta cheese

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg

¼ cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

1 teaspoon lemon zest

Salt and pepper to taste

Olive oil for cooking

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine grated zucchini, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, flour, dill, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix well until a batter forms.

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Scoop the batter by tablespoons and flatten slightly into patties.

Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.

Serve warm with a dollop of yogurt or a dipping sauce of your choice.

Zucchini is a versatile summer squash that's rich in nutrients like vitamins A, C, K, and B6, as well as minerals like manganese, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. It contributes to various bodily functions such as vision, immunity, blood clotting, bone health, metabolism, muscle function, and energy production. Adding zucchini to your diet can benefit your heart, bones, muscles, and immunity.

[geologyin-blog]

Their composition varies depending on location, but they are rich in manganese, iron, nickel, copper, cobalt, and rare earth elements. These metals are essential for the production of stainless steel, lithium-ion batteries, and other modern technologies. Read more here: https://www.geologyin.com/2024/06/polymetallic-nodules.html

[fool-counter]

And now, AsapSCIENCE presents The Elements of the Periodic Table. 🎵 There's Hydrogen and Helium Then Lithium, Beryllium Boron, Carbon everywhere Nitrogen all through the air

With Oxygen so you can breathe And Fluorine for your pretty teeth Neon to light up the signs Sodium for salty times

Magnesium, Aluminum, Silicon, Phosphorus Then Sulfur, Chlorine, and Argon Potassium and Calcium, so you'll grow strong Scandium, Titanium, Vanadium And Chromium and Manganese

This is the Periodic Table Noble Gas is stable Halogens and Alkali react aggressively Each period we'll see new outer shells While electrons are added moving to the right

Iron is the 26, then Cobalt Nickel, coins you get Copper, Zinc, and Gallium Germanium and Arsenic

Selenium and Bromine film While Krypton helps light up your room Rubidium and Strontium Then Yttrium, Zirconium

Niobium, Molybdenum, Technetium Ruthenium, Rhodium, Palladium Silver-ware, then Cadmium and Indium

Tin-cans, Antimony, then Tellurium And Iodine and Xenon, and then Caesium And Barium is 56, and this is where the table splits Where lanthanides have just begun Lanthanum, Cerium and Praseodymium

Neodymium's next to Promethium, then 62 Samarium, Europium, Gadolinium, and Terbium Dysprosium, Holmium, Erbium Thulium, Ytterbium, Lutetium

Hafnium, Tantalum, Tungsten Then we're on to Rhenium, Osmium, and Iridium Platinum, Gold to make you rich till you grow old Mercury to tell you when it's really cold

Thallium and Lead, then Bismuth for your tummy Polonium, Astatine would not be yummy Radon, Francium will last a little time Radium, then Actinides at 89

This is the Periodic Table Noble Gas is stable Halogens and Alkali react aggressively Each period we'll see new outer shells While electrons are to the right

Actinium, Thorium, Protactinium Uranium, Neptunium, Plutonium Americium, Curium, Berkelium, Californium Einsteinium, Fermium, Mendelevium, Nobelium Lawrencium, Rutherfordium, Dubnium, Seaborgium Bohrium, Hassium, then Meinerium, Darmstadtium Roentgenium, Copernicium

Ununtrium, Flerovium Ununpentium, Livermorium Ununseptium, Ununoctium And then we're done

And now, AsapSCIENCE presents The Elements of the Periodic Table. 🎵 There's Hydrogen and Helium Then Lithium, Beryllium Boron, Carbon everywhere Nitrogen all through the air

With Oxygen so you can breathe And Fluorine for your pretty teeth Neon to light up the signs Sodium for salty times

Magnesium, Aluminum, Silicon, Phosphorus Then Sulfur, Chlorine, and Argon Potassium and Calcium, so you'll grow strong Scandium, Titanium, Vanadium And Chromium and Manganese

This is the Periodic Table Noble Gas is stable Halogens and Alkali react aggressively Each period we'll see new outer shells While electrons are added moving to the right

Iron is the 26, then Cobalt Nickel, coins you get Copper, Zinc, and Gallium Germanium and Arsenic

Selenium and Bromine film While Krypton helps light up your room Rubidium and Strontium Then Yttrium, Zirconium

Niobium, Molybdenum, Technetium Ruthenium, Rhodium, Palladium Silver-ware, then Cadmium and Indium

Tin-cans, Antimony, then Tellurium And Iodine and Xenon, and then Caesium And Barium is 56, and this is where the table splits Where lanthanides have just begun Lanthanum, Cerium and Praseodymium

Neodymium's next to Promethium, then 62 Samarium, Europium, Gadolinium, and Terbium Dysprosium, Holmium, Erbium Thulium, Ytterbium, Lutetium

Hafnium, Tantalum, Tungsten Then we're on to Rhenium, Osmium, and Iridium Platinum, Gold to make you rich till you grow old Mercury to tell you when it's really cold

Thallium and Lead, then Bismuth for your tummy Polonium, Astatine would not be yummy Radon, Francium will last a little time Radium, then Actinides at 89

This is the Periodic Table Noble Gas is stable Halogens and Alkali react aggressively Each period we'll see new outer shells While electrons are to the right

Actinium, Thorium, Protactinium Uranium, Neptunium, Plutonium Americium, Curium, Berkelium, Californium Einsteinium, Fermium, Mendelevium, Nobelium Lawrencium, Rutherfordium, Dubnium, Seaborgium Bohrium, Hassium, then Meinerium, Darmstadtium Roentgenium, Copernicium

Ununtrium, Flerovium Ununpentium, Livermorium Ununseptium, Ununoctium And then we're done

fool count: 10

[bettertwin9000]

There's Hydrogen and Helium

Then Lithium, Beryllium

Boron, Carbon everywhere

Nitrogen all through the air

With Oxygen so you can breathe

And Fluorine for your pretty teeth

Neon to light up the signs

Sodium for salty times

Silicon

(Phosphorus, then Sulfur) Chlorine and Argon

(Potassium) And Calcium so you'll grow strong

(Scandium) Titanium, Vanadium and Chromium and Manganese

This is the Periodic Table

Noble gas is stable

Halogens and Alkali react aggressively

Each period will see new outer shells

While electrons are added moving to the right

Iron is the 26th

Then Cobalt, Nickel coins you get

Copper, Zinc and Gallium

Germanium and Arsenic

Selenium and Bromine film

While Krypton helps light up your room

Rubidium and Strontium then Yttrium, Zirconium

Molybdenum, Technetium

(Ruthenium) Rhodium, Palladium

(Silver-war) Then Cadmium and Indium

(Tin-cans) Antimony then Tellurium and Iodine and Xenon

And then Caesium and

Barium is 56, and this is where the table splits

Where Lanthanides have just begun

Lanthanum, Cerium and Praseodymium

Neodymium's next to

Promethium, then 62's

Samarium, Europium, Gadolinium and Terbium

Dysprosium, Holmium, Erbium, Thulium

Ytterbium, Lutetium

Hafnium, Tantalum, Tungsten then we're on to

Rhenium, Osmium and Iridium

Platinum, Gold to make you rich till you grow old

Mercury to tell you when it's really cold

(Thallium) And lead then Bismuth for your tummy

(Polonium) Astatine would not be yummy

(Radon) Francium will last a little time

(Radium) then Actinides at 89

This is the Periodic Table

Noble gas is stable

Halogens and Alkali react aggressively

Each period will see new outer shells

While electrons are to the right

Actinium, Thorium, Protactinium

Uranium, Neptunium, Plutonium

Americium, Curium, Berkelium

Californium, Einsteinium, Fermium

Mendelevium, Nobelium, Lawrencium

Rutherfordium, Dubnium, Seaborgium

Bohrium, Hassium then Meitnerium

Darmstadtium, Roentgenium, Copernicium

Nihonium, Flerovium

Moscovium, Livermorium

Tennessine and Oganesson

And then we're done

Wonderful job

[myemuisemo]

I've been waiting and hoping for an "explain it all" chapter in Letters From Watson's weekly breakdown of The Hound of the Baskervilles. Chapters XIII and XIV gave us a lot of excitement but not a lot I wanted to talk about.

Finally, in chapter XV, I am vindicated: Rodger Baskerville did not die without marriage or issue! To be fair, I had not even considered Costa Rica, best known for coffee-growing, as the destination of someone who wanted to get rich in mining. It turns out that Costa Rica had a gold rush as early as 1815 and continues to have significant gold, copper, and manganese mines.

Like most of its Latin American neighbors, Costa Rica had a tradition of recording marriages, births, and deaths at the parish level. Civil registration began in 1888, after Jack Stapleton/Rodger Jr. had already left the country.

Under the Naturalization Act of 1772, Rodger Jr. was automatically a British citizen, even though he was born in a country that had never been under British rule, because his father was a British citizen. The Naturalization Act of 1844 assured that Beryl, as a foreign woman marrying a British citizen, became a British citizen with her marriage. (source)

How Rodger Jr. was going to prove his claim, Holmes left unexplained. Also vague is how Stapleton got himself back to England with assorted identities. It turns out that standardized passports were not introduced until 1915, when World War I made border control a more serious issue. In the era of the story, a single-page letter would have been sufficient, though it had to be signed by the Foreign Secretary. (source) However, it's entirely possible that nobody ever asked to look at a passport for Rodger Jr.! Passports often weren't required at all, and a sudden increase of travel in the last quarter of the 19th century meant that there often wasn't much monitoring of whether travelers had one, or whether it looked valid.

Beryl Stapleton is left in a terrible situation -- though less terrible than if her husband were still alive, as her grounds for divorce were surprisingly scanty. She is legally a UK citizen, but she has no family in England. There is no social safety net. Her husband's money was tainted and is running low. It is unclear what, if any, skills she has to support herself, and her reputation is in tatters.

She would be better off going back to her family in Costa Rica -- even though she likely lost her citizenship upon marriage, a woman in 1889 didn't have enough rights for anyone to care, as long as her family received her. But would they? Marrying a scoundrel was usually blamed on the woman. (While Costa Rica had birthright citizenship for children born there of foreign parents, it required not claiming the parents' citizenship, as far as I can tell. A Costa Rican woman's citizenship followed her husband.) Her best bet would be remarrying, but the bloom is off that rose for Sir Henry Baskerville, and it's not like she particularly cared for him. If he did change his mind, he would be unable to take her into any polite society.

Laura Lyons is also left high and dry. Her biggest benefactor, Sir Charles Baskerville, is dead. Her father still won't see her. Stapleton's promises to fund her divorce were lies, so she's still tied to a husband she doesn't want.

Mrs. Barrymore is mourning the loss of her criminal brother, but she's in better shape than either of the higher-class women. Her husband does not, so far as we know, beat her. She and he can prevent Baskerville Hall from falling to ruin while Sir Henry is away recovering, then use their inheritance to start an inn or pub. Because she's not gentry, her brother's disgrace has little impact on her respectability. But people will come from miles around to eat her stew and hear the story of how the Barrymores served dinner to a murderer and to Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

Mrs. Mortimer is so far forgotten that James Mortimer is off on a long jaunt with his new bff, Sir Henry. She was a plot device to get him a fancy cane and relocate him to Devon, nothing more. Let us imagine her knitting contentedly in a cottage with a cat.

While I was correct in my vague recollection that The Hound of the Baskervilles involves a moor and a dog, I know nothing whatever about The Valley of Fear, which is apparently up next month.

[bacteriashowdown]

Aerobic vs. Anaerobic bacteria

In my last metabolism post, I tried not to get too weighed down in the weeds of cellular respiration. But now I want to talk about it.

I've mentioned before that aerobic bacteria are those that "breathe" oxygen, while anaerobic bacteria are those that don't. But what does it even mean for a bacteria to breathe?

If you read that last post, I think it's quickest to explain like this:

But this process of respiration, that all known lifeforms partake in, deserves a more detailed explanation.

Cellular respiration happens when a cell oxidizes a chemical (called the "electron donor") by transferring an electron from it over to an "electron acceptor". For aerobic bacteria, the acceptor is oxygen. For anaerobic bacteria, it could be any number of things. The electron acceptor is also known as the oxidizing agent.

To clarify some terminology: in chemistry, "oxidation" can be thought of as the process of adding charge to an atom (More precisely, it is increasing the atom's oxidation state, which can also be done by sharing an electron though a covalent bond). The opposite is "reduction", or the process of reducing charge. Since electrons are negatively charged, this translates to oxidation being the removal of an electron, while reduction is the addition of an electron. Thus, for example, an "iron-reducing bacteria" is a species who uses iron as an electron acceptor, and an "iron-oxidizing bacteria" is a species who uses iron as an electron donor.

Let's do an example to tie all the elements of metabolism together: plants. We can pick up from where I left off in the last post, but a bit more accurately. Plants use light for energy (phototrophy), and they are lithotrophic because their electrons are sourced from an inorganic source: water. They are autotrophs because they use carbon dioxide as a carbon source. The aerobic/anaerobic part of respiration happens after all of this, when the energy is extracted from those carbohydrates. Plants use aerobic respiration: the carbohydrate molecules react with oxygen, where they convert back into water, carbon dioxide, and energy in the form of a molecule called ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

This is why my chart clarifies that the respiration is about the final electron acceptor: plants do not use oxygen in the initial reaction, during photosynthesis. It is only when the plant extracts energy from the carbohydrates produced via photosynthesis that oxygen plays an important role.

The reason why we care about whether or not organisms use oxygen in cellular respiration is because, among other things, oxygen is an extremely efficient oxidizing agent. Perhaps that's not very surprising, given the name, but I'm talking on the order of aerobic bacteria being some 15 times more efficient in synthesizing ATP than their anaerobic counterparts.

...okay, I really should talk about ATP. I'm no biochemist, so just know that it is a molecule that can be thought of as the energy "currency" of cells. Fun fact: all cellular respiration, aerobic or anaerobic, is for the purpose of creating ATP. Literally every living thing on the planet makes and uses it.

But if ATP is so good, and it's easier to make with oxygen, then why do we have anaerobic bacteria? Well, the ability of anaerobic bacteria to use electron acceptors other than oxygen makes them remarkably adaptable as organisms. This flexibility allows them to thrive in diverse environments. Also, Earth was not born with the oxygen-rich atmosphere it has today, and so the earliest lifeforms were anaerobic. Only when the cyanobacteria invented oxygenic photosynthesis, and filled the atmosphere with oxygen, was aerobic life able to develop.

Some more common molecules for anaerobic bacteria to use as final electron acceptors are nitrite, nitrate, sulfur, and sulfate. Some bacteria use metals, including iron, manganese, cobalt, and even uranium. Other metals are used in oxidized forms, such as selenium (as selenate) and arsenic (as arsenate), which is toxic to nearly all other life. I think that's pretty neat.

[ox-peach-xo]

DARK OXYGEN!?

Approximately half the oxygen we breathe comes from the ocean, however it may not all be from marine plants!

Polymetallic nodules or manganese nodules are mineral concretions (a hard mass formed by minerals between particles) on the sea floor formed by iron and manganese hydroxides.

Polymetallic nodules can be found in both shallow and deep waters (even some lakes!) And are thought to have been on the ocean floor since the deep oceans were oxygenated in the ediacaran period over 540 million years ago!

These nodules produce a gas known as ‘dark oxygen’ which is oxygen that DOESNT need light!

Unlike photosynthesis dark oxygen is produced in deep oceans by these polymetalic nodules!

Studies are showing that these naturally occurring lumps of metal 5km deep in the sea between hawaii and mexico are splitting seawater into hydrogen and oxygen!

The metal nodules are formed by dissolved metals collecting on fragments of shell or debris - this process can take millions of years!

Because the nodules contain metals like lithium, copper and cobalt (metals used in making betteries) They create a low voltage (around the same as a AA battery) which is what is splitting the H2O into just H and O (hydrogen and oxygen)

This discovery is creating new hypothesise left right and centre including the possibility of similar objects creating an oxygen rich atmosphere able to sustain life on other planets or even moons!

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Stuffed Butternut Squash with Sausage, Spinach, Pecans, and Cranberries.

[𝐆𝐋𝐔𝐓𝐄𝐍-𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄, 𝐃𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐘-𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄]

Main ingredients

Butternut squash is rich in dietary fiber and is an excellent addition to your menu. This winter squash is a great source of vitamins A, B6, C, and E, as well as several minerals, including magnesium, manganese, and potassium.

Sausage. I used spicy crumbled Italian sausage.

Onion. The onion is lightly caramelized in the beginning and then combined with the sausage. You can use any variety of onions: sweet onions, yellow onions, or white onions.

Spinach. It’s high in fiber and a good source of many vitamins and minerals. I used fresh spinach which I added to the skillet with the cooked sausage. You can also use frozen spinach (thawed completely and drained of any liquid). Another option is kale.

Nuts. Pecans add crunch and texture to this stuffed winter squash. Or, use walnuts.

Dried cranberries. They add sweetness to the sausage mixture.

Italian seasoning combines dried herbs, such as thyme, sage, and oregano. Or, use Herbs de Provence.

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The Directions

This is a quick overview of recipe instructions along with helpful step-by-step photos. For a complete and detailed recipe, scroll down to the recipe card.

1) Roast the squash. You will need 2 medium or large-size butternut squash. Carefully slice each one in half, and scoop out the seeds. You will have 4 butternut squash halves. Roast in the preheated oven at 400 F for 30 or 40 minutes.

2) Make the filling. While the squash is being roasted, prepare the sausage filling. First, cook together onions and sausage. Then, add Italian seasoning and minced garlic. Finally, add spinach, cooking it until it wilts. Then, mix in dried cranberries and pecans.

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3) Prepare the roasted butternut squash halves for stuffing. Using a spoon, scoop out the flesh leaving about a 1-inch border along the sides.

4) Stuff the squash. Reheat the sausage filling on the stovetop if needed and then add it into the cavities of each of the 4 butternut squash halves. The dinner is ready!

Cooking tips

Use cooking time efficiently by preparing the sausage stuffing while you roast the butternut squash in the oven.

Salt. I did not add any salt to the sausage mixture, because the sausage I used was salty enough. I did season the squash generously with salt and pepper when I roasted it.

Reheat the sausage mixture. Before you stuff the butternut squash with the sausage mixture, reheat the sausage filling in the same skillet on the stovetop right before adding it to the freshly roasted squash halves to keep everything hot before serving.

[Julia's Album]

[ketoguy40]

Beef Kielbasa and Kraut: A Perfect Slow-Cooked Comfort Meal

There’s something undeniably comforting about the savory combination of beef kielbasa and kraut, especially when slow-cooked to perfection. This traditional Eastern European dish packs a flavorful punch and offers nutritional benefits, making it both delicious and hearty.

Why Beef Kielbasa and Kraut?

The rich, smoky flavor of beef kielbasa pairs perfectly with the tangy, fermented goodness of sauerkraut. When slow-cooked, the kielbasa absorbs the briny, tart flavor of the kraut, while the kraut takes on a savory richness from the sausage. This cooking method ensures that every bite is tender, flavorful, and well-balanced.

Nutritional Benefits

Beef Kielbasa:

• Protein Powerhouse: Beef kielbasa is a good source of protein, which helps with muscle repair and growth. A typical 2-ounce serving has around 8-10 grams of protein.

• Rich in B Vitamins: Beef kielbasa provides several B vitamins, especially B12, which supports energy levels and brain function.

• Fats: It contains about 12-15 grams of fat per serving, most of which is saturated fat. While it’s calorie-dense, enjoying it in moderation fits into various diets, including keto.

• Calories: Depending on the brand, 2 ounces of beef kielbasa can range between 180-200 calories.

Sauerkraut:

• Low-Calorie and High-Fiber: Sauerkraut is extremely low in calories, with about 27 calories per cup, while being rich in dietary fiber, which helps with digestion and satiety.

• Probiotics: Sauerkraut is a fermented food, meaning it’s packed with probiotics that support gut health and boost the immune system.

• Vitamins and Minerals: Sauerkraut is high in vitamin C and vitamin K, supporting immune health and bone strength. It’s also a good source of iron and manganese.

The Magic of Slow Cooking

When you slow cook beef kielbasa and kraut, the low, steady heat allows the flavors to meld together, creating a deeply satisfying dish. The kraut’s acidity tenderizes the kielbasa, while the natural fats in the sausage enrich the kraut. Cooking it on low for 4-6 hours ensures everything is perfectly melded, and the aroma that fills the kitchen is mouth-watering!

How I Prepare It

I personally love using beef kielbasa in this dish. It brings a heartier, more robust flavor compared to pork or chicken kielbasa. Here’s my go-to method:

1. Ingredients: Beef kielbasa, sauerkraut (I use a 32-ounce jar), a bit of mustard, and caraway seeds.

2. Slow Cooker Prep: Slice the kielbasa into thick rounds, drain the sauerkraut slightly (but leave some juice for flavor), and toss both into the slow cooker. Add a teaspoon of mustard and a sprinkle of caraway seeds for that extra layer of flavor.

3. Cooking Time: Let it cook on low for about 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.

4. Enjoy: The result is tender, juicy kielbasa with tangy, flavorful kraut that’s perfect for any meal.

A Comforting, Low-Carb Meal

For those following a low-carb or keto lifestyle, this dish is a great choice. Both beef kielbasa and sauerkraut are low in carbs, making it ideal for anyone looking to reduce their carbohydrate intake while still enjoying a filling, tasty meal.

Conclusion

Beef kielbasa and kraut is a comforting, hearty meal that’s easy to prepare and loaded with flavor. Whether you’re enjoying it as a weeknight dinner or serving it for a gathering, this dish will surely impress with its rich, savory taste and health benefits.

Want to see my kielbasa? Just ask me :). No one reads these.

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

Scientists reveal possible role of iron sulfides in creating life in terrestrial hot springs

An international team of scientists has published a study highlighting the potential role of iron sulfides in the formation of life in early Earth's terrestrial hot springs. According to the researchers, the sulfides may have catalyzed the reduction of gaseous carbon dioxide into prebiotic organic molecules via nonenzymatic pathways.

This work, appearing in Nature Communications, offers new insights into Earth's early carbon cycles and prebiotic chemical reactions, underscoring the significance of iron sulfides in supporting the terrestrial hot springs origin of life hypothesis.

The study was conducted by Dr. Nan Jingbo from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Dr. Luo Shunqin from Japan's National Institute for Materials Science; Dr. Quoc Phuong Tran from the University of New South Wales, Australia, and other researchers.

Iron sulfides, abundant in early Earth's hydrothermal systems, may have facilitated essential prebiotic chemical reactions, similar to the function of cofactors in modern metabolic systems. Previous studies on iron sulfides and the origin of life have focused primarily on deep-sea alkaline hydrothermal vents, which provide favorable conditions like high temperature, pressure, pH gradients, and hydrogen (H2) from serpentinization—factors thought to support prebiotic carbon fixation.

However, some scientists have proposed terrestrial hot springs as another plausible setting for life's origins, due to their rich mineral content, diverse chemicals, and abundant sunlight.

To explore the role of iron sulfides in terrestrial prebiotic carbon fixation, the research team synthesized a series of nanoscale iron sulfides from mackinawite, including pure iron sulfide and iron sulfides doped with common hot spring elements such as manganese, nickel, titanium, and cobalt.

Their experiments showed that these iron sulfides could catalyze the H2-driven reduction of CO2 at specific temperatures (80–120 °C) and atmospheric pressure. Gas chromatography was used to quantify methanol production.

The study found that manganese-doped iron sulfides exhibited notably high catalytic activity at 120 °C. This activity was further enhanced by UV-visible (300–720 nm) and UV-enhanced (200–600 nm) light, suggesting that sunlight might play a role in driving this reaction by facilitating chemical processes. Additionally, the introduction of water vapor boosted catalytic activity, further supporting that vapor-laden terrestrial hot springs may have served as key sites for nonenzymatic organic synthesis on early Earth.

To further investigate the mechanism behind the H2-driven CO2 reduction, the team conducted in-situ analyses using diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS).

Results indicated that the reaction likely proceeds via the reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) pathway, in which CO2 is first reduced to carbon monoxide (CO), which is subsequently hydrogenated to form methanol.

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations provided additional insights, revealing that manganese doping not only lowered the reaction's activation energy but also introduced highly efficient electron transfer sites, thereby enhancing reaction efficiency. The redox characteristics of iron sulfides make them functionally analogous to modern metabolic enzymes, providing a chemical foundation for prebiotic carbon fixation.

This research underscores the potential of iron sulfides to catalyze prebiotic carbon fixation in early Earth's terrestrial hot springs, opening new directions for exploring life's origins and supporting efforts to search for extraterrestrial life.

TOP IMAGE: Scanning transmission electron microscopy reveals characteristics of the iron sulfide (mackinawite) catalyst. Credit: NIGPAS

CENTRE IMAGE: Simulated reaction of metal-doped iron sulfides catalyzing the H₂-driven reduction of CO₂ under various terrestrial hot spring conditions. Credit: NIGPAS

LOWER IMAGE: Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of CO2 hydrogenation on the surfaces of pure iron sulfide and manganese-doped iron sulfide. Credit: NIGPAS