Axolotl

[Kyriakos]

I had been meaning to post a Mexicocentric thread, and it was either going to be about the Axolotl, or the Santa Muerte sceleton-saint cult. In the end i guess the Axolotl is far less gruesome so i went with that

http://newswatch.nationalgeographic...130906ngnw-wormsregrinfb&utm_campaign=Content

Axolotl

You may recognize this face as the poster animal of this blog, but the Mexican axolotl hasn’t been spoiled by fame. This hard worker not only can make copies like Xerox—regenerating a missing limb; tail; and parts of their brain, heart, and lower jaw—but it’s a favorite study subject among scientists.

James Monaghan, a biologist at Boston’s Northeastern University, began studying axolotls during a grad school project and stuck with them since.

“If they’re paralyzed in the back they can recover the functions of their legs … They can make all new neurons and new connections that allow them to use their legs again, which is really one of the most incredible examples of recovery.”

His most recent research has focused on what genes regulate the axolotls’ regenerative abilities, testing what happens when certain genes are turned on or off. The axolotl “is a great model because it has a wide tool set to study regeneration,” he said.

Unfortunately i am not very familiar with the Axolotl. In fact i only read a couple of articles on it, and a very nice eponymous short story by Julio Cortazar. However it does seem to be an extremely interesting creature, and its powers of regenerating a large part of its organs surely can be further studied so as to lead to beneficial discoveries for our own kind as well in that respect.

-You can discuss the Axolotl, in general or along the lines of regenerative powers of known species.

 

[Kraznaya]

wooper wooper

 

[sophie]

wooper wooper

OwenGlyndwr likes this post.

 

[Borachio]

If you put wooper looper into thefreedictionary.com it comes up axolotl.

Why so?

In 1958, MAD Magazine parodied Wordsworth's Daffodils as a poem about axolotls, likely the first time any of its readers had heard of the animal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axolotl

 

[gangleri2001]

This thread needs a Bene Tleilax seal of approval.

 

[Borachio]

OK. But why?

The Bene Tleilax or Tleilaxu /tleɪˈlæksuː/[1] are an extremely xenophobic and isolationist society in Frank Herbert's science fiction Dune universe. Genetic manipulators who traffic in biological products such as artificial eyes, gholas, and "twisted" Mentats, the Tleilaxu are a major power in the Imperium. The race is ruled by a small council of Tleilaxu Masters, whose genetically-engineered Face Dancer servants have the ability to mimic any human. The Masters themselves possess a bland and diminutive appearance intended to compel other races to underestimate them. In Heretics of Dune (1984) it is revealed that they are a secret totalitarian theocracy ultimately seeking domination of the known universe. Despite their influence, the Bene Tleilax are universally distrusted and inspire disgust because their products, though desirable, push the limits of the moral proscriptions established by the ancient Butlerian Jihad.

 

[tokala]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology_of_the_Dune_universe#Axlotl_tank

 

[Borachio]

There you go. I read the Dune series decades ago. And I remember none of this. I'll have to read it again one day.

 

[warpus]

I re-read it in full a couple years ago and realized that I missed a ton of stuff when I initially read it in highschool. I through in the prequels for good measure - they weren't as good, but some of them were entertaining enough and the rest were decent.

 

[hobbsyoyo]

InB4 nuDune sux!!!

 

[Kyriakos]

@Tokala: thanks for the Dune info, didn't quite expect an axolotl-inspired machine there

 

[Lillefix]

@Tokala: thanks for the Dune info, didn't quite expect an axolotl-inspired machine there

I always found the idea that the Tleilaxu has made all their women into axolotl-tanks to be quite chilling.

 

[Bugfatty300]

Axolotl doesn't exist. It's a hoax.

 

[Borachio]

I think your hoax claim is a hoax. They are endangered, though.

And while the axolotl has legs, of a kind, this one has hands. Though it walks on them. Which is confusing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handfish


Link to video.

 

[Kyriakos]

Indeed The axolotl is very real.

The handfish looks even weirder though:

 

[bhsup]

...this one has hands. Though it walks on them. Which is confusing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handfish

Handfishes are found today in the coastal waters of southern Australia and Tasmania.

Australia. Figures!

 

[Bugfatty300]

I think your hoax claim is a hoax. They are endangered, though.

Alleged specimens are just other species that are mislabeled by supposed "scientists" as this mythical perplexing "Axolotl," mostly to further the agendas of organized creationism. It's legend only survives in Mexico due to the Catholic church's control of the region with the cooperation of the burgeoning evangelical presence.

Really, I don't even feel safe talking about this openly...

 

[bhsup]

Just out of curiosity, who scares you more? The RCC or the evangelicals??

 

[Bugfatty300]

Just out of curiosity, who scares you more? The RCC or the evangelicals??

Evangelicals definitely. They got the real cash and power. Otherwise this "Axolotl" hoax would have blown like Piltdown man ten-fold years ago.

 

[Borachio]

Proof that life began on land and then progressed to water. Not vice versa as previously thought.

Lungfish (also known as salamanderfish[1]) are freshwater fish belonging to the subclass Dipnoi. Lungfish are best known for retaining characteristics primitive within the Osteichthyes, including the ability to breathe air, and structures primitive within Sarcopterygii, including the presence of lobed fins with a well-developed internal skeleton.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lungfish