#alto blob

[lumiidragon]

Merry Christmas! Dr. Nikko has a new blob to match with Alto Blob: Meri Blob!

Enjoy your holidays everyone~!

[rjzimmerman]

A Mouse That Swims and Dozens More Species Are Discovered in a Peruvian Jungle. (New York Times)

Excerpt from this story from the New York Times:

In the summer of 2022, researchers trudged into the jungles of the Alto Mayo region of Peru in search of undiscovered creatures. This remote yet populous region had experienced significant deforestation, so the team didn’t expect to find much.

During their 38-day expedition, Dr. Larsen and his team discovered 27 new species in Alto Mayo, including four mammals, eight fish, three amphibians and 10 butterflies. The team also found dozens of rare and endangered species, some not known to occur anywhere else on Earth.

A species of semiaquatic mouse belonging to the genus Daptomys in the Alto Mayo region of Peru. Credit...Ronald Diaz/Conservation International

A new species of tropical climbing salamander, which spends most of its time in low vegetation and shrubs. This species was abundant but only within a small patch of unique white sand forest in the Alto Mayo. Credit...Trond Larsen/Conservation International

A rufous-crested coquette, a rare type of hummingbird; a clearwing butterfly, one of the 218 species of butterflies observed; an arboreal opossum species under a full moon; a fer-de-lance viper, one of the most dangerous snakes in the Alto Mayo. Credit...Marlon Dag/Conservation International

A “blob-headed” fish, a type of bristlemouth armored catfish that is new to science. Credit...Robinson Olivera/Conservation International

[botaniqueer]

27 new, exciting, and blobby species discovered in the Peruvian rainforest

BY LAURA BAISAS

POSTED ON DEC 20, 2024

A rainfrog, an amphibious mouse, and a “blob-headed” fish are only some of the 27 new species discovered deep Peru’s Amazon rainforest. During a survey in 2022, a team from Conservation International recorded 2,046 total species living in this lush and heavily forested landscape, many of whom are endangered.

The creatures were all found in the Alto Mayo Landscape which spans the Andes mountains to the Amazon River and includes the Alto Mayo Protected Forest. Instead of being one static environment, the Alto Mayo Landscape is a complex mix of different ecosystems and communities, including Indigenous territories, cities, and towns. (Continue reading)

[altocat]

Hi alto!!!!!! :D

lately I've been seeing other asks on this blog talking about how (realistically) bad Sephiroth's eyesight would be, and I think it'd be so funny/sweet if since all the soldier uniforms look the same, the only way he'd be able to tell Genesis apart from everyone else is from his bright red coat LMAO

like "hmmm I wonder where Genesis could be- oh I see the red blob there he is :)"

au where that's why Genesis wears it in the first place 😭💔

HHHHHHHHHH I love it.

Sephiroth can also tell because Genesis dumps a literal bathtub's worth of perfume on himself before he goes out. So whenever Sephiroth catches a whiff on the breeze, he knows Genesis is probably skulking nearby.

Genesis: "My scent peaks your desire, does it~"

Sephiroth: "I shared living quarters with Hojo for the first fifteen years of my life. I am no stranger to overbearing odors."

Genesis:

[neptuniadoesstuff]

HEHOO I HAVE SOME IDEAS LOL-

So new AU Thing ig... This is actually a expansion of my "Mother Phen" AU except uh.... scrapping some ideas...

What I mean is:

Canon Phen will now still exist, but as a sibling to Kasi!Phen (sorta like an older brother or smtn, idk. Don't worry the phenlings still exists.) Also yes, Both Kasi!Phen & Canon!Phen will be 2 separate individuals, primarily named as Kasinoshi (so that mean she won't be considered a au of Kasikah anymore) & Hakunata (which is more of a Nickname for Canon!Phen tbh.)

Doing another redesign of Kasi!Phen by making her a bit different from Canon... but still keeping some of her main elements (like the hair, weird antennas, extremely big tail, & weird fur clothing/body). & yes, this include updating my designs for Thumper/Locust & Follower/Ankle Biter (who is gonna be refered to as Alto now until I find a better name-)

Rei.... Well, Rei isn't Kasi!Phen duaghter anymore... She's Canon's kid now. (Although Rei is more of a goof character bcs idk if Room will even exist in this au expansion.... I MEAN NOT THAT ROOM DID EXIST IN ANY OF DOCTOR NOWHERE'S WORKS-) (Don't ask me what Rei's frikin deal is, idk either man, plus her ref isn't done yet-)

This weird expansion will have new characters & some weird ahh lore that idk ppl might get upset with me at. (Although lots of this will change if we do get idk... a 2nd installment of TBOP which is prob when Orion rlly wants to make a 2nd installment. Idk, I'm not him I'm jsu some stoopid kid who's like 2 yrs younger than him-) (Orion btw is uh... Dr. Nowhere if you couldn't tell)

Might uh... change Phen 228's (Haku/Canon!Phen) design since well... Kasinoshi has horns & a weird tail so why not him... THEY ARE LITERALLY GONNA BE SIBLINGS IN THIS EXSPANSION! SO WHY NOT EH?

Thats it... that all of me ideas I have for this dum thing I made up for no reason.

& the name of this new AU/expansion.... "Branches of a Paranormal Federation" no I'm serious that's the name. If yall have a better name than the one I have I love to hear it.

& While this will mainly focus on "The Boiled One Phenomenon" It will also have some focuses on "The Organate Enterprises"/T.O.E bcs idk I feel like those 2 are in the same universe but I'm tripping bro-

Imma stamp yapping now & just end this... HOPE YALL LIKE READING THE RAMBLINGS OF A RANDOM BLOB ON THE INTERNET!

[monkeyandelf]

The Rich Will Be Forever Young, and the Poor Will Die of Old Age: The Stark Future of Human Longevity and Inequality

On https://www.monkeyandelf.com/the-rich-will-be-forever-young-and-the-poor-will-die-of-old-age-the-stark-future-of-human-longevity-and-inequality/

The Rich Will Be Forever Young, and the Poor Will Die of Old Age: The Stark Future of Human Longevity and Inequality

In the 20th century, futurists envisioned robotic overlords and star-bound ships. But now, in the 21st century, the future looks different—and arguably more dystopian. No longer are we haunted solely by the visions of mechanical dominance or extraterrestrial travel. Instead, we are rapidly approaching an era in which biological inequality—driven by billion-dollar biotech ventures—will redefine what it means to be human.

Imagine a world where the rich stop aging and the poor simply age out of existence. This is not speculative fiction. It is the trajectory we’re already on.

The Biotech Gold Rush: How the Wealthy Are Buying Time

Billionaires Betting on Immortality

In the past, snake oil salesmen promised the secret to eternal youth. Today, it’s Nobel Prize-winning scientists backed by trillion-dollar corporate empires. The goal is no longer just to live longer—it’s to reverse aging.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and one of the richest men in the world, has invested billions into Altos Labs, a secretive biotech company focused on cellular reprogramming. The project involves global scientific luminaries like Shinya Yamanaka, who discovered reprogramming factors that can theoretically return adult cells to a youthful state, and Jennifer Doudna, co-developer of CRISPR gene-editing technology.

This isn’t philanthropy. Bezos doesn’t want to bequeath his wealth—he wants to outlive the need to.

Genetic Engineering and Organ Printing: A Billionaire’s Fountain of Youth

Forget donor lists and organ shortages. The emerging era of 3D-printed organs and genetically tailored tissue repair means the elite may soon replace worn-out body parts as easily as changing a tire.

“Heart giving out? No problem—replace it with a lab-grown version made from your own cells.”

This isn’t science fiction. It’s cutting-edge science—fueled by investments larger than the GDPs of small nations.

The Technologies Rewriting Human Lifespan

Cellular Reprogramming: Resetting the Biological Clock

The real game-changer is cellular rejuvenation. Scientists have already reversed aging symptoms in mice using Yamanaka factors. The potential? Turning back the aging clock without turning a person into a mindless stem cell blob.

Experiments have shown success in improving cellular function, reducing age-related diseases, and even regenerating damaged tissues.

Senescence Removal: Clearing the Cellular Junk

As we age, cells that stop dividing—called senescent cells—accumulate and poison surrounding tissue. Billionaires are now funding companies like Unity Biotechnology and Calico (a Google-backed firm) to develop senolytics: drugs that purge these aging cells and restore vitality.

Elite Monitoring and Personalized Medicine

While the average citizen waits weeks for a doctor’s appointment, the wealthy have access to AI-driven diagnostics, full-genome sequencing, and real-time biometric tracking. This enables not only the treatment of disease but its preemption.

Result? While most of the world dies from preventable illnesses, the elite receive custom therapies before symptoms even appear.

Society Split by Lifespan: The New Caste System

Healthspan for the Few, Decline for the Many

Let’s fast-forward 20 years.

You’re in a city square. On one side, wealthy 70-year-olds with wrinkle-free faces, energetic bodies, and perfect cognition—looking no older than 30. On the other side, their same-age peers hunched over, burdened with arthritis, deteriorating vision, and failing memory. One group lives in youth, the other in decay.

Such a visual gap in vitality will mirror—then surpass—the current wealth divide.

From Class to Caste: The Emergence of Bioeconomic Divisions

This disparity will create bio-castes—where wealth determines biological fate. The rich will not just live longer; they’ll live better. The poor will work longer, retire later, and die sooner.

Forget middle-class aspirations. In a world of lifespan inequality, health becomes currency, and only the richest can afford it.

Can Revolutions Still Happen in a Biotech Oligarchy?

AI and Robot Enforcers: Ending the Age of Uprisings

Historically, inequality led to revolt. But in a future ruled by AI surveillance, combat drones, and robotic law enforcement, the potential for uprising could be systematically neutralized.

Think Boston Dynamics security robots, AI-augmented facial recognition, and weaponized drones. The ruling class won’t need humans to defend them. Technology will do the job without conscience or hesitation.

Rebellions won’t just be crushed—they’ll be prevented.

Is There Any Hope? The Quiet Warriors of Equality

The Ethical Scientists and Rogue Hackers

History shows us that not all advancements remain in the hands of the elite. When the U.S. developed the atomic bomb, it was scientists who leaked secrets to the USSR—not out of treachery, but out of a desire to balance global power.

We can expect similar dissent in biotech. There will be underground networks: biohackers, rogue physicians, and open-source scientists who defy corporations and governments to democratize access to longevity treatments.

Underground Medicine: The Black Market of Youth

As with any high-demand commodity, black markets will arise. Anti-aging drugs, stem cell treatments, gene therapy tools—these will flow through illicit but accessible channels. As supply increases, prices will drop. Eventually, even the working class may access low-grade rejuvenation tech.

The genie never goes back in the bottle.

The Future: Inevitable Stratification or Temporary Imbalance?

A New Kind of Inequality—But a Familiar Pattern

Let’s be honest: societal stratification isn’t new. From kings and serfs to CEOs and minimum wage workers, humanity has always balanced on the knife’s edge of inequality. The coming era will merely extend this into biology.

But no imbalance lasts forever. As with electricity, the internet, and vaccines, what begins as a luxury often becomes universal—through rebellion, innovation, or sheer necessity.

Whether the transformation is peaceful or violent, one truth remains: Humanity does not accept inequality forever.

A Warning, and a Possibility

The idea that “the rich will be forever young, and the poor will outlive their resources and die of old age” is not a prophecy—it’s a warning. As medicine enters the golden age of genetic miracles, the challenge will not be the science. It will be access, ethics, and the human heart.

Whether we rise together or split apart depends not on the billionaires or the breakthroughs—but on those brave enough to demand a future where youth is not for sale.

[nuadox]

Engineers develop affordable 3D printing method for customizable, recyclable soft plastics

- By Nuadox Crew -

Princeton engineers, led by Emily Davidson, have developed a scalable 3D printing method to create soft plastics with customizable stiffness, flexibility, recyclability, and affordability.

These materials, made from thermoplastic elastomers, leverage nanoscale block copolymer structures to allow precise control over mechanical properties, enabling stiffness in one direction and stretchiness in others.

The team’s process involves thermal annealing to enhance material properties, self-healing, and reusability. This approach, costing about $0.01 per gram, contrasts with expensive alternatives like liquid crystal elastomers. Applications range from soft robotics and medical devices to helmets and customized shoe soles.

The method can incorporate functional additives, such as molecules for UV-induced fluorescence, and create complex structures like flexible vases. The next steps involve exploring designs for wearable electronics and biomedical devices.

Video: "Stretchable, Flexible, Recyclable. This Plastic Is Fantastic" via SciTech Daily, YouTube.

Header image: Engineers can manipulate the material's internal structure to produce objects with various properties. Credit: Sameer A. Khan/Fotobuddy.

Read more at Princeton Engineering

Scientific paper: Alice S. Fergerson et al, Reprocessable and Mechanically Tailored Soft Architectures Through 3D Printing of Elastomeric Block Copolymers, Advanced Functional Materials (2024). DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202411812

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Other Recent News

New Species Discovered in Peru: Scientists have discovered a new species of blob-headed catfish in Peru's Alto Mayo region.

12,000-Year-Old Wolf Remains: Remains of a 12,000-year-old wolf in Alaska show early signs of human interaction.

[dailyreportonline]

New Species Discovered in Peru’s Alto Mayo Region, Including Blob-Headed Catfish | Daily Reports Online

A significant biodiversity survey conducted in Peru’s Alto Mayo region has led to the discovery of at least 27 new species, including a striking ‘blob-headed’ bristlemouth armored catfish from the genus Chaetostoma. The research, carried out in 2022, highlighted the region’s ecological importance, spanning approximately 780,700 hectares in the San Martín department. The survey documented species…

[lumiidragon]

There was once a time I was trying to write an SCP that was a blobfish-spawning bathtub.

Anyway, Dr. Nikko is trying to show her favorite off.

[thoughtlessarse]

Researchers in the Alto Mayo region of north-west Peru have discovered 27 species that are new to science, including a rare amphibious mouse, a tree-climbing salamander and an unusual “blob-headed fish”. The 38-day survey recorded more than 2,000 species of wildlife and plants. The findings are particularly surprising given the region’s high human population density, with significant pressures including deforestation and agriculture. The expedition was “thrilling to be part of”, said Dr Trond Larsen, senior director of biodiversity and ecosystem science at Conservation International’s Moore Centre for Science, who led the survey. “The Alto Mayo landscape supports 280,000 people in cities, towns and communities. With a long history of land-use change and environmental degradation, I was very surprised to find such high overall species richness, including so many new, rare and threatened species, many of which may be found nowhere else.” The “new” species include four mammals: a spiny mouse, a short-tailed fruit bat, a dwarf squirrel and the semi-aquatic mouse. Discovering a new species of amphibious mouse was “shocking and exciting”, Larsen said. “It belongs to a group of carnivorous, semi-aquatic rodents, for which the majority of species are exceedingly rare and difficult to collect, giving them an almost mythical status among mammal experts … We only found this amphibious mouse in a single unique patch of swamp forest that’s threatened by encroaching agriculture, and it may not live anywhere else.”

continue reading

[rulinarulina]

Περού: Ερευνητές ανακάλυψαν 27 νέα είδη ζώων – Ανάμεσά τους ένα ψάρι blob και ένα ποντίκι νάνος

Ερευνητές στην περιοχή Alto Mayo του βορειοδυτικού Περού ανακάλυψαν 27 νέα για την επιστήμη είδη, μεταξύ των οποίων ένα σπάνιο αμφίβιο ποντίκι, μια σαλαμάνδρα που σκαρφαλώνει σε δέντρα και ένα ασυνήθιστο «ψάρι με κεφάλι blob». Η έρευνα που διήρκεσε 38 ημέρες κατέγραψε περισσότερα από 2.000 είδη άγριας ζωής και φυτών. Τα ευρήματα προκαλούν ιδιαίτερη έκπληξη δεδομένης της υψηλής πυκνότητας του…

[gaetaniu]

L'Oscillazione Nord Atlantica contribuisce al "blob freddo" nell'Oceano Atlantico

Temperature di fine inverno rispetto alla media 1981-2010 quando l’Oscillazione Nord Atlantica (NAO) era fortemente negativa (in alto, gennaio-marzo 2010) e quando era fortemente positiva (in basso, gennaio-marzo 1990). Una porzione di oceano nell’Atlantico settentrionale si sta ostinando a raffreddarsi mentre gran parte del pianeta si riscalda. Questa anomalia – denominata “cold blob” – è stata…

[nikkoleon]

Sorry for throwing down so many doodles tonight!

But I wanted to draw your artist and blob~!