Researchers hunt for life in lake hidden beneath Antarctic iceDecember 12, 2012 - 14:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A British research team in Antarctica has launched a long-awaited project to hunt for life in a lake hidden beneath the ice-sheet, BBC News reported. A team of 12 scientists and engineers has begun work at remote Lake Ellsworth. They are using a high-pressure hose and sterilized water at near boiling point to blast a passage through more than two miles of ice. The aim is to analyze ice waters isolated for up to 500,000 years. The process of opening a bore-hole is expected to last five days and will be followed by a rapid sampling operation before the ice refreezes. Lake Ellsworth is one of several hundred lakes known to exist beneath the ice-sheet - its waters kept just above freezing temperature by the warmth of the rocks below. It is thought that the lake has been cut off from the outside world for long enough to raise the possibility that microbial life has evolved in unique ways. This will be the first attempt to use highly sterilized equipment to collect samples of water and sediment from a body of water so deep and isolated for so long. The aim of the project is to investigate the limits of where life is possible so preventing any contamination has been integral to the design of the equipment. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |