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“Hei” reader👋! and other new subscribers this week. welcome to the september version of “tic”. If you’re new, you can catch up on our previous editions right here.

_{(“hei“: hi in norwegian)}

in this month’s issue of “tic”, we’re going to talk about a near immortal organism, the father of the world wide web and more… so make sure to share this with your friends, so just like you, they too can enjoy and catch up with more interesting stuff like this!

🦠the resilient immortal creatures: Tardigrades

• how we found them.

tardigrades were earlier known as water bears or moss piglets. this creatures belong to the phylum of Tardigrada. the German zoologist Johann August Ephraim Goeze found them in 1773 and named them Kleiner Wasserbear which meant little water bear in German language. then in 1777 the Italian biologist Lazzaro Spallanzani named them Tardigrada which meant slow step steppers.

• key feature of Tardigrade body structures

Tardigrades are about 0.5mm in length which is the reason why they can be viewed by the low power of light microscopes.

1. segmentation: Tardigrades have a segmented body, similar to many other invertebrates. this segmentation allows for flexibility and movement.

2. cuticle: they are covered by a tough, outer cuticle made of chitin, a substance also found in the exoskeletons of insects. this cuticle provides protection and support.

3. mouth and stylets: Tardigrades have a piercing mouth and two stylet-like structures that they use to puncture the cell walls of their prey and suck out the contents.

4. pharynx: the pharynx, or throat, is a muscular organ that helps in the ingestion and grinding of food.

5. gut: the digestive system is a simple tube-like structure that runs from the mouth to the anus.

   

   (source: National Geographic)

6. nervous system: Tardigrades have a simple nervous system with a brain-like structure called a cerebral ganglion and nerve cords running along the body.

7. legs: they have four pairs of stubby legs, each with claws, that allow them to move slowly through their environment.

8. eyespots: some tardigrades have simple eyespots that can detect light and dark.

9. circulatory system: Tardigrades lack a complex circulatory system. instead, they rely on diffusion to transport nutrients and oxygen throughout their bodies.

10. excretory system: their excretory system is simple and consists of a pair of Malpighian tubules that help to remove waste products.

    

one of the most fascinating aspects of tardigrades is their ability to undergo a process called cryptobiosis. this allows them to enter a state of suspended animation, where their metabolism slows to an almost imperceptible level. they can survive extreme conditions like extreme temperatures, dehydration, radiation, and even the vacuum of space by entering this state.

as you can see in the picture above, tardigrades are small, segmented creatures with a barrel-shaped body and four pairs of stubby legs. their size and appearance are part of what makes them so fascinating and resilient.

• habitat

Tardigrades are incredibly adaptable creatures that can be found in a wide variety of habitats around the world. they are often referred to as "extremophiles" because of their ability to survive in harsh conditions that would be fatal to most other organisms.

here are some of the habitats where tardigrades can be found:

1. mosses and lichens: these are common habitats for tardigrades, as they provide a moist and protected environment.

2. soil: Tardigrades can also be found in soil, particularly in areas that are rich in organic matter.

3. freshwater: they can inhabit freshwater environments, such as ponds, lakes, and rivers.

4. marine environments: Tardigrades have been found in both shallow and deep-sea environments.

5. extreme environments: these remarkable creatures can survive in extremely harsh conditions, including:

   

   Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero / The Daily Beast (source: Getty)

   • high altitudes: they have been found on Mount Everest.

   • extreme temperatures: they can withstand temperatures as low as -273 degrees Celsius and as high as 150 degrees Celsius.

   • high radiation: they can survive exposure to high levels of radiation.

   • vacuum of space: Tardigrades have even survived exposure to the vacuum of space.

their ability to survive in such diverse and extreme environments is a testament to their incredible adaptability and resilience.

• fun fact about Tardigrades

Beresheet, an Israeli aircraft that was crashed into the moon on 11th of April 2019 with a payload of few thousand Tardigrades. the reports suggests that they could have survived the crash. if they survived they’d be the tenth species to reach the moon.

we believe the chances of survival for the tardigrades are high…..extremely high.

Tim Berners-Lee: the architect of the world wide web 👨🏻‍💻

Tim Berners-Lee is a name that echoes in the ears of anyone who has ever accessed the internet. he is the inventor of the World Wide Web(www). and he changed how we communicate, share information, and interconnect with each other. his work was basically the foundation of the digital age. And he is considered one of the most important characters in technology.

it was during his work at CERN in 1989 that Berners-Lee advocated for a system whereby researchers could share information without fuss. within a short period following the coinage of this idea, the first web browser and web server were developed, thereby giving birth to the World Wide Web in 1991. his dream thus was pegged in the philosophy of openness and accessibility, to which he stands true, even today.

besides being innovative technically, Berners-Lee is also an outspoken advocate of freedom on the internet and users' rights. he founded the W3C, the World Wide Web Consortium, which supervises developing standards for the Web and promotes a more inclusive and interoperable Web. he has been vocal about the need for a web almost centered on privacy, security, and ethical use of data with accuracy, especially in this age where personal information is often exploited.

in fact, in 2019 Berners-Lee went a step further in trying to reshape the Web by introducing the Solid project, giving data back to the individual. it would appear to be further testimony to his commitment to this vision of a web for all and not just the privileged few.

contributions by Tim Berners-Lee go beyond the ambit of mere technology to embody the spirit of innovation and belief in the use of the internet as a means for empowerment and positive change. his drive and effort to improve the Web continue, making him an inspiring figure to anyone with an interest in technology and social impact.

🔡 wordle fun

here’s a exclusive wordle challenge from us;

dans les coulisses: movie stunts. the art and science of action sequences 🦸‍♀️

among movie moments, stunts are more thrilling and better remembered. car chases, backflipping off skyscrapers-the routines of attraction hypnotize audiences and often have them wondering, "how did they do that?" behind every show-stopping stunt is a highly skilled army of pros working overtime to choreograph, execute, and film these dangerous feats in safety. let's go backstage into movie stunts and reveal the art and science involved in the action.

• choreographing the action

planning and thorough choreographing lay at the root of every action sequence. directors, along with stunt coordinators, work to invent stunts that work in cohesion with the story or visual style of a film. be it a hand-to-hand fighting scene or an elaborate car chase, every single move is mapped out thoughtfully for both excitement and safety. rehearsals with actors and stunt performers, often breaking down complex moves into parts to be filmed, take great precedence.

• stunt doubles 

although lead actors do often do their stunts, much of the action is involved with professional stunt doubles, who specialize in the performance of scenes that are either dangerous or require physical skills that the actor might not possess. stunt doubles are hired based on their resemblance to the actors they double and can be trained to seamlessly merge with the character's movement. such work is crucial in order to keep the actors safe while maintaining believability of the stunts.

• technology and visual effects

technology plays a huge role in enhancing stunts in modern filmmaking. the SFX(special effects) teams use everything from wire rigs and green screens to CGI in order to create those stunts, which if actually attempted would be impossible or just much too dangerous. big explosions, high falls, or fire-related scenes often combine practical stunts with digital effects to ramp up the danger while keeping it safe. the visual effects teams can also remove wires or harnesses used in stunts to make the action on screen perfect.

• safety measures and training

in the world of stunts, everything revolves around safety as concern number one. months and months of training and rehearsals are endured by performers before a stunt is ever performed on set. these can include martial arts training, high-speed driving courses, or lessons in how to safely fall or be thrown through the air. during the time of filming, stunt coordinators oversee every aspect of the action at hand to minimize risk. this includes very protective gear hidden under costumes, and several precautions against lethal or real weapons, as well as other devices used in action shots.

• practical stunts vs. digital stunts

while CGI has recently become a favorite stunt tool, most directors still like the authenticity of practical stunts-those which are performed live by stunt performers. Practical stunts can provide a level of realism that may be hard to get with CGI. the addition of digital elements, however, allows filmmakers to push the boundaries of what is possible in an action sequence. the most iconic stunts in movie history, such as a real helicopter stunt with Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible - Fallout or the car chases in Mad Max: Fury Road, blend real-world action with digitally realized shots, which are pulled off with precision.

conclusion

movie stunts are a unique blend of art, science, and skill. they require creativity, precision, and an unyielding commitment to safety. from the complex choreography to the innovative use of technology, stunt teams are the unsung heroes of action films, bringing some of cinema’s most exciting moments to life. next time you’re on the edge of your seat during an action scene, remember the incredible effort and expertise that goes into making it happen and the careful work done behind the scenes to ensure the safety and success of every stunt.

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👓 reader’s corner

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here’s a nerdy fun fact that might surprise you 🤓

the astronauts from the Apollo 11 mission had to go through customs when they came back from the moon. after Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins returned to Earth, they landed in the Pacific Ocean and were picked up by the USS Hornet. upon arrival in Hawaii, they reported moon rocks and dust as cargo on their customs declaration forms. that's weird history, demonstrating well how new that mission was.

thank you for reading! wish you all a wonderful month.

until next month,

“tic.” team