全球暖化造成水災頻繁，嚴重威脅植物生存。看似耐淹水的水稻，在完全淹水下亦有其生存危機。水稻FR13A 因耐水性極佳而常用於分子育種，IR64 產量高卻不耐水。是那些特質使稻種間有不同耐水機制？我們觀察其幼苗淹水24 小時後生長情形、通氣組織 (aerenchyma) 變化及應用即時反轉錄聚合?鏈反應 (real time RT-PCR)，研究酒精醱酵的主要蛋白質：乙醇脫氫? (alcohol dehydrogenase, ADH1, 2) 及丙酮酸脫羧? (pyruvate decarboxylase, PDC2) 基因之表現量。兩種水稻的胚鞘及根都因淹水減緩生長，以FR13A 減緩最明顯。通氣組織在淹水期間都有增加，FR13A 中的形成近似於對照組，IR64 則明顯較差。FR13A 中ADH1 及ADH2 在淹水一小時後迅速增加60 至100 倍，IR64 僅增加10 至20 倍。PDC2 在IR64 中表現量的增加幅度較大，但最大值仍小於FR13A 之基礎表現量。由此可知，FR13A 在完全淹水時成長減緩而原有通氣組織則持續生長，且酒精醱酵中的基因有獨特誘導反應，因此耐水性較佳。藉由此研究揭開水稻細胞及分子生物學上的耐水反應策略，將可更精準地改良稻作使其對抗淹水逆境，解決未來因環境造成的糧食危機。Global warming increases the frequency of flooding, which drastically reduces the growth and survival of plants. Although rice (Oryza sativa) appears well-adapted to flooding of roots as it is often farmed in paddies, problems arise when the whole plant is submerged in water. I am interested in the structural and molecular responses that result in different submergence tolerances in rice cultivars. Indica rice FR13A is submergence-tolerant and frequently used in molecular breeding for this trait, while IR64 is a high-yield but submergence-intolerant cultivar. In this study, I monitored the growth rate, aerenchyma formation, and gene expressions of the carbohydrate metabolism in FR13A and IR64 seedlings subjected to submergence for 24 hours, by means of real time RT-PCR and microarray. FR13A had prominently inhibited coleoptile growth and sustained levels of aerenchyma formation whereas IR64 did not. The mRNA levels of alcohol dehydrogenase 1 (ADH1) in FR13A was induced prominently, while ADH2 was induced in IR64 during early hours of submergence. The induction of pyruvate decarboxylase 2 in FR13A was stronger than IR64. The expression of sucrose synthase was similar in both strains. Expressions of the genes involved in anaerobic carbohydrate metabolism were also studied by analyses of microarray data. My findings demonstrate that elongation quiescence, persistent aerenchyma formation and shifts in anaerobic carbohydrate metabolism gene expressions are beneficial strategies of FR13A towards submergence. Through elucidating the molecular basis of coordinating submergence tolerance genes as this study provided, it will be possible to discover multiple traits associated; hence crop improvement for flooding tolerance could be achieved.

筆者將K?Cr?O?置於明膠溶液中煮沸，加入AgNO?水溶液，使之造成空間震盪反應。產生Liesegang ring。並且在研究空間震盪的過程中，筆者在研究過程中同時發展出一個程式，可以完成空間震盪實驗完成之後，由其震盪條紋的時空關係，得知ksp與擴散係數。或者可以在已知ksp和擴散係數的條件之下，預測出空間震盪實驗完成時的情形。We put K?Cr?O? into glutin, boiling it. After it concretizes, add AgNO? aqua into the glutin of K?Cr?O?. It is made to be space oscillation reaction with the Liesegang rings. And when we research for the process of space oscillation, we develop a program which can know the Ksp or diffusing coefficient after finising an experiment in Lablratory. Or we can predict the statement after the experiment on the condition of the Ksp and diffusing coefficient.

The temperature of the water was commonly higher and both of electrodes were oxidized during electrolysis by using alternating current, but the above happenings were only found at the positive electrode by using direct current. It can be explained by the principle of the microwave stove. The exchange of the current causes the water molecules to release heat. The strength and weakness of electrolytes, the length and width of the electrodes, and the frequency of the alternating current can affect the rate of electrolysis of water. Commonly speaking, the stronger the electrolyte is, the faster the rate of electrolysis will be. NaOH and HNO3 are strong electrolytes, but the amount of the gas is zero during electrolysis by using alternating current. Maybe both of electrolytes react with stainless-steel electrodes to form some kinds of protective layers to affect the conduction of current. When copper bars, carbon bars, and iron nails are used as electrodes, either the alternating current or direct current is used, the amount of the gas is very small. Maybe these electrodes react with oxygen produced during electrolysis to form oxidized layers to block the conduction of current. Long and wide electrodes produce more amount of the gas. The amount of the gas increases when the frequency of the alternating current increases. The longer the distance between electrodes is, the smaller the amount of the gas will be. The smaller the angle between electrodes is, the smaller the amount of the gas will be, too. When the number of multiple electrodes in parallel increases, the total amount of the gas almost increases. The amount of the gas is smaller at the farther electrode. The amount of the gas at the electrode at the same distance becomes smaller when the number of multiple electrodes in parallel increases. At the same voltage, the effective current of the alternating current is about 0.707 of that of direct current. So we can predict that the total amount of the gas elect rolyzed by alternating current must be about 0.707 of the total amount of the gas electrolyzed by direct current. When we used stainless-steel electrodes and the electrolyte- H2SO4, we found the ratio was about 0.4286. Maybe the system of the electrolysis of water doesn’t obey the ideal linear system of Ohm’s Law and some part of electrical energy is wasted by increasing the temperature of the water and the oxidization of electrodes. 交流電解普遍水溫較高且兩極都有被氧化現象，直流電解則只有正極有上述現象，可能是交流電有類似微波爐的原理，電流交替時造成水分子震盪發熱。電解質強弱、電極種類、電極長短粗細、交流電頻率會影響電解水速率：強電解質較快，但NaOH 、KNO3 雖是強電解質，在交流電解時，氣體產生量幾乎是零，這可能是他們與不銹鋼電極反應形成某種保護層而影響導電；以銅棒、碳棒、鐵釘為電極時，不管是交流電或直流電，氣體體積都很小，這可能是這些電極和產生的氧氣反應，形成氧化層阻礙了導電；長的和粗的電極氣體產生量較多；交流電頻率越大，則電解所產生的氣體量也隨之增加；電極之間的距離越大兩極的氣體體積越小；兩電極之間的角度越小，兩極的氣體體積越少；多重電極並聯的個數越多，總氣體體積約略越大，距離越遠的氣體體積越小，同距離的氣體體積隨並聯的個數越多氣體體積越小。在相同電壓下，交流電輸出的均方根電壓(電流)為直流電電壓(電流)的0.707 倍(1/√2)，所以推測交、直電解水的氣體總體積比值也應為0.707，但我們以不銹鋼為電極、H2SO4 為電解液下比值為0.4286，這可能是本電解水系統並非為遵守歐姆定律的理想線性系統，且電解水時部分電能被消耗在水溫的升高及電極的氧化上。

根據台北市體育學院運動器材科技研究所劉強教授指出甜蜜點(範圍)包含三個定義的區域：(圖A 改繪自聯合報)【1】一、碰撞中心：擊球時握把無撞擊感的位置。(物理學理上甜蜜點的定義點又稱『振盪中心』【2】(the center of oscillation)) 二、強力中心：擊球後產生最高速球的位置。(恢復係數最大) 三、節點：擊球後握把無振動感的位置。我們利用PASCO音頻接收器，測量到標準的比賽用球棒，受撞擊時會產生三個較明顯的振盪頻率(如圖A-右)。好的手工球棒會將這三個震波頻率的節點，安排在甜蜜區附近，使打擊者敲中該處時，球棒振動最小，握棒處受力最小，球與棒間的恢復係數最大，擊出的棒球可以飛得最遠。這個點(區域)就稱之為甜蜜點(The sweet spot)。

在網路上看到甩毛巾、皮鞭的影片，會產生巨大的聲響，查找了資料，我們知道當發聲體超過音速時便會產生音爆。部分文獻提到，毛巾或皮鞭生成音爆原因是來自於角動量守衡理論，我們想利用實驗方法來驗證其正確性，因此利用video point 來分析影片討論手的加速度和毛巾末端質量、長度的關係，並用crocodile physics 做電腦模擬，我們發現毛巾長度與音爆產生無關，這樣和角動量理論模型有所不同。所以我們嘗試利用能量守恆及自由端反射駐波理論來解釋毛巾產生音爆關係，並利用影片分析及crocodile physics 驗證其正確性。We saw the film clippings on the Internet about snapping towels and whips, which made a big noise. After going through related literature, we found out that it is called the sonic boom .Some papers say that the sonic boom results from the Location momentum conservation theory. To prove its accuracy, we used a kind of computer software called Video Point to analyze in the clippings the movement of the hand, understanding the relationship between the mass of the towel end and the length of the towel. We also used another software called Crocodile Physics to simulate the whole process. We discovered that there is no connection between the length of the towel and the sonic boom. It does not conform to the Location momentum conservation theory. We then in turn employed energy conservation theory and the trait of the standing wave (specific wave length) to explain, when we also used Video Point and Crocodile Physics to prove.

由人類活動造成的溫室效應可能導致地球溫度升高,聖嬰現象加劇等現象與災害,本文利用個氣候中心發展出的模式,推估台灣和東亞地區未來氣候變遷的情況,我們發現當大氣中的二氧化碳濃度增加為現在的1.9倍時,台灣地區的年平均溫度將升高0.85-2.50度C而東亞地區將會升高1.46-4.07度C,在同條件下個模式的平均推估量也顯示,台灣地區將每天增加0.10公厘的降水，而東亞地區每天將增加0.08公哩,我們希望這個研究結果可以做為其他相關研究的基礎,使大家提早因應未來氣候變遷所可能引發的種種變化;Greenhouse effect, incurred mainly by human activities may result in lots of phenomenon and damages such as the increasing of the world's average temperature and he aggravation f the "ElNino" effect. In this research, we simulate future metrological values by employing several simulation modes developed by different climate centers and predict future climate changes in Taiwan and East Asia area. We found that when the concentration of carbon dioxide exceeds 1.9 times than current value, the estimated range of the increased year-average temperature are0.85-2.5℃ and 1.46-4.07℃ for Taiwan and East Asia, respectively. Under the same condition, the ensemble mean reveals that the precipitation raises will be 0.1 and 0.08mm per day, for Taiwan and East Asia respectively. We hope our work can be the foundation of other related researches, and all the researches together can help for coping with possible damages caused by future climate changes.

本研究是以數位科技改良生物實驗上的傳統比色法，並探討中國樹蟾及台北樹蛙的變色行為。有些兩棲類有變色行為，這是眾所皆知的現象，過去一向採用比色法判斷生物體的體色變化；然而，以人眼去測定色差，會有相當大的主觀誤差。本研究及是探討以數位科技量化並比較實驗對象的變色情形。在研究過程中，用電腦量化數位相機所拍攝的影像，以像素的方式呈現出來，得以取的準確且客觀的實驗數據，並加以解析，也經由此一實驗方式，交叉比較中國樹蟾及台北樹蛙在不同環境和不同時間下的變色情形。結果顯示：樹蛙變色和環境顏色及時間有密切關係，且在短時間內以數位量化的方式解析其變色行為的方法極為可行。The purpose of this study is to investigate the color variation behavior of tree frogs using an image processing technology. It is known that some of the amphibians have the ability to change their skin color under different circumstances. In the past, a conventional “color comparison” method was frequently used whenever it comes to analyzing the color variation of organisms. However, it is realized that evaluation of color difference by human eyes is extremely unreliable. An advanced image processing technology is thus suggested to quantify the variation of skin color of tree frogs under different conditions in this experiment. Accurate quantification can be determined from the pixel number of exhibited digital images during the experiment. The color variation of different species of frogs (Hyla chinensis & Rhacophorus taipeianus) is also compared under different parameters. It is found that the color variation of tree frogs is closely related to the color of back ground as well as time. The proposed digital quantification technique has been successfully demonstrated to be an effective method for analyzing the color variation of frogs within a very short time.

1. Purpose of the research to detect the dynamics of the change of moisture regime on the territories of Olekminsk area for the past 100 years.\r 2. Procedures for analysis we used as materials of observations on the testing areas of school of ecological control of our Center, so and of the meteorological station Jikimda situated on the territories of Olekminsk reserve, as literary sources. Time-series analysis was conducted as to following scheme: for period 1901 -1914, 1949-1958 and for period 1996 -2009.\r 3. Data The changes of the temperature of air and sediments for the period of instrumental observations from 1901 to 2009 were analyzed\r 4. Conclusions Climate is characterized with many parameters coming in radiation, the heat and aqueous balances of territory. The most simple and widely measured parameters are the temperature of air and the quantity of atmospheric condensation. Carried out researches and the analysis of received results let us make tentative conclusions:\r 1. Average amount of precipitation increased on 41% (with 229 mm during the period 1901-1914 till 390 mm for period 1998 - 2006)\r 2. The decrease of firm precipitation in cold period and increasing of fluid precipitation in warm period are noticed for 100 years.\r 3. The gross amount of days with precipitation grows from 135 days (period 1901 - 1914) till 160 days (for period 1996 - 2006). For period 1901 -1914 a month with the greatest quantity of days with precipitation is January. The middle quantity of days with precipitation in it composes 16 days. A month with the least quantity of days with precipitation is July. The middle quantity of days with precipitation in it composes 8 days for period 1996 -2006. We should note that though increasing of the quantity of days with precipitation is on the cold period of year, increasing of the value of precipitation arises at expense of warm months. This reflects well the annual motion of the force of precipitation as to studied periods, the force of precipitation grows, in the first case achieving maximum in August, into second - in July. The maximal significances of the force of the precipitation of second period exceed of such the first period almost in two times.\r 4. The disposition of meteorological phenomena shows the change of climate to moistness. There are more days with fog, snow-storm, the quantity of days with precipitation increases from more 1mm, so more and 5 mm and it’s noticed that the quantity of days at a speed of wind more 10 and 15m/sec increases.\r 5. The change of the precipitation amount, especially in warm period affects the level and the expense of water in the Lena River. Analyzing as to decades the statistics on stratum of flow as to stratum flow since 1930 till 2006 can be noted tendency increasing of stratum flow from 132.8 mm in 1930 till 289 mm in 2006. The significance of the annualized expense of water with 6370 in 1999 till 8710 m/sec in 2006 enlarge, the annualized level of water changes from 282 till 376 cm. It is according. The area of the movement of the significances of the indicators changes to their increasing in the course of the year for the last 10 years. Averaging their significance exceed the norm of 18%.\r In conclusion we want to note that global change of climate actually touches all of us and already has significant influence on natural environment and the life of people. In simple words warming - the increase of temperature - for the many areas of our north country might become a favorable change of the conditions of life. But the trouble is that the change of climate is much more complex process, and one of its main manifestations is the augmentation of the instability of climatic conditions, changes of flora and fauna, increasing of infectious diseases. This influences badly on natural ecosystems and complicates the life of people. Besides, too quick warming does not let natural ecosystems adapt themselves, and they can be destroyed. And at least now we shouldn’t wait doing nothing, it is necessary to take all efforts to try to reduce climate change effect.

Moire 為法文，其英譯為watered， 是古代織布技術的一種應用；將印有規律條?的透明薄片重疊時，稍微移動或轉動其中的一片，會形成極大的圖形變化，稱為moire pattern本作品針對三個moire pattern 的數學式加以推導：(一)、兩張透明片各印有等間隔平行線，轉動其中一片使兩線的夾角θ，亮紋垂直距離和暗?垂直距離的比值為tanθ/2tanθ 。(二)、兩張透明片各印有輻射線，重疊後行成圓系，可由代數或幾何加以證明，利用三角函數可推導出此圓系方程式為：x2+{y-rtan[π/2-(θ-?)]}2)]}={rsec[π/2-(θ-?)]}2)]}\r \r (三)、透明片A 印有等間隔平行線，B 印有符合高斯曲線的平行線，AB 重疊時，形成一系列的高斯曲線，AB 的夾角減少時，會增大曲線的曲率，我們進一步討論曲線的曲率和平行線斜率的關係。Moire is the French word “watered” and refers to an ancient technique employed in cloth making. The moire occurs whenever two or more transparent sheets with periodic strips on them are superposed. The characteristic of moire patterns is the fact that a slight shift of sheets will create dramatic alternations in the observed patterns. In the present report, We derive the equations of three different moire patterns. First of all, take a sheet with equal spaced straight lines and placed it on top of another identical sheet. They are made to intersect and form an angle of θ. As the angle changes slightly, it produces huge changes in the spacing of moire fringes. We can derive a formula related to the interfringe distance. The ratio of bright fringes and dark fringes is tanθ/2tanθ.Secondly, two transparent sheets with radial lines on them are overlapped, forming a pattern similar to the lines of force between point charges. We can find that the pattern is a series of circle by means of algebraic and geometric proofs. And proven by trigonometric functions, we canconclude that they satisfy the equation :x2+{y-rtan[π/2-(θ-?)]}2)]}={rsec[π/2-(θ-?)]}2)]}\r Thirdly, a set of lines of equal spacing is overlapped with a second set of lines whose spacing are derived from a Gaussian curve. A series of Gaussian curves is reproduced in a moire pattern. Reducing the angle of intersection between the two figures steepen the curvature. We discussed the relation between the curvature and the slope of inclined lines.

Aim: Over the years I became quite quick at solving the cube. I was keen to see if I could create a mechanical system that would do it in a similar time. Because of financial limitations and equipment I thought it impossible to achieve my usual times of around 1 minute and so settled on a target of 10 minutes. So my aim became; “To create a mechanical system that could solve the cube 100% reliably in less than 10 minutes” What I did: I started from the view that I wanted to get it to find a solution using the process that I usually use. The downside of this approach was that this approach meant that most internet research was irrelevant to my project. Also some methods I found were very sophisticated and expensive eg. the university professor who created a system to solve it in 6 seconds. I wrote software capable of solving the cube, printed out its results then testing the instruction steps by manually manipulating the cube. This was improved until 100% reliable. I then developed the user interface to input the colours on each face. The building of the hardware to manipulate the cube proved my most difficult challenge. To get the cube flipped and rotated accurately using the 5 servos. I modeled this using lego and popsicle sticks until the movements met the accuracy and reliability outcomes I needed. Surprisingly these materials held up to the challenge. Integrating the software and hardware functional models took a lot longer than anticipated to get the software instructions executed and coordinated. A great deal of fine tuning was required. Outcome: The system solves the cube 100% of the time. I was exceptionally pleased with this result in view of the lego and popsicle stick model. On reflection I have achieved a successful working model that university students have aspired to and this gives me great satisfaction. Conclusion: While the outcome is pleasing I envisaged achieving a much faster system with easier data input using camera and colour recognition software. Unfortunately time and my budget restrictions prevented this from being developed. However this is a step I am interested in implementing in the future. The speed could be improved by designing more efficient cube solving algorithms, implementing a camera with colour recognition, and possibly rethinking and redesigning my mechanical design. I would also like to Figure 1 illustrates how the air would flow through a fan, and get pushed underground in several short HDPE pipes. This tempered air would then be fed into a small, insulated air chamber built against the home that contains an air-sourced heat pump. The walls of this chamber would have small vents to balance air pressure, and an exit near the top for cooled exhaust air. When the temperature outdoors is in the coldest stage of winter (daily average of -3.0ºC), the tempered air being brought into the chamber would simulate an outdoor ambient temperature of about 10.0ºC, allowing a heat pump to operate with a COP of ~3.79 (based on data from Goodman Air Conditioning and Heating).² This means that for every unit of energy put into the heat pump, 3.79 units of energy are extracted. 4. Conclusions: In building an enclosed air chamber for around an air-sourced heat pump, it was found that it is possible to simulate a 10.0ºC climate in the coldest parts of winter through air tempering. This will allow the heat pump to run substantially more efficiently throughout the year. This system could be used effectively to heat a home in the winter, as well as cool a home in the summer.

面對一個終身學習，多元化學習的社會，學習的方法不再侷限於閱讀或求教於師了，取而代之的是電腦科技的變革。上屆學長利用線上代理人融入遠距教學的作品令我印象深刻，但總覺得少了些趣味及互動性，於是本實驗嚐試將虛擬實境加入線上代理人及遠距教學，利用空間魔法師建構出來的環境，讓使可者能夠融入其中，悠遊在虛擬的世界，並配合鍵盤的滑鼠的控制移動，點選建構出來的虛擬物件，透過超連結連結至網路上的知識網頁，配合線上代理人的互動及帶領，結合了主動、趣味、互動與便利，開創未來的學習方法，一個講求效率、速度及克服空間無時無刻都能學習的環境。With the arriving of 21st century，things are widely different，including the ways of learning. Because of the revolution of multi-media，computer technology will change the traditional way of learning. I was impressed by the master piece 「Long-distance with Agent」 which was done by the schoolmates last semester. But I feel their work still have much room for improvement，so I combine to use the virtual environment with the advantages of their work. Learners can move and click the objects in the virtual reality space，and they can be linked to the knowledge website through the Internet. Learners can enjoy the interesting ，fast，interactive and efficient learning environment. This work is done by the Space Magician Ver3.0， which is used to design a 3D virtual reality environment. And the users can enjoy the net-surfing and through the hyperlinks to get the information.

The waters of the Benguela, the Atlantic Ocean off South Western African shorelines, are amongst the most productive in the world, supporting prolific marine life. However despite the abundance of animals, survival in this marine ecosystem is not always easy. Oxygen-deficient bottom water, often containing toxic hydrogen sulphide, is a feature of the northern Benguela coastal upwelling system. Here, superfluous cells from excess phytoplankton production, decay and sink to the bottom to form the oozy diatomaceous mud belt sediment off the Namibian coastline. Within this diatomaceous mud further intensified decay takes place to form toxic hydrogen sulphide in the sediment. Sporadically large amounts of the hydrogen sulphide are released into the water column, causing the deadly annual "sulphur" events, as they are locally known in Namibia, to take place. Sulphur eruptions result in the deaths of thousands of marine animals. This marine system off the Namibian coast, with its harsh natural conditions of hydrogen sulphide and low oxygen, is similar to an ecosystem suffering intensive marine pollution. These natural conditions of the Benguelan waters are closely related to the conditions of many coastal areas suffering from the global marine pollution problem, created by man all over the world, through the discharge and disposal of wastes, such as nitrate fertilisers, sewage and biological decay material. A specialsed group of bacteria known as sulphur bacteria occur within the sulphidic conditions of the sediments. Sulphur bacteria actually use some of the produced toxic hydrogen sulphide in the sediments, converting it to harmless elemental sulphur micro granules in their cytoplasm. Where no other life occurs, due to the harsh conditions unfriendly to most marine lifr, sulphur bacteria thrive. Sulphur bacteria control and decrease the amount of hydrogen sulphide, which goes from the sediment into the water, through their complex metabolic systems. The biggest and most effective sulphur bacteria, only found off the Namibian coast, were dubbed Thiomargarita namibiensis. Thio means sulphur and namibiensis refers to its occurrence in Namibia. This giant sulphur-eating microbe is the earth's biggest known bacterium, visible to the naked eye. I conclude with a personal hypothesis to suggest a solution to global water pollution by utilising this magnificent bacterium. Through bacterial cultivation and processing Thiomargarita namibiensis could be employed in tacking extent of global marine pollution. The bacteria use toxic hydrogen sulphide as "fuel" for their metabolism and nitrate as an oxidizing agent, to produce harmless sulphur granules. This explains the bacteria's effectivity in removing nitrate and hydrogen sulphide wastes, the forms most biological wastes eventually occur in, from the water. This spectacular process, as it occurs within these magnificent "sulphur pearl strings", could be the sensational answer to the regeneration of polluted marine waters on a worldwide scale. This absolutely natural treatment of the water would not bear any harmful consequences such as those artificial treatment leaves behind. Sewage treatment or denitrifying treatments applied by man on polluted water leaves chemical discharge and damage to affected ecosystems. Especially Thiomargarita could be used in the regeneration of rural and urban waters (should those survive in fresh water)and sewage schemes as well as most marine waters, due to its high effectivity in removing hydrogen sulphide from affected water. It is not the solution to global water pollution to fight chemicals with chemicals. Nature has provided an excellent and valuable resource that could enable absolute natural recovery within polluted marine ecosystems. We should dedicate ourselves towards such magnificent discoveries and help nature help itself. Research on these Sulphur bacteria(especially Thiomargarita namibiensis)is very recent and ongoing. I recently enjoyed the privilege of a 24 hour marine research ship cruise off the Namibian coast with marine biologists from the Namibian Ministry for Fisheries and Marine Resources, to obtain mud cores holding Thiomargarita namibiensis bacteria. Several chemical tests are done and biological reactions are studied to collect the necessary data concerning Thiomargarita namibiensis. The discovery of Thiomargarita namibiensis awoke worldwide scientific excitement and interest. Its application to solve the problem of global water pollution would be a spectacular scientific breakthrough for the human race.