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17 Feb, 8 tweets, 4 min read
In an attempt to study the history of an Antarctic ice shelf, a group of geologists drilled through half a mile of ice to retrieve sample sediment from the seafloor.

Instead, they found something highly improbable: life 1/ wired.trib.al/R8dwOkk
This video shows the final moments of the research instrument’s descent. After passing through 3,000 feet of blue-green ice and 1,600 feet of dark seawater, the seafloor comes into view. It’s composed of mostly light-colored sediment, but also something dark—a rock 2/
The rock is the home to an unlikely patch of life. An alien-like sponge and other stalked animals dangle from it and stouter, cylindrical sponges hug the surface. It’s covered in a film, likely a layer of bacteria known as a microbial mat, and contains wispy filaments 3/ Credit: Dr. Huw Griffiths/B...
The discovery is all the more incredible given the rock’s location. It’s hundreds of miles from the nearest potential source of food—a spot that would have enough sunlight to fuel an ecosystem, and be in the right position for currents to supply these creatures with sustenance 4/ Image
Many animals that live sessile (stuck in place) existences on the deep sea floor rely on “marine snow”—morsels of decomposed life that drift downward—as food supply. But these critters live under a half-mile of solid ice. So how on Earth could they be getting sustenance? 5/ Credit: Dr. Huw Griffiths/B...
It could be that the drift of marine snow has been flipped on its side, so that it is moving horizontally instead of vertically. There are productive regions 390-930 miles away, and it’s possible that enough organic material is riding currents hundreds of miles to the rock 6/ Image
From what they eat to how old they are (Antarctic sponges can live for thousands of years), there’s a lot we don’t know about the rock’s inhabitants. But thanks entirely to chance, we now know they exist.

Learn more about the accidental discovery here 7/ wired.trib.al/R8dwOkk
Enjoy this article? Consider supporting our journalism.

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More from @WIRED

17 Feb
The @NASAPersevere rover landing by the numbers:
⚙️ 6 wheeled rover
⚖️ 2,300 lbs
🪂 Slowing down to 200 mph with a supersonic parachute
🚀 About 70 ft above the landing site, retrorockets will settle it into a hover
😱 7 minutes of terror
🎙️ 1 small mic

#Mars2020 1/
On Thursday, NASA's Perseverance rover is scheduled to touchdown on Mars. The official NASA TV stream will begin at 11:15 am PST / 2:15 pm EST. Here is how to watch:
wired.trib.al/spQveiv
📷: NASA/JPL-Caltech 2/
Earthlings will be able to hear much of the seven-minute landing drama thanks to a small mic embedded on the rover. If all goes well, it will record the sounds of the descent and, later, the martian environment itself, something no Mars probe has yet achieved.
📷:JPL/NASA 3/
Read 6 tweets
14 Feb
This year, as @YouTube turns sweet 16, we invite you to share with us the memorable videos that helped you come of age. 1/

how it started how it’s going
What started with an 18-second video describing the elephant enclosure at the San Diego Zoo, now it's littered with popular and prolific content creators who've become self-made multimillionaires. 2/
We’ll kick things off with one of the first viral videos to hit the site:

3/
Read 4 tweets
13 Feb
For months, scalpers armed with bots have been scooping up PS5s as soon as they come into stock, leaving would-be customers in the cold.

If this includes you, don’t lose heart. Here are some tips to boost your chances of securing one 1/ wired.trib.al/iN6htAL
Sign up for Accounts With Every Retailer You’re Tracking

Save your credit card information so that you can check out quickly if a PS5 does pop up. If you fail to check out in time, save it in your cart so that next time it comes into stock you can check out faster 2/
Sony Direct Queue

You’ll need a PSN account—and it’s a good idea to enter payment information ahead of time—but once you join Sony’s virtual queue you should get wait time estimates. Keep the browser window open, and don’t leave it. You will lose your place 3/
Read 7 tweets
9 Feb
Still looking for a Valentine’s gift for Sunday’s celebrations? Our great gift guides can help you find the perfect present for your special someone.

Keep in mind that most of these options will have a Monday delivery date, unless you upgrade your shipping.
A thread. 1/ Image
We recommend the Hario Skerton Pro grinder. For $53, this manual grinder can handle everything from espresso to pour overs: wired.trib.al/xiB5RBm
2/
📷: Amazon Image
For more options, here's our complete guide to buying the perfect gift for the coffee lover in your life. 3/ wired.trib.al/RyCas6z

📷: Jeffrey Micheal Walcott/ Flair Image
Read 7 tweets
7 Feb
It’s a big day for Bowls! Whether you’re cheering for feline, canine, or human teams, we've got your guide to watching each and every game. With or without cable. 1/
wired.com/story/how-to-w…
You can watch Puppy Bowl XVII at 2 pm ET on YouTube TV. 2/ bit.ly/3jrZI39

Photo: Animal Planet Image
The eighth annual Kitten Bowl starts at 2 pm ET time on the Hallmark Channel. 3/
bit.ly/3oV8mZ5

Photo: Hallmark Image
Read 5 tweets
7 Feb
Thanks to confirmation bias and powerful algorithms, social platforms often amplify the voices we agree with most. Over time, this creates echo chambers, which can deepen societal divisions to a dangerous degree.

Here’s how to break out of yours 1/ wired.trib.al/xxZNC22
“Like” everything.

Algorithms can’t categorize you if they can’t determine what you really like. Be generous and you’ll be rewarded with something beyond grateful friends who are glad you noticed their posts 2/
Actively cultivate prestige media on all sides.

To avoid trolls, follow prestige publications across the political spectrum. A profile searching for ‘The National Review’ and ‘The New Yorker’ means you’ll keep your newsfeed clear of the most polarizing stories 3/
Read 7 tweets

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