Mmastodon ScienceScience first seen 1 d ago, last 1 d ago, peak #1
Cross-section of grass blade reveals smiley faces under microscope
Original: A cross section of blade of grass, stained for microscope viewing. Smiley faces are channels that water is drawn up thro
A stained cross-section of a blade of grass viewed under a microscope is delighting people online because the water-conducting channels look like tiny smiley faces. Phil Gates of Durham University created the glowing effect using two stains: calcofluor M2R, which turns cellulose blue, and Auramine O. The image highlights the plant structures that draw water up through the grass.
Why now: The striking, unexpectedly cheerful microscope image of an ordinary plant is being widely shared and enjoyed.
Rank over time, top of the chart is #1. 2 snapshots from 1 d ago to 1 d ago.
Evidence
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