Latest news with #BlueHeron
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Mysterious ‘ship goo' contains new life forms
It came from the deep: a viscous black gunk oozing from the rudder shaft of a ship. At the end of August 2024, the crew of the Great Lakes research vessel R/V Blue Heron, first spotted the substance when the boat was brought to a Cleveland shipyard for propeller repairs. From the outset, no one was sure what to make of it, according to Doug Ricketts, Marine Superintendent at the University of Minnesota Duluth, Large Lakes Observatory. The muck looked like thick grease or oil, Ricketts tells Popular Science, but the rudder shaft wasn't supposed to be lubricated by anything more than lake water. Instead of a strong petroleum odor, the goop had a metallic smell. It also didn't leave a sheen on water, nor burn up in a blowtorch flame, during informal tests conducted by Blue Heron Captain Rual Lee. So, what was it? On the quest for answers, Ricketts brought a paper coffee cup half-filled with the mystery goop (labeled 'ship goo' in haphazard marker strokes) to university scientists. Laboratory analysis has prompted more questions than clarity, but the initial assessment of the 'ship goo' yielded at least one startling discovery. The mysterious tar-like material contained previously unidentified forms of life. 'I really didn't think we'd get anything, to be honest,' Cody Sheik, a microbial ecologist at the University of Minnesota Duluth tells Popular Science. 'Usually, when you're given a cup of tar,' you don't expect much, he adds. Under that assumption, he 'handed it off to a graduate student and said 'good luck'.' The graduate student successfully extracted DNA from the goo, defying Sheik's initial expectations– but still, he thought it might be routine sample contamination. It was only after the lab sent the extracted DNA off for preliminary, single-gene sequencing that Sheik realized he was in uncharted territory. When the results came back, he was shocked. 'A lot of the sequences came out really novel. I was like, 'oh, oh no, okay– this is a whole different story',' he says. [ Related: Pollution-eating microbes are thriving in infamous NYC canal. ] For a deeper look into the goo's microbial makeup, Sheik and his colleagues sent the sample for a second round of sequencing. This time, they examined the whole genomes inside of the goo, instead of just a single key gene region. The analysis confirmed that, though the goop microbes weren't especially diverse, they were unique. They reconstructed the genomes of more than 20 microbes, and compared them to comprehensive databases of previously identified organisms. According to Sheik, they found several novel archaea– members of a domain of single-celled, prokaryotic life that are distinguished from bacteria by their cell membrane composition. One of the microbes they found represents, not just a new species, but an entirely new order of archaea. For now, the scientists are officially referring to it as ShipGoo01. Another promising, oddball microbe could be a whole new bacterial phylum, Sheik says. If confirmed, that would probably be christened ShipGoo002. Others, too, might prove new to science. 'There's several of them that may be new genus, may be new families, for sure,' he notes. ShipGoo01 seems to be anaerobic, meaning it prefers an oxygen-free environment. Other microbes in the goo seem to gobble oxygen up and Sheik suggests that it's possible these exist in a mutually beneficial balance. Of the more familiar microbes and genetic markers, database comparison indicates that the bulk of the teeny tiny organisms are similar to those associated with oil wells, tar pits, and other hydrocarbon systems. Several seem to be related to microorganisms with international origins– from places like Germany. 'That's been kind of fun– trying to figure out where [it's from] and why it's in the rudder system here. It's becoming quite baffling,' Sheik says. In part, again, because the Blue Heron's rudder isn't regularly greased with oil, and because it sails on the Great Lakes in the Midwest. The ship hasn't always been in University of Minnesota custody. It was purchased pre-owned in 1997, Ricketts says, so it's entirely possible that the prior owners of the vessel did apply some sort of petroleum-based lubricant to the rudder shaft. But generally microbes need a steady food supply. Without any additional influx of grease in over 25 years, it's hard to know what the oil-associated microbes might be eating after all this time. Perhaps they're subsisting off of the metal itself, though Ricketts notes that the rudder shaft didn't look particularly damaged. Maybe organic matter from the lake water feeds the micro-beasts. Or maybe some secret third thing is going on. 'The more we start getting into this, the more I'm kind of clueless here,' Sheik says. 'We're doing a lot of sleuthing to try to figure this thing out.' He's hoping to get better answers on what the microbes are floating around in, and all of the microbial metabolic pathways present in the goop. Sheik also imagines using chemical isotope analysis down the line to establish where the atoms in the system are coming from. The carbon and nitrogen in algae, for instance, have a very different profile from the equivalent molecules in motor lube. 'It's like a 1,000 piece puzzle that we're trying to put together,' without any picture on the box to go off of, Sheik says. Once more of the image becomes clear, his lab plans to publish their findings in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. [Related: Can microbes that devour plastic waste be transformed into food for humans?] But there's one big challenge the scientists might not be able to overcome. The cup of goo (comprising about 100 milliliters of gunk) was the only sample taken, and getting more could be difficult–nigh impossible. The ship would have to be put in dry dock, with the rudder, once again, disassembled. And 'unfortunately, they did a really good job cleaning it last time before they put it back,' Sheik says. The rest of the ship goo 'may be lost forever.' Or maybe not. 'I don't think this ship is unique. I really strongly suspect that if you took the rudder post of any ship anywhere, there's a possibility of finding some organism–maybe a new organism–in that space,' Ricketts says. Before this, it would've been easy for him to imagine strange microorganisms popping up in a ship galley or on a fuel filter. But of all the places for something like this to be found, the mechanical rudder shaft at the far end of a ship is among the weirdest, Ricketts says. It just goes to prove, 'microbes are everywhere.' To better understand more of those undiscovered lifeforms, hiding in plain sight, Sheik says his lab would need secure funding and resources. Like many university science labs that rely, in large part, on taxpayer dollars, the future of his work is up in the air. 'Right now we're in this weird spot where we're just trying to struggle to keep our labs open,' he says. He worries that, moving forward, we'll miss out on ShipGoo3– but also on all the would-be advances that might come from it. Many prior microbe discoveries have proved useful in fields as varied as waste management and pollution remediation to life-saving drug development. 'As these dollars go away, our ability to do this primary research that can drive innovation goes away and could be lost for a very long time.'
NDTV
11-07-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Mysterious Goo-Like Life Form Found On Ship In US: "Venom Showing Up Wasn't On My Bingo Card"
Scientists have discovered a mysterious new life form aboard a ship that docked in Cleveland, Ohio, last September. The strange "goo" like lifeform was present on the research vessel Blue Heron when it was pulled out of Lake Erie into the Great Lakes Shipyard, Cleveland, to fix a noisy propeller shaft. During the maintenance check, Captain Rual Lee noticed a previously unknown microorganism, thriving in the warm, oxygen-free environment of the rudder shaft. The colour and consistency of the tar-like substance surprised Mr Lee, who plopped it in water to see if it left a sheen. It didn't, prompting Mr Lee to use a blowtorch to see if the slimy substance would burn. It didn't do that either, Baffled by the alien material, Doug Ricketts, marine superintendent for the Blue Heron, collected the goo in a sample bag and shipped it for the experts at the University of Minnesota Duluth to investigate, according to a report in Cody Sheik, an associate professor at the university and an expert in microbial ecology, used chemicals to crack open the cells of the goo and the microscopic inner workings. The substance, which is thought to be a single-celled organism, is now being temporarily called ShipGoo1. "The biggest surprise was that the ship goo had life in it at all," said Mr Sheik, adding: "We thought we'd find nothing. But surprisingly, we found DNA and it wasn't too destroyed, nor was the biomass too low." Sequencing the DNA and comparing it to global databases, the team found that the goo contained a species unknown to science. "It's fun science. By calling it ship goo for now, it brings some joy to our science. We can find novelty wherever we look." Mr Sheik initially thought the goo was old grease, until learning that the rudder post, where it was oozing from, is only lubricated with water from the lake. It's possible ShipGoo001 is carbon-based and derived from stuff floating in the water, he added. Social media reacts As the news of the discovery went viral, a section of social media users said it was a bad idea to explore the material, while others drew similarities between the goo and the Venom symbiote. "A mysterious living black could go wrong?" said one user while another added: "We don't have time for venom to run around Cleveland." A fourth said: "Venom showing up was not on my 2025 bingo card."
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Concerns raised over future of two local golf clubs
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Residents and club members are seeking help to save Blue Heron Golf Club in Walworth. As of Thursday morning, an online petition has reached nearly 1,000 signatures to oppose rumored plans to redevelop part of the golf course into new housing tracts. Those behind the petition are concerned about the environmental impact, congestion and traffic, changing the town's character, and losing a place that hosted many golfing icons like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. The golf club went under new ownership earlier this year when Jason Calder of Calder Homes and his family took over. Calder Homes was asked about the concerns for Blue Heron's future. They said it's too early to share more, and they 'won't have an application into the town for several months.' Meanwhile, there is a website that's encouraging people to 'Build Your Dream Home at Windward Lake.' It features a flyover video of the clubhouse and a design plan for Blue Heron. The Town of Walworth posted the following message: 'The Town of Walworth has not received an application for the Winward Lake Home Project. The new property owners have not approached any of the Walworth Town Board, Planning Board, or Zoning Board regarding any possible proposed plans for the property. We kindly ask for your patience until/if the Town is approached by the property owners. Until an application is filed, the Town will refrain from discourse regarding the property as its future remains conjecture until the point of formal site application.' In addition, residents are also concerned about Victor Hills in Ontario County after the owners addressed rumors about the golf course: After many cherished years of operation, the course is currently on the market. However, we want to clarify that it has not been sold, and we remain fully committed to continuing operations. 'We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support and the countless memories we've shared with you over the years. We're looking forward to a fantastic summer season filled with great golf and good times!' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
04-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Luxury Home Design-Build Firm Sets Industry Precedent With Appointment of Chief Client Experience Officer
Executive role engineered to provide five-star service throughout the custom home Journey LAS VEGAS, NEVADA / ACCESS Newswire / April 4, 2025 / Blue Heron, a leader in luxury architecture, construction, and interior design, is redefining the standard for bespoke living with an elevated focus on client experience. In a strategic move to enhance its world-class service, Blue Heron is proud to announce the position of Hedy Woodrow as Chief Client Experience Woodrow, Chief Client Experience Officer 'At Blue Heron, our clients expect more than just beautiful architecture, design, and an expertly constructed home. Our clients expect an experience that is seamless and inspiring as the spaces we create,' said Tyler Jones, CEO and Founder of Blue Heron. 'By introducing our first dedicated Chief Client Experience Officer, we're elevating every touchpoint of our client's journey from initial consultation to move-in, and beyond. With over 25 years of experience in five-star luxury hospitality, Hedy Woodrow's expertise will provide excellence at every level, an approach that sets a new benchmark for the industry.' The new Chief Client Experience Officer's role is designed to curate a white-glove experience for clients, ensuring elevated personalization, proactive communication, and world-class service at every phase of the design-build process. Collaborating closely with architecture, interior design, construction, and post-project services, Woodrow will oversee every detail to ensure a seamless, highly tailored experience that exceeds expectations. 'Luxury is not solely about design and craftsmanship - though both are essential. True luxury is about how our clients feel at every moment of their journey with us. It's the attention, the emotion, the excellence woven into every detail. That's what defines the Blue Heron experience,' said Woodrow. 'Drawing from my background in five-star hospitality, I'm excited to bring an unprecedented level of service, discretion, and attention to detail to Blue Heron. Our goal is to ensure every client not only loves the home we create but also enjoys the journey as a truly memorable, five-star experience.' Through this commitment to client experience, Blue Heron continues to solidify its position as a premier luxury design-build firm. Offering an effortless, enjoyable process that mirrors the exclusivity of its architecture and designs. ABOUT BLUE HERON Founded in 2004 by CEO Tyler Jones, Blue Heron is a Las Vegas-based, design-led development firm driven by a boundless pursuit to create extraordinary Homes that elevate how we live. Guided by its signature Vegas Modern™ design philosophy, the firm explores how people intuitively connect with their surroundings, designing Homes that blend striking architecture with purposeful function and emotional resonance. Blue Heron brings together architecture, interior design, construction, pool, spa, and landscape design under one roof. This fully integrated approach ensures a streamlined process and a cohesive vision from start to finish. With a portfolio of more than 400 luxury Homes and 17 private communities, Blue Heron has redefined residential architecture in Las Vegas, pioneering an approach that merges superior client service, innovation, architectural significance, and a deep connection to the surrounding environment. Contact Information Holly Silvestri 7023677771 7023677771 SOURCE: Blue Heron
