Spyke

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Larry and the Legend of the Ligand Key

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The large purple rectangle is a protein channel across a cell membrane. It's normally closed, but can be opened by binding to a specific small molecule, which is called a ligand. Different channels have different ligands, and their presence/absence controls whether the channels will open.

In the cartoon Larry the ligand has been traveling with his friends, who represent the cargo to be transferred through that channel. When they reach the closed channel, Larry uses himself as the "key" to open the channel. Since channels usually only stay open while the ligand is still bound, Larry stays behind to keep the channel open while his friends make their way forward.

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They're looking for a "fuck you" to the US government more than they're looking for a new social media. Maybe it will stick as a popular platform, but I suspect it was chosen more for its name and ties to the CCP than any actual features.

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Technically Correct

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I fucking hate that this is a thing. "We can't stop doing this useless and/or detrimental thing, look at all the work it makes for other people to do!!!" Absolutely bonkers that it's just a standard political argument.

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WTF is wrong with you??? You just grate cheese over pasta and call it a day? The cheese should be melted into a sauce (I start with a bechamel and then add cheese), then mixed into the macaroni. I prefer to bake it with breadcrumbs on top after for some textural variety.

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Wobble wobble

I once had the inner lid of a microcentrifuge (one of the plastic ones with a snap-like closure) pop off mid-spin. It shot upward with enough force that it knocked the fully latched upper lid open and then shot across the room like a frisbee. Luckily it just hit some shelves and landed on the floor so nobody was hurt but it scared the shit out of me.

memes

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Math is not a democracy

It’s not a bad analogy for american democracy. None of the options are correct, so you either pick the wrong answer that makes some amount of sense or write in the correct answer and be completely ignored in the tally of results.

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Interesting how artists don't make enough money from their creations, so our solution is to make certain information illegal to share, rather than give them a universal basic income.

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That's why it's a basic income. Enough to keep you housed, clothed and fed. Your clothes might be thrifted, your apartment small, and your diet mostly instant ramen, but your basic needs will be covered. Plenty of people would still work hard to get more than the basics.