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Biomedical subjects

N H Horowitz

Publications and source records attributed to N H Horowitz.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1970

Measurement of CO(2) Assimilation in Soils: an Experiment for the Biological Exploration of Mars.

A method is described for the measurement of CO(2) assimilation by microorganisms in soils. A determination involves exposing soil to CO(2), pyrolyzing the exposed soil, trapping the organic pyrolysis products on a column of firebrick coated with CuO, combusting the trapped organics by heating, and measuring the radioactivity in the CO(2) produced in the combustion. The detection of significant levels of C in the trapped organic fraction appears to be an unambiguous indication of biological activity. The CO(2) which is adsorbed or exchanged into soils by nonbiological processes does not interfere. The method easily detects the CO(2) fixed by 10 to 10 algae after light exposure for 3 to 24 hr. Assimilation of C is also demonstrable in dark-exposed soils containing 10 to 10 heterotrophic bacteria. Possible applications of the method in the biological exploration of Mars are discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1969

Sterile soil from Antarctica: organic analysis.

Soils from the dry-valley region of Antarctica can be sterile by the usual microbiological criteria and yet contain significant amounts of organic carbon. Examination of one such soil shows that the organic material is finely divided anthracite coal. These findings have significant implications for the biological exploration of Mars.

Antarctic Regions↗
PubMed1969

Albert Tyler.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Biology↗
PubMed1964

"Gulliver", an experiment for extraterrestrial life detection and analysis.

Based on the probability that extraterrestrial life is biochemically somewhat similar to life on Earth, a life detection experiment is being prepared to explore Mars. The experiment will be performed by an automated device which will carry a microbiological medium being developed to support a wide range of earth microorganisms. Selected ingredients of the medium will be labeled with radioactive isotopes. A sticky string, shot out from and reeled back into the device, will gather a sample of the Martian soil. It is hoped the radioactive atoms in the compounds will be metabolized by the unknown organisms in the soil and evolved in a labelled gas. The gas will be collected by a chemical "getter" and the radioactivity measured for transmission to Earth. A positive response from the test unit and a negative, or lesser, response from a poisoned control unit would constitute evidence of life. The device can also differentiate between photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic metabolic activity. Data from field tests on Earth are presented.

Carbon Dioxide↗