Scientists hoping to find life on Mars should look down — way, way down.

A paper co-authored by UWindsor professor Scott Mundle published this month in Scientific Reports, an open-access subsidiary of the journal Nature, suggests seismic activity allows organisms to migrate deep into the Earth’s subsurface through rock fractures. Since seismic activity occurs on other planets and moons, too, life elsewhere in our solar system could be contained in ecosystems deep in the subsurface, the research suggests.

“If life is going to be found on Mars, it will be found in the subsurface,” said Dr. Mundle. Regions with historical seismic activity and surface water are important considerations when selecting landing sites for planetary exploration, he said.

The new paper, New Ecosystems in the Deep Subsurface Follow the Flow of Water Driven by Geological Activity, is borne of research by Belgian biologist Gaetan Borgonie. Borgonie went into gold, platinum, and diamond mines in South Africa and collected samples of water dripping from the walls nearly four kilometres underground.

In 2011, Borgonie found nematodes — microscopic worms like the one pictured at left — in the samples. Further research into this ground-breaking discovery showed the water dripping into the mines came from pockets 5,000 years old. Additionally, the samples showed that the nematodes were not alone. Algae, bacteria, insects, and crustaceans were also found, surviving by grazing on biofilm made up of dead cellular matter and other organisms.

“Finding life in the deep subsurface was a big discovery, but for us it was just as important to understand how it got there and how it survives” said Mundle.

“The only way we could access a definitive answer to this question was to choose a location with a known deep ecosystem and open hydrological system, set up a field site laboratory in the deep subsurface mine, and manually simulate seismic activity.”

The idea that seismic activity is a major driving force for life has not been previously demonstrated and is not obvious, as many locations that have seismic activity do not sustain life in the deep subsurface, Mundle said. The research addresses a number of biological survival factors working with seismic activity to create the ideal conditions for life in these extreme environments.

“It is the complementary nature of the physical and biological processes that provide a means for survival,” Mundle said.

Borgonie and Mundle collaborated with 14 other researchers from around the globe on the new paper, bringing together the worlds of biology and chemistry.

“As seismic activity is a non-selective force, we recovered specimen of algae and insecta that defy any obvious other explanation at a depth of -3.4 km,” the researchers wrote.

“As seismic activity is also present on other planets and moons in our solar system the mechanism elucidated here may be relevant for future search and selection of landing sites in planetary exploration.”

─Sarah Sacheli

The UWin Proud campaign is going to the dogs. And the cats, hamsters, horses, lizards, or any other pet willing to display some Lancer love.

UWin Proud Pets, a contest organized by the Office of Student Experience, combines love of the University with love of animals. To enter, take a photo of your pet showing their UWindsor spirit. One winner will receive a Bose Soundlink Micro Bluetooth Speaker.

One entry per contestant — submit your picture to studentexperience@uwindsor.ca before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 26. Find more info on the contest website.

Hundreds of UWindsor students, faculty, and staff experienced the cultural diversity of the campus community Thursday during the Celebration of Nations.

The festival drew on the talents of musicians and dancers, offered samples of ethnic foods, and presented artifacts and materials reflecting the history of many lands.

Diane Luu-Hoang, who co-chaired the event with Beth Oakley, said the event created many memorable moments.

“From the vibrant and lively flag parade, to the engaging and beautifully presented performances, to the captivating and educational table booth displays, to the tasty cultural appetizers — it was wonderful to see the community come together,” she said.

The booth from India was judged best display and social work student Perween Ismail received a $150 gift certificate in a prize draw for participants who visited every table.

Next up on the world culture calendar is the year-end gala of the International Student Society and Volunteer International Student Assistance. Titled “A Date with Diversity,” it is set for Friday, March 22, at the Mackenzie Hall Cultural Centre, 3277 Sandwich St. The $25 cost of admission promises dinner and a show of multicultural performances. For tickets, email iss@uwindsor.ca.

An exhibition this week in the SoCA Gallery will show what students have learned of the principles, vocabulary, and concepts of space-based art.

Participants applied traditional and contemporary materials, processes, and practices to create the sculptural works of “3-D: Virtual to Physical.”

The gallery, located in the Armouries building at 37 University Ave. E., is open to the viewing public from 89:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Friday, March 22. Find more information, including a list of participating exhibitors, on the visual arts website.

In the months following the legalization of cannabis, Canadians have had a chance to see the different ways in which the industry is interacting with the marketplace and the various regulatory issues that it raises around its commercialization.

A panel with expertise in patent and innovation law, health, and food regulation will explore the possible impacts that the legalization of cannabis will have on Canadian lives, Wednesday, March 20, at Windsor Law.

Panellists include:

• Law professor emeritus Bill Bogart, author of three books on the regulation of consumption: Permit But Discourage: Regulating Excessive Consumption; Regulating Obesity? Government, Society and Questions of Health; and Off the Street: Legalizing Drugs.
• Laurence MacPhie, a partner with Bereskin & Parr LLP whose practice focuses on drafting and prosecuting patent applications related to molecular biology, genetic engineering, agriculture, and plant-related technologies.
• Joyana Mitich, a consultant and auditor for the agricultural industry, specializing in food safety and quality management. Utilizing skills from her work experience, she has applied similar principles to evaluate the cannabis industry.

The discussion, entitled “Dope Tech: Cannabis, Innovation, and the Impact on Consumers,” will begin at noon in room G102, Ron W. Ianni Faculty of Law Building.

Admission is free but requires advance registration. Find more detail and the online registration form on the event website.

Daniel Wiley, assistant conductor of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra¸ will lead UWindsor music students through a masterclass on Wednesday, March 20.

The public is welcome to observe at 7 p.m. in the Performance Hall, SoCA Armouries, 37 University Ave. E.

Since joining the orchestra in February 2018, Wiley has taken leadership of the Windsor Symphony Youth Orchestra, Junior Youth Orchestra, and the new Windsor Symphony Community Orchestra. Learn more on the event website.

The Campus Bookstore is offering savvy shoppers savings on a bundle of T-shirts.

The bundles hold 100 per cent cotton T-shirts in each of three colours: white, navy blue, and grey, bearing the words “University of Windsor” screen printed across the chest.

Through April 30, they’re marked down to $19.95 from the original price of $26.95. Grab them while all sizes are available in the store, located on the lower level of the CAW Student Centre.