The Small Things, IX

I hope I do not receive any flak for posting this shocking video under this recurring post, but I really felt that this would be the most appropriate location for its sharing- particularly as it relates to nature.

Assuming your reaction was similar to mine upon viewing this video, I feel I should perhaps make extra clear why I find some beauty in this...

It may sound scary, but snake venom can be very useful to humans. In a study published last year in the Journal Of Biological Chemistry researchers noted important medical uses of the sinister stuff.

"Snake venom contains a vast number of toxins that target proteins in platelets," Yonchol Shin, an associate professor at Kogakuin University who specializes in snake toxins told ScienceDaily. "Some of those toxins prevent platelets from clotting, which can lead to profuse bleeding in snake bite victims. Others, like the one we've focused this research on, potently activate platelets, which results in blood clots. Identification of the molecular targets of many of these toxins has made an enormous contribution to our understanding of platelet activation and related diseases."

There is something to learn, everywhere.