[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 173 (Friday, December 2, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H7136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          COOL SCIENCE TOPICS

  (Mr. McNERNEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. McNERNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to continue a series of 1-minute 
speeches about cool science topics. Today I will be discussing 
applications of the National Science Foundation's funded research into 
arctic species.
  In order to survive in the subzero temperatures of the Arctic, small 
organisms such as fish, insects, plants, fungi, and bacteria have 
evolved proteins that lower the freezing point of water solutions in 
order to protect themselves when temperatures drop.
  Studies of the proteins of these arctic species will aid in the 
development of aircraft de-icing systems, cryopreservation of food, 
crop protection, frostbite prevention, and other innovations. These 
organisms and their ability to survive in extreme temperatures will 
yield information of great value to society.
  I applaud the NSF's funding of such important research.

                          ____________________