Roma La Sapienza have created a computer model that is useful in understanding how molecules move through super-cooled water. Papers in the current issue of the journal Nature and in May 15 th issue of Physical Review Letters describe the results of their work, which was supported, in part, by the National Science Foundation.
Diffusion occurs as a random selection of a particular path through the mountain passes.
Understanding just how these molecules of super-cooled water move, carrying nutrients to the cells of the plants in this low energy environment, has baffled scientists for some time. The key to understanding the path of the mountaineer lies in the topology of the landscape he traverses he picks the path of least resistance. This give us a better understanding about how life survives at temperatures below zero.