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POPSZebra's Stripes, Butterfly's Wings: How Do Biological Patterns Emerge? Previous work identified a specific signal necessary for getting these fly egg cells to move; the problem is that this signal is “graded.” Like drops of ink spreading out on wet paper, this signal travels in between surrounding cells, gradually fading away as it moves outwards. But clear lines are required for pattern formation — there is no grey area between a zebra’s black and white stripes, between heart and liver cells and, in this case, between migrating cells and those that stay put. How are graded signals converted to a clear move or stay signal? By examining flies containing mutations in different genes, the researchers discovered that one gene in particular, called apontic, is important for converting a graded signal.
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POPSQueen bees took time to play the field They suggest that while worker bees are sterile, and cannot breed themselves, helping the queen allows their genes to be passed on, while at the queen having multiple partners can widen the gene pool.
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POPSExtinct thylacine genome brought to life Known as the Tasmanian Tiger, it was one of the few marsupial predators that were in Australia before the arrival of the west. The other is the Tasmanian Devil, which survives, but is threatened by a disease that causes ulcers.
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POPSOld donated blood a risk after surgery. Blood has an official 'shelf life' of 6 weeks. The tendency to use old blood first to rotate stocks would mean that much of the blood used would be over the two week limit said to be dangerous. Blood can't be frozen or the red blood cells burst. Huge volumes are used in transplant and heart surgery that have been much more common over the last few years. Much of the blood used in these cases ends up on the floor. If a blood bank supply reaches the two week limit, supplies are said to be critically low. There needs to be a redevelopment of the practice of blood supply and distribution, Perhaps with alternatives to whole blood and the types surgery being considered. 'Keyhole' heart surgery is one option that has that saves the need for huge transfusions, and patient stress. Something I considerd as a comparison. How long can pasteurized, homogenized milk be kept in the fridge before it goes sour ?
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POPSOvereating disrupts web of genes. They say perhaps they can develop drugs that will solve the problem.? Perhaps sensible eating would be a good idea. We don't have any idea of the effects of a bad diet on our genes, amongst many other things. Many of these effects are no doubt passed down to the children.
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POPSRoyal jelly triggers queen genes I'm sure any beekeeper can tell you that a queen bee is just a worker that has been fed royal jelly, They wanted to study the process in more detail, because the principle is thought to work in other animals, including humans, and they were also trying to work out how to make 'clean' queens in an attempt to help repair the damage to the honey industry with what has become affected by something known as Colony Collapse disorder. They achieved the same results as royal jelly when they switched of a gene Dnmt3, which showed demetylization of DNA led to the development of certain traits. Studies continue, but in humans things like obesity,infertility, longevity, and brain disorders, are thought to be affected by the chemical effects on genes
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POPSGene map for synthetic life created in lab The Bacterium, M. genitalium has the smallest known genome of any truly living organism, with 485 working genes all in one chromosome. Viruses are smaller, but they cannot replicate by themselves. Dr Craig Ventner is described as a celebrity scientist. Struck me as an unusual way to describe a scientist.
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POPSJunk DNA tells tales of the pacific The 800 genetic markers studied, described as 'Junk DNA' are also known as 'microsatelites' and can vary a great deal between individuals, and can tell a great deal about a persons identity and history, according to the number of repeated segments. I'm sure they'll find a better name for junk when they discover how it fits into the gene sequence. I have trouble imagining it is there without having a function, or even an effect, but we still have a lot more to learn about DNA than we'd like to admit. Still, it could be like saying there is a reason for fingerprints besides identification. (Maybe grip?)
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POPSGene therapy could ease chronic pain I wonder why they can't just inject people with endorphins. Or use the same genes to create the endorphins outside the body. Sounds like a sales pitch to get people where it hurts.
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POPSMany negative drug studies don't see print Perhaps one of the reasons so many people on antidepressants, commit suicide. What does that say about cloning research. The public are obviously seen as nothing more as a market. What do you do if someone is depressed? Stun them with pharmaceuticals, and hope they don't wake up, or are too disoriented to argue. Of course you can always expect doctors to do what is right according to the information that is provided to them.
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POPSGene Combo May Hike Prostate cancer risk The research may lead to a blood test that can identify high risk individuals A statement struck me as bizarre - Looking at gene combos being a relatively new approach. They are about to release products of many strands of genetic research to the general public, and it has only just occurred to them that many diseases and conditions are a result of a gene 'combo'? I would have thought that had already been established. But the truth seems to be that while we can fathom some of the actions of single genes, the way they act in combination is a complete mystery. Evidence they Do Not Have Enough Information or understanding, to allow products of genetic research to enter the public domain. But that won't stop them.
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POPSHow to make your fish glow.
First you take a pair of genes... There has been a lot of study in the field recombinant DNA for any number of reasons, and it's easy to think that it belongs strictly in the domain of science,and hope they know what they're doing. Science is not as much about knowing what you are doing, but having theories about what is possible and then using the scientific method to record what happens when tested. The principle behind experimentation is 'Lets try something and see what happens.' Often that is the only way something will be discovered. There are many factors to consider, generally a comparison between likely benefits and dangers and the likelihood of success based on the type of theory or past results. Mary Shelly sent us a warning Why did Dr Frankenstein create his monster? He wasn't sure if he could do it. He wanted to prove he could. There are no doubt untold benefits that can be acquired though genetic research, but we seem to be in a hurry to taunt the Sword of Damocles
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POPSStudy: Autism linked to Rare Gene Change The genetic variation, while rare, is a characteristic that can be detected to assist in the diagnosis, and further understand the way the condition of autism develops. The locations and functions of such genes, can shed light on the way they affect the thinking of someone diagnosed with Autism, and help determine the right combinations of genetic, pharmaceutical, and cognitive therapies.
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POPS273 Proteins found that AIDS Virus Preys on The AIDs virus is so simple that it is almost like a boot strap, with a protein mount point. Perhaps they could design a protein shell, with a 'lock' where the AIDs Virus 'key' is likely to fit, then Snap the Key off, spit it out and trap another virus. Protein Catalysts.
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POPSInner clock may lead Monarch butterflies They know where they are, according to the position of the sun. Scientists are trying to understand how a butterfly has this sense of direction, with a brain the size of a pin. Plants can grow according to the length of the day. Perhaps one day we'll develop a gene that will mean we can do without GPS
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POPSFragile X syndrome partly cured in mice Fragile X causes seizures,impaired memory, hyperactivity, and retardation It is caused by a mutation on the X chromoasome. the experiments are continuing. They are managing to manipulate genes with designer chemicals. Developments like this could be worth watching. They could have great potential.
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POPSMan Made Life Whoa. The implications from this will be enormous. If this project succeeds expect a concerted campaign of denial and attack from the religious conservatives.
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POPSScientists clone glow-in the-dark cats The cats glow due to a gene that is a marker gene, that can show a gene transplant can be possible, before more functional genes are used. The treatments and methods can then also be extended to other species including humans.
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POPSSunlight may save kid's sight There is the idea that reading in the dark, or doing a lot of bookwork can ruin your eyesight. They have found that exposure to sunlight, keeps the eyes healthy.
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POPSAbout memes and memetics Or, why people are more interested in celebrity scandals and silly video clips than things that actually affect their lives. I highly recommend you continue researching the concept of memetics...and consider also how it can apply to vote-based sites such as this one (and Digg, and Reddit, and...)
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POPSIn backyard europe, fading biodiversity. There are so many genes that are particularly suited to a situation, and can be natures way of showing us how to do some of the things we need to do in the most efficient manner. If we notice the traits before they disappear. It's one thing to lose them, but is is irresponsible to throw them away, or deny them the chance for the sake of quick profit. What is being lost, are genetic traits that can help us over a much longer term.
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POPSParents hold secret of beating cancer Resistance to cancer can be inherited, with the gene possibly carried on and strengthened, but there is the fact that many cases of cancer strike after child bearing years, so can have a limited effect on the resistance of a population.
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POPSScientists 'color the wiring,' for brain mapping Scientists have grafted a gene that causes florescence into mice, and make only their neurons glow. They are learning to trace neural messages along the pathways. This can be used to gain understanding of the physical aspects of the connections and the traces, that are characteristic of diseases like autism, mental retardation, and bipolar disorders
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