Feb 24
Harvard scientists have created tiny DNA robots that can search and destroy cancer cells. The Week sez: The tiny devices were constructed out of DNA strands and folded into a shape resembling a clamshell. Researchers call it the “DNA origami” method. The devices are pre-programmed to open up in the presence of cancerous cells. Once open, …
Feb 21
Schizophrenia has been linked to genetic variants that are common to everyone. The risk factors may reach a tipping a point that overwhelm our ability to compensate. A new research method found that: . . . 23% of liability for the brain disorder could be traced back to a set of variations, most of which …
Feb 13
Researchers have mapped the genome of a possible biofuel source with the goal of breeding a more efficient strain. It’s hoped that the carbon neutral, perennial grass could reduce pollution. redOrbit says: According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) statistics, total greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. — which include carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases released into …
Nov 16
pic nicked from here It seems that we’ve found a variety of causes of obesity. Viruses, glands, and big bones. Just about everything is to blame except eating too much and not moving enough. You can add the FTO gene (nicknamed the greediness gene) to this ever-growing list of things that cause people surrounded by an …
Sep 21
Who says scientists don’t like to have fun? Einstein was a terrible violinist and Hawking has been known to release the brakes on his wheelchair and go flying down the hills of San Francisco like a madman. Feynman plays the bongos and Dawkins pokes religious people. Some have even been drunks or drug addicts. Now …
Jul 13
Scientists have found a way to turn female mice into lesbians. And it’s not by sending them on a date with me. Deleting the, ahem, FucM gene, which limits the brain’s production of estrogen, caused these mice “ to reject the advances of their male counterparts and attempt to mate with fellow females.” In mice, estrogen masculinizes the brain …
Jun 08
Psychedelic Maize is false advertising. This bio-engineered corn does not get you stoned. It promotes carbohydrate export from leaves, increasing crop yield and the amount of bio-fuel that could be sucked out of each plant. It’s called “Psychedelic Maize” because the process puts yellow and green streaks in the leaves. And why the fuck can’t …
May 20
Scientists have created artificial life. It’s just a simple little thing: A living cell powered by man-made DNA and constructed in a laboratory but it’s a rather large step towards . . . Well, opinion is mixed on that one. It ranges between UTOPIA! and IT’LL KILL US ALL! I don’t think it’s terribly important. …
May 03
That’s an old Soviet cartoon about a baby mammoth who somehow avoids extinction then looks for it’s mom. Worth watching just for the swinging soundtrack. In other wooly mammoth news, scientists have discovered that these ancient beasts had a form of antifreeze in their blood. What’s next? Will they soon tell us what unicorn horns …
May 01
Scientists say that they’re about ten years away from being able to produce meat without slaughtering animals. They can actually do it now but there’s a minor problem: It currently takes about a million dollars to produce a single hamburger. So it’s a luxury item. But improvements in manufacturing should lower the price. The first …
