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| "...the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like the fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars..."
- Jack Kerouac |
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Have You Ever Tried To Sell A Diamond? - 82.02 |
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| Topic: Miscellaneous |
1:55 am EDT, Aug 18, 2002 |
"The diamond invention -- the creation of the idea that diamonds are rare and valuable, and are essential signs of esteem -- is a relatively recent development in the history of the diamond trade..." There is a member of my circle of friends who is seriously obsessed with the idea of getting a diamond engagement ring from her boyfriend, which has lead to some discussion about what diamonds are worth and where they come from. Of course, the meaning is in the eye of the beholder, but we're a bunch of snobby intellectuals so articles like this tend to get forwarded around anyway. This is a fascinating discussion of the relatively recent invention of the "tradition" of giving diamond engagement rings and the economic and marketing machines operating in the background. Of course, this article was published in 1982, so obviously we know that any threats to the De Beers empire in the early eighties were handled, and while our generation is very marketing savvy, the girls still want those rings. Most of them anyway... How many other cultural traditions that you and I grew up with are simply products of Madison Ave? Have You Ever Tried To Sell A Diamond? - 82.02 |
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New Scientist - Outlook for US stem cell research brightens |
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| Topic: Biology |
12:06 pm EDT, Aug 16, 2002 |
"On the anniversary of President George Bush's decision to strictly limit government support of embryonic stem cell research, US scientists are celebrating a burst of private cash and a surprise loosening of the federal regulatory hurdles." Yay..this makes me happy. Stem cell research is a good thing. New Scientist - Outlook for US stem cell research brightens |
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New Scientist- Crypto lockdown secures lost laptop data |
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| Topic: Technology |
12:02 pm EDT, Aug 16, 2002 |
"Stolen or lost laptops can now automatically encrypt all their data, thanks to new equipment that creates a wireless bond between the machine and its owner. When its "master" is out of range, it locks down, keeping the data from falling into the wrong hands." This is neat. New Scientist- Crypto lockdown secures lost laptop data |
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Sept. 11 Strikes at Labs' Doors |
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| Topic: Science |
2:11 am EDT, Aug 16, 2002 |
University officials and leading scientists are warning that new government regulations on biological research adopted in the wake of Sept. 11, and simultaneous efforts to inhibit publication, threaten to undermine the fundamental openness of science and campus life. "This has the potential for changing the definition of science, the way people do science, and even what we mean when we say science." Under the new laws, only researchers with a "legitimate need" may have access to "select agents." If research could prove useful in making biological weapons, does it belong in the public forum, or should it be suppressed by scientists or the government? Dr. Atlas contends that censoring bits of research erodes the very bedrock of science: the ability of other scientists to replicate results. Leaving out data, he noted, is "not new to cryptographers and not new to physicists, but it's new to biologists; biologists have never seen this before." Sept. 11 Strikes at Labs' Doors |
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Molecular evolution of FOXP2, a gene involved in speech and language |
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| Topic: Science |
9:48 pm EDT, Aug 15, 2002 |
Language is a uniquely human trait likely to have been a prerequisite for the development of human culture. The ability to develop articulate speech relies on capabilities, such as fine control of the larynx and mouth, that are absent in chimpanzees and other great apes. FOXP2 is the first gene relevant to the human ability to develop language. A point mutation in FOXP2 co-segregates with a disorder in a family in which half of the members have severe articulation difficulties accompanied by linguistic and grammatical impairment. This gene is disrupted by translocation in an unrelated individual who has a similar disorder. Thus, two functional copies of FOXP2 seem to be required for acquisition of normal spoken language. We sequenced the complementary DNAs that encode the FOXP2 protein in the chimpanzee, gorilla, orang-utan, rhesus macaque and mouse, and compared them with the human cDNA. Here we show that human FOXP2 contains changes in amino-acid coding and a pattern of nucleotide polymorphism, which strongly suggest that this gene has been the target of selection during recent human evolution. Subscription required for full text. [This is interesting..I will have to check out this article at the library when I go back to school next week because I no longer have my subscription to Nature. So, I guess this gene has something to do with the development of our mouth and larynx? Or maybe parts of the human brain that have to do with human language and speech? I wonder if there is a study out there done to compare the areas of human versus ape brains that control speech? Hmmm...anyway..enough ranting. - Nanochick] Molecular evolution of FOXP2, a gene involved in speech and language |
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CNN.com - New clues about what gives caffeine its kick - August 15, 2002 |
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| Topic: Science |
9:17 pm EDT, Aug 15, 2002 |
This is an article that talks about how caffeine works. Its pretty interesting stuff. I think I have somehow overloaded my DARPP-32-like-protein, because I can drink caffeine right up until I fall asleep. CNN.com - New clues about what gives caffeine its kick - August 15, 2002 |
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Cell snapshot spots cancer |
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| Topic: Biology |
2:58 am EDT, Aug 5, 2002 |
"Their technique takes a snapshot of genes that are switched on in a single cell. " Wow..this is very cool, and a very useful tool. Cell snapshot spots cancer |
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BBC NEWS | Health | Potato to prevent cervical cancer |
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| Topic: Biology |
4:49 pm EDT, Aug 4, 2002 |
"The humble potato may help scientists to protect women from a common sexually transmitted virus that causes almost all cases of cervical cancer.
US researchers hope to engineer a potato that carries a vaccine against the human papilloma virus (HPV). " BBC NEWS | Health | Potato to prevent cervical cancer |
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New Scientist- Carbon dioxide turned into hydrocarbon fuel |
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| Topic: Science |
4:40 pm EDT, Aug 4, 2002 |
"A way to turn carbon dioxide into hydrocarbons has caused a big stir at an industrial chemistry conference in New Brunwick, New Jersey. Nakamichi Yamasaki of the Tokushima Industrial Technology Center in Japan says he has a process that makes propane and butane at relatively low temperatures and pressures." New Scientist- Carbon dioxide turned into hydrocarbon fuel |
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