The Global Syndicator - science

Learning Suffers If Brain Transcript Isn’t Transported Far Out To End Of Neurons

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:47:07 +0000

Neuroscientists at Georgetown University Medical Center have solved a mystery that lies at the heart of human learning, and they say the solution may help explain some forms of mental retardation as well as provide clues to overall brain functioning.

Trigger For Brain Plasticity Identified

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 02:38:02 +0000

Researchers have long sought a factor that can trigger the brain’s ability to learn – and perhaps recapture the “sponge-like” quality of childhood. In the August 8 issue of the journal Cell, neuroscientists at Children’s Hospital Boston report that they’ve identified such a factor, a protein called Otx 2.

3D Animation explaining basics of the human genome

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 02:21:25 +0000

A dynamic 3D computer animated video takes you “inside” for a close-up look at how we’re made. 3D modeling and animation created by Bill Baker, Bakedmedia, Inc. and Mike Fisher for the Nationa

Prevailing theory of aging challenged in worm study

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 02:14:24 +0000

Age may not be rust after all. Specific genetic instructions drive aging in worms, report researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Their discovery contradicts the prevailing theory that aging is a buildup of tissue damage akin to rust, and implies science might eventually halt or even reverse the ravages of age.

A new cellular pathway linked to cancer

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 02:12:23 +0000

In the life of a cell, the response to DNA damage determines whether the cell is fated to pause and repair itself, commit suicide, or grow uncontrollably, a route leading to cancer. In a new study, pu

Genes That Control Embryonic Stem Cell Fate Identified

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 04:30:23 +0000

Scientists have identified about two dozen genes that control embryonic stem cell fate. The genes may either prod or restrain stem cells from drifting into a kind of limbo, they suspect. The limbo lies between the embryonic stage and fully differentiated, or specialized, cells, such as bone, muscle or fat.

Mickey Mouse bridges the culture war when teaching evolution to evangelical students

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:55:27 +0000

David Campbell managed to slip evolution into the high-school science curriculum in the conservative Florida town where he teaches -- by using images of Mickey Mouse through the years to illustrate the principle: On the projector, Campbell placed slides of the cartoon icon: one at his skinny genesis in 1928, one from his 1940 turn as the impish "Sorcerer's Apprentice," and one of the rounded, ingratiating charmer of Mouse Club fame. "How," he asked his students, "has Mickey changed?" Natives of Disney World's home state, they waved their hands and called out answers. "His tail gets shorter," Bryce volunteered. "Bigger eyes!" someone else shouted. "He looks happier," one girl observed. "And cuter." Campbell smiled. "Mickey evolved," he said. "And Mickey gets cuter because Walt Disney makes more money that way. That is 'selection.' " Teacher shows that science, religion don't have to clash (Thanks, Andrew!)...

JoVE, the video-publication for biological research, is now listed on PubMed

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:00:12 +0000

I had posted on this really cool online video journal called Jove which is sort of like Youtube for scientists. The scientific videos are peer reviewed and is now also accepted for indexing in PubMed and MEDLINE.

Biology enters ‘The Matrix’ through new computer language

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:58:11 +0000

Ever since the human genome was sequenced less than 10 years ago, researchers have been able to access a dizzying plethora of genomic information with a simple click of a mouse. This digitizing of genomic data—and its public access—is something that would have been unthinkable a generation earlier.

Carbs kill cells that regulate appetite

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:07:25 +0000

Carbohydrates don't just screw up your blood-sugar: they release free radicals that kill appetite-suppressing cells. The research is from a Nature article by Dr Zane Andrews, a neuroendocrinologist with Monash University's Department of Physiology. "The more carbs and sugars you eat, the more your appetite-control cells are damaged, and potentially you consume more," Dr Andrews said. Dr Andrews said the attack on appetite suppressing cells creates a cellular imbalance between our need to eat and the message to the brain to stop eating. "People in the age group of 25 to 50 are most at risk. The neurons that tell people in the crucial age range not to over-eat are being killed-off. Killer Carbs: Scientist Finds Key To Overeating As We Age...

New evidence of battle between humans and ancient virus

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:20:12 +0000

For millennia, humans and viruses have been locked in an evolutionary back-and-forth — one changes to outsmart the other, prompting the second to change and outsmart the first. With retroviruses, which work by inserting themselves into their host’s DNA, the evidence remains in our genes.

Chemistry set ad from the pre-War-on-Fun days

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 07:30:43 +0000

Ah, just look at this fantastic artifact from the innocent era before the War on Fun kicked off -- a beautiful big bangy chemistry set, advertised in the September, 1955 Popular Mechanics. Are you looking for a WONDERFUL FUTURE that can start at home right now? The NATIONAL SCHOOL OF CHEMISTRY offers a fascinating: correspondence course in PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY which will give you a wonderful education that can be used almost immediately to increase your income and your position in life, with prospects of a GLORIOUS FUTURE! The course is very THOROUGH, yet specially prepared to be easy to all regardless of lack of previous training. Very little theory . . . this is a PRACTICAL course with HUNDREDS of fascinating EXPERIMENTS and valuable FORMULAS! Students learn, almost from the start, how to make chemicals and chemical products of commercial value, how to convert wastes into money, etc. THERE IS A GOLD MINE IN CHEMISTRY! Why not share in it? We will open your eyes to GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES you’ve never dreamt of; for this is a GOLDEN AGE for those who possess special KNOWLEDGE! CHEMISTRY - BIG LABORATORY GIVEN FREE! (Sep, 1955)...

Psychophysic Paradox

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:23:20 +0000

Origin

The Psychophysic Paradox is a historic, but as yet unresoved problem, pertaining to the failure of both the study of phylosophy, on one hand, and the sciences of biology anatomy and physics, on the other hand, to explain the existance of perception, cognition, and 'psych' (particularly human perception), and the relationship of this perception to the real-world as conceived in science, through this scientifically undefined human 'psych' perception, that is a prerequisite for the existence of both science and phylosophy.

Why the Cloud Cannot Obscure the Scientific Method

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:43:20 +0000

aproposofwhat noted Ars Technica's rebuttal to yesterday's story about "The End of Theory: The Data Deluge Makes the Scientific Method Obsolete." The response is titled "Why the cloud cannot obscure the Scientific Method," and is a good follow up to the discussion.

Hypercube animations in up to seven dimensions

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:56:08 +0000

Love these little movies (click through below for more) from Tobby Lang depicting hypercubes in up to seven dimensions. Pictured here: a six-dimensional hypercube. You could build a pretty crooked house with one of these. Link (via Rudy Rucker)...