Flying bacteria: the chemists of the clouds

22 Tuesday Jan 2013

Tags

Bacteria, biology, Chemistry, climate, clouds, Hydrogen peroxide, micro organisms, microbes, Microorganism, Popular science, science, Ultraviolet

A while ago I wrote about how bacteria make their way into clouds, where they act as seeds around which raindrops condense. Now, a team of scientists in France has shown that the microbes floating around in the clouds do more than just make it rain to bring them back down to the surface; they also carry out chemistry while they’re up there.
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Fam38A: another piece of the cancer puzzle

17 Thursday Jan 2013

Posted by sedeer in Humans, Science communication

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

biology, Cancer, Health, Human, Lung cancer, Metastasis, Popular science, science, Science communication, Science in Society, sclc patients, small cell lung cancer, Tumor, tumour cells

A team of researchers in the UK have discovered how the absence of a single gene makes it easier for tumour cells to migrate more freely in lung cancer patients. More people suffer — and die — from lung cancer than any other kind. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an extremely aggressive form of lung cancer thanks to its tendency to metastasise quickly, spreading to other organs early. In order to migrate, metastasising tumour cells have to break free of the extracellular matrix (ECM), the network of material around our cells which supports them and binds them to each other. That’s where this particular gene, Fam38A, comes into the story. Continue reading →

From chimps to chickens: how a little DNA can make a lot of difference

06 Sunday Jan 2013

Posted by sedeer in Development, Evolution, Genetics

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

alternative splicing, animals, biology, DNA, Gene, Genome, mammal, Messenger RNA, Popular science, RNA sequencing, RNA splicing, science, Species, Transcriptome, vertebrate

Humans and chimpanzees famously share more than 98% of their genome and yet the two species look and behave quite differently. This apparent paradox stretches well beyond our little corner of the tree of life; we share more than half our genes with chickens and those we share are 75% identical. Two studies published together in the December issue of Science tackled this perplexing discrepancy by showing that there may be more to a genome than meets the eye. Continue reading →

Found while foraging (December 31, 2012)

31 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by sedeer in Foraging

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

brain, gender, Genetics, glaciers, Good Men Project, gut bacteria, lego, memory, mental illness, parasite, photography, science, science and society, Science in Society, sexism, stars, stem cell, virus

I was hoping to spend lots of time writing during the winter holidays, but instead I’ve been enjoying the opportunity to spend time with my family. I’ve got a few promising posts in the works for early in the new year, but until then here’s another collection of odds and ends from around the web to keep you going. As always, feel free to add more links in the comments. I hope you’ve all enjoyed the winter/summer solstice and associated holidays.
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Christmas post: Let it snow!

22 Saturday Dec 2012

Posted by sedeer in Complex systems, Development

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

Christmas, crystal, Crystal growth, Crystallization, Ice, ice crystal, Popular science, science, snow, Snowflake, winter

Snowflakes, with their intricate patterns and captivating symmetry, are entrancingly beautiful and have become a ubiquitous icon of winter. Reading D’Arcy Thompson’s On Growth and Form during the plentiful and early snowfall we’ve enjoyed in southern Finland this winter, I couldn’t help but wonder how these remarkable structures form. I decided the right response would be to write a post about it and avail myself of the opportunity to learn about something new. We’re having a white Christmas in Finland, but wherever you are and whatever the weather may be, read on to find out what makes snowflakes so beautiful and whether each one really is unique. Continue reading →

Hsp90: translating environmental stress into evolutionary change

16 Sunday Dec 2012

Posted by sedeer in Development, Evolution, Form, Insects, Plants

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

biology, Developmental biology, Drosophila, evolution, Genetics, Hsp90, Insecta, Mutation, Phenotype, Popular science, shape

In the 1990s, Suzanne Rutherford and Susan Lindquist were studying fruit flies with a mutated version of the Hsp90 gene and found that the absence of this single gene led to a wide range of developmental defects. This was surprising not only because Hsp90 isn’t directly related to development, but also because of the remarkable breadth of its impact. Uncovering how this gene affects so many aspects of development has led to an intriguing story linking responses to environmental stress with the evolution of developmental pathways.
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