.net
All site revenue goes to charity

Subject: More, different BIG science news

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next >>

Date: Fri May 9 14:31:47 2014
User: TNmountainman
Message:
A couple of months ago, I initiated a thread about the first tantalizing evidence of gravity waves: http://www.freecell.net/f/c/disctopic.html?code=11980&replies=28 I thought about appending this onto that thread, but it's really different enough (as in "completely") to warrant a new train of thought, if anyone else is into advanced molecular biology. And, like the gravity waves, this is potentially very big news....

Link: This ain't your father's regular ol' DNA

Date: Fri May 9 16:24:07 2014
User: Klepp
Message:
The $6,000,000 man will likely cost ≈$6,000,000,000 (initially).

Date: Fri May 9 18:21:54 2014
User: ddoss
Message:
I have been an avid reader of Scientific American for years. While I do not have any special education in the sciences, I have always been interested in the "why" and "how" of things. The articles in Scientific American are well written to educate anyone with a reasonable intellect and not just for the professional. Their articles are fact based and, in my opinion, without political biases, as science should be. Scientific American has been producing articles on the BIG new science for years, i.e., Climate change, particle physics, and gravity waves to name a few. I've found that topics in articles like the one cited above have been discussed in SciAmerican months or sometimes years earlier. Generally, I find news articles like the one above suspect, mainly because they lack source references, but it is better than nothing as too many people seem to have very little interest in the sciences these days.

Date: Fri May 9 19:06:28 2014
User: TNmountainman
Message:
?? Well, it's in "Nature", and has 38 references. I linked the story I did because 1) it's more "accessible" (on a lay level); and 2) the entire original article is only available with a subscription.

Date: Fri May 9 19:26:46 2014
User: TNmountainman
Message:
I assume all know this, but juuust in case, "Nature", along with "Science", are the two most respected, and broad-based scientific journals out there.

Date: Fri May 9 19:50:49 2014
User: ddoss
Message:
I agree that "Nature" and "Science" are highly respected. CNN on the other hand, gives me pause. Thank you for clearing the source of the article. Another source of good science information is the History Channels. They have several programs that are interesting: "How the Universe Works", "How the Earth was Made" and others. These programs have people who are highly respected in their fields explaining complex issues in a way most people can understand. I, for one, am not a physicist or very good in math and I usually follow along. I am fascinated by the science that changed since the Hubble came on line, especially our understanding of the cosmos. So, what other BIG Science topic are you interested in?

Date: Fri May 9 19:59:21 2014
User: Snowguy
Message:
Another pretty good source for science articles is Popular Science. My daughter is now Executive Editor. Only one name above hers on the magazine's masthead!

Date: Fri May 9 21:37:25 2014
User: BuzzClik
Message:
.smacks Snowy Snowy has every reason to be proud of his daughter who, despite some genetic obstacles, has been highly successful. If anyone is interested, I could make the full Nature article available.

Date: Sat May 10 04:18:10 2014
User: TNmountainman
Message:
ddoss - 1. The CNN article I linked clearly had a hyperlink to the excerpt from "Nature". I didn't do any "clearing"; I only put up the link to the CNN story, which if one clicked on the link to "Nature" embedded within it, seemed to be self-explanatory. 2a. In my initial, thread-opening post above, I put up the previous thread link (but not a hyperlink, because I saved the space for that for the CNN article). The other BIG science topic was a thread I started 2 months ago about the gravity waves being detected (subject to confirmation). I'll now link it below with a hyperlink. 2b. And in case I've mistaken the intent of your question above, I'm generally interested in an extremely wide range of science topics, most especially cosmology (and all things associated therewith) (and certainly Hubble has got to be about the best investment towards knowledge that mankind has ever made), topics in molecular biology, basic subatomic physics (CERN-esque stuff, etc.), certain aspects of biochemistry, some physiology, and others too numerous to mention. And of course (tongue very far in cheek) we still need to get to the bottom of chemtrails. Don't want to neglect that topic. -------------------------- Buzz - Thanks, but I doubt it's necessary to put it on this board. I can get to it myself, if I want to wade through it all. You'll remember the article I linked (also a couple of months ago) about the artificial chromosomes. This one reminded me of that: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-26768445 What a brave (??) new world we've embarked upon.... --------------------------- And finally, Snowguy - Very cool about your daughter (I remember at least a couple pics of her you posted), but can she help bring sports glory to Pittsburgh? Can she turn the double play? Got good reflexes in the net? Play deep cover on wideouts? What good is science if the Bucs, Steelers, and Penguins can't get over the hump? Let's keep our priorities in order here, please...

Link: the original BIG science thing I linked a couple of months ago

Date: Sat May 10 08:36:57 2014
User: Snowguy
Message:
It's a shame you mentioned chem trails, TN. It could come back as GMO's redux...

Date: Sat May 10 11:14:05 2014
User: BuzzClik
Message:
I have to confess that I wondered about Michael's reaction to this: he gets upset over putting existing genes in other organisms. I can only imagine his reaction to synthesizing artificial genes and artificial life using molecular sequences never seen in a living cell: "Fascinating! Let's do the proper testing before releasing these synthetic combinations and see how it all plays out. We need to be careful, but we cannot overreact, either." I think that captures it.

Date: Sat May 10 21:09:10 2014
User: coolmoon
Message:
I get the feeling that you think the chem trails are conspiracy theory, Snowguy? Could be, I suppose, but I just spent 2 days in the top of WV mountains on otherwise beautiful spring days, albeit with a checkerboard sky, and if someone could explain how those planes fly - some in in darn near trios- leaving trails of literally black streams that lasted for hours, well, I'd like to hear some weather-related phenomenon explanation. Not to mention there were at least 25 others leaving trails from horizon to horizon, lasting hours. I did see a few con trails- looked to be about 1000 feet long and lasted for maybe a minute relative to a given plane's passing speed... Must be hoaxes...

Date: Sat May 10 21:19:40 2014
User: TNmountainman
Message:
Well............and I thought you'd be wrong about your postulation, Snowguy. Sigh.....

Date: Sat May 10 21:29:47 2014
User: Dr.X
Message:
Air show?

Date: Sat May 10 21:33:06 2014
User: coolmoon
Message:
I don't think they do air shows at 30,000 feet... But oh, how I wish they were...

Date: Sat May 10 21:47:06 2014
User: Snowguy
Message:
One possibility...

Link: "Dark" contrails

Date: Sat May 10 22:02:08 2014
User: coolmoon
Message:
Terrific link, Snowguy! And the comments are equally entertaining- looks a bit like this board at times. I sincerely hope it is a valid explanation- Thanks- I'll put my rose colored glasses back on now~.

Date: Sat May 10 23:10:52 2014
User: Snowguy
Message:
Good thing nobody mentioned black U.N. Helicopters... Damn. now I did it.

Date: Sun May 11 00:29:43 2014
User: TNmountainman
Message:
I'm pleading innocent on this... But come to think of it, shouldn't the death rate be mysteriously up by now, just since we first discussed it on this board? Ok - now let's get back to the more serious, germane science/math stuff: it's been "proven" that climate 6 games are easier than climate 5 games, right? Then how come the climate 6 games today (7x3) are so hard?

Date: Sun May 11 10:47:43 2014
User: coolmoon
Message:
I'm not opening THAT can of worms, TMN...

Date: Sun May 11 12:55:38 2014
User: Katya
Message:
Another good source of science info for the interested layman is American Scientist. It is a publication of Sigma Xi which is a scientific society but it is sort of a Scientific American for scientists. However I (biochemist) can readily understand the articles in other fields such as physics, cosmology, etc. Like Scientific American experts are writing the articles, but in such a way the rest of us can understand them. It's available online and also as far as I know in paper and costs $30 per year. Sigma Xi in association with SmartBriefs also has a free online updater (shows up in your mailbox) on scientific topics which is also pretty interesting - it also links you to the articles - everything from archeology to zoology. Search Sigma Xi SmartBriefs to check it out if you are interested.

Date: Sun May 11 13:30:19 2014
User: TNmountainman
Message:
Good recommendation. Also, I like "New Scientist", out of the UK. Also on a layman's level.

Date: Sun May 11 14:42:23 2014
User: BuzzClik
Message:
I became lost and pretty much quit scientific reading when Weekly Reader went out of print in 2012.

Date: Mon May 12 01:01:36 2014
User: TNmountainman
Message:
You read this site, don't you? Speaking of which....remember this, from last year? [see link below] Kinda dovetails with what I started this thread with. This stuff scares me way more than what the big companies are doing.

Link: genetic cowboys

Date: Mon May 12 07:53:49 2014
User: BuzzClik
Message:
“the scientific community is unsettled on the best practices and ethics of releasing genetically modified organisms into the world.” ugh. Cow's out of the barn. Kickstarter simply didn't need people like Michael, who are obsessed beyond all recognition, organizing boycotts and spamming them to death.

Date: Thu Jul 10 01:47:08 2014
User: TNmountainman
Message:
Anybody opposed to this?

Link: GM mosquitoes

Date: Thu Jul 10 03:15:17 2014
User: BuzzClik
Message:
Frankensquitos. I am morally opposed. ;)

Date: Thu Jul 10 11:42:41 2014
User: Snowguy
Message:
Steady hands and extreme patience required! (To inject a gene into sperm cells of a mosquito.)

Date: Fri Jul 11 15:39:06 2014
User: Denny
Message:
I prefer fukushima mosquitos.

Date: Fri Jul 11 16:17:13 2014
User: TNmountainman
Message:
My...that certainly *has* been altered by the exposure. Here's what it looked like before... One could actually say it's just a touch improved, but we don't know enough about the internal organs, etc.

Link: before massive radiation dosages

Date: Thu Feb 2 13:02:57 2017
User: TNmountainman
Message:
With an n of 2 (2.5?), this really can't quite qualify as BIG science news, at least yet, but there's some interesting stuff in here, especially the increasing telomere length while in space. And the dual study idea (with a twins study being an arm) is cool.

Link: changes on the body while in space for a year

Date: Fri Nov 10 13:57:41 2017
User: TNmountainman
Message:
This *could* be "big" science news on down the line. Rather dramatic, though, even based on this tantalizing data. Ain't the body amazing?

Link: If you're gonna hurt yourself, do it in the daytime

Date: Fri Nov 10 15:48:00 2017
User: hotnurse
Message:
TN, thanks for that interesting link! I would also like to see the stats done on those whose bodies are attuned to the "night-shift" compared to those who worked days/evenings. Then...a separate comparison for those who worked a "swing-shift". I would bet they (swing shift) would be the most prone to accidents and times of healing overall. I have been a nurse since 1972 and have witnessed, first hand, the increased occurrence of accidents happening during the evening shift of factory workers, in particular. I worked for a group of hand specialists for over 10 yrs and invariably we would get our accident victims in during those hours (hours the accident occurred, not the hour that we received them into the o.r.). I love stuff like this!

Date: Fri Nov 17 14:11:46 2017
User: Bonnard+me
Message:
"Science News" is a thumb nail sketch for what is happening in the "How " world. The periodical is understandable for the beginning science reader, and gives discounts to students of all ages. My grandson is studying physics, and now is old enough for college. He is one of these ,"AW gee wiz super geeks" blessed with a far out brain. He reads "Nature" and "Science". He is socially awkward, but math ...WOW. Any one out there know the best college for this future physics scientist. He finished high school at age 9, and has done all college courses in high school. He has also mastered the alto and tenor saxophone, and now is learning the piano.

Date: Wed Aug 15 13:56:38 2018
User: TNmountainman
Message:
Ok, this is reaching pretty far into the future...……..but this is fascinating. I don't know how much background to provide, as there is a *very* broad range of science literacy on this site. But let me try to get you all started... Every cell can become cancerous; the more cells an organism has, the more chances it has to develop cancer, based on that alone, right? So.....big ol' elephants should get more cancer than humans, right? But they don't. So why not? We (and all animals) have these genes called "tumor suppressor genes" that help repair DNA damage as it occurs throughout our lifetime. The younger we are, the better these genes work (and the longer our telomeres (discussed earlier in this thread) are). We all (along with most or all animals on earth) carry bits of DNA that are often called "junk DNA", for which we often don't know why it's been retained over the millennia. We've slowly been learning that some of this "junk DNA" can be better classified as "pseudogenes" - meaning they actually have a purpose, but that we just haven't figured it out yet. (Many scientists have all along suspected that a lot of this DNA wasn't truly "junk".) That's where the "zombie gene" aspect referred to in this article comes in. It may well be that some of these pseudogenes work by suppressing tumor growth, and/or DNA repair. There's a process called "apoptosis", which is a cell's 'ability', or preponderance, to do away with itself. Think of it as pre-programmed, or predetermined, cell death, for good reason and purpose. We all lose billions of cells each day through this process - which is actually several different processes, but that's an unnecessary tangent in this discussion. So...……….now read the article, and realize that this is a VERY complicated, nuanced system, and we're not remotely close to grasping how it all fits together. But...…….just imagine if we could 'harness' this ability to turn off cancerous cells by turning on their own apoptosis signals. It is possible (notice to hotnurse, as per her comments on another thread) that hyperactive apoptosis, for example, could be responsible for many neurological and auto-immune diseases. It's somewhat likely, in fact. To make this point abundantly clear (I hope!), if one gets cancer, one is slightly more *UN*likely to have a neurodegenerative disease. And vice versa. Amazing but true. As the article states, if a cell that has damaged DNA kills itself before replicating, then no cancer can come from that DNA damage. Elegant in theory, and elegant in practice - when our own bodies manage to make that happen - which they do *almost* all the time. Studying this stuff hopefully will allow us to help our bodies do that job even more completely.

Link: Why don't elephants get (much) cancer?

Date: Wed Aug 15 15:46:43 2018
User: Turpin827
Message:
Fascinating TN! Thanks for the link

Date: Fri Sep 21 12:54:23 2018
User: TNmountainman
Message:
I haven't read this paper, but just prima facie, cholesterol still recoverable after 558 million years? But it's in "Science", so the peer review process is usually pretty stringent. Here's a quote from the abstract: "Here, we show that lipid biomarkers extracted from organically preserved Ediacaran macrofossils unambiguously clarify their phylogeny. Dickinsonia and its relatives solely produced cholesteroids, a hallmark of animals. Our results make these iconic members of the Ediacara biota the oldest confirmed macroscopic animals in the rock record, indicating that the appearance of the Ediacara biota was indeed a prelude to the Cambrian explosion of animal life."

Link: 558 million year-old cholesterol?

Date: Fri Sep 21 13:07:47 2018
User: hotnurse
Message:
Wow, TN, the elephant story was incredible...who knew? I am currently watching a PBS series called The Human Body. Lots of basic day job that keeps me hopping and proliferating my synaptic pruning.

Date: Fri Sep 21 13:52:21 2018
User: TNmountainman
Message:
Gee, hottie, the elephant story was more than a month ago, and partially aimed at you, as you now know. Perhaps you should subscribe to my science blog. (Just kidding.....there's no such thing! Unless this thread (and the one about gravity waves) counts.)

Date: Tue Dec 18 10:45:12 2018
User: TNmountainman
Message:
This is big news on it's own, but could potentially really change our world on down the line. For a more detailed 'explanation', click on the link within the article to "implosion fabrication". Or copy-and-paste this: http://news.mit.edu/2018/shrink-any-object-nanoscale-1213 Ingenious; actually hard to believe it works so well.

Link: "Honey, I shrunk the (whatever)"

Date: Wed Dec 19 10:26:26 2018
User: Lindyhopper_Agame
Message:
"Honey, I shrunk the (whatever)" That is really cool. I kept looking for the April 1st publication date and didn't find it. Diapers?!

Date: Wed Jan 2 23:10:27 2019
User: ix
Message:
this just happened and already there was a NOVA show about it, catch it if you can. images of utima thule, the most distant object that NASA has ever done a fly by and gotten pics of. something like 4 billion miles from earth, the radio signals to and from the spacecraft took 6 hours. mind boggling achievement.

Link: http://bbc.com/news/science-environment-46742298

Date: Thu Jan 3 17:05:13 2019
User: olblue
Message:
I knew it!

Link: It's true!

Date: Thu Jan 3 18:25:19 2019
User: TNmountainman
Message:
That, olblue, is most awesome. Can a Pulitzer Prize for investigative journalism be in your future?!

Date: Thu Jan 3 19:39:26 2019
User: olblue
Message:
Thank you TN, and who knows! Now that I'm retired I find I have more time for scholarly pursuits...perhaps for my next project I'll expose all the conspiracies associated with Area 51.

Date: Tue Apr 23 02:34:29 2019
User: TNmountainman
Message:
I think most of us know a lot about this, but the degree of it keeps getting worse as more and more data comes in: “Chytrid fungus is the most destructive pathogen ever described by science—that's a pretty shocking realization...." “We’ve known that's chytrid's really bad, but we didn't know how bad it was, and it's much worse than the previous early estimates..." "While most pathogens target specific hosts, Bd can infect at least 695 species to varying degrees." "In some respects, it’s the perfect pandemic recipe......”

Link: If this can happen to amphibians...........

Date: Fri Aug 23 02:31:35 2019
User: TNmountainman
Message:
This is pretty interesting, if not "big". It *may* be big, as in a canary-in-the-distant-future-coalmine kind of way, but too soon to say? Or maybe not? Not sure how they can know there have been none there for 60 million years, as that sounds like a rather extreme claim to me.

Link: These will come in handy for Jurassic Park

Date: Tue Sep 10 10:20:24 2019
User: TNmountainman
Message:
Ok, this is very speculative, but it's *conceivably* big news going into the future. A very sharp scientist friend/colleague many years ago suggested to me that growth hormone *and* DHEA together would be a good aging-reducer. (And this idea goes back quite a ways, actually, but I'll not delve deeply into all that.) I'll add to the author's caution, tho, as this is the kind of thing that is often way more complicated than on first glance. Still............quite interesting and tantalizing. And I personally caution strongly against anyone going out and taking growth hormone - or the analogues - unless you have deep scientific training and know the risks.

Link: Can the epigentic clock be reversed??

Date: Mon Nov 18 12:33:43 2019
User: TNmountainman
Message:
This is one of those things of which the promise may be pretty far out there, but the implications could be quite amazing. One of those things about which as of now it's too new to even imagine what all could come of it. Some of you may want to refresh your memories of allotropes and sp2/sp3 bonding - and stuff like that.

Link: Even beyond graphene

Date: Sun Nov 24 07:39:23 2019
User: Klepp
Message:
Legs to this story, hopefully.

Link: Dark Energy Constituency?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next >>

Post follow-up
Username: New user? Create a free account here
Password: Note: username and password are case-sensitive
Message:
Editor by summernote.org
Email notification:

All content copyright ©2024 Freecell.net
By using our games you consent to our minimal use of cookies to maintain basic state.
Maintained by Dennis Cronin