Science – Page 2

Human Animal Embryo Research Legal in UK

Two research facilities have been given the green light to create part human, part animal embryos.

Embryonic stem cells (ES cells) are stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of an early stage embryo known as a blastocyst. Human embryos reach the blastocyst stage 4-5 days post fertilization, at which time they consist of 50-150 cells. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, meaning they are able to grow (i.e. differentiate) into all derivatives of the three primary germ layers: ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm.

British authorities in the UK have given scientists the green light to create human-animal embryos for research (use of animal eggs to create human stem cells, a ruling that will boost the supply of stem cells for research).

The decision means that researchers will be able to refine their techniques for producing human stem cells by practicing first on animal eggs, of which there is a steady supply. Similar work involving human-animal stem cells is also under way in China and the United States.

Hybrids are made using an animal egg mixed with human genes. However according to this article:

The experiments involves transferring nuclei containing DNA from human cells, such as skin cells, into animal eggs that have had almost all of their genetic information removed.
The resulting cytoplasmic embryos are more than 99% human, with a small animal component, making up around 0.1%.
The embryo would be grown in the lab for a few days, then harvested for stem cells – immature cells that can become many types of tissue.

=> More info at : UK OKs human-animal embryo research

Proof: Practice makes a man perfect

This article explains why repetitive studying and training is effective. It makes you perfect. Based upon my personal experience, it is true. Now scientist got proof that backups the claim.

Practice makes perfect â€” or at least thatâ€™s what weâ€™re told as we struggle through endless rounds of multiplication tables, goal kicks and piano scales â€” and it seems, based on the personal experience of many, to be true. Thatâ€™s why neuroscientists have been perplexed by data showing that at the level of individual synapses, or connections between neurons, increased, repetitive stimulation might actually reverse early gains in synaptic strength. Now, neuroscientists from Carnegie Mellon University and the Max Planck Institute have discovered the mechanism that resolves this apparent paradox. The findings are published in the Jan. 4 issue of Science.

=> Novel mechanism for long-term learning identified by Carnegie Mellon researchers

Is active SETI dangerous? Does it put Earth in Danger?

The Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI@Home grid computing project) is organized efforts to detect Extraterrestrial life. Now after decades of searching, scientists have found no trace of extraterrestrial intelligence. Now, some of them hope to make contact by broadcasting messages to the stars. Are we prepared for an answer? Is “active” SETI dangerous? Many thinks so…

Zaitsev has already sent several powerful messages to nearby, sun-like starsâ€”a practice called “Active SETI.” But some scientists feel that he’s not only acting out of turn, but also independently speaking for everyone on the entire planet. Moreover, they believe there are possible dangers we may unleash by announcing ourselves to the unknown darkness, and if anyone plans to transmit messages from Earth, they want the rest of the world to be involved. For years the debate over Active SETI versus passive “listening” has mostly been confined to SETI insiders. But late last year the controversy boiled over into public view after the journal Nature published an editorial scolding the SETI community for failing to conduct an open discussion on the remote, but real, risks of unregulated signals to the stars. And in September, two major figures resigned from an elite SETI study group in protest. All this despite the fact that SETI’s ongoing quest has so far been largely fruitless. For Active SETI’s critics, the potential for alerting dangerous or malevolent entities to our presence is enough to justify their concern.

=> Who Speaks for Earth?

It is genetic – people keep repeating mistakes

Most people tend to learn from their mistakes and avoid making the same blunder twice. But we find lots of people making same mistakes again and again. Now scientist found a new relationship between a specific gene and those of us prone to repeatedly making the same mistakes. From the nature article:

A genetic mutation that helps to determine the extent to which certain people are doomed to repeat history.
Drug addicts, alcoholics and compulsive gamblers are known to be more likely than other people to have this genetic mutation, which leaves them with fewer receptors of a certain type in the brain. These receptors — called D2 receptors – are activated when levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine drop.

=> The gene that makes us once bitten, twice shy

Dinosaur Fossil found with soft tissue such as skin and muscles

Dinosaurs were large size animals that dominated terrestrial ecosystems for over 160 million years, first appearing approximately 230 million years ago. Non-avian dinosaurs suddenly became extinct approximately 65 million years ago. Now a high school student hunting fossils in the badlands of his native North Dakota discovered an extremely rare mummified dinosaur that includes not just bones but also seldom seen fossilized soft tissue such as skin and muscles, scientists will announce today. With this new discovery it may be possible to create jurassicpark :)

This is a neat find. I can say a rare find, but I think it is not enough for any actual biotechnology to build jurassicpark.

Parallel Universes

Scientists now believe there may really be a parallel universe (multiverse) – in fact, there may be an infinite number of parallel universes, and we just happen to live in one of them. Many consider it as science fiction and fantasy idea.

IN AUGUST, radio astronomers announced that they had found an enormous hole in the universe. Nearly a billion light years across, the void lies in the constellation Eridanus and has far fewer stars, gas and galaxies than usual. It is bigger than anyone imagined possible and is beyond the present understanding of cosmology. What could cause such a gaping hole? One team of physicists has a breathtaking explanation: “It is the unmistakable imprint of another universe beyond the edge of our own,” says Laura Mersini-Houghton of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

More information about Parallel Universes and new Evidence supporting idea…

=> Great ‘cosmic nothingness’ found

=> Multiverse

=> What are Parallel Universes?

Fight Global Warming With Methane-Eating Bacteria

Global warming refers to the increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s near-surface air and oceans in recent decades and its projected continuation.Global warming refers to the increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s near-surface air and oceans in recent decades and its projected continuation.

The geographic distribution of surface warming during the 21st century calculated by the HadCM3 climate model if a business as usual scenario is assumed for economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions. In this figure, the globally averaged warming corresponds to 3.0 Â°C (5.4 Â°F).

Now, NEW Zealand scientists hope a newly discovered bacterium that eats methane could ultimately help counter a key global warming gas.

The bacterium was discovered living about 30cm below the ground in the hot, acidic environment at Hells Gate in Rotorua, a geothermal area.

Human race will split into an attractive intelligent and ugly goblin-like creatures

The human race will one day split into two separate species, an attractive, intelligent ruling elite and an underclass of dim-witted, ugly goblin-like creatures, according to a top scientist.

100,000 years into the future, sexual selection will mean that two distinct breeds of human will have developed. The alarming prediction comes from evolutionary theorist Oliver Curry from the London School of Economics, who says that the human race will have reached its physical peak by the year 3000.

Gliese 581 c is Second Earth Like Planet found 20 light years away

I was so excited to hear about this discovery. This is really a good news as it is the first planet beyond our solar system that may contain water, and therefore life, was detected by a team of European astronomers.

Scientists have discovered a warm and rocky “second Earth” circling a star, a find they believe dramatically boosts the prospects that we are not alone.

The planet is the most Earth-like ever spotted and is thought to have perfect conditions for water, an essential ingredient for life. Researchers detected the planet orbiting one of Earth’s nearest stars, a cool red dwarf called Gliese 581, 20 light years away in the constellation of Libra.

Now the million dollar question – is there life on Gliese 581 c? Nobody has the answer, but it is the closest we’ve come to finding a planet capable of supporting life outside our own solar system.

‘Second Earth’ found, 20 light years away