Monthly Archives: September 2015

Genetic Engineering Careers in India : How to become a …

Posted: September 10, 2015 at 12:42 pm

Genetic Engineering (GE) is a highly complicated and advanced branch of science which involves a wide range of techniques used in changing the genetic material in the DNA code in a living organism. 'Genetic Engineering' means the deliberate modification of the characters of an organism by the manipulation of its genetic material.Genetic engineering comes under the broad heading of Biotechnology. There is a great scope in this field as the demand for genetic engineers are growing in India as well as abroad.

A cell is the smallest living unit, the basic structural and functional unit of all living matter, whether a plant, an animal, humans or a fungus. While some organisms are single celled, others like plants, animals, humans etc are made up of a lot more cells. For eg humans have approximately 3 million cells. A cell is composed of a 'cell membrane' enclosing the whole cell, many 'organelles' equivalent to the organs in the body and a 'nucleus' which is the command centre of the cell. Inside the nucleus are the chromosomes which is the storage place for all genetic (hereditary) information which determines the nature and characteristics of an organism. This information is written along the thin thread, called DNA, a nucleic acid which constitutes the genes (units of heredity). The DNA governs cell growth and is responsible for the transmission of genetic information from one generation to the next.

Genetic engineering aims to re-arrange the sequence of DNA in gene using artificial methods. The work of a genetic engineer involves extracting the DNA out of one organism, changing it using chemicals or radiation and subsequently putting it back into the same or a different organism. For eg: genes and segments of DNA from one species is taken and put into another species. They also study how traits and characteristics are transmitted through the generations, and how genetic disorders are caused. Their research involves researching the causes and discovering potential cures if any.

Genetic engineering have specialisations related to plants, animals and human beings. Genetic engineering in plants and animals may be to improve certain natural characteristics of value, to increase resistance to disease or damage and to develop new characteristics etc. It is used to change the colour, size, texture etc of plants otherwise known as GM (Genetically Modified) foods.GE in humans can be to correct severe hereditary defects by introducing normal genes into cells in place of missing or defective ones.

See the article here:
Genetic Engineering Careers in India : How to become a ...

Posted in Genetic Engineering | Comments Off on Genetic Engineering Careers in India : How to become a …

Genetic engineering – Memory Alpha, the Star Trek Wiki

Posted: at 12:42 pm

A portrait of Khan Noonien Singh, a man who was a product of genetic engineering

Genetic engineering, or genetic manipulation was a process in which the DNA of an organism was selectively altered through artificial means. Genetic engineering was often used to produce "custom" organisms, such as for agricultural or medical purposes, as well as to produce biogenic weapons. The most common application of genetic engineering on intelligent beings in the Federation was corrective DNA resequencing for genetic disorders. A far more dubious application of genetic engineering was the genetic enhancement of individuals to produce improved senses, strength, intelligence, etc.

During Earth's 20th century, efforts to produce "superhumans" resulted in the Eugenics Wars. Genetically engineered individuals such as Khan Noonien Singh attempted to seize power. (TOS: "Space Seed")

This would lead to the banning of genetic engineering on Earth by the mid-22nd century, even research which could be used to cure critical illnesses. This ban was implemented because of the general fear of creating more tyrants such as Khan. It was also felt that parents would feel compelled to have their children genetically engineered, especially if "enhanced" individuals were allowed to compete in normal society.

Some, including geneticist Arik Soong, argued that it was simply convenient for humanity to denounce the attempts at genetic "improvement" of humanity, that it was inherently evil because of the Eugenics Wars. He argued that the source of the problem, in fact, wasn't the technology, but humanity's own inability to use it wisely. Imprisoned for, among other crimes, stealing the embryos of a number of Augment children, Soong wrote long treatises on the subject of genetic augmentations and improvements. His works were routinely taken and placed into storage (although his jailers often told him that his work was vaporized). Captain Jonathan Archer expressed his hope to Soong that research into genetic engineering that could cure life-threatening diseases would someday be resumed. (ENT: "Borderland", "The Augments")

Others, however, chose to establish isolated colonies, as became the case with the Genome colony on Moab IV, which was established in 2168. It became a notable and successful example of Human genetic engineering in which every individual was genetically tailored from birth to perform a specific role in society. However, after a five-day visit by the USS Enterprise-D when the ship came to the colony in an effort to save it from an approaching neutron star which, eventually, the craft was able to effectively redirect twenty-three colonists left the colony aboard the craft, possibly causing significant damage to the structure of their society. The reason for the societal split was that those who left the colony had realized their organized, pre-planned world had certain limitations, lacking opportunities to grow that were offered by the Enterprise. (TNG: "The Masterpiece Society")

By the 24th century, the United Federation of Planets allowed limited use of genetic engineering to correct existing genetically related medical conditions. Persons known to be genetically enhanced, however, were not allowed to serve in Starfleet, and were especially banned from practicing medicine. (TNG: "Genesis", DS9: "Doctor Bashir, I Presume")

Nevertheless, some parents attempted to secretly have their children genetically modified. (DS9: "Doctor Bashir, I Presume") Unfortunately, most of these operations were performed by unqualified physicians, resulting in severe psychological problems in the children due to their enhancements being only partially successful, such as a patient's senses being enhanced while their ability to process the resulting data remained at a Human norm. (DS9: "Statistical Probabilities")

In some cases, genetic engineering can be permitted to be performed in utero when dealing with a developing fetus to correct any potential genetic defects that could handicap the child as they grew up. Chakotay's family history included a defective gene that made those who possessed it prone to hallucinations, the gene afflicting his grandfather in Chakotay's youth, although the gene was suppressed in Chakotay himself. (VOY: "The Fight") In 2377, The Doctor performed prenatal genetic modification on Miral Paris to correct a spinal deviation, a congenital defect that tends to run in Klingon families; Miral's mother had undergone surgery to correct the defect in herself at a young age. (VOY: "Lineage")

Read the original:
Genetic engineering - Memory Alpha, the Star Trek Wiki

Posted in Genetic Engineering | Comments Off on Genetic engineering – Memory Alpha, the Star Trek Wiki

Genetic Engineering in Agriculture | Union of Concerned …

Posted: at 12:42 pm

Yes. We understand the potential benefits of the technology, and support continued advances in molecular biology, the underlying science. But we are critics of the business models and regulatory systems that have characterized early deployment of these technologies. GE has proved valuable in some areas (as in the contained use of engineered bacteria in pharmaceutical development), and some GE applications could turn out to play a useful role in food production.

Thus far, however, GE applications in agriculture have only made the problems of industrial monocropping worse. Rather than supporting a more sustainable agriculture and food system with broad societal benefits, the technology has been employed in ways that reinforce problematic industrial approaches to agriculture. Policy decisions about the use of GE have too often been driven by biotech industry public relations campaigns, rather than by what science tells us about the most cost-effective ways to produce abundant food and preserve the health of our farmland.

These are a few things policy makers should do to best serve the public interest:

Here is the original post:
Genetic Engineering in Agriculture | Union of Concerned ...

Posted in Genetic Engineering | Comments Off on Genetic Engineering in Agriculture | Union of Concerned …

Genetic Engineering – Oswego City School District Regents …

Posted: at 12:42 pm

Vocabulary: selective breeding, recombinant DNA, artificial selection, inbreeding, hybridization, genetic engineering, restriction enzyme, cloning, genetic mapping, Human Genome Project

Genetic Engineering Throughout recorded history, humans have used selective breeding and other methods to produce organisms with desirable traits. Our current understanding of genetics and heredity allows for the manipulation of genes and the development of new combinations of traits and new varieties of organisms. This includes various aspects of DNA technology, including recombinant DNA technology. Scientists have also developed many ways of determining the genetic makeup of different organisms, including humans.

Selective Breeding For thousands of years new varieties of cultivated plants and domestic animals have resulted from selective breeding for particular traits. Some selective breeding techniques include artificial selection, where individuals with desirable traits are mated to produce offspring with those traits. A variation of this process traditionally used in agriculture is inbreeding, where the offspring produced by artificial selection are mated with one another to reinforce those desirable traits. Hybridization is a special case of selective breeding. This involves crossing two individuals with different desirable traits to produce offspring with a combination of both desirable traits. An example of this are Santa Gertrudis cattle, which were developed by breeding English shorthorn cattle, which provided for good beef, but lacked heat resistance, with Brahman cattle from India which were highly resistant to heat and humidity. The Santa Gertrudis breed of cattle has excellent beef, and thrives in hot, humid environments.

An Example of Selective Breeding

Brahman cattle: Good resistance to heat but poor beef.

English shorthorn cattle: Good beef but poor heat resistance.

Santa Gertrudis cattle: Formed by crossing Brahman and English shorthorns; has good heat resistance and beef.

Genetic Engineering In recent years new varieties of farm plants and animals have been engineered bymanipulating their genetic instructions to produce new characteristics. This technology is known as genetic engineering or recombinant DNA technology. Different enzymes can be used to cut, copy (clone), and move segments of DNA. An important category of enzyme used to cut a section of a gene and its DNA from an organism is known as a restriction enzyme. When this piece of DNA, which has been cut out of one organism, is placed in another organism, that section of gene will express the characteristics that were expressed by this gene in the organism it was taken from.

An Example of Genetic Engineering

Knowledge of genetics, including genetic engineering, is making possible new fields of health care. Genetic engineering is being used to engineer many new types of more efficient plants and animals, as well as provide chemicals needed for human health care. It may be possible to use aspect of genetic engineering to correct some human health defects. Some examples of chemicals being mass produced by human genes in bacteria include insulin, human growth hormone, and interferon. Substances from genetically engineered organisms have reduced the cost and side effects of replacing missing human body chemicals. While genetic engineering technology has many practical benefits, its use has also raised many legitimate ethical concerns.

Other Genetic Technologies Cloning involves producing a group of genetically identical offspring from the cells of an organism. This technique may greatly increase agricultural productivity. Plants and animals with desirable qualities can be rapidly produced from the cells of a single organism.

Genetic mapping, which is the location of specific genes inside the chromosomes of cells makes it possible to detect, and perhaps in the future correct defective genes that may lead to poor health. The human genome project has involved the mapping of the major genes influencing human traits, thus allowing humans to know the basic framework of their genetic code

Knowledge of genetics is making possible new fields of health care. Genetic mapping in combination with genetic engineering and other genetic technologies may make it possible to correct defective genes that may lead to poor health.

There are many ethical concerns to these advanced genetic technologies, including possible problems associated with the cloning of humans. Another down side to genetic mapping technologies it is possible that some organizations may use this genetic information against individuals.

Previous Page Back to TopNext page

Read the original post:
Genetic Engineering - Oswego City School District Regents ...

Posted in Genetic Engineering | Comments Off on Genetic Engineering – Oswego City School District Regents …

Learn Italian Futurism: An Introduction – Khan Academy

Posted: at 12:40 pm

Can you imagine being so enthusiastic about technology that you name your daughter Propeller? Today we take most technological advances for granted, but at the turn of theUmberto Boccioni, Unique Forms of Continuity in Space, 1913 (cast 1931), bronze, 43 7/8 x 34 7/8 x 15 3/4" (MoMA) last century, innovations like electricity, x-rays, radio waves, automobiles and airplanes were extremely exciting. Italy lagged Britain, France, Germany, and the United States in the pace of its industrial development. Culturally speaking, the countrys artistic reputation was grounded in Ancient, Renaissance and Baroque art and culture. Simply put, Italy represented the past.

In the early 1900s, a group of young and rebellious Italian writers and artists emerged determined to celebrate industrialization. They were frustrated by Italys declining status and believed that the Machine Age would result in an entirely new world order and even a renewed consciousness.

Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, the ringleader of this group, called the movement Futurism. Its members sought to capture the idea of modernity, the sensations and aesthetics of speed, movement, and industrial development.

Marinetti launched Futurism in 1909 with the publication his Futurist manifesto on the front page of the French newspaper Le Figaro. The manifesto set a fiery tone. In it Marinetti lashed out against cultural tradition (passatismo, in Italian) and called for the destruction of museums, libraries, and feminism. Futurism quickly grew into an international movement and its participants issued additional manifestos for nearly every type of art: painting, sculpture, architecture, music, photography, cinemaeven clothing.

The Futurist paintersUmberto Boccioni, Carlo Carr, Luigi Russolo, Gino Severini, and Giacomo Ballasigned their first manifesto in 1910 (the last named his daughter ElicaPropeller!). Futurist painting had first looked to the color and the optical experiments of the late 19th century, but in the fall of 1911, Marinetti and the Futurist painters visited the Salon dAutomne in Paris and saw Cubism in person for the first time. Cubism had an immediate impact that can be seen in BoccionisMateriaof 1912 for example. Nevertheless, the Futurists declared their work to be completely original.

Umberto Boccioni, Materia, 1912 (reworked 1913), oil on canvas, 226 x 150 cm (Mattioli Collection loaned to Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice)

The Futurists were particularly excited by the works of late 19th-century scientist and photographer tienne-Jules Marey, whose chronophotographic (time-based) studies depicted the mechanics of animal and human movement.

A precursor to cinema, Mareys innovative experiments with time-lapse photography were especially influential for Balla. In his painting Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash, the artist playfully renders the dog's (and dog walker's) feet as continuous movements through space over time.

Giacomo Balla, Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash, 1912, oil on canvas, 35 1/2 x 43 1/4 " (Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo)

Entranced by the idea of the dynamic, the Futurists sought to represent an objects sensations, rhythms and movements in their images, poems and manifestos. Such characteristics are beautifully expressed in Boccionis most iconic masterpiece, Unique Forms of Continuity in Space (see above).

Nike (Winged Victory) of Samothrace, c. 190 B.C.E. 3.28m high, Hellenistic Period, marge, (Muse du Louvre, Paris) The choice of shiny bronze lends a mechanized quality to Boccioni's sculpture, so here is the Futurists ideal combination of human and machine. The figures pose is at once graceful and forceful, and despite their adamant rejection of classical arts, it is also very similar to the Nike of Samothrace.

Futurism was one of the most politicized art movements of the twentieth century. It merged artistic and political agendas in order to propel change in Italy and across Europe. The Futurists would hold what they called serate futuriste, or Futurist evenings, where they would recite poems and display art, while also shouting politically charged rhetoric at the audience in the hope of inciting riot. They believed that agitation and destruction would end the status quo and allow for the regeneration of a stronger, energized Italy.

These positions led the Futurists to support the coming war, and like most of the groups members, leading painter Boccioni enlisted in the army during World War I. He was trampled to death after falling from a horse during training. After the war, the members intense nationalism led to an alliance with Benito Mussolini and his National Fascist Party. Although Futurism continued to develop new areas of focus (aeropittura, for example) and attracted new membersthe so-called second generation of Futurist artiststhe movements strong ties to Fascism has complicated the study of this historically significant art.

Essay by Emily Casden

Additional resources:

Unique Forms in the Continuity of Space at MoMA

The Futurist Manifestos and related materials

Charles Bernstein reading the Futurist Manifesto at MoMA (video)

Boccioni's Materia in the Peggy Guggenheim Collection

tienne-Jules Marey at MoMA

Original post:
Learn Italian Futurism: An Introduction - Khan Academy

Posted in Futurism | Comments Off on Learn Italian Futurism: An Introduction – Khan Academy

Italian Futurism, 19091944: Reconstructing the Universe

Posted: at 12:40 pm

Due to the redesign of Guggenheim.org, past exhibitions prior to 2008 are archived externally; visiting these pages will open a new window.

February 21September 1, 2014

The first comprehensive overview of Italian Futurism to be presented in the United States, this multidisciplinary exhibition examines the historical sweep of the movement from its inception with F. T. Marinettis Futurist manifesto in 1909 through its demise at the end of World War II. Presenting over 300 works executed between 1909 and 1944, the chronological exhibition encompasses not only painting and sculpture, but also architecture, design, ceramics, fashion, film, photography, advertising, free-form poetry, publications, music, theater, and performance. To convey the myriad artistic languages employed by the Futurists as they evolved over a 35-year period, the exhibition integrates multiple disciplines in each section. Italian Futurism, 19091944 is organized by Vivien Greene, Senior Curator, 19th- and Early 20th-Century Art, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. In addition, a distinguished international advisory committee has been assembled to provide expertise and guidance.

This exhibition is made possible by

Support is provided in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the David Berg Foundation, with additional funding from the Juliet Lea Hillman Simonds Foundation, The Robert Lehman Foundation, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

The Leadership Committee for Italian Futurism, 19091944: Reconstructing the Universe is also gratefully acknowledged for its generosity, including the Hansjrg Wyss Charitable Endowment; Stefano and Carole Acunto; Giancarla and Luciano Berti; Ginevra Caltagirone; Massimo and Sonia Cirulli Archive; Daniela Memmo dAmelio; Achim Moeller, Moeller Fine Art; Pellegrini Legacy Trust; and Alberto and Gioietta Vitale.

This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.

See original here:
Italian Futurism, 19091944: Reconstructing the Universe

Posted in Futurism | Comments Off on Italian Futurism, 19091944: Reconstructing the Universe

Futurism (song) MuseWiki: Supermassive wiki for the band Muse

Posted: at 12:40 pm

Additional information

The song itself is about a futuristic world, hence the pre-release name of "Electro Empire", and fits into the theme of Origin of Symmetry, but wasn't included due to its difficulty to play live. The song was otherwise called "Spectrum" and "Tesseract" whilst in production; tesseract being the name given to the 4-dimensional shape analogous to a cube.

The song features a powerful bass line and is similar to Hysteria's. According to Matt in a tweet, Futurism led to the idea for Hysteria bassline.

An alternative interpretation is that the song is about a near-future world formed as a result of modern developments, particularly the way social networking in fact keeps us apart from people ("grounded, boxed in") and the use of technology makes us like "silent gods".

After playing the song twice in 2015, Matt cited Futurism and The Groove as two examples of b-sides he felt were better than some album tracks.[2]

The first seconds of the song bear a distinct resemblance to the song "Too Many Puppies" by Primus which has been occasionally played by Muse as a riff.

A first version of Futurism was performed live for the first time at Reading Festival 2000 in 2000, in which lyrics of the song were slightly different (the original live version is also one of only four Muse songs that contains swearing). Despite the band said it can get difficult to play, the song was performed live for the second time ever at Zepp Tokyo in 2013.

Other performances of the song were during the Psycho UK Tour in 2015, in Newport and in Exeter.

Futurism is actually an italian art movement started by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti in 1909. It containained the first glmpse of what is now known as modern art. The whole article can be found here: [2]

Apostasy and apathy still rules Yeah you know it's cool Just suck and see A future turns us into silent gods And I won't miss you at all

Grounded Boxed in Like the evil in your veins Grounded Boxed in I am stuck with you

Fate can't decide Alignment of the planets in your hands Come on crush our plans Just suck and see A future that won't let you disagree And I won't miss you at all

Grounded Boxed in Like the evil in your veins Grounded Boxed in I am stuck with you

Feel it, hear it, right apathy you are, see it, be it, you'll see

Apostasy and apathy still rules Yeah you know it's cool Can't wait and see A future turns us into silent gods And I won't miss you at all

Grounded Grounded Like the evil in your veins Grounded Boxed in I am stuck with you

Pursue Alignment of the planets in your hands Come on and fuck my plans Can't wait and see A future won't just let you disagree Won't miss you at all

Grounded Boxed in Like the evil in your veins Grounded Boxed in I am stuck with you

Be it, Be it, Be it, Be it

Go back to Origin of Symmetry

Read this article:
Futurism (song) MuseWiki: Supermassive wiki for the band Muse

Posted in Futurism | Comments Off on Futurism (song) MuseWiki: Supermassive wiki for the band Muse

DNA news, articles and information:

Posted: September 8, 2015 at 9:42 pm

Eat blueberries to live a longer life 7/11/2015 - Sometimes foods that are healthy don't always appeal to a large number of people. Blueberries are an exception, however - they are both delicious and nutritious. Blueberries are truly one of the great superfoods for so many reasons. Although they can satisfy a sweet tooth, they are low in sugar and... Google and Amazon want to store your DNA in the cloud 6/12/2015 - In the scramble between the mega-information-monopolies to control every aspect of your life, Amazon and Google are now vying with each other to own your DNA. Well, maybe not exactly own it -- at least not yet, anyway -- but they want to store it in the cloud and, as far as I'm concerned, that's essentially... Carnivorous plant with huge number of genes stumps scientists with tiny genome 4/24/2015 - Scientists have discovered that an already unusual plant known as the carnivorous bladderwort (Utricularia gibba) is even more mysterious than they had previously realized. According to a new study conducted by researchers from the University at Buffalo and published in the journal Molecular Biology... New GMO vaccines alter human DNA to produce artificial immunity 3/27/2015 - Recently, scientists took a huge leap forward in developing a radically new form of immunization. Researchers from the Scripps Research Institute reported in February that they had successfully used a new form of gene therapy to induce monkeys to produce an antibody that deactivates HIV. This new... Scientists find mysterious DNA from unknown creatures lurking in NYC subways 3/5/2015 - The bizarre sights, pungent smells and largely invisible but ever-present germs that mark the unique New York City subway-riding experience are among the many details cataloged in a new bacterial study that, perhaps not shockingly, made some unsettling discoveries about the types of critters that lurk... GM soybeans transfer mutated DNA to milk and decrease birth weight of newborn goats 3/3/2015 10:45:39 AM - It's a given that the health risks of consuming genetically modified soybeans are steeped in controversy. Many people are adamant that ingesting them leads to serious health consequences, while those in favor of such foods and the herbicides they're sprayed with (mainly, the la-la-land folks at Monsanto)... Resveratrol found in grapes protects DNA, cuts risk of heart disease, cancer 1/6/2015 - Resveratrol is no stranger to news headlines and the health-minded people who are privy to various findings about it. After all, the organic compound has been touted for its ability to slash heart disease risks and boost health. Findings have shown that it has the ability to keep certain cancers... Scientists develop synthetic enzymes that mimic life without RNA, DNA 12/20/2014 - The systematic replacement of all natural life with synthetic life-types is moving along at breakneck speed, with a new study published in the journal Nature announcing that scientists have come up with the world's first artificial enzymes made entirely from man-made genetic material. Known categorically... DNA from GMOs can pass directly into humans, study confirms 6/24/2014 - The idea that DNA from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is broken down in the digestive tract and rendered innocuous, a common industry claim, is patently false. A recent study published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE found that large, meal-derived DNA fragments from GMOs are fully capable... DNA-erasing spray promises privacy but could help criminals evade the law 5/19/2014 - In today's technologically advanced world, authorities are finding new ways to collect the average person's DNA, storing people's unique identification in databases without consent. Not held accountable, a police state can grow unchecked, swabbing people's DNA at roadside checkpoints, implementing fingerprint... Savory's high nutrient content may protect against DNA damage to the liver 5/17/2014 - The herb savory is a member of the mint family which is often used in East European cuisines because of its well appreciated peppery and tangy taste. Not only is it undeniably great to spice up various dishes, but some pharmaceutical companies happen to integrate some of its outstanding healing chemical... Biobank will collect huge amounts of private DNA data in 'altruistic' study 5/7/2014 - A study that will collect the DNA and scan the bodies of hundreds of thousands of volunteers has been started. The aim of the project, which also includes the use of health and lifestyle questionnaires, is to match the data collected to diseases that develop over the course of the lives of the volunteers.... Astaxanthin found to reduce oxidation, DNA damage and liver cancer formation 11/12/2013 - Scientific evidence continues to mount showing that astaxanthin is one of the most potent antioxidants yet discovered. A study conducted by researchers from India's National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research found that astaxanthin not only can reduce oxidation of the liver but can actually... Confirmed by science: You really can change your DNA - and here's how 9/21/2013 - If you believe that you are at the mercy of your genetic code, great news, you're not. According to the science of epigenetics (the study of how environmental factors outside of DNA influence changes in gene expression), stem cells and even DNA can be altered through magnetic fields, heart coherence,... Supreme Court rules cops can collect your DNA if they arrest you 6/29/2013 - Your constitutional right to not be searched or detained by law enforcement officials without reasonable suspicion or probable cause has been further eroded by a recent Supreme Court ruling, which now allows police officers to freely collect DNA samples from individuals they arrest in connection with... Monsanto: The worst of the worst 5/30/2013 - Monsanto lies about everything and will commit any atrocity against the people to ensure profits. Recently, the Cornucopia Institute reported about the French farmer that was poisoned by one of Monsanto's "safe" pesticides. Read it for your self. A French farmer who can no longer perform his routine... Junk DNA suspected to be behind destructive neurological diseases 4/24/2013 - Scientists from UC San Francisco have recently bared findings that some DNA that used to be considered as junk, have a crucial role in brain development, and could be linked to a number of devastating neurological ailments. The efforts to finally determine the particular roles of the long-ignored DNA... Vitamin D compound may help skin lotions reduce DNA damage by up to 80 percent 2/9/2013 - Though the mainstream sunscreen and skin care industries have a rather long way to go in correcting certain misinformation propaganda of decades gone by, the market may soon experience at least a slight shift in direction. Initial reports out of Australia indicate that researchers there say a new vitamin... DNA doesn't lie: Happy children become healthy adults 1/19/2013 - It sounds like science fiction but it is a scientific fact. A happy childhood leads to a healthy adult life. This is what scientists found when they examined the effects of childhood adversities to DNA. They found that the tiny protective caps of our chromosomes, which are called telomeres, shorten... Micronutrient deficiencies can cause DNA damage 9/14/2012 - All of us, identical twins excepted, are genetically unique. Of course, everyone's genes encode all the proteins needed for life, but the sum total of all our biochemical processes varies considerably from person to person. One of the consequences of this genetically determined biochemical individuality... 'Junk' DNA found to play crucial role in health or disease 9/13/2012 - Human biology is a mysterious thing, which is why perplexing diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes and psychiatric disorders are so hard to predict and, as is often the case, to treat as well. Another complexity involves understanding how and why one individual might contract a debilitating or... The invisible threat that pulls apart DNA, causing genetic disorders and cancer 6/20/2012 - We are all exposed to electromagnetic radiation constantly on a daily basis from mobile phones, Wifi hot spots, power lines and electrical appliances. The sources of this pollution are many and varied, each having its own range of wavelength, frequency and intensity. How does the artificial electromagnetic... Exercise boosts healthy DNA expression within just a few minutes 3/23/2012 - Exercise truly is a vital component of good health, as was once again illustrated in a recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Cell Metabolism. Researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, and Dublin City University in Ireland found... Just a few minutes of daily exercise alters DNA to help prevent chronic disease 3/16/2012 - Many people think the genes they inherited at birth are static and predetermine their fate for the remainder of their life. Extensive research into the science of epigenetics is providing startling evidence that this thought process is grossly outdated, and our individual DNA is dynamic and continually... Study: Roundup diluted by 99.8 percent still destroys human DNA 2/23/2012 - A new study published in the journal Archives of Toxicology proves once again that there really is no safe level of exposure to Monsanto's Roundup (glyphosate) herbicide formula for genetically-modified organisms (GMOs). According to the new findings, Roundup, which is applied by the tens of thousands... Grape seed extract targets cancer cells by damaging DNA repair pathway 2/7/2012 - Researchers from the Colorado Cancer Center reporting in the prestigious journal Carcinogenesis explain the unique mechanism exerted by grape seed extract to destroy cancer cells that target the head and neck. More than half a million people worldwide will fall victim to squamous cell carcinoma involving... The HPV vaccine - what do you really know about it? 10/14/2011 - If you are considering vaccinating your child with an HPV vaccine, what information have you read, and what questions have you asked?What do you KNOW about the human papillomaviruses (HPV) which the medical profession says causes cervical cancer? If you are going to vaccinate your child on the word... Genetically modified organisms inject DNA into intestinal bacteria 6/24/2011 - Food that contains genetically engineered organisms can transfer genetic material into the DNA of bacteria in the intestinal tract leading to a myriad of health consequences. Responsible scientists have been warning about the potential dangers of releasing genetically modified organisms into the food... Study: Antioxidant blend protects against radioactive DNA damage 3/31/2011 - New research presented at the 36th annual meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiology in Chicago, Ill., has revealed the incredible power of antioxidants to protect the body against the damaging effects of radiation. Researchers from the University of Toronto, Ontario, Can., department of medical... After touching your junk, TSA now wants to scan and harvest your DNA 2/28/2011 - As if it's not enough for the TSA to feel you up at the airport, now they're experimenting with rapid results DNA scanners that can scan and analyze your DNA using just a drop of saliva. Spit at the TSA agent who is molesting you, in other words, and they can use that saliva to scan your DNA and then... Man-caused changes to our DNA threaten our present health and future survival 1/17/2011 - Thanks to toxins, radiation, poor diet, genetically modified food and unhealthy lifestyles, human DNA and gene expression are being changed in unnatural and unhealthy ways. Besides threatening our present health, the changes are also threatening our future viability as a species. Scientists are increasingly... Invisible DNA body spray technology may soon be installed at a business near you 10/22/2010 - A U.K. company has developed a technology that it says will help deter thieves from robbing local businesses. SelectaDNA Spray, as it is called, coats robbers with an invisible DNA mist that cannot be washed off and remains present on skin and hair for weeks, allowing authorities to better link culprits... Bovine DNA found on chicken meat 8/26/2010 - Tests carried out in Ireland have found traces of cow and pig DNA in chicken products being sold in grocery stores, raising concerns over unlabeled cross-species ingredients. The issue first came to light in December, when the United Kingdom's Food Standards Agency (FSA) found traces of pork proteins... Dead cow carcasses "resurrected" to produce cloned beef 8/16/2010 - We already know that cloned beef has entered the food supply both in the United States (http://www.naturalnews.com/023718_food_beef_cloned.html) and the UK (http://www.naturalnews.com/029411_cloned_beef_food.html). Now, thanks to revelations from JR Simplot, a U.S. company specializing in the cloning... Understand DNA Damage and Repair 5/7/2010 - Most people today are consistently exposed to substances that are known to damage our DNA. Radiation, plastics, cigarette smoke, chemicals in soft drinks, pesticides, and many more common substances have all been found to damage our DNA. It's unfortunate because when our DNA is damaged, we subject ourselves... The government has your baby's DNA! 4/25/2010 - According to Brad Therrell, director of the National Newborn Screening & Genetics Resource Center, all babies born in the United States are required to be screened for a host of genetic diseases. The government has mandated that all newborns be evaluated genetically to see whether or not they might... Vitamin and Mineral Shortages Cause Degenerative Diseases 4/1/2010 - When micronutrients like vitamins and minerals are in short supply they are temporarily reserved for the most essential organs, at the expense of less pressing tasks. This is a survival mechanism, an example of physiological triage (1). Neglecting less essential functions on occasion may do no harm... Stunning Research Shows High Potential for DNA Damage from Nanoparticles 3/27/2010 - Nanoparticles may be able to damage the DNA of cells without ever coming into contact with it, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Bristol Implant Research Center and published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology. Nanoparticles are particles so small that they have fundamentally... Two High School Students Find Epidemic of Mislabeled Foods 2/10/2010 - Two high school students, Brenda Tan and Matt Cost at the Trinity School of Manhattan, gathered 151 DNA samples from foods and objects in their and neighbor`s homes as part of a science project. Of the samples, a large percentage were found to not be what their packaging said they were - they were mislabeled... Israeli Scientists Show DNA Evidence Can be Fabricated 1/29/2010 - Scientists from the Tel Aviv, Israel-based company Nucleix have demonstrated that it is possible to create fake DNA samples and plant them as evidence at a crime scene, in a paper published in the journal Forensic Science: International Genetics. "You can just engineer a crime scene," said lead researcher... Full-body scanners used on air passengers may damage human DNA 1/11/2010 - In researching the biological effects of the millimeter wave scanners used for whole body imaging at airports, NaturalNews has learned that the energy emitted by the machines may damage human DNA. Millimeter wave machines represent one of two primary technologies currently being used for the "digital... The Bill Nobody Noticed: National DNA Databank 12/18/2008 - In April of 2008, President Bush signed into law S.1858 which allows the federal government to screen the DNA of all newborn babies in the U.S. This was to be implemented within 6 months meaning that this collection is now being carried out. Congressman Ron Paul states that this bill is the first step... Magnesium: The Lamp of Life 11/18/2008 - Inside chlorophyll is the lamp of life and that lamp is magnesium. The capture of light energy from the sun is magnesium dependent. Magnesium is bound as the central atom of the porphyrin ring of the green plant pigment chlorophyll. Magnesium is the element that causes plants to be able to convert light... Curcumin Tempers Arsenic Toxicity Through DNA Repair 9/10/2008 - Curcumin, the active ingredient in the spice turmeric is effective against the harmful impact of arsenic according to a recent study reported in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition. Arsenic is a poison that can be fatal to humans. The study investigated whether curcumin could counteract... New Study Indicates DNA Can Be Altered Through Diet and Exercise 9/10/2008 - A new study that was recently published sheds more evidence to what many have been saying for a long time, that DNA does not control the body or predestine you to being overweight, ill, sick, weak or anything else, but that the majority of our health and destiny lies within our own power. Here is... Natural Sweetener Stevia Loaded With Antioxidants; Protects Against DNA Damage 7/30/2008 - Extracts from the leaf of the Stevia plant have been found to be high in antioxidants that prevent the DNA damage that leads to cancer, according to a new Indian study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. "These results indicate that Stevia rebaudiana may be useful as a potential... DNA: Toppling the Evolutionary 'Tree of Life' 6/22/2008 - In 1953, a once impossible achievement was accomplished, that being the unraveling and understanding of the DNA molecule, also called deoxyribonucleic acid. Two scientists, James Watson and Francis Crick, accomplished what was thought to be impossible. The discovery of the double helix code hidden within... New Legislation Calls for Government Ownership of DNA 4/29/2008 - An article published in the April 4, 2008 issue of World Net Daily outlines a plan that has state and federal governments staking claim to the ownership of every newborn's DNA in perpetuity. This Orwellian like plan is advancing under the radar of most privacy rights activists, as well as that of most... DNA and Mitochondrial Time Bombs: Uranium and Mercury 3/3/2008 - Hyperinsulinemia may promote mammary carcinogenesis. Insulin resistance has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer and is also characteristic of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes and cancer are both expanding almost exponentially in the world today and can in part be traced to the increasing radiation... U.S. authorities to start massive DNA gathering from population 2/15/2007 - The federal government is finalizing rules that would encourage the collection of DNA samples from everyone arrested by federal authorities, as well as any illegal immigrant detained by federal agents for any reason. A little-noticed amendment to last month's renewal of the Violence Against Women... Genetic code of human race is deteriorating due to environmental factors 12/1/2006 - Small damages to sequences in the human genome are causing evolutionary changes in our DNA. Recent findings from a Japanese group prove that a common form of DNA damage caused by oxidation is a primary cause of mutagenesis -- damage to DNA during the genome replication process. As a result, the human... See all 161 DNA feature articles. Overweight: Fertility: Sperm: Weight: Men: Technology: Drug: 5: Testing: Immune system: Probiotics: Supplements: Probiotic: Health: Disease: Research: Today's Top Stories on NaturalNews

Today | Week | Month | Year

See All Top Headlines...

CounterThink Cartoons are free to view and download. They cover topics like health, environment and freedom.

The Consumer Wellness Center is a non-profit organization offering nutrition education grants to programs that help children and expectant mothers around the world.

Food Investigations is a series of mini-documentaries exposing the truth about dangerous ingredients in the food supply.

Webseed.com offers alternative health programs, documentaries and more.

The Honest Food Guide is a free, downloadable public health and nutrition chart that dares to tell the truth about what foods we should really be eating.

HealingFoodReference.com offers a free online reference database of healing foods, phytonutrients and plant-based medicines that prevent or treat diseases and health conditions.

HerbReference.com is a free, online reference library that lists medicinal herbs and their health benefits.

NutrientReference.com is a free online reference database of phytonutrients (natural medicines found in foods) and their health benefits. Lists diseases, foods, herbs and more.

Follow this link:
DNA news, articles and information:

Posted in DNA | Comments Off on DNA news, articles and information:

DNA – Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com

Posted: at 9:42 pm

Your DNA is what makes you uniquely you. It's that double helix that your genes are made of. Your DNA accounts for why you resemble your parents and it distinguishes you from your pet frog and from everybody else.

DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid, sometimes called "the molecule of life," as almost all organisms have their genetic material codified as DNA. Since each persons DNA is unique, "DNA typing" is a valuable tool in connecting suspects to crime scenes. You can also use the word less scientifically, as in its just not in my DNA to sit through six hours of meetings.

Definitions of DNA

1

DNA is the king of molecules

a segment of DNA containing adjacent genes including structural genes and an operator gene and a regulatory gene

single-stranded DNA that is complementary to messenger RNA or DNA that has been synthesized from messenger RNA by reverse transcriptase

DNA that is not incorporated into the genome but is replicated together with the genome (especially in bacterial cells)

sequence of a gene's DNA that transcribes into protein structures

sequence of a eukaryotic gene's DNA that is not translated into a protein

stretches of DNA that do not code for genes

genetically engineered DNA made by recombining fragments of DNA from different organisms

an end of DNA in which one strand of the double helix extends a few units beyond the other

a segment of DNA that can become integrated at many different sites along a chromosome (especially a segment of bacterial DNA that can be translocated as a whole)

cDNA copy of the RNA genome of a retrovirus; the genetic material of a virus as incorporated into and able to replicate with the genome of a host cell

double-stranded cDNA

a naturally occurring or synthetic compound consisting of large molecules made up of a linked series of repeated simple monomers

Read the original:
DNA - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com

Posted in DNA | Comments Off on DNA – Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com

How DNA Evidence Works – HowStuffWorks

Posted: at 9:42 pm

The CBS drama "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" routinely draws more than 20 million viewers per episode, making it one of television's greatest successes. The show's popularity owes a great deal to the writers and actors who bring the stories to life. But another intriguing element is the cutting-edge technology used by the Las Vegas crime lab trying to solve crimes. Collecting and analyzing DNA evidence tops the list of the lab's forensic toolkit, and its ubiquity in shows like "CSI" and "Cold Case" has increased public awareness to the point that many jurors in real-world courtrooms expect to see DNA evidence presented -- whether a case calls for it or not.

It's hard to believe that DNA evidence has come so far so fast. The techniques that make it possible to identify a suspect using his or her unique genetic blueprint have only been around since 1985. That's when Alec Jeffreys and his colleagues in England first demonstrated the use of DNA in a criminal investigation. Since then, DNA evidence has played a bigger and bigger role in many nations' criminal justice systems. It has been used to prove that suspects were involved in crimes and to free people who were wrongly convicted. And, in the United States, it has been integral to several high-profile criminal cases.

At the heart of DNA evidence is the biological molecule itself, which serves as an instruction manual and blueprint for everything in your body (see How Cells Work for details). A DNA molecule is a long, twisting chain known as a double helix. DNA looks pretty complex, but it's really made of only four nucleotides:

These nucleotides exist as base pairs that link together like the rungs in a ladder. Adenine and thymine always bond together as a pair, and cytosine and guanine bond together as a pair. While the majority of DNA doesn't differ from human to human, some 3 million base pairs of DNA (about 0.10 percent of your entire genome) vary from person to person.

In human cells, DNA is tightly wrapped into 23 pairs of chromosomes. One member of each chromosomal pair comes from your mother, and the other comes from your father. In other words, your DNA is a combination of your mother's and your father's DNA. Unless you have an identical twin, your DNA is unique to you.

This is what makes DNA evidence so valuable in investigations -- it's almost impossible for someone else to have DNA that is identical to yours. But catching a criminal using DNA evidence is not quite as easy as "CSI" makes it seem, as this article will demonstrate. Our first step in exploring DNA evidence is the crime scene -- and the biological evidence gathered there by detectives.

Go here to see the original:
How DNA Evidence Works - HowStuffWorks

Posted in DNA | Comments Off on How DNA Evidence Works – HowStuffWorks