Mirror, Mirror

An interesting paper was published in the online advanced issue of PNAS.  Titled, “Molecular Asymmetry in Extraterrestrial Chemistry,” the researchers looked at the ratios of chemical isomers found on a “pristine meteorite.”  Because the isomeric ratios of biomolecules on earth (especially amino acids and sugars) are very specific, finding different ratios could help us learn a) how life might have started and evolved and b) what life might look like on other planets.

Ultra-detailed study of human genetic variation released

That modern Homo sapiens emerged out of Africa at some point in time has quite a bit of evidence.  But what has remained uncertain was who these adventurous people were.  What area of Africa were they from?  How many of them were there?  And how did they spread out to populate the globe?

Researchers at the University of Michigan and at the National Institute on Aging conducted a detailed study of genetic variation in human populations, which can pinpoint a person’s genetic heritage to a specific population in a geographic region.  Results at this level of specificity mean that this information is 100 times more detailed than previous studies.

New Insights on Apicomplexa Biology

Although viruses and bacteria currently get the lion’s share of research money and media attention, parasitic diseases kill millions of people each year.  Why are they overlooked so frequently?  They largely don’t affect Americans.  It’s the sad, but true, world of science and journalism and research funding.

However, in the most recent edition of PLoS Pathogens, researchers from the University of Georgia and the University of Montana (among others) released a ground-breaking study on Apicomplexa biology.  Hadn’t heard of Apicomplexa?  Neither had I.  But they are a phylum that consists of many of the parasites that have plauged humans for millennia, such as Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidia, and Plasmodium sp., the latter of which cause malaria in hundreds of millions of people each year. 

Where I’ve Been

This is one of those days when I realize I need to set a resolution to blog every single day, dammit, lest two months pass and I say “Ummm…ooops!”

My redeeming point is that I have been busy. 
My non-redeeming point is that I haven’t been that busy.

I am starting work on my thesis, a little 40 page ditty on the factors that are causing the epidemic spread of the Chikungunya virus, which means I am going to be having to give up my little pet stories for class on random science topics until May.  Which made me think of this blog (again), and how it would be a perfect home for all of my random drivel.

So I’m back, and looking forward to writing with much greater consistency and quality than before.  Not that three posts, one of which was a cartoon, is much to talk about.  Still, a girl can dream.

Kitchen Science (or why you should quit smoking)

A group of Japanese scientists did this little home experiement that they captured on video

A dramatic view of why smoking gives you cancer.


Still Smoking? Watch This !! – video powered by Metacafe

When I was a student at the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan, there were always a few students in every class who continued to smoke. I understand addiction in my own little way, but still. When the first example in your epidemiology class is working on the stats of lung cancer and smoking, it made me wonder if they should flunk that class. Just, you know, on the spot.

The link comes by way of Scientist, Interrupted (Living the Scientific Life).

Bacterial Discoloration of Ancient Art

Ever since the Da Vinci Code came out a couple of years ago, people have gotten really interested in ancient art.  I initially thought “ancient art” would be something more…I don’t know…ancient.  Like from the Greco-Roman Era.  Indeed, these scientists (Italian, of course) were referring to Medieval and Renaissance art. The point of the study was to determine a) if the “rosy discoloration” of the fresco “The Crypt of the Original Sin” in Italy was from bacteria and if it was, b) what species were the culprit.

To Start

This comic is a huge reason why I’m starting this blog.  So many people don’t understand science, don’t think science is “for them,” or don’t think they’re smart enough to understand science.

 Hence the situation in the comic.

Hello world!

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