Unknown News Junction

Why Identical Twins are Not Absolutely Identical

2012-04-14T23:01:00.000-07:00

Identical twins are so-called because they have identical genomes, the full complement of genetic material that determines their sex and characteristics. Despite the fact that they carry identical sets of chromosomes, identical twins still exhibit subtle differences in their physical appearance, behavior, personalities, and disease susceptibility. Scientists are baffled.

A recently concluded eight-year study conducted by researchers from Sydney’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research and Queensland Medical Research Institute reveals that these subtle differences can be attributed to the methylation of the epigenome, a gene subset whose “voice” is either silenced or amplified by the attachment of methyl groups (hydrocarbon molecules).

Researchers Dr. Marcel Coolen and Professor Susan Clark, both epigeneticisists from Garvan, concentrated on a particular group of ‘imprinted’ genes, that are involved in controlling growth during early development, and their methylation profiles. They found that even in identical twins, these imprinted genes have different methylation profiles, and they concluded that it is these differences that are probably giving rise to the differences between identical twins.

In the study, the researchers looked at and compared the methylation profiles of 128 identical twin pairs and 128 non-identical twin pairs to find out how closely their profiles matched. Professor Susan Clark says that the study’s aim was to understand how genetics and environmental factors determine who we are.

“Our findings support the hypothesis that changes in the methylation reflect the interplay between the environment and genetics,” explains Professor Clark. “We showed that methylation patterns are exquisitely inherited, and so the methylation patterns of identical twins are still very similar to each other. This demonstrated that the DNA sequence does instruct the methylation pattern. When that methylation pattern changes, however, it gives rise to potential changes in phenotype, or who we are.”

Study results also provide evidence that differences in methylation profiles of genetically identical people may be the cause of the differences in their susceptibility to diseases. The findings are published online in the International journal, PLoS One.

Sharks Taught to Hunt Alien Lionfish on Honduras

2012-04-14T22:58:00.000-07:00

Pieces of an unidentified meal drift from the toothy mouth of a shark off Honduras.Many shark populations are down significantly, and the animals remain vulnerable to fishing for fins, While it appears that lionfish in Caribbean, U.S. Southeast, and Gulf of Mexico waters are there to stay, the same can’t always be said for some local species—including the sharks themselves.

Unique and Funny Car Modifications

2012-04-14T22:54:00.000-07:00

Unique and Funny Car Modifications....... Beautiful and Sensational

Fish oil found to kill leukemia cells

2012-04-14T22:49:00.000-07:00

The many health benefits of fish oil have been well established. And latest research has discovered that an Omega-3 fatty acid compound, which is found in fish oil, has the potential to cure leukemia or, more specifically, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML).

Researchers from Penn State, led by Sandeep Prabhu, associate professor of immunology and molecular toxicology in the Department of Veterinary and Medical Sciences, discovered that the fish oil compound, delta-12-protaglandin J3 (D12-PGJ3) specifically target and kill the stem cells of CML in mice.

Prabhu notes,

“Research in the past on fatty acids has shown the health benefits of fatty acids on cardiovascular system and brain development, particularly in infants, but we have shown that some metabolites of Omega-3 have the ability to selectively kill the leukemia-causing stem cells in mice.”

He explains that stem cells are the ones responsible for the division and production of cancer cells and the creation of more stem cells. The compound targeted the leukemia stem cells in the mice’s bone marrow and spleen. Prabhu adds that, after treatment with D12-PGJ3, the mice’s blood count tested normal and their spleen returned to its normal size; the leukemia did not relapse which meant that the mice were completely cured.

According to the researchers, the compound – which is derived from the Omega-3 fatty acid Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) – killed CML stem cells by activating a gene in the stem cell programs the leukemia cell’s own death.

Currently, treatment for patients with CML only delays the progression of the cancer, extending the patient’s life, by controlling the division of cancer cells, keeping their numbers low. Robert Paulson, associate professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences and the study’s co-author, adds that current leukemia drugs must be taken continuously, otherwise the disease relapses because they don’t target and kill the stem cells. “These stem cells can hide from the treatment, and a small population of stem cells give[s] rise to more leukemia cells. So, targeting the stem cells is essential if you want to cure leukemia.”

The next step in the study is to determine if D12-PGJ3 can also be used to treat patients with terminal stage CML, a stage that still has no available treatment.

City under the water in Ganvie Aftica

2012-04-10T00:20:00.000-07:00

Ganvié is a water town situated on the northern edge of the Lake Nokoué in southern Benin. Marketed as the ‘Venice of Africa’, Ganvié is probably the most well-known and foremost among other lacustrine villages in the same region. Ganvié is a favourite among tourists to Benin with the government policy aimed at transforming the town into a major tourist attraction. As Ganvié is considered a rarity on the African continent, due to the fact that the town was built on a lake, information on socio-economic activities, the physical environment and the modern-day ecological effects of human settlements on the surrounding Lake Nokoué is readily available. Incidentally, I learnt of Ganvié from a magazine article on the impact of climate change on the region. Less information is readily available on Ganvié’s fascinating history; Ganvié was founded by people in an effort to escape captivity and enslavement in the Americas.

According to Elisée Soumonni, “little attention is paid to the ways in which local African populations resisted enslavement, giving the impression that any form of resistance began on board slave ships or in the Americas.” I believe this also fuels erroneous suggestions that all African ethnic groups were comfortable with slavery and enslavement, not knowing what they were heading to in the Americas and only revolting after their enslavement. The existence of Ganvié stands as a testament to resistance to the transatlantic slave trade within African shores.

The people of Ganvié are today known as the Tofinu. Today they are recognised as a unique and homogenous ethnic group; however, historically several groups of people across ethnic lines moved to the areas and marshlands around Lake Nokoué as refugees. They fled to escape slave raiding armies from the kingdom of Dahomey. Nowadays Dahomey is recognised as a powerful West African kingdom and is well-known among those who are interested in African history. Admiration is usually held for the kingdom, especially for the women that served in the Dahomean army, commonly referred to as ‘Dahomey Amazons’. It seems that the effects of the transatlantic slave trade to the kingdom of Dahomey is largely unnoticed for the most part; Dahomey was an important supplier of captives for enslavement in the Americas. It has been suggested that the Aja-speaking peoples, the people from which both the Tofinu and Dahomeans descended from, were among the largest captives in the transatlantic slave trade.

Million Dollars Otter

2012-04-10T00:16:00.000-07:00

Because of the price on their furs they are called “soft gold otter”. People have came all the way from Europe to America just to hunt them. In marina’s dock in Monterrey there are many yachts anchored, but in the water below them, the whole new world is showing. Sea otters- Enhydra lutris, rare species from northern coast of the Pacific Ocean. When the yacht’s owners aren’t around you can easily see how otters are resting on the deck. That’s not a common behavior for a little mammals. Usually they spend most of their time under the water. On the square centimeter of skin they have about 400.000 hairs. Russian hunters almost exterminate them in Alaska 1741. From Californian coast they were also almost exterminated in 1900. The value of one fur was about 1000 dollars ( 36000 dollars today) . Hunting them was prohibited and they became protected by law in 1911.

Master of Discoveries

2012-04-10T00:09:00.000-07:00

Though there was a word that Amerigo Vespucci discovered the whole American continent, now we all know it was Christopher Columbus. His idea originally was to find the way to India going to the west instead of to the east and thus demonstrate that the Earth is round. He didn’t find the way to India, he found way more than that – he found America. Because he was so persuasive and convincing, Spanish catholic Queen Isabella gave him money and all the supplies for all his voyages. He went to America and back to Spain four times from 1492 to 1504 and every time he discovered something new. It must’ve been great to be the man who discovered half of the world!

100 Years Anniversary for Titanic

2012-04-10T00:05:00.000-07:00

This year, some time in April, is a 100th Anniversary of Titanic sinking, so it the spirit of that there is a remake of great movie Titanic now in 3D technology. I did my best to find some original and thus really old pictures of how Titanic did really look like. Unfortunately there are not so many, but you will be able to picture the ship interior in your mind, based on available photos. After seeing these pictures, I said that I’d like if I could’ve seen it, but then again – maybe not. Anyway, enjoy from the safe distance.

Top-5 Volcanic Eruptions

2012-04-05T22:47:00.001-07:00

1. Mon-Pele
On the 8th of May 1902 Mon-Pele volcano has destroyed Saint Pierre city situated on Martinique Island. 36,000 of people died.

2. Nevado-del-Ruis
During 14 – 16 of November 1985 this volcano has destroyed everything within a radius of 150 km including Armero city, Columbia. 25,000 of people died.

3. Santa-Maria
20 cm layer of ashes covered a territory of 324.000 square kilometers after Santa-Maria volcanic eruption in Guatemala on the 24th of October 1902. About 6,000 of people died.

4. Lamington
In two minutes ashes from Lamington volcano in New Guinea raised on a height of 12 km on the 21st of January 1951. About 3,000 of people died.

5. Taal
The eruption destroyed everything within a radius of 10 km on Luson Island, Philippines on the 30th of December 1911. 1,335 of people died.

Luxury Spa House In Johannesburg, South Africa

2012-04-05T22:33:00.001-07:00

This fantastic Joc House in Johannesburg, South Africa, designed by Nico Van der Meulen architects. This vast and luxurious spa homes consists of 2 floor residence features a stunning open entrance layout that makes the inside spaces seem like outdoor spaces or terraces.

The inside pool, prolonged outside, contributes to this impression, as does the stunning 2 story height living room. The choice of materials is minimalist to brutalist, with marble and strip stone on the inside and a gigantic, very arguable freestanding concrete frame the size of the whole structure, on the front terrace and attached to the residence by 2 beams.

Aside from looking massive and even science-fiction-utopia/dystopia-like, this kind of concrete frame is the architects’ trademark. The wicked luxury den includes a few pools and bar-like kitchens, and, while it may lack in personality, modesty, spatial conflict, it does include splendid fireplaces and amazing interior landscaping.

Porsche made from Chocolate - Holiday Special!

2012-04-05T22:27:00.000-07:00

In the lead up to Christmas, a Dutch Porsche dealer has decided to decorate his store with a Porsche 911 Carrera S completely covered in chocolate. The dealership is Porsche Centrum Gelderland and to completely cover the car the company needed a little over 386 pounds of the tasty milk-chocolate.

If the thought of having to clean all that chocolate off a perfectly good 911 is worrying to you, never fear as the car was carefully wrapped in plastic before the chocolatiers could start their work.

While the final appearance may not be as appealing as we would have expected for a chocolate covered car, we have to admit that the concept is pretty unique. If you want to see the car in person, it will be on display until Christmas.

6 Abandoned Hotels From Around The World

2012-04-05T22:22:00.003-07:00

Around the world stand empty hotels that symbolise the loss of prosperity and the death of dreams. Lavish resorts and small hotels which were once filled with life and activity are now abandoned and filled only with decay.

Expensive hotels that began to be erected in areas of the world where development was anticipated now remain half-built in areas of the world where tourists rarely go. Abandoned hotels range from decrepit to like-new and exist everywhere from remote parts of the globe to modern urban cities. Following are some of the most interesting of those spots that serve as reminders that even the best laid plans don’t always work out over time.

Bokor Palace Hotel and Casino, Cambodia

Bokor Palace Hotel and Casino : There is a small French town in Cambodia that was lively throughout much of the 20th Century but is now completely abandoned. Built in the 1920’s, it became a partying hot spot for backpacking travellers during the 1960’s. The centerpiece of these parties was the Bokor Hill Station, a hotel which now stands abandoned. Tourists interested in taking a major trek in Cambodia can go tour the ruins today.

Aptera Beach Resort, Crete

Aptera Beach Resort: A series of beaches in Hania, Crete are welcoming to tourists from all around the world who are drawn in by the warm Mediterranean waters and the Greek way of life. However, a small beach called Aptera Beach has been abandoned and the resort that is left empty there is more than a little bit creepy.

Sinai Peninsula, Egypt

Sinai Peninsula: This part of the world is famous specifically because of the abandoned hotels that stand isolated here. At one time it was believed that this was going to be a booming area for growth and investment was made to start the construction of several elaborate five star hotels. However they never came to fruition, investment was abandoned and the hotels are just sitting there, half-finished in their concrete forms. Their only purpose has been as the architectural subject of a in Vienna. Investment was poured into the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula, but mostly around Sharm el Sheikh.

Hotel Fife, Scotland

Hotel Fife: Talk about eerie. This hotel in Scotland was abandoned specifically because the owners of the hotel kept experiencing what they could only describe as poltergeist activity. Built on the remains of an old hospital, it is said to be haunted. The still image slideshow (above) comes from a paranormal investigation completed there.

Randall Park Hotel, Ohio

Randall Park Hotel: There’s a strange old hotel which was abandoned near Randall Park, Ohio back in the early 1990’s. It appears to have been damaged in a fire but what’s strange about it is that it’s filled with items that are marked with price tags, probably after an inventory of items was made for an insurance claim. Significant fire and smoke damage can be seen throughout.

Budomel, Poland

Budomel: In West-Central Poland is a city called Poznan which is one of the oldest cities in the country and a place where many historic landmarks can be found. You’ll also find this abandoned hotel there.