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Nature's Timepiece Identified
Makarand writes "Nature's timepiece, a two-sided cylindrical protein that tells cells when to grow and when to rest,
has been identified according to these reports
on MSNBC and
on Purdue News.
The protein directs 12-minute growth and rest cycles in living cells. Scientists at Purdue
were able to confirm its function by first identifying the gene that produces this protein
and then altering the protein to produce cycles of between 22 and 42 minutes.
This discovery promises new insight into cellular activity such as cholesterol synthesis, respiration, heart rhythms, response to drugs, sleep and alertness. We may be able to improve our of methods of minimzing jet-lag and correcting sleep disorders."
If I remember right these proteins are released in intervals and build up when they hit a level a reset condition occurs were the proteins are re-assimilated. In theory one could create conditions were these proteins are released faster or slower to regain clock sync.
I'm confused and maybe someone can clarify why this particular article seems to be so behind in this new technology as they already have shows on the discovery channel that explain this to the point a ten year old can understand the goings on? Or is it simply the fact they understand how to control the timekeeping piece of it?
I don't want to sound like I'm trying to pick o a fight, but who cares about fixing jet lag? Isn't this a more about helping sick people get better? I didn't realize jet lag was such a detriment to society.
No sig for you!!
Of course it isn't that simple. Stopping it would probably be similar to stopping another clock in you, such as your heart or your breathing.
What interested me was the comment about crystallizing it (to get X-ray crystallography). This might be one of those cases where the crystal form is not as useful as something like attosecond laser freeze-frames. We want to see this thing in action. I suppose one could crystallize it in each of its forms, and then guess which one did what.
Free book: Science Toys You Can Make
Well there are closer to 13 28 day months(moons) in a year. 13 x 24 = 364.
But then 13 is an unlucky number.
I know I'm going to hell, I'm just trying to get good seats.
Actually, isn't 360 more useful than 400? Not that I know anything about the origin of "360 degrees", but:
360/2 = 180
360/3 = 120
360/4 = 90
360/5 = 72
360/6 = 60
360/8 = 45
360/9 = 40
whereas
400/3 = 133.3...
400/6 = 66.6...
400/9 = 44.4...
Of course, it may be the case that you have a sense of humor and I don't.
I also can't help thinking that using 360 has greatly improved the math skills of skater & snowboarder dudes the world over.