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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."
There will follow lots of posts with jokes about overclocking.
Some may actually be funny.
In a related story, the IRS has recently ruled that the cost of Windows upgrades can NOT be deducted as a gambling loss.
do i live forever or die instantly? And what if i have some kind of mutation that affects production of this protein? DOes that explain Lazarus Long? ;)
All Troll + "offtopic" mods are meta moderated as "Unfair", because you abused the system.
Sleep is for the weak. And the genetically un-modified.
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?
"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long... ...and you have burned so very, very brightly, Roy." -- Dr. Tyrell, Blade Runner
It's cause Greeks and Romans did some numbers in base 12. Also the reason we have 360 degrees in a circle despite the fact that radians make much more sense is because greek
365 days a year is just a lucky coincidence.
The next Slashdot story will be ready soon, but subscribers can beat the rush and slashdot the links early!
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!!
were Nature's wallet, suspenders, and sock garters.
Keep your packets off my GNU/Girlfriend!
Could this help me (one day, maybe?) stay away for much longer each day? Presently, I max out at 18 hours a day without sleep. This much time is enough to churn out only so much of code.. but think of the implications if I and numerous others who find joy in churning out free code could code for a bit longer within a span of 24 hours?
;-)
And all this with little side-effect to other bodily functions...
Also the reason we have 360 degrees in a circle despite the fact that radians make much more sense is because greek
"Drive 3 blocks north, then take the one-quarter pi radian turn right, and go another block."
Yeah, that's a real useful unit.
--
Benjamin Coates
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.
Indeed, the U.S. Department of Defense has offered research funding for the goal of sustaining a fully wake, fully functional 24/7 soldier, sailor, or airman. -- Professor J. Christian Gillin,
I guess next time I operate my F-16 I can't get so
high anymore.
Dyslexics have more fnu.
the one-quarter pi radian turn right
Ahh, you must live in one of those neighborhoods with funky corners. Most of the corners around here are one-half pi radians.
-
- - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
The links given don't actually supply the reference to the paper. Its in Biochemistry
Biochemical Basis for the Biological Clock Morre, D. J.; Chueh, P.-J.; Pletcher, J.; Tang, X.; Wu, L.-Y.; Morre, D. M.; Biochemistry ; (Accelerated Article); 2002; 41(40); 11941-11945.
ok, so this is really groundbreaking news...
I mean, Explaining the circadian rythm has been a priority for decades.
It has an enormous impact on the pharmaceutical industry, it's extremely important for biochemists, chemists, theoretical chemist and non-linear dynamics people...
And the importance is REALLY obvious.
my question is this: Why do they publish it in Biochemistry?!?!
This is Nature or Science material... if it's true.
Something is obviously wrong with their argumentation, but I haven't figured out what's wrong yet... anybody?
They DEFINITELY need more sampling points... but I guess there's more to it than that.
"I don't know that Atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots." -George H.W. Bush
From the article Heavy water - water made of two atoms of deuterium, the isotope of hydrogen with an extra neutron in its nucleus - could alter the clock to run on a 27-hour day.
Heavy drinking causes sleepiness.... So
.ACMD setaloiv siht gnidaeR
"Nature's timepiece, a two-sided cylindrical protein...
I thought about how a cylinder could have two sides for a second, and realized that of course it's two sided...it has an inside and an outside.
Ba-dum-bum.
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.
So now can I get a pill that will keep me from being late all the time?
Operator, give me the number for 911!
All cylinders are 2-sided. Get a piece of paper and make one; you'll see.