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Researchers Study Mystery of the Toddler Who Won't Grow

kkleiner writes "Twenty-year-old Brooke Greenberg hasn't grown since age five. For the last 15 years, mystified doctors have been unable to explain the cause for Brooke's disorder that has kept her aging in check. At age twenty, she maintains the physical and mental appearance of a toddler. The researchers are now are painstakingly analyzing Brooke’s entire genome in search of unique mutations. Needless to say, it is a formidable undertaking. 'Cracking the code on Brooke’s condition,' [Dr. Eric Shadt] wrote, 'is the proverbial searching for a needle in a haystack, since likely there is one or a small number of letters changed in Brooke’s genome that has caused her condition.' To find the mutation Shadt and his team are using the latest genome sequencing and analysis tools. The strategy is to compare Brooke’s genome to the genomes of her parents and three normal sisters, as well as to other available sequences from the general population, and identify gene mutations that only Brooke has."

21 of 252 comments (clear)

  1. 4chan by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    4chan is going to love this one.

    1. Re:4chan by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      Unless I missed it, there's no indication that she mentally progressed past 5 years old. That might complicate her legality, and I can't believe I'm discussing this.

    2. Re:4chan by cod3r_ · · Score: 5, Funny

      You should be more concerned that you even caught what he meant.

    3. Re:4chan by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 5, Funny

      4chan is going to love this one.

      A 20-year-old with the mental makeup of a 5-year-old? I'm guessing she'd fit right in on 4chan.

      --
      #DeleteChrome
    4. Re:4chan by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      However, it does mean she'll fit right in with the rest of the 4chan posters.

  2. think of the possible implications! by queazocotal · · Score: 4, Funny

    Perpetual kittens.

    1. Re:think of the possible implications! by crazyjj · · Score: 3, Funny

      Perpetual kittens.

      Normally, I'm against screwing around too much with nature. But goddamn that would be worth it!

      --
      What political party do you join when you don't like Bible-thumpers *or* hippies?
    2. Re:think of the possible implications! by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 5, Funny

      You're code must be awesome to look at.

      It's easier to read than your prose ;)

      --
      systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
    3. Re:think of the possible implications! by bikin · · Score: 5, Funny

      Not possible; Atomic Theory would have triggered the Modern Age, and besides Riflemen are enough to kick Spearmen ass.

    4. Re:think of the possible implications! by MachDelta · · Score: 5, Funny

      Which would be better, I think.

      As a kitten, my cat was entirely too curious/fearless and once spent about 30 seconds inside a dryer before I figured out that "thump-whump-meow" is not the normal operation of said dryer, and also that my cat was missing. (Fortunately, aside from a slightly warm bum, the faint scent of fabric softener, and an 8-month-long fear of large white appliances, he was fine).

  3. Obligatory Star Trek reference by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    The Grups are studying her intensely.

    BANG BANG

  4. Bioshock? by spiritplumber · · Score: 3, Funny

    Looks like she's actually not aging, and has some sort of ability to remove tumors. Is she being stalked by a giant in a diving suit?

    --
    Liberty - Security - Laziness - Pick any two.
  5. Re:Mental appearance? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    opp opp OPPAN JUNGIAN STYLE

  6. Re:Perpetual diaper changes by h4rr4r · · Score: 4, Funny

    A normal five year old can use the toilet. Not everyone developed as slowly as you.

  7. Balok's Love-Child by l0ungeb0y · · Score: 4, Funny

    The kid's the product of a tranya fueled dalliance by her mom after a night out with Balok on his spaceship.

  8. Re:Mental appearance? by GameboyRMH · · Score: 5, Funny

    Heeeeeeey psych. class ladies!

    --
    "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
  9. Re:Wouldn't They See That in the Endocrine System? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Her condition may not be exactly "horrible". It's hard to know what she thinks of not being an adult.

    When I was 5, I though girls were icky. Continuing to be able to think that might have saved me a lot of time and money.

  10. Re:Epigenetics by thePowerOfGrayskull · · Score: 3, Funny

    It sounds like they have a small problem on their hands!

    I'll bet you're real fun at parties.

  11. Re:Human not freak show by Zordak · · Score: 4, Funny

    Since when do 5 year olds nap? Mine (apparently) runs on a fission generator in overdrive from 7:00 a.m. to about 10:00 p.m.

    --

    Today's Sesame Street was brought to you by the number e.
  12. Re:brain damage? by Obfuscant · · Score: 3, Funny

    It may very well be a regulatory molecule that we don't know about and can't measure.

    It may be due to molecules that are made up entirely of tachyons. Our normal aging is because there is a slight imbalance between our normal matter and tachyon physicality, leading to a slight shift towards what we view as "positive time".

    Her condition comes from an almost exact balance between the two, thus a competition between normal matter aging in the normal direction and the FTL matter aging in reverse.

    The Orkans (Mork and Mearth being the earthbound representatives) have the balance the other way, thus they age backwards.

    It's all easy if you know science.

  13. Re:Mental appearance? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    *cowboy hero-archetype dance*