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Physicists Find Clue as To Why the DNA Double Helix Twists To the Right

Posted by samzenpus on from the no-southpaws-in-lfe dept.

New submitter Annanag writes Most organic molecules have left- or right-handed versions, mirror images of each other, just like gloves. For some reason, life always seems to favor one version over the other — the DNA double helix in its standard form always twists like a right-handed screw, for example. But why this preference for left or right happens has always been a mystery. Now, in an experiment that took 13 years to perfect, physicists have found hints that this asymmetry of life could have been caused by electrons from nuclear decay in the early days of evolution.

5 of 120 comments (clear)

  1. Man oh man by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 4, Funny

    Nowadays it seems like almost everything is twisting to the right...

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    #DeleteChrome
    1. Re:Man oh man by Chrisq · · Score: 4, Funny

      Nowadays it seems like almost everything is twisting to the right...

      Including the iPhone 6....

  2. Re:Twisted left by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    I am lefthanded and mine twists to the right - my theory is it will usually point opposite of your prefered hand and my reason is furious masturbation.

  3. Re:Which side is upwards? by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 4, Funny

    Oh yeah? We'll soon see about -

    Hmm. Maybe one of these is broken. I'm getting more springs.

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    systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
  4. It SHOULD bend to the right. by Chas · · Score: 4, Funny

    If it bent to the left, that'd be a bit...sinister.

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    Chas - The one, the only.
    THANK GOD!!!