Ash Abhi in trouble
Thursday, July 30, 2009

Bollywood actors Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan failed to return to their hotel just after shooting for their new film "Ravan" on Wednesday evening after an elephant went out of control and killed its mahout.
The incident, which occurred after the shooting around 5 p.m. in Athirapally waterfalls area, blocked the road at nearby Athirapally forest area of Kerala's Thrissur district. Kunju, the elephant, stood in the middle of the road, thus, obstructing the traffic to move through the road.
As per the latest information "Kunju" had been controlled by chaining it veterinary doctors were on their way from Thrissur to attend the disgruntled elephant, possibly to tranquillise it. . The killed mahout was Andavan, aged 51. 'Ravan' is being shot in Hindi and Tamil at the thick forests near the waterfalls. Abhishek plays the lead role in the Hindi version while Tamil actor Vikram plays the lead role in regional version, with Aishwarya being the heroine in both versions of the film.
Kerala's Athirapally waterfalls has been one of the favourite locations for major blockbuster films in south India. Noted film director Mani Ratnam's "Dil Se" song "Jiya Jale", and the film Guru song "Barso re" were shot at the Athirapally waterfalls. Located at the entrance to Sholayar ranges, it's a favourite location of film makers. Athirappally Waterfalls is located 78 kms from Kochi. The Athirappally falls join the Chalakkudy river after plummeting down 80 ft.

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Teen Pregnancy
Wednesday, July 29, 2009

“Psychological distress does not appear to be caused by teen childbearing, nor does it cause teen childbearing, except apparently among girls from poor households,” said Stefanie Mollborn, Ph.D., an assistant professor of sociology at the Institute of Behavioral Science of the University of Colorado at Boulder. The study, published in the September issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior, used data from two large long-term U.S. surveys that followed thousands of teen girls and women. Participants responded to items on symptoms associated with depression, such as how often they found things that did not usually bother them to be bothersome, how easily they could shake off feeling blue or whether they had trouble concentrating. The researchers did not use the term “depression,” which is a clinical diagnosis. Only the combination of poverty and existing distress was a good predictor of teen pregnancy.
Previous studies had shown high levels of depression among teen mothers, but nationally representative studies had not examined if distress was present before the pregnancy and stresses of young motherhood. “Psychologically distressed girls are at risk for teen childbearing and vice versa, even if the two things usually do not cause each other,” Mollborn said. “This could help educators and clinicians identify at-risk adolescents.”
Looking for symptoms of depression or distress should be part of normal health screening for all teenagers, said Diane Merritt, M.D., director of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “Talking to teenagers about their sexuality and responsible behavior is key,” she said. Responsible behavior would include the use of birth control if the teenager were sexually active. One of the best ways to prevent teen pregnancy is for teens to have long-term goals and good self-esteem, Merritt added. High levels of depression have long-term negative consequences for both mothers and children, Mollborn said. The higher levels of psychological distress in women who had teenage pregnancies continued well into adulthood, she added.

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Jackson fans seek Nobel peace prize for star
Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Fans of the late pop star Michael Jackson have launched an Internet campaign to have their idol nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Two online petitions have already collected more than 12,000 signatures in support of nominating the singer, who died of cardiac arrest on June 25, for one of the world's most prestigious awards. "Michael's message for humankind has always been rooted in compassion, and kindness. He has succeeded a lifelong dedication to the well being of humanity," one of the petitions said.
The fans explain that Jackson should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for devoting his life to "helping others in their darkest time of need". "It would be nearly impossible to count the multiple hundreds of millions of dollars Michael has donated to charity from his own finances and also through organising major fund raising events," reads the petition, which has been signed by more than 2,000 people. The other group of more than 10,000 fans has signed letters to Nobel Peace Prize laureates and the United Nations to nominate the king of pop for the award.
"Unfortunately we didn't succeed in getting Michael nominated," authors of the petition said. The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes established in the 1895 will of Alfred Nobel. The first Nobel Peace Prize was awarded in 1901. Every September, the Norwegian Nobel Committee, comprising five people elected by the Norwegian parliament, sends letters to members of parliament, political leaders, international organizations and other "qualified people", asking them to put forward their own candidates for the prize.

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Salman is ready for marriage but Katrina Kaif not
Sunday, July 26, 2009

After being termed as the lucky mascot of Bollywood, after having become the face of every possible big brand, after having been voted as the Sexiest Woman for umpteen times, after having graced a million magazine covers, the gorgeous Katrina is the latest cover-girl in this edition of 'People'.
Call this as a 'confession edition' or whatever you may like, but this issue of 'People' is definitely something that can be preserved for ages to come.
As it's in this issue, Katrina clears off all the airs and controversies that constantly surround her!
To start with, she clarifies her take on Salman being ready for marriage, while she isn't! Other clarifications include the much alleged spark between her and Ranbir on the sets of Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahaani, Salman's latest muse Claudia Ciesla etc.
This edition is indeed one of must buy for Katrina fans.

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Human Cells Secrete Cancer-killing Protein
Saturday, July 25, 2009

Human cells are able to secrete a cancer-killing protein, scientists at the University of Kentucky's Markey Cancer Center have found. Researchers led by Vivek Rangnekar, UK professor of radiation medicine, have determined that the tumor-suppressor protein Par-4, initially thought to be active only within cells expressing the Par-4 gene, is in fact secreted by most human and rodent cells and can target large numbers of cancer cells by binding to receptors on the cell surface. This discovery, published today in the leading journal Cell, makes Par-4 a very attractive molecule for future research aimed at developing new cancer treatments.
"It was a pleasant surprise, when we noticed that Par-4 protein is secreted by cells," Rangnekar said. "This new finding means it is not necessary to make genetic modifications, or to employ recombinant viruses, to deliver the Par-4 gene to cancer cells, and it significantly expands the potential applications of Par-4 to selectively kill cancer cells." Funded by several grants from the National Institutes of Health, Rangnekar's study found that when the Par-4 molecule binds to its receptor GRP78 on the surface of a tumor cell, it triggers a biological process called apoptosis or "cell suicide." Consistent with previous research by Rangnekar's laboratory with intracellular Par-4, the newly discovered secreted Par-4 acts selectively against cancer cells, leaving healthy cells unharmed. Few other molecules are known to exhibit such selectivity.
One molecule, known as TRAIL, also exerts cancer-cell-specific effects. However, Rangnekar's most recent study discovered that apoptosis inducible by TRAIL is dependent upon extracellular Par-4 signaling via cell surface GRP78. Thus, the researchers conclude, Par-4 activates a novel pathway involving cell surface GRP78 receptor for induction of apoptosis. In other words, without Par-4, TRAIL lacks the ability to cause "cell suicide." Rangnekar first discovered the Par-4 gene in 1993. In 2007, Rangnekar's team introduced the gene into a mouse embryo, creating a cancer-resistant "supermouse" that did not develop tumors. In fact, the mice possessing Par-4 actually live a few months longer than lab mice without the gene, indicating that Par-4 mice have no toxic side effects.
While Par-4 is not necessarily a "magic bullet" — it does not target every type of cancer cell — Rangnekar says it could play a major role in developing new combination treatment modalities for cancer patients. His hope is that the next generation of treatments will be even more effective than conventional treatments available today, with fewer and less severe side effects. "I look at this research from the standpoint of how it can be developed to benefit the cancer patient, and that's what keeps us focused," Rangnekar said, discussing the potential of Par-4 in 2007. "The pain that cancer patients go through — not just from the disease, but also from the treatment — is excruciating. If you can treat the cancer and not harm the patient, that's a major breakthrough." Rangnekar holds the Alfred Cohen, M.D., Endowed Chair in Oncology Research at the UK College of Medicine.

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Another cause of HIV : Pre-chewed Food
Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Researchers have uncovered the first cases in which HIV almost certainly was transmitted from mothers other caregivers to children through pre-chewed food. The source of HIV in the pre-chewed food was most likely the infected blood in the saliva of the people who pre-chewed the food before giving it to the children. The researchers said their findings suggest that HIV-infected mothers or other caregivers should be warned against giving infants pre-chewed food and directed toward safer feeding options. The cases indicate that physicians and clinics should routinely include questions about pre-chewing food in their health screening of infant caregivers who have HIV or are suspected of the infection. Also, possible cases of HIV transmission through pre-chewed food should be reported to public health agencies to help increase understanding of the prevalence of such transmission.
Led by Aditya Gaur, M.D., of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, with colleagues from St. Jude, the University of Miami and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the researchers published their findings in the August 2009 issue of the journal Pediatrics. Gaur is an assistant member of the St. Jude Infectious Diseases department.
Giving infants pre-chewed food has been reported to transmit infections such as streptococcus and the hepatitis B virus, Gaur said. However, until these cases there was no evidence that the blood-borne HIV could be similarly transmitted. The source of blood in the saliva of the person pre-chewing the food for the child may likely have been visible or microscopic bleeding from the gums or some other part of the mouth, he added.
In their paper, the researchers described three cases in which pre-chewed food was likely the source of HIV transmission to infants.
The case that led to this published report was a 9-month-old infant who was referred to St. Jude because she was HIV positive after earlier tests had been negative.
"Her HIV-positive mother had not breastfed her, and further investigation had ruled out transmission by blood transfusion, injury or sexual abuse," Gaur said. Also, genetic testing, led by Kalish at the CDC, showed that the daughter had been infected with the same HIV strain as the mother.
"Fortunately, the St. Jude nurse practitioner, Marion Donohoe, was very thorough in her questioning about feeding practices, and she asked about pre-mastication. It turned out this mother had fed her daughter pre-chewed food," Gaur said.
When Gaur contacted Dominguez at the CDC about the possible case of transmission via pre-chewed food, the center alerted him to two similar cases previously reported by senior author Mitchell and colleague Rivera from the University of Miami. Those cases were not reported to the public at the time because of the lack of sufficient evidence of transmission via pre-chewed food. One case involved pre-chewing by an HIV-infected mother, and the other an HIV-infected aunt who was the caregiver.
Gaur said that information in the three cases suggests that one factor aiding such transmission was mouth bleeding in the caregiver, as well as in the infant due to teething or infection. He also said caregivers' lack of adherence to their own drug-treatment regimens probably increased their blood HIV levels, increasing the likelihood of transmission.
"These three cases are persuasive enough that they justify cautioning HIV-positive caregivers against giving infants pre-chewed foods," Gaur said. "Also, we hope increased awareness of this possible mode of transmission will bring more cases to light and more thorough studies, which can either substantiate or refute this transmission route." Also important, Gaur said, will be the results of surveys now being conducted in collaboration with other research groups in the United States and abroad to determine the extent of infant feeding using pre-chewed food.
The findings do not warrant a blanket recommendation against pre-chewed food for infants, the researchers emphasized. The practice, which has been reported from many parts of the world including the United States may be integral to providing adequate infant nutrition and grounded in culture and tradition. On a global level, educating HIV-positive caregivers will require cognizance of culturally sensitive issues and potential nutritional consequences linked to pre-chewing, the investigators said. The findings also do not imply that HIV can be transmitted through saliva during oral contact such as kissing. In the cases the researchers studied, HIV transmission was likely enabled by bleeding gums or open mouth sores.
"Importantly, this report does not challenge the accepted belief that saliva does not carry HIV and that transmission does not occur in kissing," Gaur said. "The exception is that transmission can occur when the people involved have damaged mucosa in their mouths, and blood is mixed with the saliva."

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Genes And The Environment Interaction
Monday, July 20, 2009

Adolescent alcohol use and behavior problems are influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. A new study has found that socio-regional factors moderate the importance of genetic influences on early adolescent behavior problems in a way that parallels moderating effects observed for alcohol use later in adolescence. "In the past, research on genetic and environmental influences on behavior was often conducted in isolation," explained Danielle Dick, assistant professor of psychiatry, psychology, and human and molecular genetics at Virginia Commonwealth University. "Some scientists were interested in genetic effects, others in environmental effects. We now know that both genetic and environmental influences are important for most behavioral outcomes and our challenge is to understand how they interact."
"This paper adds to a growing and very promising area of research showing that child and adolescent behavioral problems emerge from an interplay of inherited vulnerabilities and life experiences," noted Lisa Legrand, research psychologist at the University of Minnesota. "While inherited factors may place an individual at increased risk, psychosocial or environmental exposures may either aggravate or protect against this risk. Moreover, certain environments may actually modify gene expression such that the influence of genes varies by circumstances." "Much of the research on environmental influences on alcohol use and behavior problems focuses on the impact of parents and peers," added Dick. "While these are clearly critical environmental influences, we have also found that socio-regional, or neighborhood influences, also have big impacts on adolescent behavioral outcomes, and these environmental effects have not received as much attention historically."
Researchers used data from FinnTwin12, a population-based study of health-related behaviors and correlated risk factors that has followed more than 5,000 twins identified in Finland's Population Registry Center as having been born in the years 1983 through to 1987. Drawing from previous findings that community-level factors such as urban/rural residency, migration rates, and prevalence of young adults can moderate the importance of genetic effects on alcohol use among 16- to 18-year olds, this study looked at their influence on behavior problems at 12 and alcohol use at 14 years of age. "One of the key reasons this study is important is that it contributes to the growing body of literature showing that environmental influences play an important role in the expression of an individual's genetic predispositions," said Dick. "In this case, how important genetic influences are on behavior problems in young girls can vary quite a bit as a function of neighborhoods factors."
Certain environments appeared to encourage gene expression while others constrained it, observed Legrand. "The environments that produced higher heritability estimates for female behavioral problems were urban, had a relatively mobile population, and were marked by a higher percentage of older adolescents," she said. "Conversely in rural, stable, and low-adolescent settings, preadolescent behavior problems appeared to be more influenced by the rearing environment." It could be that girls are more susceptible than boys to certain environmental influences, Legrand added. "For example, rural females may remain closer to their parents and under the influence of their monitoring and control for a longer time than rural males," she said. "This is an intriguing area for future research."
"There is now converging evidence across a number of different studies that behavioral problems in kids are associated with both concurrent and future alcohol problems," said Dick. "There is evidence accumulating from genetic studies that behavior problems may be one of the first signs of an individual at increased susceptibility for developing alcohol problems." Taken together, she cautioned, a key message from this kind of research is that genes are not destiny. "We're not all equally predisposed to develop alcohol or behavior problems," she said, "and the environment can be a key factor in whether or not an individual ever develops problems."

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Sexy Priyanka Chopra's 27th Birthday
Saturday, July 18, 2009

Sexy Priyanka Chopra celebrates her 27th birthday today. This actress is believed to have taken off for a short vacation to celebrate her birthday. This will definitely be a birthday where Priyanka will have lots to celebrate. She is at an alltime high in her career and certainly deserves to savour her success and popularity.
In the past year, Priyanka has not only achieved success at the box office but has also managed to carve a niche for herself as an actress of repute. If there was Aitraaz at the beginning of her career, she had Fashion last year which again had critics and cinegoers saluting her histrionic abilities. Her performance in Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion, followed by the box office success of Dostana has put her in an enviable position. Up ahead, the actress has some more interesting films on hand. She will be eagerly awaiting the release of Vishal Bharadwaj's Kaminey, which sees her coming together with Shahid Kapur on screen. Whatever one has seen of the promos, has been very promising indeed. Then there is also Ashutosh Gowariker's What's Your Rashee coming up for release in September, followed by Jugal Hansraj's Pyaar Impossible for the Yash Raj banner. The actress seems to have left most of her rivals far behind. If Lady Luck continues to shine on her, there are no pinnacles that this girl cannot reach.

Posted bySaini at 9:56 PM 0 comments  

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Sexy Priyanka Chopra doing something special
Friday, July 17, 2009

Sexy Priyanka Chopra is making more than a few eyes pop out of their heads with her stunning photoshoot for the new Harper's Bazaar magazine. Looking stunning in a body-hugging floor-length pink gown with a 1960s Jackie Kennedy bouffant hairstyle, Priyanka embodies this issue's message of the Power of a Woman.
Bollywood's currently most powerful woman has recently been talking about its most powerful man – Shah Rukh Khan: "I have been a huge fan of Shah Rukh Khan since I was six," she says, (ouch!) "During Miss India 2000, he was one of the judges who asked me a question. I got a chance to meet him backstage and managed to say, `Hello`. When he heard that I sing, he asked me to do so. I still don`t remember what I sang. I will always admire Shah Rukh."
Priyanka has also become hooked recently on the power of Twitter, the social messaging site. "It started as a lark, a quest of discovery, and now I find my fingers twitching for my Nokia or my laptop wherever something interesting happens," she explains, "I have great fun interacting with my tweeps. At least they believe it's the real me, unlike some of you guys, who still aren't sure that it's me reading your mails."

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The Repair Strategies Of DNA
Thursday, July 16, 2009

Surprising New Insights Into The Repair Strategies Of DNA:-
A microscopic single-celled organism, adapted to survive in some of the harshest environments on earth, could help scientists gain a better understanding of how cancer cells behave. Experts at The University of Nottingham were astonished to discover that the archaeon Haloferax volcanii was better at repairing DNA damage if enzymes, that are widely considered to be critically important in coordinating the repair of DNA, were mutated. Dr Thorsten Allers, from the Institute of Genetics, said: “These results surprised us. It is the first time, as far as we know, that anybody has found such resistance to DNA damage in mutant cells. Normally, cells that are missing enzymes for DNA repair become more sensitive to DNA damage.”
Like cancer cells, archaea are polyploid — which means they contain more than two sets of chromosomes. Although similar in structure and appearance to bacteria, archaea share a common ancestor with eukaryotes, which include plant and animals. This kinship is at its closest in the way archaea process DNA. Although Dr Allers’s discovery is at the basic biological level, it is the similarities with cancer cells that make him convinced that scientists have much more to learn from archaea.
Discovered just 32 years ago, there are less then 200 experts around the world studying archaea. On the other hand, the mechanisms by which cells perform the repair of DNA breaks has been the subject of decades of research using bacterial and eukaryotic cells. We are only just beginning to learn how this process works in archaea. DNA breaks can be caused by, among other things, radiation, UV rays and chemotherapy. Dr Allers said: “All organisms can use enzymes to simply glue the broken strands of DNA back together, but this is prone to error and can give rise to mutations which cause cancer. The alternative is to perform a kind of molecular gymnastics called recombination, where healthy strands of matching DNA are used to repair the broken ends. This is a complicated and time-consuming strategy to mend DNA, but avoids mutations. When the enzymes that carry out recombination are defective, cancer can develop more easily. This is what happens in patients with mutations in the BRCA breast cancer genes.” Dr Allers’s research, published in the journal PLoS Genetics, shows how, unlike other organisms, Haloferax volcanii deliberately avoids using recombination to repair DNA breaks. His results suggest that other polyploid organisms, such as cancer cells, might work in much the same way. What scientists need to know now is why.

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Oxygen Key To 'Cut And Paste' Of Genes
Monday, July 13, 2009

Sensitive enzyme has been found to play a key role in how genes create the many different proteins that make up our bodies. The finding shows that the enzyme, termed Jmjd6, directly intervenes in the process in which the DNA of our genes is ‘cut and pasted’ into instructions for the creation of specific proteins.
The discovery, reported in this week’s Science by a team led by scientists from Oxford University and Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, opens up a new area of molecular research into conditions such as heart disease and cancer.
‘Previous work from Oxford has shown that some of these enzymes, called oxygenases, affect which genes are expressed in response to low levels of oxygen. What we have now found is that they also regulate the specific form this expression takes – to give the different proteins that make up everything from heart cells to tumours,’ said Professor Chris Schofield of Oxford University’s Department of Chemistry, one of the authors of the paper. Genes, stored in the form of DNA, are converted into proteins by a ‘middleman molecule’ called Messenger Ribonucleic Acid – or ‘mRNA’.
Individual genes can often give rise to many different proteins because of a process known as mRNA splicing which enables the cutting and pasting of the mRNA that is produced from DNA. The proteins that the new oxygenase, termed Jmjd6, acts on are involved in regulating the 'cutting and pasting' process.

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NNow British Scientists Make Sperm From Stem Cells
Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Scientists say that they have used stem cells to create human sperm. The research was performed by English researchers, lead by Professor Karim Nayernia at Newcastle University and the NorthEast England Stem Cell Institute. The team from the UK, used stem cells derived from embryos left over after IVF treatments. They manipulated the stem cells to take on characteristics of sperm, in a world’s first when it comes to such a procedure.
They say that their technique could one day be used to help men who deal with infertility problems to have children. They also say that their technique needs at least another 5 years of testing before it can be deemed useful. The scientists published their lab work in the journal Stem Cells and Development. “This is an important development as it will allow researchers to study in detail how sperm forms and lead to a better understanding of infertility in men — why it happens and what is causing it,” said Nayernia.

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Rakeen to commence second phase construction at Al Marjan

Rakeen, the leading property developer will begin its second phase of infrastructure works on the Dh.365mn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah. The infrastructure work was awarded to Rizzani, the contracting and engineering company, which will take care of the installation of amenities such as water, electricity, telecommunications, drainage, channel crossings, soft and hard landscaping, fire fighting installations and street lighting.
The initial phase of infrastructure work, covering the Peninsula Island 1 and Island 2, began in July 2008. It is hoped to be complete by June 2010 at a cost of Dh.366mn. The company plans to fast-track the completion of infrastructure works, as various projects are being built on Al Marjan, depending on infrastructure amenities. With the phase one of the infrastructure work progressing as scheduled, work on the second phase would commence, after having identified the contractor for the job. The company has assured that it has reviewed all infrastructure works to ensure that all elements comply with quality standards, particularly with regards to sustainability and minimal environmental impact.

Posted bySaini at 6:12 AM 0 comments  

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Saif loves to see Kareena dressed up hot
Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Little Nawab, Saif Ali Khan is pretty bowled over by the sensuous look of Kareena Kapoor in Kambakkht Ishq . Now, here’s a couple who’s not hush-hush about their love affair, not even about their personal fetishes. Just recently Kareena held a special screening of her film ‘Kambakkht Ishq’ for family and friends. Almost everyone loved the film and Saif was particularly struck by Bebo’s glamourous look – designed by Aki Narula – in the film, even though he did not like her in the song ‘Bebo Main Bebo’ in which she tries to seduce Akshay Kumar . Well, that’s understandable.
However, Saif loved the song she has with Akshay in Venice. But apart from films, Kareena confesses that Saif loves to see her dressed sexily. “He likes to see me look glamorous and sexy and not just in films. He wants me to dress up all the time when we are going out for dinner or to parties,” Kareena is quoted as saying by a tabloid. Besides Saif, Kareena’s mother Babita and sister Karisma Kapoor too have loved the film.

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Diabetes Risk Gene

Research led by the German Institute of Human Nutrition has identified a new gene associated with diabetes, together with a mechanism that makes obese mice less susceptible to diabetes. A genomic fragment that occurs naturally in some mouse strains diminishes the activity of the risk gene Zfp69. The researchers also found that the corresponding human gene ( is especially active in overweight individuals with diabetes. The results of the study also involved scientists from the University of Leipzig and the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg.
According to the World Health Organization , around 1.6 billion people are overweight worldwide. The number of people with type 2 diabetes has increased accordingly to 230 million. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is approximately 50% hereditary, but is also dependent on nutrition and lifestyle factors. In the present study, the researchers compared the genomes of different mouse strains. Some mouse strains were obese but had no strikingly elevated blood glucose levels and were less susceptible to diabetes. Other strains developed a severe malfunction of fat and glucose metabolism as they continued to gain weight, causing these mice to rapidly develop type 2 diabetes.
According to the study, this difference is due to a small fragment of genetic information: a so-called "jumping gene" or "transposon" of viral origin, localized in a non-coding segment of the gene Zfp69, whose effect it diminishes. Without this genetic fragment, the risk gene is fully active and, in combination with obesity, leads to high blood sugar levels and malfunction of fat metabolism. The gene is also active in the fat tissues of overweight people suffering from diabetes – more so than in healthy individuals. "Our data suggest that the protein product of the risk gene in obese individuals enhances the storage of fat in fat cells. As a result, excessive fat accumulates in the liver and this in turn contributes to the development of diabetes," explains Stephan Scherneck, first author of the study.
"We have therefore discovered a new diabetes gene of similar importance in mice and humans," says Hans-Georg Joost, head of the study and scientific director of DIfE, "as well as a mechanism that has not been described before in connection with the heredity of diabetes and obesity." These data show the importance of studying in detail not only genes themselves but also transposons in their vicinity. Joost continued, "This transposon is quite active and almost completely "turns off" the Zfp69 gene. We have found indications that it is also active in other mouse genes. Since the human genome is full of such fragments, it is quite possible that they play a greater role than previously assumed."

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How Disease-causing DNA Mutations Occur
Sunday, July 5, 2009

Now a team of Penn State scientists has shed light on the processes that lead to certain human DNA mutations that are implicated in hundreds of inherited diseases such as tuberous sclerosis and neurofibromatosis type 1. The results one day could influence the way couples who seek to have children receive genetic counseling. The team, led by Kateryna Makova, an associate professor of biology, also includes Erika Kvikstad, a graduate student in the Department of Biology, and Francesca Chiaromonte, an associate professor of statistics. The scientists examined insertions and deletions -- mutations in which small fragments of DNA are either added or subtracted from the genome -- and they found patterns in the DNA sequences immediately surrounding the mutations. "The patterns in the DNA sequences that surround insertions and deletions suggest mechanisms that may have generated the insertions and deletions," said Chiaromonte. According to the researchers, the study is the first to detect patterns in the DNA sequences adjacent to insertions and deletions of DNA fragments at the genome-wide scale.
The team also found striking differences between insertions and deletions. For example, they found that recognition sites for the enzyme topoisomerase, which is responsible for winding and unwinding DNA, were more prevalent near deletions than near insertions. "We were surprised to find that the patterns of DNA sequences surrounding insertions versus deletions are unique because scientists previously have lumped the two types of mutations together," said Kvikstad. Scientists also previously had believed that insertions and deletions are formed mostly by errors taking place during DNA replication, but the team found that the mutations also can form by mechanisms related to recombination. "What's striking is that most insertions and deletions are thought to occur by replication errors and, while this is a primary source generating the mutations, we discovered that recombination also is very important," said Kvikstad.
For one of the first times in a genome-wide study, the team used a statistical method, called wavelet analysis, which allows scientists to look at variability in a sample at multiple scales simultaneously. For example, JPEG image files, which preserve an image's different qualities regardless of whether the image is made smaller or larger, use a similar wavelet-like method. According to Chiaromonte, "When you run a wavelet analysis you are characterizing the signals simultaneously at many scales. In our case, the signal was the composition of the DNA sequences surrounding insertions and deletions. To be able to look at these sequences with a multi-scale approach was really important for our ability to find interesting features." Using the wavelet analysis, the team confirmed that scale is important in detecting patterns of DNA sequences adjacent to insertions and deletions. For example, they were able to detect an increased number of DNA sequences responsible for pausing DNA polymerase, an enzyme involved in DNA replication, at the finest scales, but not at larger scales. Both replication and recombination errors can lead to disease-causing mutations in humans. According to the researchers, if we know that certain diseases are more likely to be caused by recombination than by replication errors, doctors can provide better advice to couples who want to have children. "For example, there is a difference among males and females in the number of replication rounds that their germline cells undergo. Males undergo more rounds of DNA replication than females and the number of replication rounds increases with a male's age. If we know that a disease is due to a replication error rather than a recombination error, doctors can provide better genetic counseling to couples," said Makova.

Posted bySaini at 10:50 PM 0 comments  

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Amrita Rao new Bikini Babe

Change is the only constant thing and seems like it holds true in the case of our Bollywood actress Amrita Rao! When every other actress was seen vying for being the hottest, sexiest & glamorous girl of town, Amrita Rao was one such actress who preferred to go other way
round and started her career with 'homely girl' roles.
But now it looks like, the ever changing times & demanding industry has it's impinge on our seedhi sadhi ladki Amrita too. Let's have a run through over her films, transforming from a simple girl to sexy siren. Though Amrita started her Bolly career with AB KE BARAS which went unnoticed, but till date ISHQ VISHK counted as her first film. It was THE film which earned her the 'girl-next door' image. And because of which her subsequent films were on the same lines

Posted bySaini at 10:42 PM 0 comments  

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DNA can be repared by Methane-producing Molecule
Saturday, July 4, 2009

The Archaea are single-celled organisms and a domain unto themselves, quite apart from the so called eukaryotes. Many species live under extreme conditions, and carry out unique biochemical processes shared neither with bacteria nor with eukaryotes. Methanogenic archaeans, for example, can produce methane gas out of carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The underlying chemical reaction, a reduction, involves the cofactor known as F0 or F420 which is the tiny molecule deazaflavin. It has previously been found only in methanogenic bacteria, and has accordingly been considered the signature molecule for those species. A research group working with Professor Thomas Carell, however, has now shown that this cofactor is also common in eukaryotes, where it performs an entirely different function: deazaflavin is involved in DNA repair processes.
Catalysts assist in chemical reactions without undergoing any alteration of their own. In the cells of living organisms, proteins perform this important function. They carry out the metabolism fundamental to all living processes. Proteins are instrumental in cellular respiration, they for instance reduce oxygen to water and oxidize food into carbon dioxide. This releases the energy that makes life possible at all. Proteins cannot perform these functions on their own. They depend on small helper molecules. Such molecules are stored inside special pockets in the proteins and carry out essential metabolic functions. The living organism itself produces many of these helpers. Others – like vitamins – must be obtained from food. Severe vitamin deficiencies are a harsh reminder of how essential these molecules are.
Methanogenic bacteria have quite an exceptional task to accomplish: They have to produce methane. In terms of chemistry, this is no mean feat. Methane production is currently one of the most hotly pursued goals for the purposes of renewable energy. It is also a serious greenhouse gas. Enzymatic methane production involves the tiny molecule deazaflavin, known as cofactor F0 or cofactor F420. This cofactor is stored inside special proteins of methanogenic bacteria, and is essential for methane biosynthesis. Cofactor F0/F420 is a small molecule that, until now, has only been found in methanogenic bacteria. It is regarded as the signature molecule for such species.
“We have now shown that this picture is not entirely true,” Carell says. “This cofactor is significantly more widespread in the biosphere than previously assumed. Most importantly, it also occurs in higher organisms, the so-called eukaryotes. But in these, it performs a completely different task.” As the researchers were able to demonstrate, the cofactor is involved in DNA repair processes. Specifically, repair of UV damage to the DNA molecule. Plants and many other organisms that are exposed to intense sunlight must cope with an enormous degree of damage to their genes. To repair those mutations, they need the help of complex enzymes. These photolyases in turn require cofactor FAD – aka vitamin B2 – to accomplish this function. It has long been suspected that these crucial enzymes require yet another cofactor to provide the energy that DNA repair requires. “We have now shown that, in many organisms, this cofactor is F0/F420,” Carell reports. “This molecule has been conclusively detected in DNA repair enzymes of Drosophila melanogaster, the fruit fly. Not long ago, another research group even postulated that F0/F420 is co-responsible for DNA repair in plants. Our view of cofactor F420 as a signature molecule for methanogenic species has therefore radically changed: this cofactor is widespread and it is essential for both methane synthesis and for DNA repair.” Professor Thomas Carell is speaker of the “Center for Integrated Protein Science Munich” center of excellence which supported this research.

Posted bySaini at 9:09 PM 0 comments  

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Shiney Ahuja's judicial custody extended till July 16
Friday, July 3, 2009

Shiney Ahuja, who had been behind bars in the Arthur Road Jail, was produced before the court on Thursday afternoon. His judicial custody, which ended today, was extended by another two weeks. The prosecution is believed to be building a strong case against the actor. The DNA test report by Forensic Science Laboratory in Kalina had earlier this week confirmed that Shiney had sex with his maid. But whether it was forced sex (rape) or consensual is yet to be proved. If found guilty of rape and other charges (wrongful confinement and intimidation), Shiney could face a jail sentence of seven years. Shiney is accused of raping his domestic help on the evening of June 14 at his Oshiwara residence. He was arrested on June 15 and remained in police custody before being remanded to a 14-day judicial custody on June 18 by a Mumbai court. The film industry has expressed shock and disbelief over the case. Shiney’s wife Anupam has claimed that her husband is “innocent"

Posted bySaini at 5:36 PM 0 comments  

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Dell Working On Pocket Web Gadget
Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Engineers at Dell have been developing a pocket-sized device for tapping into the Internet, said people familiar with the company's plans. This gadget would run on Google Inc.'s Android software, these people said. Two people who saw early prototypes described the device as slightly larger than Apple Inc.'s iPod Touch, which is similar to the iPhone but does not have cellphone capabilities.
Another person who was briefed on the company's plans said Dell may begin selling the device later this year, though this person said the plan could be delayed or scrapped entirely. The development effort is one of the first experiments by a big-name PC maker in a nascent category of products known as mobile Internet devices, or MIDs,which are designed to fill a perceived gap between mobile phones and laptop computers. A Dell spokesman declined to comment on any plans for the product category.

Posted bySaini at 8:02 AM 0 comments  

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