Nerdy Science Blog

Scientists have identified three genes that involve in the development of stripes, spots and other markings on domestic cats.  There are at least three genes involved and genomic location of two of these genes was located through linkage mapping.  Scientists believed the findings can help to understand how mammals evolve and change coat patterns to adapt different environment (such as for camouflage function).  The two genes may be able to help in various human skin disorders research.  The result is published in January 2010 issue of Genetics.

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Trichohyalin gene is known for hair production and development.  Scientists from Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Australia, analyzed collected data from 5000 twins and found the same gene is responsible for curly hair.  The scientists have not fully understand the effect of such gene on biochemical reactions difference between curly hair and straight hair, however scientists hope the understanding of the curly hair gene will bring new implications for cosmetics industry and act as a new forensic tool.

The study is published in November issue of American Journal of Human Genetics.

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I watched “100 Greatest Discoveries: Genetics”, which was one of the three DVDs I bought from China.

1. Laws of inheritance.
2. Genes are located on chromosome.
3. Genes control biochemical events.
4. Transposon.
5. DNA carries genetics material.
6. The double helix.
7. Messenger RNA.
8. The genetic code. (codon)
9. Restriction enzymes.
10. RNA alternative splicing.
11. Minisattelite DNA.
12. RNA interference.
13. Human Genome.

From the documentary, I realized that there are a lot of female scientists not being recognized in their own field by the male scientists, namely Barbara McClintock.

Scientists achieve major genetics breakthrough

University of Adelaide geneticist Dr Jozef Gecz and a team of Belgium and UK scientists have achieved a major breakthrough in discovering the causes of intellectual disability.

Dr Gecz, a senior researcher who is based at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide, has collaborated with an international research team to reveal that various mutations of a small part of the X chromosome lead to mental retardation.

Man has better chance of being a retard.

I bought these three DVDs from Guangzhou, China. They are Discovery Channel’s DVDs.

1. 100 Greatest Discoveries: Chemistry

Sometimes blue and red fluids mixed together do not just result in a purple fluid but can result in the creation of an exciting white powder. This is the magic of chemistry which studies the reactions and transformations of the various substances found in the world. Chemical compounds combine in different ways allowing sugar to be sweet and steel to be strong. From the early work of Dalton and Priestley to modern scientific quest to create atomic particles, explore the top discoveries in the world of Chemistry.

2. 100 Greatest Discoveries: Biology

Biology is concerned with the characteristics and behaviors of organisms, how species and individuals come into existence and the interactions they have with each other and with their environment. The history of biology traces the study of the living world from ancient to modern times. Biology was revolutionized when Robert Brown identified the cell nucleus through his studies on orchids. Scientists continued to make significant breakthroughs in biology including Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection and how neurotransmitters allow cells to communicate with the body.

3. 100 Greatest Discoveries: Genetics

From the first ideas about inherited characteristics in plants to the complete sequencing of the human genome, discover why certain traits are passed through families and species in the amazing science of genetics. Find out how DNA carries the genetic information that encodes proteins and enables cell to reproduce and perform their functions. Join this program to learn the major discoveries and experiments from Mendel’s peas to the 21st century’s genetic age of the Human Genome Project.

Do you know how cheap these original DVDs are? They costed RMB 15 each, and the total of three is RMB 45, which is less than USD 7.