Simple explanation for complex pattern of feather development
Biologists testing a mathematical model of the mechanism birds use to control the growth of complex feathers found that plumed feather structures involve the coordination of at least two genes that activate and that inhibit barb growth. "Understanding these mechanisms of feather growth gives a whole new perspective on the unique beauty of feathers," said Richard Prum, senior author on the...Nobel Laureate finds 'elegant' explanation for DNA transcribing enzyme's high fidelity
Last month, Roger Kornberg of Stanford University won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his efforts to unravel the molecular basis of eukaryotic transcription, in which enzymes give “voice?to DNA by copying it into the RNA molecules that serve as templates for protein in organisms from yeast to humans. Now, Kornberg and his colleagues report in the December 1, 2006 issue of the journal Cell, publi...No explanation on schizophrenia gene
Many scientists have drawn another blank in their search for a universally applicable genetic explanation for schizophrenia, binding the case for new approaches to researching the illness. A paper by Douglas F. Levison and colleagues report that despite earlier findings to the contrary, there is no close link between schizophrenia and genes on the long arm of chromosome 1.// The resear...Research finds new explanations for dyslexia
The dyslexic brain may have problems in forming perception categories for// printed letters and sounds, says a new study. This may lead to the dyslexics finding it difficult to filter out visual disturbances that may obscure the pattern of letters in front of them. The research by the scientists from University of Southern California, US, brings out a new dimension in the nature of the...A Scientific Explanation For Out Of Body Experience
Out of body experiences, originally thought of as a as paranormal phenomena, may in fact have their roots in how people perceive and experience their own bodies. Despite the high incidence of OBE among the general public, not // much is known about the phenomenon. Around 10% of the population have an out-of-body experience (OBE) at some time, typically involving a sensation of floating...Resistance to Scientific Explanations By Children and Adults
Childrens resistance to scientific explanations is based in what they know and how much they trust the person who told them, Yale researchers report in Science this month. The resistance will continue into adulthood if the scientific claims are challenged and if the nonscientific alternative is based in common sense and championed by people who are thought to be reliable and trustw...Court Seeks Explanation from Hospital for Childs Amputation
The shocking story of medical negligence that led to a one-year-old child having his foot amputated has moved the Delhi High Court to ask the concerned hospital for an explanation. In January, a fractured leg brought Jai to the government-run Safdarjung Hospital in the capital where his limb was plastered below the waist. However, the skin festered under the cast and the foot start...