An excellent overview of how apparently similar experimental procedures may lead to different outcomes:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1534580714004146
In a way, irreproducibility is not a bad thing when it points to technical limitations.

Grandma’s eating habits affect grandchildren in the nematode.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S009286741400806X
And of course similar things happen in humans - see my July 12 post for a reference.

A massive complex trait genetics study:
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v426/n6965/full/426389a.html
Trying to wrap my head around what to do with 100+ contributing loci makes me feel a little schizophrenic...

Targeted nucleases for wheat knockouts:
http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nbt.2969.html
Should wheat with nuclease-induced deletions be considered a GMO?

A big argument about a gene name:
http://dev.biologists.org/content/141/15/2921.full
Because name matters.

A fun, inspiring and (most importantly :-) easy weekend read:
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v426/n6965/full/426389a.html

Got excited about a career in science? Perhaps you should chill out:
http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2014_07_24/caredit.a1400187

A really fascinating paper on Doppler-like effect during formation of somites:
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/345/6193/222.full
What would you have concluded if you did that experiment and found that the two clocks are offset?

Further insight into one of the persistent questions of developmental biology: determination of the left/right axis:
http://www.cell.com/developmental-cell/abstract/S1534-5807%2814%2900277-9
Even if you are on campus, you will need to log in to TU Library to access this paper

A useful review on regeneration in the zebrafish
http://dmm.biologists.org/content/7/7/769.full

Here is what happens when folks try to apply standards of science to art
http://www.pnas.org/content/111/20/7224.full.pdf+html
http://www.pnas.org/content/111/27/E2778.full
Don’t you think the outcome would have been different if violinists knew which instrument is which? And how does that apply to YOUR experiments?

An interesting read on transgenerational effects of malnutrition:
http://news.sciencemag.org/biology/2014/07/moms-environment-during-pregnancy-can-affect-her-grandchildren
The bottom line: if you can eat junk food and drink soda and not gain weight, thank your grandmas for eating well.

With the holiday weekend coming up, let’s go lightweight on content.

A cool paper on the role basic transcription machinery (the Mediator) in obesity. In the heart.
http://www.pnas.org/content/111/26/9491.full
The funny thing is - I (and others) cloned the yeast homolog of Med12 in a screen for de-repression of glucose repressed genes. Almost before some of you were born :-)

Taking care of children messes with your brain:
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2014/06/27/1408807111.full.pdf?etoc
But in a good way…

Continued discussion on Alberts et al. (see my previous post)
http://www.pnas.org/content/111/26/E2634.full
http://www.pnas.org/content/111/26/E2635.full
The thought of running a research institute more like a company is very interesting (if unappealing).

A huge retraction:
http://www.nature.com/news/stap-retracted-1.15488

An interesting and worthwhile read on stem cell research funding in California
http://www.nature.com/news/stem-cells-hope-on-the-line-1.15499

So what do you do when someone proves that your “bigfoot” samples are junk?
http://news.sciencemag.org/biology/2014/07/bigfoot-samples-analyzed-lab
“Return to the forests with renewed enthusiasm in search of the “golden hair”” is certainly one option...

I need few more guys in my lab.
http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2014_06_30/caredit.a1400167

A random fascinating reading: did you know that USA Goalie (and the best US player in the Belgium game by far) has Tourette’s syndrome?
http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-28128439


There is only one way this paper could be taken seriously: if it came from Harvard. Oh wait, it did.
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2014/06/25/1402289111.abstract.html?etoc
And it is being taken seriously for sure:
http://news.sciencemag.org/plants-animals/2014/06/video-large-animals-are-no-whiz-peeing
I suggest a follow-up study: keep the weight relatively constant and vary the kind of liquid being consumed: beer vs. whiskey.

Speaking of beer: here's an alternative career path:

http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2014_06_23/caredit.a1400158

Looking forward to Janelia Pale Ale.

Darius