Blog Archives

November 14, 2014

11/14/2014

A very cool study of recombination hot spots in humans:
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/346/6211/1256442.abstract
I guess it is much more enjoyable to read than to donate tissue to…

The title oversells it a bit, but mind controlled cellular factories is a great concept:
http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2014/141111/ncomms6392/full/ncomms6392.html
Not to be out-done by Nature, Science also has a great idea to oversell - DNA memory:
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/346/6211/1256272.abstract
I suppose both papers are major breakthroughs.

Different (publication) trajectories of different model systems:
http://www.genetics.org/content/198/3/787.full
The part that surprises me (probably because of my ignorance) is the difference between C. elegans and D. melanogaster.

I know quite a few female faculty who would strongly disagree with the assessment that sexism no longer exists in academia:
http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2014_11_06/caredit.a1400279
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/346/6211/798.full
Being underrepresented by choice (“underrepresentation … rooted in … choices") is a concept that I can’t quite wrap my mind around. But it sounds like something on the Colbert Report.

Have a great weekend.

0 Comments

November 07th, 2014

11/7/2014

0 Comments

A fantastic paper on FGF signaling in lateral line development:
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v515/n7525/full/nature13852.html
My little summary sentence doesn’t do it justice.

It turns out Argonaute plays a role in RNA splicing. By binding enhancers.
http://www.pnas.org/content/111/44/15622.full
Do not try this during an exam, but “it’s complicated” is often the correct answer...

Should you really aspire to get a Ph.D.?
http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2014_11_05/caredit.a1400277
Or will you need to spend a lot of time reminiscing about your undergrad days? Why?

Because happy thoughts make you … (drum roll) … Happy!
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v515/n7525/full/515011c.html
And you may actually end up working on a really important scientific problem.

Because Guy Noir is not the only one trying to answer life’s persistent questions. Scientists do, too:
http://news.sciencemag.org/biology/2014/11/mystery-solved-where-penis-comes
I am surprised major news outlets have not picked up on the story…

Enjoy your weekend.

0 Comments

Weekly sciencey bits

Disclaimer: This started as a "weekend reading list" meant to encourage students in the lab to think about science and their own future in it. Do not take it seriously: I myself may no longer agree with whatever I wrote here last week.
- Darius