Science Is Sexy: DNA You Say?

By Jimmy Rogers (@me)
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

DNAMuch of the time, when I discuss science with non-science people, I get the impression that genetics is a double-edged sword for them.  While most understand that genes contain the “blueprint” for the organism that carries them, and that heredity somehow factors into that, the DNA (DeoxyriboNucleic Acid) molecule and its role in the process remain a mystery.  Hopefully we can begin to clear things up here.

Each cell in your body (excluding red blood cells) contains a highly condensed package of DNA.  While the structure of this package is unimportant for our purposes, one good thing to remember is that whenever a bit of DNA needs to be used by the body, that part can be selectively accessed and then repackaged again. Also, whenever the cell divides (and makes a complete copy of itself), ALL of the DNA needs to be “replicated,” or copied, as well.

This is a very important process because there is a LOT of DNA that needs to be copied and moreover it needs to be copied ACCURATELY.  DNA and RNA (RiboNucleic Acid), are relatively similar molecules in that they can both store information, but the machinery for copying RNA is much more error prone, so in higher organisms, DNA is the main information molecule.

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Meet the L33ts

Yes folks, today’s teenagers are probably going to be those parents in 30 years. Oh well, I guess this could be pretty cool, depending on which side of the fence you’re standing: L33t or Noob.

[Via Joystiq]

The Geek Wish List: Day Three

  • Mercedes Benx S-Class 2007

No doubt this is a high-performance car with luxury status which would attract the interest of the most mainstream petrolhead. But it’s also got some features with particular geek appeal.

The big one is an automated braking and control system. When you’re on the open road you set your desired speed and, well, that’s it. The car uses radar sensors to detect the speed and distance of the car ahead, then speeds up or slows down as necessary to maintain a safe distance. It’s said to work well, though it can be disarming and drivers find it difficult to avoid the natural implication to hit the brakes manually. Unlike previous incarnations of the technology this system can slow the car right down to a complete halt, meaning it’s even suited to congested city driving.

There’s also a night vision camera which displays an image on a screen mounted behind the steering wheel so that you can spot otherwise hidden upcoming obstacles:

And there’s even built in massaging on the seats, controlled via the dashboard:

(Pics courtesy of Mercedes via Wired.com)

  • Digital thermometer frying pan

Baking is simple: you switch the oven to a precise temperature, and if you aren’t convinced the dial settings are right, you can use an oven thermometer. But when it comes to frying pans, it’s tough to get much more accurate than “do I dare prod it with my fingertips?”

Well, that was the case until somebody came up with the idea of building a digital thermometer into a pan and having the temperature displayed on the handle:

So once you do figure out exactly the right temperature to get your bacon and eggs just so, now you can be assured that next time you fry you can get exactly the same level of heat… to a degree of accuracy which only a geek could appreciate.

For more details: http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/kitchen/a7a9/



Wednesday Geeky Pics: Bugs!

Let’s go old school geeky for a moment.  Did you have a bug collection when you were a kid?  I did, briefly for a class project, but then decided that I’d rather see them alive and flying around than pinned to a board. Of course, who needs a board when you’ve got a camera? With all of the beautiful things in nature to photograph, these guys are sometimes overlooked… but the pictures below are definitely worth checking out. And just think, these buggy models might still be alive and well!

A friendly face. – mhodge (CC)

bugs7

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Making filthy water drinkable through nano-filtration

It’s not a secret, we all know that a good part of the world has problems with its drinking water sources, bringing death and sickness every day upon third-world countries. Sure, humanitarian organizations try to help these countries, but doing so is expensive. So when looking at the situation, Engineer Michael Pritchard thought he needed to do something about this mess, and invented the lifesaver bottle, which, using a non-chemical nano-filtration membrane, can make the most revolting water drinkable in seconds.

Highly Disturbing PSA: Don’t Text and Drive

If you occasionally text your pals while driving, this short PSA will make sure you never, ever do so again. Warning: Video contains blood and is extremely difficult to watch.

[Via Gizmodo]

Top 5 Places to get Free Science Fiction Online

By Casey Lynn
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

One of the things that I love about science fiction and fantasy is that the genre is one where short fiction is still alive and kicking. Not only are the “big four” magazines still in print – Analog Science Fiction & Fact, Asimov’s Science Fiction, Fantasy and Science Fiction, and Realms of Fantasy (which recently rose from the ashes with a new publisher) – but there are countless small-press zines, many of which are ezines available for free online. And not only is this great news for short story writers, but also for science fiction readers. As an avid writer/reader myself, here are some of my favorite places to get free science fiction online (and I should note that there are many more).

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The Geek Wish List: Day Two

  • WiFi detector shirt

With a list price of $29.99, this could spell an end to walking round city centers surreptitiously opening up your laptop and checking for WiFi signals before you commit to placing your latte order.

The shirt glows to show both the presence of a WiFi signal and its strength. It’s powered by three AAA batteries in a built-in pocket. And if you don’t want to perpetuate geek stereotypes, you’ll be pleased to know the detector and display are removable to allow easy washing of the shirt.

For more details: http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/interactive/991e/

  • Millennium Falcon Mac Mini

The crew at MacMod do exactly what the name says: modify Apple products for improved performance, overcoming proprietary restrictions, or simply amusing themselves. This falls strictly into the latter category.

It turns out the innards of a Mac Mini and a Millennium Falcon toy fit together remarkably well – and let’s face it, it’s a marriage made in cool white plastic heaven. The only major piece of drilling needed was a hold for a USB slot which helped the ship serve as an iPod shuffle dock:

Another modification using a rubber washer “found in a junk drawer in the garage” was enough to install a webcam in the main flight deck:

And after around four hours tinkering, the crew wound up with a fully functioning media center Mac:

For more details: http://www.macmod.com/external-mods/mac-mini/371-millenium-falcon-mac-mini

3D Short of the Day: Machu Picchu Post

Machu Picchu Post is a splendid little 3d film realized by Supinfocom Arles students Clement Crocq, Margaux Durand-Rival and Nicolas Novali. The movie depicts the antics of a young Peruvian boy, his Llama and a Pilot who goes through a psychedelic experience filled with Peruvian iconography and mysticism.

Do You Wanna Date My Avatar?

Do You Wanna Date My Avatar?

By Casey Lynn
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

Sometimes I’m just so happy that the Internet exists. This video is one of the reasons why.

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