Page 37 - 200710 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - October 2007

Library to host UFO event 37 37 Library to host UFO event Evolution Transforms sequences from 16 mammalian species, Journal. Evolution Transforms "David believes in having an open mind 'Junk' DNA into including human, dog, mouse, and rabbit. They regarding the UFO phenomenon," Bland said. 'Junk' DNA into found the nPE2 enhancer sequence to be highly Genetic Machinery conserved. By creating altered versions of the "However, he also believes this must be Genetic Machinery balanced by a very skeptical approach when nPE2 sequence and testing their ability to enhance gene expression in transgenic mice, examining each individual UFO report." Evolution has mastered the art of turning they showed that the regions that were critical MUFON is an international organization trash to treasure - though, for scientists, to nPE2's function were most rigorously composed of people interested in studying and witnessing the transformation can require a bit conserved over evolution. The findings, researching UFO's, or Unidentified Flying of patience. In new genetic research, scientists Rubinstein said, indicated that nPE2's function Objects. Members of the organization are from have traced the 170 million-year evolution of a "contributed to the fitness of all mammals, all walks of life, including scientists, doctors piece of "junk" DNA to its modern incarnation probably by better tuning the central regulation and psychologists. as an important regulator of energy balance in of energy balance." Registration for the event is required and mammals. "This paper shows, for the first time, is recommended for ages 9 to adult. The discovery, they said, suggests that that a retroposon of this superfamily got In other CPL news, "Hocus Pocus regions of the genome formerly presumed to be inserted near the POMC gene sometime before Halloween Fun" will take place at 11 a.m. Oct. a genetic junkyard may actually be a hardware 170 million years ago; and after suffering a 25. The session will feature stories, treats and superstore, providing components that can be limited number of random mutations, it fun activities. Space is limited so make used to evolve new genes or new species. acquired a novel and useful function and reservations early. The discoveries were reported by became fixed in the genome of an ancestor to MORE HALLOWEEN Howard Hughes Medical Institute international all mammals," said Rubinstein. MORE HALLOWEEN research scholar Marcelo Rubinstein and his The findings provide clear evidence that CHUCKLES & colleagues October 5, 2007, in the online PLoS genes use a collection of functional sequences CHUCKLES & Genetics. Rubinstein is at the Institute for incorporated at different times during a very LAUGHS! Research on Genetic Engineering and long-lasting evolutionary process, said LAUGHS! Molecular Biology of the National Council for Rubinstein. "Novel sequences that improved Science and Technology in Argentina, and the fitness got fixed into the genomes and Q: Why don't skeletons ever go out on the University of Buenos Aires. continued to travel to the future together with town? Researchers have long known that all more ancient functional sequences," he said. A: Because they don't have any body to go out genomes are prodigiously sprinkled with DNA The researchers found a large number of with... fragments derived from mobile elements that other CORE-SINE superfamily members that have jumped to apparently random points in the had changed very little over evolutionary time, Q: What do ghosts add to their morning cereal? genome. For example, the Human Genome suggesting that nPE2's evolution from junk to A: Booberries... Project revealed that about 45 percent of our regulatory DNA was not a unique event. In fact, genome consists of mobile element-derived Rubinstein suspects that thousands of currently Q: What do zombies like to eat at a cook out? sequences. functional elements are derived from ancient A: Halloweenies... "The classical view has considered retroposon insertions-but their evolutionary genomic sequences derived from mobile history still needs to be untangled. "We are Q: What is a vampire's favorite sport? elements as "junk" DNA-a large accumulation starting to understand how insertional elements, A: Casketball... of useless sequences," said Rubinstein. instead of being useless or harmful for the "However, more recent work, including the genomes, may be beneficial." Q: What is a vampire's favorite holiday? findings in this paper, is producing convincing A: Fangsgiving... evidence that these sequences provided raw Note: This story has been adapted from a news material for the evolution of novel gene release issued by the Howard Hughes Medical Q: Why did the vampire go to the orthodontist? functions." Institute A: To improve his bite... Rubinstein and his colleagues had been studying one such piece of DNA, called nPE2, Library to host UFO Q: What do you get when you cross a vampire Library to host UFO which enhances the activity of a gene called and a snowman? event POMC (proopiomelanocortin). The POMC event A: Frostbite... gene is expressed in cells in the brain and produces peptides that regulate a variety of By Kevin Darr Q: What does a ghost get when he falls and behaviors, including food intake and stress- scrapes his knee? induced analgesia. A: A boo boo... "Our studies showed that nPE2 is highly For those looking to step into a world of conserved in mammals but absent in other unknowns, look no further than the Columbia Q: Why do witches use brooms to fly on? vertebrates, so we became interested in studying Public Library, 106 N. Metter. A: Because vacuum cleaners are too heavy... its evolutionary origins," said Rubinstein. "We This is because they will host UFO then found nPE2 to be highly similar to expert David Marler at 7 p.m. Monday. Q: What is Dracula's favorite kind of coffee? sequences present in the genomes of the A field investigator with the Illinois A: Decoffinated... marsupials opossum and wallaby. So we Mutual UFO Network (MUFON), Marler will thought we had found the tip of the iceberg of an share his expertise in a field many know little Q: What would a monster's psychiatrist be evolutionary process that started around 200 about. called? million years ago, and we got really fascinated "David assisted the History Channel for A: Shrinkenstein... by the idea of pulling up the entire iceberg from an episode of the TV show 'Tactical-to- the depths." In fact, Rubinstein and his Practical,' where he discussed his research into Q: What is a baby ghost's favorite game? colleagues realized that all similar sequences the mystery of triangular UFO's and their A: Peekaboo... originated from a superfamily of mobile history," CPL Youth Services Coordinator elements called CORE-short interspersed Annette Bland said. "He has also assisted and Q: What did one ghost say to the other ghost? elements (CORE-SINES). CORE-SINES are appeared on two separate documentaries that A: "Do you believe in people?" retroposons, meaning the genetic sequence has covered multiple UFO sightings near Scott Air been copied before being inserted into new sites Force Base on the morning of Jan. 5, 2000." Q: What do you call someone who puts poison in the genome. This case was personally investigated in a person's corn flakes? To reveal more of nPE2's evolutionary by Marler and was published as the cover story A: A cereal killer... history, the researchers compared nPE2 for the March 2000 issue of the MUFON HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE