Mario A. Lopez

Physorg.com – July 21st, 2009 Cells rely on tiny molecular motors to deliver cargo, such as mRNA and organelles, within the cell. The critical nature of this transport system is evidenced by the fact that disruption of motors by genetic defects leads to fatal diseases in humans. Although investigators have isolated these motor to study their function in a controlled environment outside the cell, it has been difficult for researchers to follow these fascinating molecular transporters in their natural environment, the living cell. Now, two articles published by Cell Press in Biophysical Journal, make use of incredibly tiny, glowing “quantum dots” to track the miniscule motions of myosin V in living cells. Interestingly, both research groups independently report that myosin Read More ›

This should be interesting: Book Description In this book, Weikart helps unlock the mystery of Hitler’s evil by vividly demonstrating the surprising conclusion that Hitler’s immorality flowed from a coherent ethic. Hitler was inspired by evolutionary ethics to pursue the utopian project of biologically improving the human race. This ethic underlay or influenced almost every major feature of Nazi policy: eugenics (i.e., measures to improve human heredity, including compulsory sterilization), euthanasia, racism, population expansion, offensive warfare, and racial extermination. More…

Having trouble talking about ID with your wife or girlfriend?  Well, here is a perfect way to start them off.  This story about love, betrayal, and death will surely get them interested.  Here is an excerpt: “Well,” began David, “I’ve been doing a lot of reading on intelligent design theory.  Have you heard or read about this theory?” “I can’t say I have,” replied Tommy.  He picked up the pitcher and poured himself some pomegranate juice with sparkling water mix; he had a feeling his throat was going to need plenty of hydration.  “Fill me in,” he said, making a legitimate effort at open-mindedness and attentiveness. David cleared his throat in order not to sound too eager.  “Let’s see,” he Read More ›

Nature 458, 571 (2 April 2009) | doi:10.1038/458571b; Published online 1 April 2009 Jerome H. L. Hui1 Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Manchester M13 9PT, UK Email: jerome.hui@manchester.ac.uk Your News story ‘Hong Kong evolution curriculum row’ (Nature 457, 1067; 2009) reports a call by faculty members at Hong Kong University for a sentence to be removed from new guidelines for secondary-school biology education. At present, these state: “In addition to Darwin’s theory, students are encouraged to explore other explanations for evolution and the origins of life, to help illustrate the dynamic nature of scientific knowledge”. Read more…

Here is another way to use ID: Nature 458, 305-309 (19 March 2009) Ronald L. Koder1,2,3, J. L. Ross Anderson1,2, Lee A. Solomon1, Konda S. Reddy1, Christopher C. Moser1 & P. Leslie Dutton1 The principles of natural protein engineering are obscured by overlapping functions and complexity accumulated through natural selection and evolution. Completely artificial proteins offer a clean slate on which to define and test these protein engineering principles, while recreating and extending natural functions. Here we introduce this method with the design of an oxygen transport protein, akin to human neuroglobin. Beginning with a simple and unnatural helix-forming sequence with just three different amino acids, we assembled a four-helix bundle, positioned histidines to bis-histidine ligate haems, and exploited helical Read More ›

Friday , March 06, 2009 By Andrea Thompson If Friday’s launch goes according to plan and successfully lobs NASA’s new Kepler space telescope into orbit, the mission stands to potentially change the way we look at the universe. Kepler is designed to turn its eye on thousands of stars in our own Milky Way galaxy and look for signs of Earth-sized planets orbiting in a region conducive to supporting life. Read more… I wonder if they have dumped the following idea… The Limits of Organic Life in Planetary Systems Executive Summary Reflecting the near inevitability of human missions to Mars and other locales in the solar system where life might exist, and given the interest of the public in the Read More ›

By Brandon Keim WiredMarch 09, 2009 Whether or not God exists, thinking about Him or Her doesn’t require divinely dedicated neurological wiring. Instead, religious thoughts run on brain systems used to figure out what other people are thinking and feeling. Read more…

Scientists have been too dogmatic about scientific truth and sociologists have fostered too much scepticism — social scientists must now elect to put science back at the core of society, says Harry Collins. Read more…

Welcome to the age of information.

This is a good example of how to use ID and abandon “unintelligent” evolution. Read article here (in PDF)

Given enough time…

All ID proponents invited (or not): http://www.insightcruises.com/seminar_d/sa03_seminar.html “Why People Believe In Strange Things” should be a fun one.

Nature 456, 453-454 (27 November 2008) | doi:10.1038/456453a; Published online 26 November 2008 Robert M. Brosh, Jr Genomic instability often underlies cancer. Analyses of proteins implicated in a cancer-predisposing condition called Bloom’s syndrome illustrate the intricacies of protein interactions that ensure genomic stability. Bloom’s syndrome, which is characterized by severe growth retardation, immunodeficiency, anaemia, reduced fertility and predisposition to cancer, is caused by mutations in the gene BLM. At the cellular level, the hallmark of this genetic disorder is a high rate of sister-chromatid exchange — the swapping of homologous stretches of DNA between a chromosome and its identical copy generated during DNA replication Robert M. Brosh Jr is in the Laboratory of Molecular Gerontology, National Institute on Aging, National Read More ›

Here is an interesting article: By Malcolm Jones | NEWSWEEK How’s this for a coincidence? Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln were born in the same year, on the same day: Feb. 12, 1809. As historical facts go, it amounts to little more than a footnote. Still, while it’s just a coincidence, it’s a coincidence that’s guaranteed to make you do a double take the first time you run across it. Everybody knows Darwin and Lincoln were near-mythic figures in the 19th century. But who ever thinks of them in tandem? Who puts the theory of evolution and the Civil War in the same sentence? Why would you, unless you’re writing your dissertation on epochal events in the 19th century? But Read More ›

Nature News Nov. 19, 2008 The 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Robert Darwin falls on 12 February 2009. Darwin was arguably the most influential scientist of modern times. No single researcher has since matched his collective impact on the natural and social sciences; on politics, religions, and philosophy; on art and cultural relations, and in ways that the man himself would never have imagined. This Nature news special will provide continuously updated news, research and analysis on Darwin’s life, his science and his legacy, as well as news from the Darwin200 consortium of organizations celebrating this landmark event. http://www.nature.com/news/specials/darwin/index.html I wonder if they will also celebrate Alfred Russel Wallace and his Sarawak Law.