morphological

microRNAs, glycosylation, and genomes

Summary: Given what is currently known about RNA-mediated cell type differentiation in all genera, it may be impossible for theorists to link mutations to evolution via glycosylation. miRNA proxy approach reveals hidden functions of glycosylation Abstract excerpt: Glycosylation, the most abundant posttranslational modification, holds an unprecedented capacity for altering biological function. Journal article excerpt: …glycans microRNAs, glycosylation, and genomes

Pathology constrains X-linked evolution

Long-range evolutionary constraints reveal cis-regulatory interactions on the human X chromosome Excerpt: “Experimental methods are already able to indicate the interactions between enhancers and genes8, 13, 17, 18, 19 but they are strongly constrained by the tissue and time where and when the interaction takes place. In contrast, evolutionary linkage is independent of the tissue Pathology constrains X-linked evolution

Imagining that data historically supports evolutionary theory

1) Arguments in the evo-devo debate: say it with flowers! Abstract excerpt: A key question in evolutionary developmental biology is how DNA sequence changes have directed the evolution of morphological diversity. The widely accepted view was that morphological changes resulted from differences in number and/or type of transcription factors, or even from small changes in Imagining that data historically supports evolutionary theory

Nutritional epigenetics, exercise, and immune system integrity

Anti-inflammatory mechanism of dieting and fasting revealed Summary: Researchers have found that a compound produced by the body when dieting or fasting can block a part of the immune system involved in several inflammatory disorders such as type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. My comment: For the obvious link from nutrition and exercise to Nutritional epigenetics, exercise, and immune system integrity

All of “like kind” (Part 2)

See: All of “like kind” in the (bigger) family I’ve since tried, but failed, to succinctly express my thoughts about representations in the article All in the (bigger) family. I exceeded the allowable word count. Here they are, in the first of two comments about the article that I submitted to Science. Received: Mon, 19 All of “like kind” (Part 2)

Model organisms: the birds and the bees

Bird Genomes Abound Scientists complete the largest-ever comparative genomic study of birds. By Ruth Williams | December 11, 2014 Excerpt: “Birds are model organisms for a number of human behaviors and conditions—For example, Jarvis compares vocal learning in birds and humans—so determining the genetic basis of such traits requires genetic history.” My comment: Honeybees are Model organisms: the birds and the bees