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A Study Of Astronauts The Kelly Twins Shows Space Changes Our DNA
A groundbreaking study is showing how space changes the human body.
Early results of an unprecedented study seem to indicate that long-term space missions affect astronauts genetically.
Scientists studied identical twin astronauts Scott and Mark Kelly. Scott Kelly spent nearly a year in space before returning to Earth last March. His brother Mark, who remained on Earth, is the control subject in the test.
Early results observe Scott Kelly's genes and DNA showed changes that Mark Kelly's genes and DNA did not. The observed differences include the lengthening of Scott's chromosomes and even stomach bacteria changes.
Researchers, who say this is probably the most detailed molecular profiling ever, will closely study the Kelly twins for at least four more years. Source: Nature
Cellphones Are Poised To Help The Battle Against Cancer
Two experiments have resulted in the cellphone becoming a powerful tool in fighting cancer.
In the first, Patients may soon be able to use their cellphones to spot skin cancer. Stanford University researchers have taught an AI computer to identify cancerous moles and lesions. Using a Google tool, they put over 200-thousand photos of skin cancer into the computer. Then they put it up against 21 top-level dermatologists and found it could identify cancer as accurately as the doctors. The discovery could advance early detection.
In the second, a microscope that uses the camera on your cellphone, can detect a DNA sequencing that indicates colon cancer. The study, at Stockholm University in Sweden, shows that improvements need to be made, but the current version of the microscope/cellphone combination is more accurate than anticipated.Source: The Verge
Today is Chocolate Cake Day
January 27th is Chocolate Cake Day! In history, the Greek made their cake flat and heavy, and were occasionally served with nuts and honey. The Romans made cake similar to cheesecake, and used them as offering to the gods. In Medieval England, the words “bread” and “cake” were often interchangeable to refer to any dough made foods.
In the late 1920s, O. Duff was the first company to created boxed cake. In 1947, General Mills released Betty Crocker cake mixes that required people to “just add water.” Their flavors included Ginger, Spice, Yellow and White cake. In 1948, Pillsbury introduced the world to the first chocolate cake mix.
Chocolate cake is the most popular form of cake today, with a variety of types such as Black Forest, Devil’s Food, Fudge, German Chocolate, Lava and many more. Go away…I’m hungry.
Today is Thomas Crapper Day
January 27th is Thomas Crapper Day! Toilet lovers should be flushing with pride this morning, because today is Thomas Crapper Day! The unfortunately named Londoner founded Thomas Crapper and Co. in 1861 and popularized the modern, flushable toilet.
He did not, as is popularly believed, invent the flush. Instead, Crapper invented a new mechanism for filling water tanks, which he inexplicably named “the floating ballcock.”
Crapper’s crappers were widely known. He even received four Royal Warrants from British monarchs and installed toilets Westminster Abbey. So how should you celebrate Thomas Crapper Day? We’ll leave that up to you.
46 Words That Sound Dirty But Are Not
Lots of words just sound…not quite G-rated. Here’s 46 for your snickering pleasure.
1.Kumquat
2.Kum and Go (convenience store chain in Midwestern U.S.)
3.Slider Sandwich
4.Cherry egger (type of rooster)
5.Soft Pink Three-Way (type of light bulb)
6.Many Fingered Fern (type of fern)
7.Dick Butkus
8.Dick Cheney
9.Dick Wolf (Law & Order producer)
10.Pussywillow
11.Shaftsbury, VT
12.Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ
13.Man-hole
14.Full-service carwash
15.B.J. Thomas
16.Dick’s Sporting Goods
17.Seamen’s Furniture
18.Meat pack
19.Kai Ryssdal (Marketplace public radio host)
20.In-depth investigation
21.Large Hadron Collider
22.Cockatiel
23.Self-licking stamps
24.Salad spinner
25.Rutger Hauer
26.Jack Reacher
27.Semicolon
28.Assonance
29.Climax Blues Band
30.Oral hygeine
31.PowerPoint
32.Rhubarb
33.Drive shaft
34.Speonk (Long Island Railroad stop)
35.Teaser trailer
36.Jacking point
37.Jack Johnson
38.Coxswain
39.Shuttlecock
40.Unction
41.RIM corporation (maker of BlackBerry)
42.Joystick
43.Sure-grip rubber
44.Loofah
45.Rodney Crowell (singer/songwriter)
46.Coxsackie, NY
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