Sawse - Stir it Up!

Happiness is linked to Genes

A study by Australian and Scottish scientists has shown that genes play an important role in determining the level of happiness in our lives. Headed by Dr Alexander Weiss of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, the scientists studied pairs of more than 900 twins. This research has been published in the Psychological Science Journal, in the March issue. Scientists have already known of the link between subjective well being and personality traits. Till recently, nobody had ever thought whether subjective well being and personality had the same genetic origins. Weiss and his colleagues carried out a study on 973 twin pairs by using the renowned FFM or Five Factor Model. Some of the pairs were identical while others were not. The comparative studies showed the result that 50 percent of happiness and subjective well being traits were linked to genes.

Natural ‘Design’

Kenneth Miller, cell biologist and professor at Brown University, proposed at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science that science along with evolutionary biology is based on “design”. Life’s molecular nature is founded by ‘design’ and there is a correlation between structure and function. Miller put forward theories and arguments from his book, Only a Theory: Evolution and the Battle for America’s Soul that will be published in May by Viking Press. His argument is about the apeal of the “design” concept and he says that we can conclusively say that science in itself is totally based on design. He reasons that molecular and structural biologists generally speak of protein designs, cell structures and signaling pathways. The human body is also modeled on the concept of “design” and we can see it in the functioning of our joints and shape of the spinal cord that facilitates upright walking. Life also has a design to it, an evolutionary type of design. Our body structures and functions have changed with passage of time and scientists must propagate this “design” concept to show that nature does exhibit an orderly rationality.

Demise of the Male Chromosome!

The Y chromosome or male chromosome has suffered great defects in the evolution process. The gene supply has shrunk considerably and it is believed that the Y chromosome may disappear completely with this continuation of a downward trend. This interesting rumor made headlines in the world of genetics. Recent comparative studies of the Y chromosomal sequencing in chimpanzees and humans have shown that the human chromosome has developed a method to stabilize itself and survive for the next five to six million years. David C. Page, researcher and Jennifer F. Hughes, postdoctoral fellow, along with their colleagues at Howard Hughes Medical Institute have carried out this study. The human male chromosome has self repairing techniques and is able to preserve itself quite well.

Jenny Graves, professor at Australian National University has come up with a new theory that the Y chromosome’s demise may give rise to a new human species.

Identical Twins – No Genetic Match

A startling finding has been presented by a study carried out by Swedish, Dutch and American scientists. The finding is that identical twins are not genetically the same or actually completely identical. This study and its findings have been published in the American Journal of Human Genetics, the most prestigious journal of its kind. This revolutionary finding can prove to be very helpful in the research of hereditary diseases and for developing the latest methods for diagnosing them. It has been observed that in some cases one twin from a pair of identical twins may suffer from Parkinson’s disease, but the other twin may not have the disease at all. Earlier, this was attributed to environmental factors, but recent study shows that there are very minute differences in the genetic make-up of identical twins that were not accounted for in the past. Genetically induced disorders can now be understood better due to the help of this study and its findings.

Enzyme Structures and Cancer Treatment

Genome forms a very important part of the human cell and there are some proteins that function as production managers in this process. They control the genes by stimulating and deactivating genes as required. Scientists aided by the National Institute of Health NIGMS have carried out conclusive research regarding the role of a key protein in controlling gene activity and the process of protein mutations which are a likely cause of various diseases. This study may open up new avenues for designing drugs for the treatment of diseases like cancer, HIV, heart disease and diabetes. This research has been published in the Nature Journal, Feb 14, 2008 edition. The research is focused on p300/CBP protein which has been linked to cancer. The mutations of this particular protein have ties to many types of cancer, and researchers believe that the inhibiting agent for p300/CB could be a treatment for this horrible disease.

Central Role of Mitochondria in Maintenance of Good Health

Mitochondria are the power plants of human cells and can be thought of the energy generators in all human cells. If mitochondria’s DNA is changed even slightly, then degenerative muscle and heart diseases can result, according to researchers at University of California Irvine. This study offers new insight into diseases that are age-related. It also gathers proof for the fact that mitochondrion plays a key role in human health. The result of this research is published in the Science journal of Feb 15. Douglas Wallace the leader of this study, and director of the Center for Molecular and Mitochondrial Medicine and Genetics at UC Irvine, says that these findings are crucial in the effort for finding the cure and treatment of inborn degenerative diseases like chronic muscle and heart disease.

According to Douglas Wallace, these diseases were earlier thought to be the result of gene mutations encoded by the DNA in the nucleus of the cell. However, latest studies show that many common degenerative disorders do not follow particular inheritance patterns as per the genetics of nuclear DNA. According to this study, the diseases could be a result of mitochondrial DNA mutations. Once they are clearly understood, the effects of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA mutations will likely help in finding effective treatments for age-related diseases.