DNA Infograph

17 Things You Should Know About DNA [Infographic]

Genetically Modified Cows produce "Human" Breast Milk

Scientists from he China Agricultural University have introduced human genes into 300 dairy cows to produce milk with the same properties as human breast milk. Using cloning technology, scientists brought human genes into the DNA of Holstein dairy cows before genetically-modified embryos were implanted into surrogate cows.

So far, the Chinese scientists successfully created cows that contains human milk proteins lysozyme, lactoferrin, and alpha-lactalbumin. It might take more than ten years until this cow-produced human milk will be commercially available.

Read full article here: Scientists Genetically Modify Cows to Produce 'Human' Milk

Fungus that can turn ants into zombies

Wired reports that scientists have reported that they have discovered 4 new kinds of fungus in Brazil that infect ants, effectively turning them into zombies that serve the will of the fungal infector. Once an ant is infected, the fungus starts controlling the ant's behavior: The ant leaves the colony, climbs up a tree, anchors itself by biting into a leaf, and then dies. The body of the ant is consumed by the fungus and used to disperse spores for up to a year.


These fungi have had a great effect on the human world as well, primarily in the field of medical science. The mind-controlling fungus is in a group related to the fungus that produces LSD, and another fungus used to suppress the immune system to prevent organ transplant rejection, and still yet another used as an antibiotic.

Read full article here: Scientists Find Four New Kinds of Fungus That Zombify Ants | Geekosystem

Science Tattoo Collection

For hard-core science geeks: Click here to see a collection of evolution-themed tattoos: Visualizing Evolution

Additionally, you can visit the Science Tattoo Emporium that has a large collection of tattoos featuring scientific visualizations from different disciplines (chemistry, physics, biology, computer science, earth science, math, engineering).

Microscopic creatures that live on the human body

Humans are covered with several species of mites, fungi, and bacteria pretty much all the time, regardless of how well we take care of ourselves. Enough to equal the population of the Earth.


Microscopic Creatures On Our Bodies | Geekosystem

What is the dorkiest animal on the planet?

Dorks can be described as socially inept people who follow certain obsessions (See blog entry on geeks, nerds, and dorks). Unfortunately, dorks often get bullied in schools.


Scientists described an animal that shows some dorky characteristics. Rotifiers can shapeshift their offspring to hide from bullies (i.e., predators).

Zoologger has reported on the shapeshifting characteristics of Keratella tropica, a rotifer found in Argentina that feeds mostly on algae and is regularly hunted by larger, stronger creatures. Their only defense mechanism is their spines, which may not defend them from some predators. Here’s the dorky part:

Most of the time they reproduce asexually, only having sex every once in a while – although one group, the bdelloid rotifers, have done without sex for 70 million years.

If predators arrive, Keratella quickly finds out that its standard complement of spines is not much of a defence … Instead, the mere presence of a certain predator can make it change the shape of its offspring.

Comare the rotifier's strategy to the tardigrades ("the toughest animals on the planet"): See blog post here.


Read the original post on Geekosystem here: Rotifers Shapeshift to Defend from Predators | Geekosystem

Bacteria Turns Problem Solver

Researcher from Tokyo University used E.Coli bacteria to solve a 4x4 game of Sudoku. The key to the “solution” of the puzzle was in two aspects of E. coli: Recombinases, the enzymes used in genetic recombination such as when a damaged cell repairs DNA molecules and antisense RNA.

The system the researchers built involved each bacteria having one of four recombinases, corresponding to the digit (1 through 4) that the particular bacteria represented. Bacteria can “broadcast” their recombinases, so the other bacteria were set up so that as soon as they received three different digits from such broadcasts, they recognized that logically they must represent the remaining digit, and in turn began broadcasting that information themselves.

However, that process only discovers the digit and not the position. To get round this, the researchers assigned antisense RNA corresponding to the lines and mini-grids. The antisense RNA blocked each bacteria from receiving digit information from bacteria that didn’t belong in its vertical line, horizontal line or mini-grid.

To run the simulation, the bacteria that represented digits already filled in at the start of the puzzle were set to broadcast their digit straight away. That kicked off a chain reaction and the puzzle was soon resolved! (Post found on Geeks Are Sexy)




Bacteria Turns Problem Solver