Proof the universe is fine-tuned for life? Scientists find antarctica meteorites contain essential building block of DNA
“NASA-funded researchers found evidence this past summer that some building blocks of DNA, the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for life, found in meteorites were likely created in space. The research gives support to the theory that a “kit” of ready-made parts created in space and delivered to Earth by meteorite and comet impacts assisted the origin of life.” Read more…
(source: Daily Galaxy)
Kids' sugar cravings might be biological
“Ask a child if they like sweets and the answer is almost universally a resounding ‘Yes!’ It’s no surprise to most parents that kids love candy, cookies, sweetened drinks, and some kids have even been known to add sugar to a bowl of Frosted Flakes. But don’t blame the kids, say researchers: It’s biology. Scientific evidence shows that children not only have a stronger preference for sugar than adults – but that sweet-tooth is hardwired from Day One.” Read more…
(source: NPR)
Female orgasm remains an evolutionary mystery
“The evolutionary basis of human female orgasm has been subject to furious scientific debate, which has recently intensified,” wrote University of Queensland geneticist Brendan Zietsch and Pekka Santtila of Finland’s Abo Akedemi University in a Sept. 3 Animal Behavior article. “These results challenge the byproduct theory of female orgasm.” Read more…
(source: Wired)
A possible explanation to accelerated presidential aging
At last, a reason why stress causes DNA damage
“For years, researchers have published papers that associate chronic stress with chromosomal damage. Now researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered a mechanism that helps to explain the stress response in terms of DNA damage.” Read more…
(source: DukeHealth.org, via Slashdot)
Parasite uses the power of sexual attraction to trick rats into becoming cat food
“Rats infected with the parasite Toxoplasma seem to lose their fear of cats – or at least cat urine. Now Stanford researchers have discovered that the brains of those infected, fearless male rats show activity in the region that normally triggers a mating response when they meet a female rat. But that does not necessarily mean the rats find cats sexually appealing. It’s a trick that Toxoplasma plays to have the rats eaten by cats, a clever manipulation of rat behavior that is part of the parasite’s reproduction scheme.” Read more…
(source: Stanford University News)
