[neverdem]

A ceRNA Hypothesis: The Rosetta Stone of a Hidden RNA Language?

[Da Coyote]

Perhaps we should remind ourselves of how many billions go into “shrimp on treadmills,” climate change, innumerable “art-f*rt” waste-ola, etc., when we might better direct our funding to folks with a real education and real accomplishments who actually have a non-zero chance of improving the human condition.

More bucks to cancer research would be nice.

And spend a few extra bucks to shoot those arts idiots who insist on covering bridges, etc with sheets and other examples of their non talent.

[Steely Tom]

Most DNA, for example, was long considered junk — a netherworld of detritus that had no important role in cancer or anything else. Only about 2 percent of the human genome carries the code for making enzymes and other proteins, the cogs and scaffolding of the machinery that a cancer cell turns to its own devices.

These days “junk” DNA is referred to more respectfully as “noncoding” DNA, and researchers are finding clues that “pseudogenes” lurking within this dark region may play a role in cancer.

Sounds a little like a certain type of hacking attack.

[Fester Chugabrew]

Kinda surprised to see this come out of the Times. It actually carries an air of objectivity.

[Don W]

2% of the genome.

Hmm that’s curiously close to the percentage of cancer donations that actually go to research!

The vast majority of the rest goes to soliciting more research dollars, while the head of the Canadian Cancer Agency brings home over $5 million per year.

I wonder what his charitable donations look like...

[neverdem]

How fatty diets cause diabetes

'Late' asthma research unearths potential new treatment

'Good' prion-like proteins boost immune response, UT Southwestern scientists report

U of Minnesota researchers discover a natural food preservative that kills food-borne bacteria

FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.

[Bellflower]

Most research is aimed at making money. This is one area that tax dollars could be used to find cures that may not be dollar driven. When a cure doesn't promise to make lots of money it is deep sixed. This is in response to wanting to keep a huge cash cow well fed. Where billions are to be made morality is easily ignored.

[dubyagee]

bfl