New use for old Genes

Just read an article (1) on so called junk genes. These are genes that make defective RNA, the stuff that helps make protein in cells. The junk genes have been considered useless remnants, or vestigial pieces of genetic material. Now we find out that these defective structures may actually lure molecules that might otherwise cause trouble away from their intended target to form a harmless unit. Or, more sinister, they might lure a beneficial control substance away from a normal gene, thus making it more likely to create problems, like cancer. Big deal? You bet it is. This changes the way we have to think about the control of all sorts of biochemical pathways, and open the way to research that could lead to solving some very perplexing medical problems.
For years, texts have reported lots of DNA in cells that was called “vestigial” and therefore considered useless. My students might remember me cautioning that just because we don’t know what something does, does not mean that it does nothing. In fact, because evolution and natural selection are such powerful agents in the world of the cell and organism, I think that it is likely that most or all of the so-called vestigial genetic material will eventually be found to do something besides just sit there and suck up resources.
Human hubris knows no bounds, so take care not to fall into that trap. Keep your mind open, watch, listen and be prepared to push the boundaries of human knowledge.
Who says science is dull? The image is of a mouse "hand" growing an opposable thumb. Cool, huh? The article that accompanies the photo explains.

1. http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/60515/title/Vestigial_no_more
Image: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/09/scientists-find/

The Lights Just Dimmed a Little More

From one Richard to another.
From his sense of humor to his commitment to education to his very name (I’m a Richard too), Richard Miller and I were much alike. When I first met him, years ago at a science fair, we realized that “raunchy” was a language we shared, and jokes were the currency of getting to know each other. We shared a professional interest in Med Tech too. His formal and mine less so. We had some great laughs together both in person and via email (all erased, so don’t ask) and ate some interesting lunches together at Med Tech committee meetings. We were friends in the sense of working together and kidding around when possible and enjoying each other's company. We shared opinions of people and had laughs over that, too. We were not friends in the sense of hanging out after work or going fishing or anything like that, but had an easy relationship. He was “there” for me when I needed him, and I would like to think the same for me. Our friendship was the kind that pauses, and then months later continued as if there were no pause at all. I know he will be much missed by his family and friends, and professional colleagues as well.
It seems that our own days are in some ways measured by the dimming of lights when someone we know, or know of, or respect dies. So on this occasion, the lights dim just a little more.
This last bit is for Rich (as we sometimes addressed other):” From one Dick to another, I’m gonna miss you, man.”

What is Wrong With John McCain?

LGBT
Willy Nelson: “Just when you think it’s all over it has only begun” (1)
And so the continuing fight for equality for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered brothers and sisters goes on. Make no mistake about this: you know and love and respect many of these folks. They are your children, relatives, friends, neighbors, bosses, coworkers, teachers, doctors, lawyers, entertainers, grocers, police, fire fighters, ER nurses and many many more. Maybe you know they are “out” and maybe you don’t. But do you really care if the first responder that saves your life has a same-sex partner? I think the answer is not just “no” but “HELL NO”.

And since the Revolution LGBTs (OK, no “T” until later) have been protecting you, sharing your foxholes and ships and planes. And your showers. That seems to be one of the real issues doesn’t it? “I don’t want them looking at me. They might “try” something”. What are they going to “try”? To be your friend? To save your life? Did you ever stop to think that they might be just as nervous that you might “try” something too? Like beating the shit out of them just for living? Try living with that fear and see how you feel.

It is time for all of you, my friends, to step up to the plate. You know the right thing to do, don’t you? The American Military is one of the last bastions of segregation for LGBTs. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is a disgrace and NOW is the time to end it. Now is the time to call your Senator (a few of these revered folks are queer, too) and tell him or her to vote to kill DADT once and for all. Use this link (http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=IL ) to find your Senators. What if you don’t ? Only you will know that by being silent you are keeping hatred and segregation alive. Only you will know you failed your brothers and sisters. Only you.
And while you are at it, call Senator John McCain and tell him for me that I once thought he was a Prince, and now I think he is an asshole. It’s OK to use that word with McCain. He’s ex military and knows what an asshole is.

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OXx4H9DuZY&feature=related
Image: editor-mom.blogspot.com/2006/03/another-strai...

Food Series: Meatloaf *

My good friend and college roommate got married to the girl of his dreams while we were still undergraduates. (I was at the wedding and got the garter, but that is another story for another time).Since we shared the same bedroom for a couple of years I can vouch that he dreamed about her often. (She popped up in mine a few times too, but don’t tell Charlie.) When the happy couple set up house, an early agenda item was having me over for dinner. I would never say “no” to dinner anywhere, but these guys were special, so dinner at their place was a social as well as gustatory treat. I arrived in time to smell something really good wafting from the kitchen. What’s cooking, Charlie, I asked? Marie’s famous meatloaf (the first one, too). All the trimmings to go with it and probably some beer, although I don’t remember for sure. I never went anywhere without beer, so probably either I had it or they had it. Maybe ice tea. Anyway, as it got closer to the meal, we got hungrier. Finally, the announcement: time to dig in. And there it was. A big beautiful meatloaf. Fragrant. A little catsup on the side and this puppy would be gone in no time. The carving went well, and we each got nice big slice. Mine was from near the middle. Rare. Very rare. I ate the rare middle and the medium outside and it was good and tasty. It was also to be one of those lifetime stories repeated when ever friends get together. That was probably nearly 50 years ago, and the memory is fresh; rare, really.
Thanks guys for a great meal, for a great memory and for an enduring friendship.

Image: mydeliciousfoods.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_arch...

*told with permission of the happy couple, just recently grandparents!

back to normal

Life goes on
The alarm went off at 6:15 as usual. Coffee pot gurgled. Shower ran. Hair dryer. Then a few minutes pre-briefing about the day, write some checks, make a list of things to do today. Finally walk down to the gate to let Sal out and keep the dogs in. A quick kiss and “See you tonight. Take care. Love you” and she is gone.
As I shut the gate I though “And so things get back to normal and life goes on”. The weekend is still reverberating and the memory of family and friends strong. Everybody got home safely and their lives are now going on, back to normal.
Life may be like a box of chocolates, but it is also a narrative, written in everyday events and punctuated by memorable moments, some lasting seconds or minutes and some days. The total is the story being written as it is lived. And because of the path taken (or not) the ending is a mystery. Like all good stories, one can hope the ending is both satisfying and a takes a while to get to. After all, how many times have you read a book or seen a film and said to yourself “I wish it had never ended”?
So for the near time, life goes back to normal, carrying with it the afterglow of a weekend well spent.
Image: www.gettyimages.com/detail/82129868/Photodisc

A Very Big Surprise

Last week or so I wrote an essay on lies. I had detected one from a family member and among other things wanted to say that “white lies” are OK in service of doing good. Little did I know how close to home that would get. As many of you know, my birthday (woody 7.0) was last week. I ferreted around a bit where I was told I shouldn’t go and found a suspicious sum of money spent. I figured it was for a surprise laptop. On Thursday Sally told me “The tracking # says it will be delivered on Friday”. (I of course denied any hint of knowing of what was arriving, but I was sure it was a laptop.) She comes home from work on Friday afternoon and what do I see? Two strange men getting out of the car. What the hell? (Sanitized version)
Remember Desert Storm II? Shock and Awe? I had both, and great joy. She had arranged to have my son and his husband (yes, legally married, so there) fly in for my birthday. From Iowa!!! Thoughts of prezzies of a lesser kind fled in the face of seeing their happy faces. What a gigantic surprise.("He Had Wrinkles from Smiling") What a bunch of white lies leading up to it. After a lot of hugging and all talking at once I asked if Hal and Cori (other son and wife, legally married) were coming. Yes was the answer, and a few other friends for a jam up birthday dinner Saturday.
I will tell the truth here: I was totally and utterly caught by surprise and thrilled in a way that no other present could bring. My present was my family, and some friends to help enjoy with.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
And thanks to the more that 30 Facebook friends that sent good vibes my way for the 70ith. You didn’t get to the party, but you were not far from my heart.

Image: unrepentantoldhippie.wordpress.com/.../

In Flanders Fields - - -

In Flanders fields, the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below...
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields...
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands, we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields... (1)

And so another memorial day approaches. I was at Publix today and an old submariner was at a folding table handing out paper poppies. No charge. Just take one and be damn glad men and women were willing to go to war to save your ass. But nobody stopped while I watched, first from the truck and then from the store.
Have we all forgotten what the Poppy represents? Blood red poppy? Flanders Fields? Well if you have you had better look it up and learn it. And if you haven’t already done so, go out today or tomorrow and find one of these vets, take a poppy and say “thank you for your service”. If you can spare a buck or two, drop it in the jar. If not, don’t be worried. They didn’t serve and die for your dollar. They served and died for you.

Poem: Lt. Col. John McCray quoted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCrae
Image: cornsss.blogspot.com/2007_11_01_archive.html

deixe o bom rolo das épocas!!!!

Looking forward or looking back?
It occurred to me just now that with all the looking back I do in these essays (this will be the 190th since I began) that what I really think is important is looking forward. Sure, I think that there is benefit to me to clarify my thoughts about things past, and yes, I think there may be something for others to consider in a few. And yes again I have fun going over some of the really fun and meaningful times from the past.
But what I really like to do is think forward. And look forward. Time to compartmentalize. Looking forward with world view in mind is sobering (although like my father-in-law, I think that drinking a bit now and then is good for the soul). Sobering? Downright scary sometimes. But looking forward with a me-and-mine view is much better. We are all doing well physically and as far as I can tell mentally. Sure, a few extra pounds here and there, and a few wrinkles now and then are in sight, but on balance our futures are pretty bright.
Experiencing new places and people, food, wine and cultures is ahead for Sal and me. Hiking in the foothills of the Oregon and Blue Ridge mountains is there along with fishing in the (hopefully) clear waters of the Gulf, playing with the orchids, cooking some kickass meals and chilling with Sally. And so much more.
My point? Look back from time to time to get a fix on where you are, but spend more time looking forward. I wrote an essay a while ago about remembering the future. Part of that idea revolves around picturing something as it will be and then remembering the picture. This enables you to actually experience the future in a way that isn’t completely reactive. You get a chance to mold the future by imagining how it could be and then making it so.
Look forward. The future is just there in front of you.
Image: parenting.leehansen.com/.../good-times-oval.jpg
Portugese translation: http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_txt

Sun Bunnies

Time for the annual skin cancer warning. Research is piling up on the long term effects of tanning beds (1) and sun bathing. No contest really. You tan, you get skin cancer. The only question is what kind of cancer will you get? The picture is a young man with the least dangerous form of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma. Doesn’t usually kill you, but we will all agree that it can be quite disfiguring.
Now melanoma is a different story. At the same time you are getting your tan (and basal cell carcinoma) you may also be triggering melanoma. This cancer caused 8600 deaths in the US in 2009. Mostly avoidable by NOT TANNING.

OK. Suppose you have tough cancer-resistant genes and you don’t have to worry about skin cancer? (You don’t but go along with me a minute here). The other effect of getting a tan is the destruction of the collagen under the skin that supports it and gives it the resilience you feel when you pull or press on your skin. Tanning radiation ALWAYS damages this material, resulting in the condition known as “wrinkles”. Straight line function: the more you tan, the more you wrinkle (add smoking and the wrinkles are deeper and sooner).
So do yourself a favor and protect your skin, your beauty and your life.

(1) http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/59753/title/Tanning_bed_use_linked_to_melanoma_risk
Image (cancer): http://www.nature.com/nrclinonc/journal/v4/n8/fig_tab/ncponc0883_F4.html
Image (wrinkles) :

Reflections on turning 70. (A Card of Thanks)

Well, here I am (I originally wrote “here we are”, but the “we” part might be confusing so I’ll go back to “I” for now.): three score and ten. Never thought I’d make it. Lots of stupid stuff as a teen and twenty-something. Lots of booze of one kind or another. Little sleep. Lots of fatty foods: fried, grilled, bar-b-cued, boiled, and nuked. Lots of processed food. Lots of junk food. And I smoked. Never did drugs though. Totally missed the 60’s that everybody thinks was so cool. I was too busy getting drunk and fishing. (OK and being a pretty good grad student for 8 years too.)
But here I am. Jesus, if I’da known then that I would make it this far I might have changed something. Maybe not eaten that last fried shrimp at the Dala Horse in Miami in 1961. Naw.
Life has some funny old turns, though. Hopefully one of the things that accumulates in addition to arterial cholesterol is something called “wisdom”. I don’t know what that is exactly, but maybe it relates to the decisions you make when you survive into later years. All that crap that I ate and drank for example. I hardly ever overdo on those things. No more 20oz steaks or piles of pork chops (fat on please). Moderation. Can. Be. Boring. But. You. May. Live. Longer.
I did learn one thing worth telling: don’t ever, ever wish that you could go back and change something. Even something awful. You change one thing and everything changes. I could go back to some pretty awful times and wish they weren’t there. For instance: I was arrested for burglary at 15. Just a stupid teenage prank. It was not fun. It was horrible in fact. Changed my life and direction though. We all have lots of those kinds of things in our past that seem shameful or stupid (and probably are). They make you who you are. Change them and you change. Maybe for the better and maybe for the worst.
I’ll take Woody 7.0 as is thank you. Flawed but OK. And I’ll take my family, friends and wonderful wife “as is” as well. I love you all just the way you are. Thanks for being part of my life. You make it rich beyond my wildest dreams.
Image: www.flickr.com/photos/myklroventine/1461779812/