npr:
Caption: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg with her late husband, Marty Ginsburg, an accomplished amateur chef. (via At The High Court, A Tribute To A ‘Chef Supreme’)
Credit: Mariana Cook/Supreme Court Historical Society
Genetics of Light and Dark Turkey Meat Explained
A common question at holiday tables this week may be “white meat or dark?”
Now scientists have identified the genetic switch that governs the formation of the two types during development.
White and dark meat differ in appearance because each is made up of a distinct type of muscle fiber. Dark meat comprises so-called slow-twitch muscle fibers, which are specialized for extended exertion, whereas white meat is made up of fast-twitch fibers that fuel short, intense bursts of energy. That much has been known for some time. The genetic mechanism underlying the specification of one muscle type versus the other was unclear, however. Philip Ingham of the University of Sheffield and his colleagues studied muscle cells of developing zebrafish and found that a gene dubbed u-boot (ubo) plays a key role in determining what type of muscle develops by controlling the transcription factor protein known as Blimp-1:
We have seen Blimp-1 before, as it is also used to determine the type of some white blood cells, but this is the first time it has been linked to muscle development. The find is particularly important because it is likely that the same switch is used in mammals, fish and birds.
(via jtotheizzoe :: Scientific American)
dc rivals
missing new york on this chilly fall evening. a view from my window on riverside drive (circa fall 2009). an oldie but a goodie.
With the 7 billionth person born, check out our map from “The Future” issue, which lays out the very real changes the Earth will undergo by the year 2050.
(via thenewrepublic)
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Today is Walker Evans’s birthday. If he was alive, he’s be an incredibly wise 108 year old.
See Evans’s “Subway Passengers” SFMOMA | Explore Modern Art | Our Collection | Walker Evans | [Subway Passengers, New York])](http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lu3jpwDKOn1r064gzo1_500.jpg)
Today is Walker Evans’s birthday. If he was alive, he’s be an incredibly wise 108 year old.
See Evans’s “Subway Passengers” SFMOMA | Explore Modern Art | Our Collection | Walker Evans | [Subway Passengers, New York])
(via npr)
On my way home today, I decided to take a walk through McPherson Square, to check in on the Occupy DC protesters, whom I had assumed were beginning to pack up by now. Far from it. They are thriving.
After my first impression of these particular protesters from a month ago, I’ve realized I was wrong. In fact, I was stunned by the number of tents, people, myriad protests, and events that were happening all at once, at the corner of 15th and K.
It looks like Occupy DC is definitely in McPherson Square to stay, for now. This time, I can’t say that I am bothered by that reality or completely disappointed in their work, either.
When I passed them this afternoon, the protesters looked like they were in good spirits. They seemed organized, and productive, something you don’t usually see at these types of gatherings.
So, as one of the 99%, I can see, after witnessing the protesters at work firsthand, how easy it may be to sympathize with the masses down in McPherson Square (and for that matter in Zuccotti Park, too).
Occupy DC has left us an interesting protest movement, unique in the blend of its passivity and peacefulness among all of the Occupies. They’ve left us some music too, and with some fancy videography, it looks like they are succeeding in getting their message across.
Who knows who might be next to be caught up in the uniqueness of their protest spirit.
Video courtesy of Huffington Post.
The world population reached 7 billion today. In India, 51 babies are born every minute, which means the country adds 16 million people to its population each year. Families in a suburb of Mumbai told us what life is like with a large family.
