Postcard of the Interwebs - 01 Oct 2014

Scientists Increasing Efficiency of Plants: Rubisco, the protein that converts CO2 to sugars is very inefficient. Now scientists beleive that they can increase the efficiency and have crops that give more energy which will decrease the amount required by the body. This will greatly benifit third world counties.

40 Pictures of Abandoned Places: Very well taken pictures of old unused places.

On/Off switch for Aging: Vicki Lundblad, senior author of the paper from Salk Institute, has found out the mechanism for continuing regrowth of cells after long life. Generally the telomeres, which rebuilds the cells, deplete over time and the telemerase enzyme rebuilds it. Eventually the telemerase cannot keep up, the telemeres stop, the cells die off, parts of the body stop repairing and the body dies. Her team has discovered not only that turning off the telemerase until it needs to be used could keep the body healthy in old age but also stop the spread of cancer as cancer uses unfettered telemeres to reproduce quickly so the body cannot fight it off.

Do Stomach Bacteria Determine Appetite?: An interesting study that suggest that not only does our gut microbiome influence our immune system to demand certain foods but the opposite can occur by injesting other foods to make the microbiome have to change in order to digest the new food better.

A gif of a dog and a deer racing. Puts a smile on my face.

 

 Beef Cuts and what to do with them: Yum!

Fray Tormenta, the Real Life "Nacho Libre": Very inspiring story overcoming adversity in order to help others. The story is actually more interesting than the Jack Black movie.