Artificial DNA to Power Computers

Found this article in The Times of India:

Artificial DNA can power future comps
Announcing a major find that is expected to create ripples in fields as varied as genetic research and computer science, Japanese scientists claim that they have successfully created the world's first DNA molecule made almost entirely of artificial parts.
The finding could lead to improvements in gene therapy, futuristic nano-sized computers, and other high-tech advances, the researchers say.

DNA, popularly illustrated as a double helix, holds the blueprints of life and controls what every living organism becomes and how it functions.

Scientists have tried for years to develop artificial versions of DNA in order to take advantage of its amazing information storage capabilities. Already, DNA has been harnessed to create simple electronic circuits.

DNA uses just four basic building blocks, known as bases, to code proteins used in cell functioning and development. Other researchers have crafted DNA molecules with a few artificial parts.

But Masahiko Inouye and colleagues at the University of Toyama stitched together four entirely new, artificial bases inside the sugar-based framework of a DNA molecule, creating unusually stable, double-stranded structures resembling natural DNA, they say.

Like natural DNA, the new ripoffs were right-handed and some easily formed triple-stranded structures. "The unique chemistry of these structures and their high stability offer unprecedented possibilities for developing new biotech materials and applications," the researchers said.

The breakthrough will be detailed in the July 23 issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

"The artificial DNA might be applied to a future extracellular genetic system with information storage and amplifiable abilities," the researchers write.

In another development, scientists from the University of California, Berkley, are exploring whether high-speed gene-reading machines - like those used to decode the human genome - will be able to find subtle genetic flaws that can harm health and can be cured by treatments as simple as vitamins.

Eventually, they hope, these scans will help nutritionists customize a course of vitamins to match the strengths and weaknesses of every individual.

Be Published!

Scribd is a San Francisco startup company changing the way people share documents online. You can think of Scribd as a big online library where everyone can publish original content, including you!

Darfur

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is seeking the arrest of Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir on charges of genocide in a five-year campaign of violence in the country's Darfur region.

Online Library

Check out this online library:

I completely agree with Brewster Kahle's comment in reference to the internet, "It is the library. If it's not on the internet it is like it doesn't exist" during the TWiT 144: The FBI vs The Internet netcast. The internet is our library now. Whenever I want to know something I go to Google. The benefits of having electronic texts is that it could lower over all costs in cities and schools by having centralized database that stores all the ebooks and other data that can be accessed by all schools and citizens. However, I will miss the smell of a good old book.

Telecos Gets Immunity

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (F.I.S.A) was created in 1978 in order to protect our civil liberties. F.I.S.A had in its provisions a $100 fine per person per day that could be charged to telecommunication companies for unwarrented spytaps. Spytaps that the Bush administration has placed on the American people. Now, with promises from our current presidential candidates for an investigation into this matter, the Senate has passed an admenment that gives this telecommunication companies immunity from this penality. It is, also, immportant to note that Sen. Clinton voted against this admenment while Sen. Obama voted for it and Sen. McCain did not vote.

Read the following article in the Washington post to learn more: Article

Google Tip #1

Copy and Paste this into your google search and use it as your personal napster. Search for all your favorite songs. Just replace the Name of Artist with who you want!

-inurl:(htm|html|php) intitle:"index of" +"last modified" +"parent directory" +description +size +(wma|mp3) "Name of Artist"

Code Monkey

TWiT.tv

Back in the day there was a channel that I loved. I watched it constantly. It taught me the ways of geekdom. It was TechTV. Then one day while away at college learning how to become a better techie, TechTV died and G4 took its place. I hate G4 and all of its stupidity. It saddens me to think of my loss. But today I dry my tears! I have found the new TechTV with all the same people! It is TWiT.tv. My salvation. All netcast are free and are filled with This Week in Tech news.

Pompeii

I read an article today that upset me. Apparently the ancient city of Pompeii has fallen into disrepair and the government of Italy has declared it a state of emergency. In the summer of 2005, I decided to backpack through Europe. Pompeii was one of the highlights of my trip. As a child I would love reading about ancient cultures and mythology. The story of Pompeii was particularly exciting because it had been buried by volcano ash for two thousand years before being discover and much of it remained preserved. I wanted to be an archeologist. I went into Computer Science instead. While I was in Pompeii I almost convinced myself that I would change my major the moment I got back to the states. I never did. Perhaps, someday I will pursue a second degree in it. For now I will be content to have it remain as a hobby and an object of my travels. Although it saddens me to know that these ancient sites are receiving as much care as needed to preserve them for future generations.

My New Job

I have finally started my full time position after a three month wait on paperwork. I will be an Applications Developer at the Center for Water Resource Studies at Western Kentucky University. I had previously worked for the center in the same capacity as a temporary for six months. I loved what I like to call my "mandatory vacation", but I am relieved to return to the workforce. Now the question is what to do with the first paycheck (aside from paying my bills)?