A Dustland Fairytale

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Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:02:29 -0400

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Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:59:07 -0400

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Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:15:19 -0400

woodendreams: (by David Chauvin)

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:07:53 -0400

woodendreams:

(by David Chauvin)

quantumaniac: Supreme Court Rules Human Genes Cannot Be...

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:03:24 -0400

quantumaniac:

Supreme Court Rules Human Genes Cannot Be Patented

This morning, in a case challenging patents held by the Utah-based Myriad Genetics, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that human genes may not be patented.

Initially, the patents had been challenged by scientists and doctors who said that the patents hindered their ability to help patients.

The decision hewed closely to the position of the Obama administration, which had argued that isolated DNA could not be patented, but that complementary DNA, or cDNA, which is an artificial construct, could. The patentability of cDNA could limit some of the impact on industry from the decision.

The central question for the justices in the case, Association for Molecular Pathology v. Myriad Genetics, No. 12-398, was whether isolated genes are “products of nature” that may not be patented or “human-made inventions” eligible for patent protection.

Myriad’s discovery of the precise location and sequence of the genes at issue, BRCA1 and BRCA2, did not qualify, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote for the court. “A naturally occurring DNA segment is a product of nature and not patent eligible merely because it has been isolated,” he said. “It is undisputed that Myriad did not create or alter any of the genetic information encoded in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.”

“Groundbreaking, innovative or even brilliant discovery does not by itself satisfy the criteria” for patent eligibility, he said.

But manipulating a gene to create something not found in nature, Justice Thomas added, is an invention eligible for patent protection. He also left the door open for other ways for companies to profit from their research.

They may patent the methods of isolating genes, he said. “But the processes used by Myriad to isolate DNA were well understood by geneticists, ” Justice Thomas wrote. He added that companies may also obtain patents on new applications of knowledge gained from genetic research.

Source: NY Times

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Wed, 12 Jun 2013 23:05:21 -0400

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Sun, 09 Jun 2013 15:41:14 -0400

kari-shma: Long Exposure Photographs of Fireflies in the...

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 22:08:51 -0400

kari-shma:

Long Exposure Photographs of Fireflies in the Forests of Nagoya City by Yume Cyan

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Fri, 07 Jun 2013 22:08:32 -0400

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Fri, 07 Jun 2013 22:06:12 -0400

woodendreams: (by Tim Gallivan)

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 22:05:12 -0400

woodendreams:

(by Tim Gallivan)

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Sun, 02 Jun 2013 21:57:15 -0400

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Sun, 02 Jun 2013 21:56:59 -0400

invaderxan: osmium: freshphotons: Direct Imaging of Covalent...

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 12:58:07 -0400

invaderxan:

osmium:

freshphotons:

Direct Imaging of Covalent Bond Structure in Single-Molecule Chemical Reactions. Via.

Kind of can’t get over how incredible this is. (This link is better.)

Atomic Force Microscopy still amazes me. Using a single molecule of carbon monoxide as a tip, like the needle on a vinyl record player, and measuring the force it feels as it’s run over another molecule in order to image actual covalent chemical bonds? I mean, wow.

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Sun, 02 Jun 2013 12:56:12 -0400

“It’s pretty mind-boggling, but over half of the world’s...

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 12:47:02 -0400

“It’s pretty mind-boggling, but over half of the world’s population fits into this relatively tiny circle. And most of this circle is water.”

[x]

Joaquin Phoenix & Reese Witherspoon as Johnny Cash and June...

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 12:46:34 -0400

Joaquin Phoenix & Reese Witherspoon as Johnny Cash and June Carter in Walk the Line (2005)

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Sun, 02 Jun 2013 12:45:47 -0400

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Sun, 02 Jun 2013 12:38:45 -0400

dynamoid: The gamification of Biochemistry - the amazing Sugar...

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 11:02:48 -0400

dynamoid:

The gamification of Biochemistry - the amazing Sugar Shake! A new, free app for iPads. Learn about glycolysis while playing a fun, roll-a-ball game. Get it here.

Created by Dynamoid Apps, 2013.