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Archive for the ‘Female Genetics’ Category

Oxitec’s GMO mosquitoes spread their genes in the wild? Separating science from hype after controversial new study – Genetic Literacy Project

In Florida and Texas, the invasive Aedes aegypti mosquito has posed a serious health threat, carrying the Zika and dengue virus into the state. Traditional insecticides have largely been useless against the mosquito. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been recorded in the Americas, Africa, Asia and the Pacific since the epidemic began in 2016, with more than a half million suspected cases and more than 3,700 congenital birth defects. Puerto Rico saw more than 36,000 cases that year. The United States mainland had 224, and its now down to a yearly handful.

With the possibility of future epidemics, the biotech company Oxitec has spent at least a decade testing a transgenic A. aegypti with a gene that kills off newly hatched mosquitos before adulthood. In a recent Brazilian field trial, second-generation GMO mosquitoes led to a reduction of Zika carriers by as much as 96%, Oxitec announced in June. Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection opened a month-long window for public comments on the companys proposal for releases in Florida and Texas.

Plans for a widespread US release of the genetically altered mosquitoes has met with stiff resistance from anti-GMO organizations, which went door to door to stir up opposition four years ago in the Florida Keys when trials were first proposed. Since then, the fears have faded. There have beensplit reactions from local Floridians in two polls over the years, while other Florida surveys show significant public support. A fiercely-contest referendum in 2016 found Monroe County residents supportive of the releases, with 31 of 33 precincts and 58 percent of country residents voting in favor of the 1st Generation Oxitec mosquito project. Thousands of mosquitoes infected with the Wolbachia bacteria were later released in the Florida Keys as part of a 12-week trial.

Activist environmental groups like Friends of the Earth and Food and Water Watch, who have called the release plans dangerously short-sighted, have spearheaded the opposition in Texas and Florida.Oxitec is awaiting results from the comments and a subsequent ruling by the EPA in hopesof securing permission to fieldtest 20,000 male mosquitoes per acre per week in those two sates. These mosquitoes have been engineered to express a protein called tTAV-OX5034. Female offspring are expected to die before reaching maturity, and thus the A. aegypti population should drop, hopefully significantly.

These carefully cultivated plans were thrown in disarray by a study led by Yale University insect population geneticist Jeffrey Powell and published on September 10 in Scientific Reports. The title alone stirred apocalyptic concerns: Transgenic Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes Transfer Genes into a Natural Population.

Powell and researchers from Brazil monitored a release by Oxitec of 450,000 male A. aegypti mosquitoes in Jacobina, Brazil. The team genotyped the release strain and the population of A. aegyptifor up to 30 months after release. They reported that some parts of the transgenic mosquito genome had been incorporated into the targeted Jacobina mosquito population.

Is that a concern or potential catastrophe? After all, Oxitec had always estimated that about 3 percent of the offspring of the engineered mosquitoes would survive, so the key finding was not surprising. But then the researchers went beyond the data to speculate as to potential causes and implications.

[E]vidently, rare viable hybrid offspring between the release strain and the Jacobina population are sufficiently robust to be able to reproduce in nature. The three populations forming the tri-hybrid population now in Jacobina (Cuba/Mexico/Brazil) are genetically quite distinct, very likely resulting in a more robust population than the pre-release population due to hybrid vigor.

The research team seemed to raise what many readers of the study thought was an apocalyptic take on the data: Had Oxitec just created a new Franken-skeeter? And it was this speculation that caught the attention of the media, anti-GMO groups and more than a few critical scientists.

Anti-GM group GMWatch announced that the mosquitoes in the experiment had escaped human control, and were

now spreading in the environment. The mosquitoes used for the genetic manipulation are originally from Cuba and Mexico. These insects used in the laboratory have now mixed with the Brazilian insects to become a robust population which can persist in the environment over a longer period of time.

Some news reports reported the study straightforwardly, but many others mixed the documentable scientific results (GM mosquitoes mixed with the wild-type mosquitoes and the population of A. aegypti appeared to rebound after an 18-month suppression) with what many considered wild speculation (that new hybrid mosquitoes could be more resistant to suppression and more likely to spread disease).

A ScienceAlert story (quoting a New Atlas article titled Genetic engineering mosquito experiment goes wrong), exemplified this speculative coverage:

The genetically-altered mosquitoes did mix with the wild population, and for a brief period the number of mosquitoes in Jacobino, Brazil did plummet, according to research published in Nature Scientific Reports last week. But 18 months later the population bounced right back up, New Atlas reports and even worse, the new genetic hybrids may be even more resilient to future attempts to quell their numbers.

A story by the German Press Agency, DPA, quoted Christoph Then, head of the well-known European anti-GMO organization Testbiotech:

Oxitecs trials have led to a largely uncontrollable situation. This incident must have consequences for the further employment of genetic engineering.

Scientists responded quickly and sharply to this speculation.Michigan State University plant geneticist Chad Niederhuth tweeted, Some of the claims made by this paper are completely unfounded and the title is downright irresponsible. Despite the papers headline about transferring genes into a natural population, Aedes aegypti is native to Africa, and is an invasive species in all of the western hemisphere (including, naturally, Brazil).

Jason Rasgon, an entomologist and epidemiologist at Pennsylvania State University, dissected the papers problem in more detail. In a series of tweets, as well as in a story in Science magazine, Rasgon wrote:

Rasgon and other scientists have started asking why these speculative conclusions were in an otherwise solid paper on the population genetics of mosquitoes, why a notable group of researchers would make such statements and why Scientific Reports would publish them.

Shortly after the papers release, after a firestorm of criticism of the paper, the magazine (Nature Publishing) posted this:

In the Talking Biotech podcast by University of Florida Kevin Folta, Oxitec research and development and operations lead Kelly Matsen said that the Aedes mosquito is invasive worldwide, and has resisted other efforts. The companys genetic-based sterile insect technique turns away from traditional x-ray/irradiation methods, to genetically modify insects so that they can have the effect of reducing populations, and then remove the genes from the environment when we have done our work, Matsen said.

However this is resolved, the paper and the reaction to it illustrate the structure of conflict over genetic modifications some scientists who support the careful use of technology, others who fall victim to hype and speculation and non-government organizations (NGOs) which stringently oppose any such technology. As the GLP reported in a previous article, this opposition is based on speculative risks, those that have no established theory or evidence data, according to Canadian researchers who surveyed experts on their views of genetic modification.

Andrew Porterfield is a writer and editor, and has worked with numerous academic institutions, companies and non-profits in the life sciences.BIO. Follow him on Twitter@AMPorterfield

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Oxitec's GMO mosquitoes spread their genes in the wild? Separating science from hype after controversial new study - Genetic Literacy Project

Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Are Breeding in Brazil, Despite Biotech Firm’s Assurances to the Contrary – Gizmodo

Jacobina, Brazil, where hundreds of thousands of genetically modified mosquitoes were released from 2013 to 2015. Image: Ari Rios (CC BY-SA 3.0

An experimental trial to reduce the number of mosquitoes in a Brazilian town by releasing genetically modified mosquitoes has not gone as planned. Traces of the mutated insects have been detected in the natural population of mosquitoes, which was never supposed to happen.

The deliberate release of 450,000 transgenic mosquitoes in Jacobina, Brazil has resulted in the unintended genetic contamination of the local population of mosquitoes, according to new research published last week in Scientific Reports. Going into the experimental trial, the British biotech company running the project, Oxitec, assured the public that this wouldnt happen. Consequently, the incident is raising concerns about the safety of this and similar experiments and our apparent inability to accurately predict the outcomes.

The point of the experiment was to curb the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, such as yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, in the region. To that end, Oxitec turned to OX513Aa proprietary, transgenically modified version of the Aedes aegypti mosquito. To create its mutated mosquito, Oxitec took a lab-grown strain originally sourced from Cuba and genetically mixed it with a strain from Mexico.

The key feature of these bioengineered mosquitoes is a dominant lethal gene that (supposedly) results in infertile offspring, known as the F1 generation. By releasing the OX513A mosquitoes into the wild, Oxitec hoped to reduce the population of mosquitoes in the area by 90 percent, while at the same time not affecting the genetic integrity of the target population. The OX513A strain is also equipped with a fluorescent protein gene, allowing for the easy identification of F1 offspring.

Starting in 2013, and for a period of 27 consecutive months, Oxitec released nearly half a million OX513A males into the wild in Jacobina. A Yale research team led by ecologist and evolutionary biologist Jeffrey Powell monitored the progress of this experiment to assess whether the newly introduced mosquitoes were affecting the genes of the target population. Despite Oxitecs assurances to the contrary, Powell and his colleagues uncovered evidence showing that genetic material from OX513A did in fact trickle to the natural population.

The claim was that genes from the release strain would not get into the general population because offspring would die, Powell, the senior author of the new study, said in a press release. That obviously was not what happened.

That genetic material from OX513A has bled into the native species does not pose any known health risks to the residents of Jacobina, but it is the unanticipated outcome that is concerning, said Powell. Based largely on laboratory studies, one can predict what the likely outcome of the release of transgenic mosquitoes will be, but genetic studies of the sort we did should be done during and after such releases to determine if something different from the predicted occurred.

Indeed, lab tests conducted by Oxitec prior to the experiment suggested that around 3 to 4 percent of F1 offspring would survive into adulthood, but it was presumed these lingering mosquitoes would be too weak to reproduce, rendering them infertile. These predictions, as the new research shows, were wrong.

To conduct the study, Powell and his colleagues studied the genomes of both the local Aedes aegypti population and the OX513A strain prior to the experiment in Jacobina. Genetic sampling was performed six, 12, and 27 to 30 months after the initial release of the modified insects. The researchers uncovered clear evidence showing that portions of the genome from the transgenic strain had incorporated into the target population, the authors wrote in the new study. The project resulted in a significant transfer of genetic materialan amount the authors described as not trivial. Depending on the samples studied, the researchers found that anywhere from 10 to 60 percent of mosquitoes analyzed featured genomes tainted by OX513A.

As the researchers note in the study, the Oxitec scheme worked at first, resulting in a dramatic reduction in the size of the mosquito population. But at the 18-month mark, the population began to recover, returning to nearly pre-release levels. According to the paper, this was on account of a phenomenon known as mating discrimination, in which females of the native species began to avoid mating with modified males.

The new evidence also suggests that some members of the F1 generation were not weakened as predicted, with some individuals clearly strong enough to reach adulthood and reproduce. The mosquitoes in Jacobina now feature genetic traits from three distinct mosquito populations (Cuba, Mexico, and local), which is a potentially troubling development. In nature, the intermingling of traits between different species can sometimes provide an evolutionary boost in a phenomenon known as hybrid vigor. In this case, and as the researchers speculate in the new study, the added genetic diversity may have resulted in a more robust species, a claim Oxitec denies.

Powell and his team tested the hybrid mosquitoes to determine their susceptibility to infection by Zika and dengue. The researchers found no significant differences, as noted in the study, but this is for just one strain of each virus under laboratory conditions, and that under field conditions for other viruses the effects may be different. Its also possible that the intermingling of genetic traits might have also introduced entirely new characteristics, such as increased resistance to insecticides, the authors warned in the new paper.

An Oxitec spokesperson told Gizmodo the company is currently in the process of working with the Nature Research publishers to remove or substantially correct this article, which was found to contain numerous false, speculative and unsubstantiated claims and statements about Oxitecs mosquito technology. The spokesperson provided a three-page document detailing Oxitecs concerns with the research, noting that the new paper did not identify any negative, deleterious or unanticipated effect to people or the environment from the release of OX513A mosquitoes.

According to Oxitec, the OX513A self-limiting gene does not persist in the environment, and that the limited 3-5% survival of the OX513A strain means that, within a few generations, these introduced genes are completely eliminated from the environment.

Oxitec also disputes the researchers claim that female mosquitoes began to avoid mating with modified males, saying, Selective mating has never been observed in any releases of close to 1 billion Oxitec males worldwide. The authors provide no data to support this hypothesis.

Gizmodo reached out to Powell for comment did not hear back by the time of posting.

German broadcaster Deutsche Welle reports that the news that the Oxitec experiment didnt go as planned is raising alarms among scientists and environmentalists:

Biologists critical of genetic engineering go one step further with their criticism, among them the Brazilian biologist Jos Maria Gusman Ferraz: The release of the mosquitos was carried out hastily without any points having been clarified, Ferraz told the newspaper Folha de S. Paulo.

The Munich-based research laboratory Testbiotech, which is critical of genetic engineering, accuses Oxitec of having started the field trial without sufficient studies: Oxitecs trials have led to a largely uncontrollable situation, CEO Christoph Then told the German Press Agency, dpa. This incident must have consequences for the further employment of genetic engineering, he demanded.

That this project didnt go as planned is legitimately troubling. The episode demonstrates that releasing genetically modified organisms into the wild can have unintended, unpredictable consequences and that independent scientific monitoring of the outcomes is crucial.

Update: September 17, 12:33 p.m. ET: Scientific Reports, the journal in which the research article appears, added the following editors note to the paper on September 17:

Readers are alerted that the conclusions of this paper are subject to criticisms that are being considered by editors. A further editorial response will follow the resolution of these issues.

We have reached out to the journal for more information and will update when we hear back.

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Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Are Breeding in Brazil, Despite Biotech Firm's Assurances to the Contrary - Gizmodo

A DNA Test Revealed This Man Is 4% Black. Now He Wants To Abolish Affirmative Action. – HuffPost

One night at a watering hole outside of Seattle, Ralph Taylor overheard a man a few beers in bragging about how easy it was to get certified as a minority business owner, thus gaining access to potentially millions of dollars worth of state contracts.

Taylors ears perked up. He asked the man exactly how this all went down, and the man told him the Office of Minority and Womens Business Enterprises (OMWBE) the Washington state office that certifies small businesses for these government contracts had a relatively lax application process. All Taylor had to do to get a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certificate, the man said, was provide a sworn affidavit that he belonged to a specific minority class and submit a photo ID. Then hed get approved.

There was a potentially huge payoff: Washington state agencies have a budget of almost$3 billion per year to contract with businesses. Right now, small businesses with white owners get more than six times as much money as small businesses with black owners. But as part of an initiative by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D), the state is attempting to level the playing field and award more money to women and people of color. Last year, minority- and women-owned businesses were awarded around $154 million, with nearly $90 millionspent on contracts with certified MBEs.

A few years after that bar conversation, Taylor, who works in the risk management industry, applied to have his own business, Orion Insurance, certified as minority-owned. And in 2014, Washington state awarded him an MBE certificate. It was a remarkable turn of events because, for most of his life, Taylor has been treated as a white man.

HuffPostRalph Taylor took a test that showed he had 4% African DNA. He now wants his small business certified as minority-owned.

That hasnt stopped Taylor from launching a crusade to be legally recognized as Black, based on his own sense of identity and the results of a genealogy test that revealed that he has 4% African DNA.

When Taylor applied to the very same office for a similar federal certificate(a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, or DBE), his application was rejected on the grounds that he didnt meet their criteria of someone belonging to a minority group.

In a letter to Taylor informing him of the denial, the office wrote, The laws governing the state and federal certification are different. While OMWBE has certified an application by your Firm to the Washington State MBE program, that certification is not binding on the Federal DBE certification program.

Flummoxed, he says he contacted the OMWBE by email and phone to fight the denial. I asked, What is the Black culture? he recalls one afternoon in Seattle when we meet downtown outside the federal courthouse, at his behest, so he can demonstrate to me how his racial status changes from Black on state property to white on federal property. He asked the OMWBE to clarify why they excluded him from the program even after, he says, he provided additional evidence of his proposed blackness, including his DNA test results.

According to Taylor, the office questioned whether he was truly part of a minority group.Taylor says he tried to clarify again: Is it Condoleezza Rice, is it Snoop Dogg? Is it Dr. Dre? Or is Ludacris? Or is it Colin Powell? I mean, thats a wide variety of people there, so what is Black culture? They said something to the effect that, If you dont know what it is, thats because youre not Black.

So, he sued the OMWBE. Beyond his own racial status, Taylor claims to be fighting for a greater good, exposing flaws with affirmative action programs.

DNA tests complicate perceptions of race.

HuffPostDNA tests are becoming increasingly popular, though they only look at a small fraction of our genetic materials.

DNA test kits are often marketed as novelty items something fun to bring up at a dinner party or romanticized as a means to unlock fairy tales hidden in our past. Or theyre the subject of true-crime sagas, with podcasts like Serial inspiring Reddit pages fixated on convicted murderer Adnan Syeds case. DNA tests have even gotten glossy Netflix treatment with documentaries like Making A Murderer.

More recently, these kits entered our politics when Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren revealed the results of a genetic ancestry test to back up earlier claims of indigenous heritage. Warren was criticized by some tribal leaders for implying a relation between DNA and tribal citizenship, and she subsequently apologized.

These controversies aside, DNA kits have become cheaper and more popular; 23andMe, for instance, was originallypriced at $999 when it came to market, but now kits cost around $99. And yet, University of Pennsylvania sociologist Wendy Roth says we still dont fully understand what happens when we send our saliva off to a laboratory and we dont know how to properly interpret the results.

Right now I dont think that [companies selling at-home genealogy kits] are generally doing a good enough job of explaining how these tests should be interpreted and what the limitations are and what some potential negative impacts could be, says Roth, whose work is focused on DNA as it intersects with culture and identity.

Humans share 99.9% of the same genetic makeup, so at-home genealogy kits only look at a small fraction of our genetic materials. These tests are then further limited by the fact that the majority of people who have taken them have predominantly European ancestry (white people love this stuff!) so they are less accurate for other groups.

HuffPostUniversity of Pennsylvania sociologist Wendy Roth says we still dont fully understand what happens when we send our saliva off to a laboratory.

Still, companies are getting frighteningly good at identifying Americans of European descent who have never even taken a genetic test themselves. Law enforcement agencies, for example, use existing samples to triangulate information and solve crimes; it was a distant relatives DNA that led to the capture of the suspected Golden State Killer.

Despite all this, Roth says these tests are not particularly accurate as a means of determiningracial ancestry. Race is not something that is just genetic. Genetics play a part, but only a part, Roth explains. The way that sociologists define race is something that is socially determined, that refers to aspects of your biology or your ancestry. But its only referring to them.

Black cultural theorist and author Mychal Denzel Smith agrees. DNA is not telling you your race, because race is not a biological fact, he says. Race is a social and political construct. It is something that is lived.

For his part, Taylor tells me that he has always considered himself multiracial and sees race as fluid. DNA, he says, will prove that our racial makeup is just genetic mutations at the end of the day.

Roth says that understanding race as a social construct can sometimes lead people to think that they can pick and choose their race as they like, without consequence. In a qualitative study she conducted in 2018, Roth found that white respondents were most eager, of all respondents, to change their ethnic or racial identity. They wanted to discover ancestry that made them distinctive or exotic, or they wanted a more specific tradition to distinguish themselves. Roth called this phenomenon symbolic race.

People want to be able to enjoy the privileges or the benefits of a racial group without any of the costs, she says, adding that shes working on quantitative studies to further explore these patterns. They dont experience any discrimination, and because they dont have to tell anyone that they have this ancestry or this identity, they can just use it when its advantageous for them and hide it when its not.

Could DNA impact affirmative action laws?

All 50 states have an OMWBE or equivalent. The amount that each state allocates to minority contractors varies, as does the impact of each program. One recent report commissioned by Washington state discovered that some MBEs felt that certification was actually a detriment because it can be viewed by other firms and agencies as a stigma.

Butthe majority of the country still sees a benefit to affirmative action, and the number of Americans saying they favor such programs has risen in the last few years.

Affirmative action programs are trying to adjust for a specific form of oppression which has to do with racial hierarchies, the legacy of slavery, the legacy of Jim Crow, the legacy of lynching, the legacy of redlining. It is specifically meant to address that, cultural theorist Smith explains, adding that race is something that is lived.

Similarly, writer and HuffPost Black Voices Editor Taryn Finley sees affirmative action programs like the OMWBE to be a sort of corrective to historic racial injustices. Its not a fix-all, but it levels the playing field for people of color, for marginalized people.

Finley takes umbrage with Taylors method of exposing what he says are flaws with the system, and says the ends do not justify his means. If you look at a lot of the loudest voices, the folks who are going up against affirmative action are people like Ralph Taylor, who dont know how to use their privilege or relinquish their power in ways to actually help marginalized folks.

HuffPost"Being able to tip-toe back and forth across a line between 'now Im Black, now Im white, now Im multiracial' -- thats not identity. Youre playing a game," says HuffPost Black Voices Editor Taryn Finley.

So how might DNA tests impact whos eligible for affirmative action programs? The truth is, the issue has not yet been legally tested.

In 2003, when these tests were in their infancy and still costly, Alan Moldawer, a father of adopted twin boys, made headlineswhen he said he was considering using the outcomes of a genealogy test to try and secure financial aid for his kids on the grounds of their minority status. While white-presenting, his twin boys were 9% Native American and 11% North African, according to the tests Moldawer commissioned. It was one of the first reported instances where DNA tests were raised as a possible entry point to affirmative action programs.

More recently,a judge this year allowed Princeton student Nicole Katchurs lawsuitagainst the Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University to proceed. Katchur, who is white, is suing for racial discrimination, claiming that an admissions officer told her that if she were to take a DNA test and discover Native American or African-American lineage, her chances of getting accepted into the medical school program would go up. (The medical school is seeking to dismiss the suit.)

The case was reminiscent of Fisher v. University of Texas, in which Abigail Fisher sued the University of Texas in 2008 for what she perceived to be anti-white bias in its admissions process. Fisher lost in 2016 when the Supreme Court upheld the universitys use of race in admission decisions.

What Taylors case and these college-based lawsuits have in common are the questions they raise about the gatekeepers of these programs who gets to decide whether someone is a deserving applicant or not. And more often than not, the first barrier to entry is phenotype (what we look like) rather than genotype (what our genes reveal).

When it comes to race, how we see ourselves isnt always how others see us.

Despite attempts to codify race, it is not as static an idea as many would like. In her book The Limits of Whiteness, sociologist Neda Maghbouleh explores how Iranians and other Middle Eastern Americans moved across the color line and documents how the U.S. Supreme Court used Iranians as a racial litmus test to determine the classification of other Middle Eastern or Arab people. Drawing on work by Middle East historian Nina Farnia, Maghbouleh shows how between 1909 and 1939, Iranians skin color was classified and reclassified as white and nonwhite by claimants in eight separate Supreme Court cases.

In 1896, in the landmark case Plessy v. Ferguson that led to the infamous separate but equal principle, the Supreme Court drew the color line in a different place. Justice Henry Billings wrote a majority opinion that refers to the one-drop rule or the idea that any person could be Black even if not discernible to the naked eye.

Taylors case somewhat oddly and uncomfortably evokes Plessy. A small amount of centiMorgans (the unit of measure of DNA) reveals some distant African ancestry, allowing him to claim access to an affirmative action program.

Smith cautions against this protocol. Thats just getting us into another position in which we are trying to scientifically determine something that does not exist scientifically, he says.

HuffPostDNA is not telling you your race, because race is not a biological fact, saysBlack cultural theorist and author Mychal Denzel Smith.

Roth further notes that the sheer volume of African-informed DNA has no bearing on how race is constructed socially. Should Taylors 4% be enough for society to accept him as Black? What if his results came back with 44%, or 64%?

I think what makes the difference is how the person is seen by others within their community. If the person is seen by others within their community as a white person, then the percentage doesnt matter, Roth argues. In the case of somebody who has a very small percent, like 4%, its very unlikely that that is going to be visible enough that its going to influence peoples interactions with them.

Roths position is one that has historically guided government agencies.

Take the U.S. census. The census was originally filled out by an enumerator who went door to door and filled out the survey for you. As Roth points out, these people were often neighbors who may have known your family history chances are, they might have known if your grandfather was a Mulatto or a person who was white and so may have filled out the forms based on their knowledge of your family history, in addition to how they took in your appearance.

This changed in the 1960s and 70s with mailouts and that simple shift in data collection had a more profound sociocultural impact. The meaning of this race question just completely shifted without anyone really paying any attention to it at all, Roth explains. It really went from something that was all about how youre seen by others to how you mark yourself.

There are many more recent instances where how we are viewed by other people has been instructional as to how were viewed in the eyes of the law. A recentLos Angeles Times investigation revealed businesses in at least 18 states won certification as minority contractors by claiming Native American status, even though birth, census and other government records identified the firms owners or their ancestors as white.In response, two House committees are investigating.

In Brazil, eyeing someones racial makeup has been at the heart of a protracted legal battle, after the government introduced a quota system for federal jobs and made the postings public. People started hunting down and searching peoples Facebook and social media profiles, sleuthing and cross-checking to see if their named racial backgrounds matched with how they appeared in photographs.

Taylor went through a similar process in his quest to be awarded federal minority designation after he was denied. He attempted to submit scores of Excel spreadsheet data with the names of people who were awarded federal minority status alongside hyperlinks to the LinkedIn profiles or company websites, in an effort to reveal how many people were, he says, gaming the system. Taylor claims that his own research into states minority business owner programs shows that 65% of enrollees were white, based on his perception of their photos. The spreadsheet was ultimately disallowed by the 9th Circuit court as evidence.

When I asked the OMWBE over email about the validity of Taylors claims, they said: This is not an area of fraud our program has seen.When I asked about whether it ever turns down applicants, the office said, Each year is different depending on the number of applications we receive.

HuffPostTaylor believes he should qualify as a minority.

Is being Black about more than DNA?

Taylor is tall and surprisingly soft-spoken. He rarely raises his voice, even for emphasis. Nonetheless, he has loudly advertised his identity with contemporary stereotypes. To flex his Black culture bonafides, Taylor argued that he was a member of the NAACP, subscribes to Ebony Magazine and takes a great interest in black social causes. In 2017, he changed his birth certificate to reflect what he says is his multiracial status of Black, Native American and Caucasian.

He says he has received death threats as a result of his story. In order to prove to his detractors that hes not pursuing his case for financial gains, he took a polygraph test, which he shared with me: It was never about the money, he says, adding he hasnt benefitted financially from his MBE status.

When he talks to me about this in the bar, the conversation turns, inescapably, for a moment to Rachel Dolezal. Dolezal, who now goes by Nkechi Diallo, was the woman who sparked outrage in 2015 when it was revealed that she had been posing as a Black woman for most of her adult life, despite being born white. Taylor says he feels sorry for Dolezal, and wished he could have told her that all she had to do was identify.But this kind of physical code-switching is typically only a one-way street.

Being able to tip-toe back and forth across a line between now Im Black, now Im white, now Im multiracial thats not identity. Youre playing a game, says Finley of HuffPost Black Voices. Its a very nefarious way of using your privilege, and I dont think that youre genuinely trying to expose a flaw in the system.

Nicholas K. Geranios/APThis July 24, 2009, file photo shows Rachel Dolezal, who made headlines for saying she was Black, even though she had been born white.

Finley, who took a DNA test herself to uncover her own previously unknown family history, is 10% European. But, she says, Im a Black woman. My lived experience as a Black woman cannot be passed [as white].

Smith also takes exception to Dolezal and Taylors claims to Blackness. He roots Black culture in a community of people with shared experiences.

Theres the common experience that all of our ancestors had of slavery. They formed culture out of that. You have the common experience of segregation. They formed culture out of that, he says. If you cannot point to your life as a shared experience with those people, then how can you claim that status?

Taylor, however, sometimes claims that affirmative action entry points shouldnt be focused on race at all. Instead, he says equal opportunity programs should look more at socioeconomics in part because, in his telling, we are all multiracial. Simultaneously, Taylor claims that his 4% African DNA results mean that he should be considered Black enough to qualify for the OMWBE program anyway.

In December 2018, the 9th Circuit judges unanimously ruled against Taylor, and in favor of the OMWBE, which the court argued did not act in an arbitrary and capricious manner when it determined it had a well founded reason to question Taylors membership claims.

Smith expresses some sympathy for the gatekeepers of these affirmative action programs. What were trying to determine is if you are a part of a class of people that has been discriminated against and therefore you are eligible for the corrective program, right? Its really, really confusing and tricky to do, he says. What were asking then is for you to prove a history of discrimination on the basis of how you look. Thats difficult for anybody to suss out.

Is this just trolling to make a point?

Speaking with Taylor at the bar outside of Seattle, its hard not to wonder if, frankly, he isnt just trolling us all and the government.

Taylor says he has already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars litigating his case. He jokes that hes willing to live out of his car if it means seeing this through to the end, though what that end looks like is at this stage unclear. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear his case over the summer, and he has run out of appeals to the 9th Circuit. But he says he plans to reapply to the OMWBE for certification later this month.

In a June 2019 email to the director of the Washington state OMWBE, which he shared with HuffPost, Taylor inquired about resubmitting the paperwork to get his DBE certification and be recognized federally as a minority business owner. In the note, he states that hes sending in his newly amended birth certificate, but asks should I have the certificate amended to state that I am black without any other ethnicities and adds I can also have the certificate amended to state female if that will help.

The glibness is part of Taylors point he wants to expose the flaws in the process of becoming minority certified, and more broadly with what he says is the somewhat arbitrary nature of the affirmative action system.

The system the way it is now needs to break, he says.

Kayvon Afshari, Lindsey Davis and Emily Bina contributed reporting.

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A DNA Test Revealed This Man Is 4% Black. Now He Wants To Abolish Affirmative Action. - HuffPost

Sex, Higher Illness Severity Associated With Bipolar Disorder II – Psychiatry Advisor

A study designed to determine differential characteristics between bipolar disorder (BD)-I and BD-II and published in Psychiatry Research found that being female, having a family history of psychiatric conditions, and having higher illness severity were associated with a diagnosis of BD-II.

Gianluca Serafini, MD, PhD, of the Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Italy, and colleagues conducted a study of bipolar subtype characteristics among patients with currently euthymic bipolar disorder. Patients were receiving only maintenance treatment.

The investigators found that those with BD-II were more likely to be female (odds ratio [OR], 0.289), to have other family members with psychiatric conditions (OR, 0.273), and to experience a higher severity of illness (OR, 0.604). In addition, patients with BD-II were more likely to have psychotic symptoms at first episode and to have substance abuse/dependence issues. Those with BD-I were more likely to have higher depressive, manic, anxiety, and symptoms severity and to have been younger at illness onset.

Limitations of the study include the use of a single psychiatric sample population and the relatively small sample size, making it difficult to generalize these findings to other existing patient populations. In addition, the subgroups compared included both outpatients and inpatients, possibly biasing the results.

The investigators concluded that BD is a heterogeneous condition and there is a need to identify valid and reliable BD subtypes according to phenotypic BD characteristics. These findings also challenge the assumption that BD-II is a less severe and disabling BD subtype.

Reference

Serafini G, Gonda X, Aguglia A, et al. Bipolar subtypes and their clinical correlates in a sample of 391 bipolar individuals. Psychiatry Res. 2019;281:112528.

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Sex, Higher Illness Severity Associated With Bipolar Disorder II - Psychiatry Advisor

NI Dorset breeders clean up at Carlisle – Farming Life

Seven breeders from the Northern Ireland Dorset Club travelled to Carlisle, Cumbria on Friday 30th August for the annual show and sale held in Harrison and Hetherington Mart.

There was a strong representation of sheep brought forward between the breeders with upwards of 60 sheep making the journey across the water.

Also travelling over for the sale were a number of Northern Irish breeders either to purchase or view the fine spectacle of Dorset sheep on offer at the sale.

It was a day to remember for Graham and Mary Cubitt, Kildowney Flock, Ballymena. Taking the male and supreme championship was their December born ram lamb, Kildowney Ben a young lamb showing tremendous potential sired by Mainevalley Zorro out of a home bred ewe. He later went on to achieve the top price of the day of 1000gns selling to society president, Mr Les French, Cornwall. To add to their success, the Kildowney flock also came out on top in the female section, taking female and reserve overall champion with their ewe lamb, lot 282 sold for 380gns to Messrs Buckle, Cumbria.

The success of Northern Irish breeders continued through the show and sale. In the male section, N.I breeders achieved the top five prices. Closely following the top price of 1000gns from Graham Cubitt was Ben lamb, Richill flock selling lot 329 for 880gns to Joe Larder, Sandford and lot 328 for 850gns to Sam Reid, Talgaiarn.

Ballymoney breeder, Thomas Wright, Ballytaggart flock sold his 2nd prize ram lamb, a full brother to the 2019 Mayfair supreme champion for 800gns to Messrs Walker, Wigtownshire. Gary Hanna, Mae Flock, Newtownards achieved 700gns for his 1st prize shearling and reserve male champion, heading to Aaron Byrnes, Aberdeenshire. Michael and Catherine Maybin realised 650gns for their ram lamb Galgorm Busby finding his new home with Sean Smith, Wingerworth.

The strong trade was carried through into the female section. Topping the females was English breeder, Sam Driver, Sandylane flock with a price of 750gns for his reserve female champion, a homebred shearling ewe by Ballytaggart Nijinsky going to Messrs Gray, West Yorkshire.

Ben lamb, Richill had the second highest price with his ewe lamb, lot 255 selling for 500gns to fellow Northern Irish breeder Ellen McClure, Dundrod. Thomas Wright, Ballytaggart flock also enjoyed a good sale for females selling first in the ring lot 201, an in lamb shearling ewe for 480gns to Northern Irish breeders James and Craig Robson, Doagh. In the same pen lot 204 also made 480gns selling to Messrs Buckle, Cumbria whilst his ewe lambs topped at 400gns for lot 251 going to Messrs Horsfall, Aberdeenshire.

Overall it was a very successful show and sale with excellent quality of stock on display. In particular the standard of sheep brought forward from Northern Ireland was exceptional, reflected by their success in both the show and in the sale ring.

Sale averages

Shearling Rams 413.70Shearling Gimmers 348.14

Ram Lambs 543.25

Ewe Lambs 254.00

Pens of Females 199.50

The next NI Club Sale will be the annual Autumn show and sale, held on Monday 7th October 2019 at McClellands Livestock Mart, Ballymena. The show will take place at 5pm with the sale at 6.30pm and will mark the final sale of 2019, giving prospective purchasers a final chance to invest in top quality genetics before the new year.

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NI Dorset breeders clean up at Carlisle - Farming Life

4 U.P. wolves taken to Michigans Isle Royale, 1 found dead days later – MLive.com

ISLE ROYALE, MI - A multi-year project designed to bring new wolves to Michigans remote Isle Royale wilderness has ended its fall segment, with three new arrivals from the Upper Peninsula roaming the island.

This brings the islands wolf population to 17, nine males and eight females.

In addition to the three new U.P. wolves, this number includes the original island-born pair that is not able to have viable pups, and the 12 wolves relocated from Minnesota and Canada last fall and winter.

The new wolves arriving this fall were flown in by a seaplane. Isle Royale, which is also a national park, sits in Lake Superior, about 60 miles northwest of the U.P. mainland.

The relocation is part of a three-to-five year plan by the National Park Service to bring up to 30 new wolves onto the island, where more than 2,000 moose are chewing their way through its forests. Years ago, there were up to 50 wolves in different packs on Isle Royale. But a combination of inbreeding, accidents and disease caused their numbers to dwindle to just two.

This months relocation effort is the first time the NPS has taken wolves from Michigans mainland. It came with another loss, though.

A wolf moved to the island on Sept. 13 was found dead, the National Park Service said. Its tracking collar began sending out a mortality signal shortly after it was released on the island. Within a couple days, researchers found the wolfs body, which is being sent to the USGS National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wis., for a necropsy to see if a cause of death can be determined.

While each wolf captured for transfer to the island is vet-checked and has to meet certain physical standards, sometimes there is no way to know how their bodies will handle it, park staff said.

Capture, anesthesia, and translocation are stressful events for wolves and the impact of that stress on each individual wolf is unknown, Isle Royale Park Superintendent Phyllis Green said.

There is a field examination, however underlying health conditions of wolves prior to their capture are difficult to determine. The analysis of the samples collected during the examination and the necropsy may reveal more information about the cause of death, which will inform future transfers.

This is the fourth wolf to die during this effort to bring predator packs back to Isle Royale.

A female wolf from Minnesota died in captivity before she could be brought to the island last fall. In that case, the wolf was sedated for the trip to a holding facility where it was to be examined by veterinary staff who were assisting with the project. Once she arrived at the facility, NPS officials said the wolfs condition deteriorated and she died, despite the best efforts of the medical team.

Necropsy results revealed no direct cause of death, but scientists think it was likely due to anesthesia-related stress," NPS staff said.

Because of this belief, the wolf transfer team immediately reviewed its protocols for how the wolves were being handled, park staff said after the wolfs death last fall. They made adjustments in the length of time captured wolves were kept in the field before they were transported, and re-evaluated how they were sedating the wolves.

The other deaths were two male wolves found dead at different times after they were released on the island. In one of those cases, its GPS tracking collar was found still attached to its body in a swamp. No cause of death could be determined for that one.

In the other wolfs case, the post-mortem exam revealed the male wolf died of pneumonia, ... though how the wolf developed this condition is unknown, park staff said.

The goal of creating strong, healthy wolf packs on this remote island means the NPS is trying to establish a good genetic stew, demonstrated by how they are trapping wolves from various points around the Great Lakes and bringing them together on Isle Royale. The hope is that with these new arrivals, the genetic problems that doomed the islands past wolves wont be replayed.

Adding genetics from Michigan wolves was a key piece of the puzzle to provide the best opportunity for genetic diversity that supports the sustainability of the introduced population," Green said. Our focus now will be on broad population goals and the opportunity these Michigan wolves represent. We will continue to learn what we can and track how the wolves integrate into the island landscape.

As fall continues and the island shuts down for the winter, the park service and its research partners will continue to monitor the new wolves to see how they are forming packs, killing moose and possibly pairing up to bring the island its first wolf pups in years.

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4 U.P. wolves taken to Michigans Isle Royale, 1 found dead days later - MLive.com

Did a ‘flawed’ bioterror plot doom Netflix’s ‘Designated Survivor’? – Genetic Literacy Project

I was distressed to learn that Netflix cancelled Designated Survivor, after rescuing the show from ABC for a third season. Finally, the characters in the West Wing could speak realistically. But it didnt help.

I was thrilled at the bioterror-catalyzed plot, which borrowed Isaac Asimovs law of science fiction: change only one thing. But stronger science in the story could have built a compelling, biology-based case against white supremacy, because the weapon was to somehow seek the dark-skinned. Short-shrifting the science was a missed opportunity.

The first episode of Designated Survivor aired September 21, 2016. With ten million viewers, many following star Kiefer Sutherland from his Jack Bauer/24 days, DS was quickly extended to a full season.

The plot is simple and original: a massive explosion at the Capitol during the State-of-the-Union address leaves alive and functioning only Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Thomas Kirkman (executive producer Sutherland) in the line of succession. Casualties are massive.

Kirkman is sequestered safely somewhere secret as the designated survivor should disaster smite the president, vice-president, speaker of the house, president pro tempore of the Senate, etc. During that first season, the kind and calm Kirkman struggles to lead, while investigating the disaster that led to his presidency. We get to know his staff.

The show evokes The West Wing, with its snappy banter and distinctive characters (one of whom, Bradley Whitfords Josh Lyman, resurfaced recently on Handmaids Tale as a Commander with a heart), with a touch of Homeland for the FBI/CIA intrigue, and House of Cards, minus the Kevin Spacey drama.

For some of us, tuning in to Designated Survivor on Wednesday nights for the first two seasons was a welcome diversion from the bizarroworld reality of the Trump administration, especially in the early days. Im not the only one whod awaken every Thursday distressed to realize that Kiefer Sutherland wasnt actually the president.

In season three, the targeted bioweapon becomes the backdrop to Kirkmans re-election as an independent candidate.

First, a few other bio-tinged plotlines reverberate behind the main story. I omit the crisis-of-the-week ones.

Much of the action, from the first episode of season 1, centers on Hannah Wells (Maggie Q), who staggers from the rubble of the Capitol and then is always running from something, vacillating between working for the CIA or the FBI, all the while with enviably perfect hair and make-up and killer jeans. She goofs at the end of season 2, and is assigned desk duty. She hates it.

Season 3, episode 2 opens inside a lab disguised as a bread factory in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A redheaded nerd has been locked in a freezer, and hes banging on the window watching a bad guy stealing something in a vat that looks like red Kool-Aid. We know it is a biolab because a computer screen displays what look like Salmonella bacteria.

Switch to bored Hannah. At her desk job, she actually reads something intriguing, and before you can say deoxyribonucleic acid, she suddenly spouts what she thinks is biotechspeak, babbling about genetic biology, which normally bores the tits off me, she professionally declares to her superior.

Hannahs discovered that a rogue biogeneticist has sequenced the genome of the poppy. He can edit a gene to wipe out opium!

After getting the go-ahead to follow up, Hannah visits the handsome and eloquent Dr. Eli Mays (Chukwudi Iwuji), a DIY biohacker and geneticist whose lab is crammed with plants, presumably including poppies. We know hes qualified because his computer screen shows a gyrating double helix.

Dr. Mays suddenly orates to Hannah about the government not doing enough to prevent bioterrorism. Soon, he declares, well be able to edit genes on our smart phones!

What worries you most? asks Hannah.

Dr. Mays walks regally over to a freezer festooned with biohazard stickers, slowly opens the door, and removes and holds up a zip-loc bag. Its a virus Ive not seen before, he solemnly declares, but the bag holds a brilliant red and very dead cardinal.

Birds are falling from the skies over Florida. An avian flu!

Next, Hannah and Dr. Mays visit the lab in Cambridge, seeking a South African mad scientist out to rejuvenate apartheid. The labs been scrubbed clean, but the ginger-haired scientist-on-ice, now missing, has scratched three concentric circles into the wall before he was dragged outside, where we see his body anointed with gooey, glistening smallpox lesions.

What can the mysterious circles-within-circles be? Aliens? The structure of the smallpox virus, of course, says Dr. Mays. He and Hannah are vaccinated and survive.

Meanwhile, in Toronto, a strange flu strikes an ob/gyn clinic. Pregnant women sneeze for two weeks and then have miscarriages.

Dr. Mays helpfully guides us through whats happened: A bad gene from smallpox virus has been CRISPRed into a bird flu virus that also has a gene from somewhere that interrupts human pregnancies, a few candidates mentioned here. Its an induced miscarriage cluster camouflaged to mimic something that might occur naturally, he deduces.

At first, when the weapon was just bird flu and smallpox, it was deemed just deadly. But eventually the politicos realize that a targeted weapon that causes what they term infertility (which technically miscarriage isnt) is genetic genocide.

By episode 4, we learn that the multi-virus bioweapon will only harm people of color.

Biologically speaking, the only people who do not have skin color have albinism, and I didnt see any of them walking around Kirkmans White House. Here are some facts:

So what, exactly, would the bioweapon target to harm the overwhelming majority of human beings, all those who do not have albinism?

Perhaps Im being too literal. When I investigated white supremacy in the wake of Charlottesville two years ago, I learned that white, to them, means only people with fair skin from the UK, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. It does not include Jewish people, ethnic Poles, Slavs, Roma, and many others. It does not include me.

How would the weapon work? Hannah and the crew in the White House just accept that the builders of the bioweapon targeting the dark-skinned can simply make it so.

Are the politicians terrified of big words or crisp acronyms? Their paralysis inspires Dr. Mays, when all is well at the end, to suggest that perhaps President Kirkman consider hiring a few scientists. Good idea.

The CRISPR-this CRISPR-that dialog flies fast as Hannah seemingly gets over her boredom with things genetic. Theres a lot of hand-waving among the White House staff, running around and promising to do things right away, but still the shenanigans remain nonsensical.

And then it seems the bioweapon is more than bird flu and smallpox. It also contains a dash of norovirus! Had the target changed to make people on cruise ships throw up? Dr. Mays reveals that norovirus was chosen for its speed. Makes sense. I had it once.

Still later, the weapon suddenly becomes water-borne! In Texas! Did someone sneak in a snippet of Vibrio cholera, adding a bacterial component?

Then Hannah, the self-taught bioterror expert with boring breasts, wanders into the Cambridge facility without any sort of protection, not even a hoodie. Running about as usual, she gulps in nerve gas as the South African maniac lurks, masked, in the background.

Oops.

As Hannah gasps and staggers, the South African emerges, removes his protective gear, gloats, and informs her that her diaphragm will stop moving within 3 minutes. It does. She expires.

As the presidential campaign intensifies, concern over the details of the weapon diminish, as its now variously called a virus, a chemical, a weapon that could kill everyone, and its development now attributed to neo-Nazis.

Finally a young black female technician, a friend of Dr. Mays, plants a bot of some sort onto the main bad guy, a miniature something-or-other that tracks him. When caught he reverts to an old tool, popping cyanide. And just like that, the bioterror attack is foiled.

In contrast to the convoluted and vague scenes involving science, a stolen video that Kirkman and crew view, showing a roomful of older, white, males led by Republican presidential candidate Moss, is a little too real. The men are discussing shifting demographics favoring a future of fewer white people. Are they directly behind the invention of the racially-targeted bioweapon? Youll have to watch to find out.

It wasnt the flawed bioterror plot that doomed Designated Survivor after all. Kiefer Sutherland has said that Netflixs restricting actor contracts to one year drove several major players to seek work elsewhere.

I think the bioterror plot succeeded, in tone if not in detail, by illuminating the idiocy of white supremacy. The writers envisioned knitting a bunch of pathogens into a deadly quilt of hate, stitched with CRISPR, and thats really the main point. The hate is real.

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Did a 'flawed' bioterror plot doom Netflix's 'Designated Survivor'? - Genetic Literacy Project

With vegan chili and less pomp, U installs Joan Gabel as its 17th president – Star Tribune

Joan Gabel was officially installed as the University of Minnesota's 17th president Friday with the traditional handing of a ceremonial mace and medallion but also with a modern twist involving a livestream of the event, vegan chili and therapy dogs.

Gabel opted for an inauguration ceremony designed to herald a presidency that would honor the university's history while at the same time embracing innovation and more fiscal restraint. Gabel is the first female president since the U was founded 168 years ago.

Before presenting her with a mace symbolizing authority, Gov. Tim Walz said he has heard Gabel described again and again as "dynamic," "transformational" and "collaborative." He touched on the high stakes as she takes the helm of the five-campus system with a $4 billion budget especially at this time of unprecedented pressure on the U to arrest costs and redouble its efforts as a state economic driver.

"The beating heart of Minnesota and the success of it is the University of Minnesota," said Walz, whose daughter is a U freshman.

In December, the U's governing board voted unanimously to hire Gabel, the sole finalist in a national search the university conducted after former President Eric Kaler announced he would step down following eight years at the helm. At that point, Gabel, who started her career as a lawyer, had already marked firsts for women on two campuses, as the first female provost at the University of South Carolina and the first female University of Missouri business school dean.

She signed a five-year contract with a $640,000 salary, a $150,000 initial retirement contribution and the possibility of a performance bonus.

Over the summer, the Board of Regents approved up to $250,000 for the inauguration festivities, an amount in line with what the university has budgeted for previous inaugurations. Critics of university spending such as former Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson seized on that number, urging Gabel to cancel or scale back the ceremony.

In July, Gabel told regents she did want to overhaul the event into a more informal, modern celebration. She said she bypassed a formal wedding in favor of eloping with her husband, Gary, and planned to take a similar, more relaxed approach to marking the official launch of her presidency.

Some regents seemed taken aback, pointing out the inauguration is not just for Gabel, but also for campus communities, donors and others. But, said board Chairman Ken Powell, Gabel convinced the board the university could have a joyful event that honored tradition without the pomp of previous festivities.

The university estimated the cost of the re-imagined event at about $150,000.

Gabel did away with the gowned faculty procession and the formal dinner reception that had increased the tab for past inaugurations. Instead, she opted for a celebratory walk across campus and a livestreamed speech on the steps of Northrop auditorium. The food was vegan chili, corn and food truck offerings.

The Friday ceremony was the culmination of a week of events in which Gabel set out to highlight university research, outreach and more. She stopped by the university's Bee Lab to see students and faculty making honey, flew a drone over one of the university's agricultural fields and attended a career fair at the College of Science and Engineering.

On Wednesday, Gabel hosted a panel discussion on student mental health, an issue she has elevated to a priority for her presidency.

The Friday inauguration started with a traditional installation ceremony in the regent boardroom at the McNamara Alumni Center, with the flags of Minnesota's 11 tribal nations lined up in the background. Gabel's husband, three children, parents and close friends attended.

Law professor Carol Chomsky, the mace-bearer, said she knew Gabel was the right fit for the U when she spoke of a "Bat-phone" to faculty leadership during her campus interviews. "President Gabel has said and demonstrated that she is collaborative to her core," Chomsky said.

Gabel, her guests, regents, employees and others then headed down Scholars Walk, with the U's marching band, cheer squad and mascots leading the way. Students, faculty and staff along the route cheered and took photos and video of the procession, which included three campus therapy dogs.

Members of the university's Teamsters and AFSCME unions protested in support of more concessions in ongoing contract negotiations. Cherrene Horazuk, president of AFSCME on campus, said the U has not delivered on a decade-old promise to simplify a 27-step salary system for its clerical workers and contract talks so far have not been promising.

AFSCME, which also interrupted last week's board meeting, says Gabel has declined to meet with its representatives even as she has spoken with a slew of campus groups a step the U has said would deviate from the contract negotiation process.

"We do the invisible work behind the scenes, and we feel we have been made invisible," Horazuk said.

At Northrop, Gabel gave an inaugural address in which she acknowledged the pressures facing higher education nationally. But she said the moment also carries "palpable energy" and a sense of opportunity.

"Our university is prepared to meet these challenges at this important moment," she said. "That's because the University of Minnesota is first-class."

She highlighted the importance of keeping the U affordable and inclusive and pursuing "paradigm-shifting ideas."

"Our best days lie ahead," she said. "Now let's get started."

Medha Kaul, a sophomore genetics major who attended the event, said Gabel's focus on student mental health and an inclusive environment has resonated. Students are hopeful Gabel can bring in fresh ideas to rein in tuition increases. As for the symbolism of the day, Kaul said she felt some ambivalence.

"It's exciting to see the first female president," she said. At the same time, "It's, 'Wow! How has it taken so long?'"

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated which of Gov. Tim Walzs children attends the University of Minnesota.

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With vegan chili and less pomp, U installs Joan Gabel as its 17th president - Star Tribune

Senescence in immunity against helminth parasites predicts adult mortality in a wild mammal – Science Magazine

The decline of resistance in old age

Infection, immunity, and demography are rarely measured simultaneously, despite being intertwined. Froy et al. measured an immune marker of resistance to infection by worm parasites (helminths) in Soay sheep off the remote Atlantic island of St. Kilda (see the Perspective by Gaillard and Lematre). They used a library of 2000 blood samples from 800 known individuals that have been left to run wild and unmanaged. Resistance declines as the sheep age, which reduces a sheep's chances of surviving the winter. Helminths are an important component of many natural systems, including humans, and may thus become an increasing burden on health with age.

Science, this issue p. 1296; see also p. 1244

Our understanding of the deterioration in immune function in old ageimmunosenescencederives principally from studies of modern human populations and laboratory animals. The generality and significance of this process for systems experiencing complex, natural infections and environmental challenges are unknown. Here, we show that late-life declines in an important immune marker of resistance to helminth parasites in wild Soay sheep predict overwinter mortality. We found senescence in circulating antibody levels against a highly prevalent nematode worm, which was associated with reduced adult survival probability, independent of changes in body weight. These findings establish a role for immunosenescence in the ecology and evolution of natural populations.

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Senescence in immunity against helminth parasites predicts adult mortality in a wild mammal - Science Magazine

Heart attacks on the rise for young people – Ely Daily Times

In the world of heart health, there is some good news: As a country, medical statistics suggest, fewer Americans are suffering heart attacks. The bad news is: National rates of heart attacks among people under 40 years old are increasing.

Cleveland Clinic, a global leader in cardiovascular health and medical research, reports that while aging has previously been attributed as a leading factor establishing risk of heart attack, people in their 20s, 30s and 40s are now more often falling victim to myocardial infarctions. Heart attacks can happen to anyone, young or old, male or female.

Knowing how much you are at risk could save your life.

Your diet, especially when consisting of large amounts of processed and ultra-processed food, is a factor; as is your overall weight; a sedentary lifestyle with little to no physical activity; add on family history with heart disease and you have, what Cleveland Clinic Cardiologist Dr. Luke Laffin says are, the reasons why there is a rise in the statistics around heart attacks in young people.

In combination to these environmental and lifestyle circumstances , Dr. Laffin also correlates a relationship between heart attack and personal health in regard to a specific disease that is also on the rise nationally, One of the biggest risk factors of heart attack is the increasing incident of type 2 diabetes. Were now seeing heart attacks occurring in young men who are only 25 or 35. Putting that into perspective, Dr. Laffin says, Twenty years ago this wasnt the case and was rarely discussed in medical school. While the causes for Type 2 Diabetes are largely unknown, it is clinically thought that genetics and environmental factors, such as poor diet, being overweight and inactive seem to be contributing aspects, just like cardiovascular disease.

Cultural and societal shifts in the past two decades might signal a correlative reasoning as to why these two medical conditions are becoming more prolific: increased cell phone use, deteriorating food quality, less emphasis on physical education in schools, or a generation of people raised during the opioid epidemic. It is easy to find a reason to point at rather than admit we are a part of a lazy and overweight population doing little to stay prepared in regards to our own health and longevity.

Preparation for a heart attack comes down to actively trying to prevent the heart attack by eliminating as many risk factors as possible. Dr. Laffin suggests it includes trying to change the social and environmental conditions that could develop and increase your risk of a myocardial event. The things we have control over such as exercising, eating nutritious foods, choosing to avoid smoking, avoiding stimulant drugs like cocaine or amphetamines, managing stress and blood pressure, and educating yourself about your risk level, can all improve your long-term heart health.

In order to best avoid heart disease or Type 2 diabetes you need to change your environment, exercise habits, and make better dietary choices, especially if heart disease runs in the family. Hereditary risk of cardiovascular disease is defined as having a close relative, such as a father or mother, brother or sister, son or daughter, under the age of 55 for men and 65 for women, with a heart attack or stroke history.

You cannot change your familys history of cardiovascular disease, but you can control what you do with the information. If you have a family history of cardiovascular disease or have life factors that place you more at risk, consult your doctor regularly and monitor your health.

It comes down to being aware of your health and taking your health seriously.

Being aware of the symptoms of a heart attack or myocardial event can save your life or the life of a loved one. According to the Mayo Clinic Common heart attack signs and symptoms include: Pressure, tightness, pain, or a squeezing or aching sensation in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw or back. Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or abdominal pain. Shortness of breath. Cold sweat. Fatigue. Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness.

Not all people will experience the same symptoms or have the same severity of symptoms. Some may develop mild pain; others might suffer more severe pain. Some people have no symptoms; for others, the first sign may be sudden cardiac arrest. However, the more signs and symptoms you have, the greater the likelihood you are having a heart attack.

Act immediately. Some people wait too long because they dont recognize the important signs and symptoms. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Pay attention to your body and call 911 if you experience any of the symptoms indicating a myocardial infarction.

Engaging in regular physical activity and exercising, keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol in check and monitoring your sugar and fat intake, avoiding packaged and processed foods and sugary beverages, eating a diet balanced by more fruits and vegetables and less meat, and cutting out smoking, all will keep you and your heart healthy. Someone loves you with all their heart so, take care of yours.

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Heart attacks on the rise for young people - Ely Daily Times

‘Focus on boosting ruminant production’ – New Straits Times

PETALING JAYA: IF one were to ask Chef Darren Teoh, founder of the award-winning restaurant Dewakan, on what is the secret to success, he would say there is none.

However, Dewakans listing in the 2019 Asias 50 Best Restaurants list was no accident. He attributed it to a whole ecosystem, from the cooking, preparation, ingredients, all the way down to the farmers.

If you want to know how we prepare the dishes, we would tell you the recipe. If you want to know where we get the ingredients, we'll gladly tell you where to get them.

We dont measure success in terms of awards, but instead, a sustainable business and how we do things, as well as our narrative and purpose.

Our success is dependent on the entire ecology of things, not only how well we cook the ingredients, but also the people who strive to better the local food scene, such as farmers, fishermen and the Orang Asli, who are proud to share their knowledge.

We credit them (suppliers) for the products we source from them; the meat, the rice and even the chocolates, he told the New Straits Times.

Teoh, however, admitted that it could be exceptionally difficult to source meat of good quality.

He said the ruminant sector in Malaysia had been industrialised to cater to the masses, and that the quality and prices paid by consumers were two different things.

Teoh wasnt alone in his assessment of the state of the local ruminant industry. Malaysias poor output in terms of ruminant production, as well as quality, had been a bone of contention among industry players for years.

Malaysia produces only 29 per cent of its ruminant needs, with imports making up the rest. The country, for example, imports beef worth about RM1.14 billion annually to meet the local demand of about 191,000 tonnes.

Datuk Zainal Abd Ghani, founder of Boden Edufarm, is an authority on the subject of the ruminant industry.

His farm supplies high-quality goat meat to the countrys top restaurants, including Dewakan.

Zainal said Boden Edufarm underwent a strict vetting process by Dewakan.

Its team came to Negri Sembilan to inspect our farm in Serting, Jempol, and the kids before agreeing to source the meat from us, he said.

Transporting the meat is also crucial in ensuring its quality. The meat is chilled instead of frozen.

Zainal said Boden Edufarm strived for quality, above all else. In a move to optimise land usage and produce healthier goats, he embarked on a project to open a free range farm on a 40.4ha land.

Boden Edufarm owners Datuk Zainal Abd Ghani and Datin Fatimah Abdullah at their farm in Serting Hilir, Jempol, in June.

He said the key to any business was first understanding what one aimed to achieve.

At Boden, we aim for production and returns (revenue), so we learnt everything that is to know about improving production.

There are two factors to determine this, namely, doe to kid ratio (the average rate of how many offspring a female ruminant could birth) and the growth rate or average daily gain (ADG).

In Malaysia, the ADG of a goat is 70g per day. The authorities should look into this to find the root cause, be it poor genetics or diet, or that the ecosystem is not good. In Australia, the ADG is 200g per day, while in Africa it is 250g.

On the production rate, he said in Africa, a single goat could achieve the market weight of between 30kg and 40kg after three and four months.

However, in Malaysia, Zainal said the cycle from birth to market takes about eight to 10 months.

He said, as a result, Malaysians chose not to venture into the industry because of low returns.

He said the governments approach to help farmers, although well intentioned, could end up killing the industry altogether.

The government spent millions of ringgit to bring in livestock with the purpose of helping farmers improve their revenue through breeding.

Unfortunately, the goats were of poor quality. This is compounded by the fact that many farmers who received the goats were not ready as there is a lack of infrastructure.

They ended up selling the goats back to the suppliers for RM300 each, which the suppliers in turn sold for RM2,000.

He said most of the government initiatives to improve the ruminant industry and increase production of livestock were programme-oriented instead of result-oriented.

Zainal, whose experience included serving as chief executive officer of a public transport operator, said help such as loans and grants would not help the industry in the long term.

The industry, he said, could be killed by the very gestures meant to improve it.

When you provide more loans without proper technical assistance to the farmers, you are not helping them in the long run.

There have been many cases of goat farmers funded by the government closing down as they lacked the knowledge and expertise. In the meantime, our industry suffers due to a lack of supply, which then leads to the import of meat, which in turn kills the business of local producers.

Zainal said the relevant agencies should pay more attention to ways to boost local production and reduce dependency on imported livestock.

The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry has been focusing on Wagyu meat and Musang King durian, while here, we are talking about basic food.

The government must talk to industry players to find out the issues. Dont talk about land, labour or capital. Once we know what we want, the rest will come afterwards.

See more here:
'Focus on boosting ruminant production' - New Straits Times

A Challenge to Race Realists Race vs Biological Sex – Patheos

The above map shows variations in average IQs in Europe, an arbitrarily selected area. Why not do it (discriminate) on Geography?

Or, if people with lower socio-economic standing have lower IQs (some say the pressures can lower IQ by 13 points) or thatit affects IQ more in the US than elsewhere, then surely we should just do away with the poor. They are lowering our average IQs!

All this kind of position does is advocate elitism along whatever arbitrary line the claimant desires.

Lets look again at the biological sex category, but this time in terms of violence and safety. This, in my opinion, utterly destroys Rob Smiths and OTGs argument.

There is a subset of humanity that is 882% more likely to violent crime. It would be wise to restrict their participation in society, or their migration, or to vilify them in some other way, etc etc.

Of course, they are men. You are one, Mr. Smith/OTG. I would say that being a man isFAR, FAR, FARmore problematic in comparison to blacks vs. white violence. Just reading books likeThe Anatomy of Violenceby Adrian Raine orIncognitoby David Eaglemanshould cause Rob Smith to pause and reflect on his very dubious position. He should be far more vehemently protesting againstmenif safety and violence is important to him, if hereallyfeels strongly about it. Men are 882% more likely to commit violent behaviour. This is a huge difference and dwarfs that claimed between blacks and whites. Women iun the UK account for only 5% of the prison population, but are 50% of teh population.

We men should be more like women, no?

I mean, that is what OTG is saying: blacks should be more like whites?

I said this to OTG:I can ignore your statistics there because you seem to ignore the statistics on men against women. We know the statistics for men committing violent crime and gun crime far outstrips that committed by women. However, you seem to ignore these statistics in your hellbent desire to persecute blacks. Your double standards are quite incredible because you never seem to campaign so vociferously against men. However, the statistics of men versus women compared to blacks versus whites is considerably different.

His reply?

Its not a double standard, and observing facts is not persecution. No one denies the fact men are more violent and criminal than women, but liberals like you deny the fact blacks are much more violent and criminal than whites. Blacks are 12% of the population and commit more total homicides than whites and Hispanics combined.

Tumbleweed.

And eventually:

And black men commit crimes at a much higher rate than white men.

This is his modus operandi.When presented with a difficult corner to fight out of, he simply repeats his original claim. In this case, both, myself and another commenter (Anri) asked him several times what he wanted to do with his claimed information, even ignoring my points:

Okay, so if I agreed to your narrative about blacks (I dont), then what? What is your point that you want to raise whenever you raise this narrative? Because whatever you suggest should happen with blacks should happen to massively far greater extent with men. And herein lies your double standards, no doubt.

His reply?

Why do you insist on denying the fact blacks commit crimes at a higher rate than whites? You present yourself as a rational, truth seeker, but thats clearly not the case.

One of the reasons it needs to be raised is because people like you attribute American crime to guns.

And thats the closest, after many times of asking, that he has got to answering the oft-asked question.

But it need not just be IQ that is used. We could divide people up on any number of abilities or skill sets. Coordination, cultural heritage, art, use of logic, survival skills, musicality The list goes on.

And, to me, that is what makes him racist. He is being arbitrarily (non-rationally) phobic or discriminatory of a race. He could choose any number of elitist categorisations to attack others, but he chooses race.

It is also worth noting that if iQ is his thing, then he needs to accept that lower IQ is also linked to higher religiosity:

In a 2013 meta-analysis of 63 studies, led by Professor Miron Zuckerman, a correlation of -.20 to -.25 between religiosity and IQ was particularly strong when assessing beliefs (which in their view reflects intrinsic religiosity)

Naturally, it is worth really unpicking the data for a number of confounding causal variables, but we know OTG doesnt like to do that, so we can assume that he will accept that the negativity of violence and crime as caused by lower IQ in blacks (his claim) also causes another negativity or religiosity. Unless he wants to mess around with religiosity being a good thing and undermining his argument such that a low IQ can cause bad things, but this is balanced by good things.

But that would be far too nuanced for him

I could go on, but I will stop here. I will ask again: why do these people botherwith this crusade at all? I could vilify autistic people, or quadriplegics, as not offering something or another to society. But I dont because I am a compassionate human. Where is Rob Smiths and Ottos humanity? Are they simply advocating for eugenics based on the colour of someones skin? Commenter Thanks4AllTheFish made a couple of comments that, for me, nailed it (on Duvals piece):

Sub-Saharan Africa is very fertile and has an abundance of animal life. If you understood evolution at all, you would know that environment plays a critical part in evolutionary change. With all this abundance, the indigenous people had no need for huge cities and castles to defend their realm. Hunting and gathering satisfied their needs whereas in Europe, the climate was much harsher and necessitated evolutionary change. Does this make European peoples better than sub-Saharan Africans? Absolutely not. It only makes them different. This is what you fail to understand.

Journals from early European explorers write about how they were amazed at the variety and richness of African culture that had developed outside of white influence. Discoveries of the Monomotapa Kingdom, Zagwe Dynasty, the Axumite, Ghana, Mali, Sonhai, Kanem, Nri, and Bornull Empires showed a richness of culture unknown to Europeans prior to the 1200s. You dismiss all of this because it doesnt fit into your superiority narrative and I understand that. What you need to understand is that a written language, IQ, or intelligence is not what really bothers YOU about Blacks,et al.

What bothers you about Blacks is that they exist and they apparently threaten your sense of superiority. The rest of us dont see black people we just see people. That is the primary difference between a racist and an actual Human Being.

and:

So what? None of this matters to anyone but white supremists. All of us used to wriggle around in the primeval slime. You paint with a broad brush but the fact is some blacks are smarter than some whites and many Asians are smarter than many whites. My post indicates that those who worry about such matters are in need of a mental health professional.

Black people in America have demonstrated one overwhelming superiority to white people enormous restraint. If I had been treated the way Blacks and Native Americans have been treated, I would have slaughtered you all in your sleep.

Is the point of this discussion to show that white people are somehow superior to others because they have a greater IQ? If one were to accept this premise (as if it even mattered), is the end goal to round up all the Black, Asian, Hispanic, etc. folks and put them to work picking cotton or something? Why should anyone care what race is the smartest? That seems like a fools errand unless some sinister eugenics plot or cross burning is in the offing. If your whole life revolves around trying to justify how smart and superior you are because your skin happens to be white, frankly you are a racist jackass and you need to get over yourself. One thing pretty much everyone agrees on is that being a racist or bigot is not a sign of superiority, higher IQ or intelligence. It is a sign of mental illness, however.

Treating people as fellow human beings. Thats what it is to be a humanist, and of that Im proud.

Although I said I would grant them their claims for sake of argument, I cant resist a bit of a dig. I will refer to Explaining the Gaps in White,Black, and Hispanic Violencesince 1990: Accounting forImmigration, Incarceration,and Inequality byMichael T. Lightand Jeffery T. Ulmer. It is a recent meta-analytical paper that is well worth a read. Here are some relevant snippets:

Across all three comparisonswhite-black, white-Hispanic, and blackHispanicwefind considerable convergence in homicide rates over the past two decades.Consistent with expectations, structural disadvantage is one of the strongest predictors oflevels and changes in racial/ethnic violence disparities. In contrast to predictions based on strain theory, racial/ethnic wealth inequality has not increased disparities in homicide.Immigration, on the other hand, appears to be associated with declining white-black homicidedifferences. Consistent with an incapacitation/deterrence perspective, greater racial/ethnicincarceration disparities are associated with smaller racial/ethnic gaps in homicide.

Combined with theincarceration findings, our research suggeststhat rather than policies focused solely on criminal elements within communities (e.g.,incarceration and more police), policies aimedat improving overall community conditions inminority areas through economic investment,housing equality, and spending on education,drug treatment, and work training programs,would go a long way toward reducing racial/ethnic differences in violence without worseningracial inequality in other social domains.

Taken together, our results have importantimplications for understanding the future ofracial/ethnic disparities in violent crime. Onthe one hand, disparities in homicide betweenwhites, blacks, and Hispanics decreased overthe past two decades, to the point where thereis now near parity between whites and Hispanics.

Ulmer et al also recently found strong causal drivers in disadvantage, family structure and poverty in racial differences in violent crime.

As Wiki states:

While there is a correlation between blacks and Hispanics and crime, the data imply a much stronger tie between poverty and crime than crime and any racial group, when gender is taken into consideration.[63]The direct correlation between crime and class, when factoring for race alone, is relatively weak. When gender, and familial history are factored, class correlates more strongly with crime than race or ethnicity.[64][65]Studies indicate that areas with low socioeconomic status may have the greatest correlation of crime with young and adult males, regardless of racial composition, though its effect on females is negligible.[64][65]A 1996 study looking at data fromColumbus, Ohiofound that differences in disadvantage in city neighborhoods explained the vast majority of the difference in crime rates between blacks and whites,[66]and two 2003 studies looking at violent offending among juveniles reached similar conclusions.[67][68]

The evidence is mixed on the causality for racial disparity, and at least part of this (as Duval pointed out) is the difficulty in finding comparable data between ethnic groups in terms of SES (and this tells another story!). Simply put, we cant seem to find the same sort of deprivation amongst a comparable white US population.

Controlling for variables does certainly lead to, at best, aweak correlation. When it comes to men vs women, that correlation stands strong. So a controlled statistic that starts getting toward parity versus a difference of almost 9 times (theres movement either way on this depending on how you define it).

If there was still to be a difference in black and white IQ and/or violence, then this would be far, far smaller than the difference in, say, male-female statistics, after controlling. And yet Otto chooses race over sex because, you know, racism.

This is my challenge, as succinctly as possible:

If Otto is attacking blacks on account of being more violent (due to some kind of genetic determinant), such that when controlling for all other variables, then whatever action he wants taken on account of this must be taken to a much greater degree against men. If he wants to disallow immigration from/lock them up/shoot them/generally pour scorn on them, then he must start doing this to all men. From now. Thats, you know, logical.

In other words, since he will not do this, or since it will lead to ridiculous and no doubt sexist conclusions, he doesnt have a leg to stand on.

Either he deals with this point by destroying the data on male violence, or he accepts it and changes his tack to not only include men in his consistent comments and attacks but to start seeing them as the far greater problem. Every comment would now need to state something like:

High crime in the US correlates to blacks men, because they commit crimes at a much higher rate than other races biological sexes.

Perhaps we can make a feminist of Otto?

If he does not deal with at least this point in substantial robustness, I will simply delete all further invocations of his agenda.

I also want to repeat the question directly to him:Anyway, what doyouwant to do with the information (even if we accepted your claims)?

He has started peddling these claims again, hence the reposting here. You can see the original comment thread here. He has to the end of the week to rebut the challenge or his latest comments will be deleted.

Read the original post:
A Challenge to Race Realists Race vs Biological Sex - Patheos

Economy to water, Maharashtra politics to movies: Full coverage of India Today Conclave Mumbai 2019 – India Today

With over two days of engaging conversations, fiery debates and inspiring keynotes, the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2019 played host to an idea exchange that covered varied topics. From the Indian economy and the situation in Kashmir to the politics of Maharashtra and the world of showbiz, the two-day Conclave had it all. And, a big-bang announcement by the government on reducing corporate tax rates made the session on economy even more interesting.

In case you missed out on the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2019, here's everything that happened over the last two days.

DAY 1

FULL WELCOME SPEECH OF AROON PURIE AT INDIA TODAY CONCLAVE 2019

A very warm welcome to you all. It is great to be back in Mumbai with another edition of the India Today Conclave. This March, we had shifted our national conclave to Delhi as it was going to be a year defined by elections and politics and power equations at the Centre.

But Mumbai has tugged us back. Yours is a city of enterprise and dynamism, of resilience and reinvention -- qualities our country needs across the board. As it turns out, this is also a year dominated by conversations around the economy, so it is doubly apt for us to be hosting this edition of the conclave in the financial capital of the country...

RBI SENSED SLOWDOWN AS EARLY AS FEBRUARY: SHAKTIKANTA DAS AT INDIA TODAY CONCLAVE

Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das Friday said that the central bank had sensed a slowdown in the Indian economy in February this year itself. "RBI had noticed the signs of slowdown as early as February this year," Das said while speaking at the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2019.

Das also pointed out that a slowdown in the global economy was among the factors affecting India's economy, which has shown signs of slow growth. Speaking at the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2019, Das said he was not being defensive but pointed out that global and external must be considered when talking about the slowdown in the Indian economy.

TOP ECONOMISTS DISCUSS ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN, GDP, JOBS AT INDIA TODAY CONCLAVE

Renowned economists Shamika Ravi, a member of PM's Economic Advisory Council, Roopa Purushottam, chief economist and head of policy advocacy at Tata Sons Limited and Ritu Dewan, vice-president of Indian Society of Labour Economics, agreed that the Indian economy has been facing a slowdown.

While some sectors were more adversely impacted due to their own underlying issues, global economic slowdown and trade wars have come together to pull down the growth rate. The rural economy, which was doing better until a few quarters back, has also taken a hit.

ARMY FIGHTS DAILY BATTLES, IAF FOUGHT WHEN IT WAS CALLED TO: AIR CHIEF BS DHANOA AT INDIA TODAY CONCLAVE

Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa lauded the Indian Army for "fighting daily battles" and said that the force still remains in the limelight. Dhanoa said this when asked about whether the Indian Air Force had stolen the limelight away from the Indian Army following the Balakot airstrike from earlier this year that targeted a terrorist hideout in Pakistan.

"The Indian Army is fighting a daily battle... they are in the limelight. We were called to fight. So we fought," BS Dhanoa said while speaking at the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2019.

INDIA ON RIGHT TRACK, ALL ECONOMIES FACE UPS AND DOWNS: NITIN GADKARI

Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said Indian will soon become a $5 trillion economy because the government is taking right decisions. Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2019 in Mumbai, Nitin Gadkari said, "I believe the kind of measures we are taking will help us achieve the goal of making India a $5 trillion economy. This will lead to employment generation, will boost India's GDP growth and will make the economy powerful."

Nitin Gadkari's comment comes in the wake of India registering a 5 per cent GDP growth in the first quarter of this financial year. This has been the lowest in many years.

VICKY KAUSHAL: MY SECURITY GUARD SEES NETFLIX ON PHONE. UNLESS WE MATCH, WHO WILL PAY RS 500 FOR A MOVIE?

Vicky Kaushal has been high on josh ever since his last release Uri: The Surgical Strike struck gold at the box office. Aditya Dhar's directorial debut not only made Vicky an overnight star, but also helped him bag his first National Film Award.

And ever since, there has been no looking back for this 31-year-old actor.

On Day 1 of the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2019, Vicky Kaushal opened up on his Bollywood journey, his first National Award and his love life in a session titled The Art and The Man: What gives me josh in Bollywood.

HUMAN LIFE MORE IMPORTANT THAN INTERNET CONNECTIVITY: JITENDRA SINGH ON KASHMIR LOCKDOWN

Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh has claimed that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is normal after the abrogation of Article 370. He insisted that human life is more important than internet connectivity.

While speaking at India Today Conclave 2019 on Friday, Jitendra Singh called the Opposition hypocrites who did not want democracy to be more open. Jitendra Singh claimed that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will come forward in support of the Union government's decision on Article 370 within six months.

HERE'S HOW VIRUSES ARE LINKED TO CANCER, AUTISM AND OTHER SYNDROMES: TAKE NOTES FROM DR W. IAN LIPKIN

India Today Conclave Mumbai 2019: Mumbai is capturing the excitement of human potential by presenting thought leaders triggering positive change around the world: people redefining human health, physical and mental wellness, artificial intelligence and much more.

This time, we had Dr W. Ian Lipkin, Virologist with us at the India Today Conclave 2019, Mumbai and he shared his own experiences about how he encountered with HIV/AIDS and identified AIDS-associated immunological abnormalities and inflammatory neuropathy, which he showed could be treated with plasmapheresis, and demonstrated that early life exposure to viral infections affects neurotransmitter function.

SOCIAL MEDIA SENSATIONS CARRYMINATI AND PRAJAKTA KOLI: JIO CHANGED INDIA

CarryMinati aka Ajey Nagar is one person who is doing it all. The 20-year-old who started out as a YouTuber, became an online sensation instantly with his quirky videos. The social media star posts rants, commentaries and reactions to anything that trends on social media, on his YouTube channel. The man, who has a view about everything, is also a rapper and has some songs out like Byepewdiepie and Trigger.

Prajakta Kohli, who is famous by her online name, Mostly Sane, is another popular YouTuber known for her hilarious and relatable videos as they are based on everyday observations.

INDIA LEADS THE WORLD IN TEENAGE DEPRESSION: BRAVE YOUNGSTERS SHARE THEIR TRIGGER MOMENTS

Over the last five years, more than 40,000 students committed suicide in India. Last year itself, 8492 students committed suicide. One student commits suicide every hour in India, and yet, we keep pretending like today's teenagers are anything from fragile to obsessed about their looks -- each of these blame-games make diagnosis and treatment of teenage depression even more difficult.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2019, moderator Soma Chowdhury gives the audience a few shocking numbers and mentions how Deepika Padukone's opening up about her depression opened up a very important discussion that goes beyond caste, class, language, or age.

AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE CAN TACKLE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS: NEERJA BIRLA

Even in today's modern society, mental illness is not considered as serious as physical ailments. In many cases, it is frowned upon and neglected.

The main problems plaguing mental ill-health are a lack of awareness, stigma and a lack of infrastructure, said Neerja Birla, Founder, and Chairperson of MPower, an endeavour that is working in the area of mental health on Friday.

KARAN JOHAR: EVERY TIME YOU SAY SUPERSTARDOM, YOU THINK SHAH RUKH. NO ONE CAN TAKE IT AWAY FROM HIM

Over the course of two decades in Bollywood, Karan Johar has carved a name for himself in the industry. He is considered one of the most popular filmmakers in B-Town, owing to his big-budget blockbusters, and new stars are eager to work with him. On Day 1 of the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2019, Karan Johar opened up about ruling Bollywood, the infamous drug row, box-office clashes, his kids Yash and Roohi, and more. Karan was speaking on a session titled Cinema Czar: The Final Word - The Dream Maker: Karan Johar on ruling Bollywood.

PERFECT BODY, QUIET MIND: WHY HOLLYWOOD SWEARS BY YOGI CODE

Shunning the high life to attain inner peace is really a cakewalk for the first male supermodel, Yogi Cameron, who left the enticing fashion industry right after meeting Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa. When asked about his name, he said, "I used to be called Cameron in the fashion world and once I entered in the world of inner beauty, I added Yogi just to remind myself that I am on this journey."

He started practising yoga in Paris at the Shivananda center in 1987. Further, he extended his knowledge on the subject by reading natural medicine until 1999 and becoming certified in yoga at the Integral Yoga Institute in New York City as well as the Sri Satchidananda Ashram.

IS THIS INDIA OF GANDHI OR INDIA OF GODSE: ILTIJA MUFTI TAKES ON MODI GOVT OVER KASHMIR

Iltija Mufti, the daughter of the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehooba Mufti, hit out at the Narendra Modi government over its move to strip Jammu and Kashmir of its special status and statehood.

When asked what the way forward in Kashmir was, Iltija said the government must roll back its decisions regarding Kashmir. "Is this Gandhi's India or Godse's India," Iltija said while speaking about the clampdown on communications and restrictions on movement imposed in Kashmir.

"How would you feel if in Mumbai you would need a curfew pass to move around in your own country?" Iltija asked, while speaking at the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2019.

GOVT OPEN TO HEARING, OFFERING SOLUTIONS TO SPUR GROWTH, SAYS PIYUSH GOYAL

Panelists headed by Railways Minister Piyush Goyal feel, in the backdrop of the Union government's decision to reduce corporate tax, the investment climate in India would reverse in the coming days to spur economic growth, though there is no single 'steroid' to spur that growth.

The government is open to hear, learn and offer required solutions from time to time to spur that growth, Piyush Goyal said.

However, the economists feel the issues like adequate liquidity in the system, reforms in land and labour, and attracting investments into India are necessary to spur growth.

SHASHI THAROOR, SWAPAN DASGUPTA SPAR OVER HINDUTVA, NATIONALISM, STRONG INDIA

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta shared their ideas of Hindutva, nationalism authoritarianism and dynasty. While Tharoor insists that the idea of Hindutva is against the freedom struggle Dasgupta emphasised that Hindutva is about civilisation and culture not religion or territory. Tharoor pointed that the feeling of insecurity among certain people is scaring. Dasgupta said the country is rolling back on the corruption which is decreasing every year.

GURU DUTT TO VICKY KAUSHAL: ARJUN KAPOOR DECONSTRUCTS THE INDIAN HERO AT CONCLAVE MUMBAI 2019

On Day 1 of the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2019, Arjun Kapoor took the audience through decades of Indian cinema and what the Indian hero has been like all these years. The evolution from Guru Dutt to a hero who is anyone and everyone is what Arjun spoke on during his session, titled Top Guns: Deconstructing the modern Indian hero.

DAY 2

STONES HURLED BY FRIENDS LIKE FLOWERS: DEVENDRA FADNAVIS ON ALLY SHIV SENA

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said that he is not deterred by ally Shiv Sena's criticism of his government or his party. "Aisa hai ki dost agar pathar bhi pfainke toh to usse phool samjahna chahiye [Stones hurled by friends are like flowers]," Fadnavis said.

Devendra Fadnavis was speaking at the India Today Conclave 2019 Mumbai on the day the Election Commission was set to announce poll dates for his state.

AAREY FOREST ROW: SHED TO JAAYEGA, SAYS AADITYA THACKERAY; SHED WAHIN BANAYENGE, SAYS FADNAVIS

Shiv Sena youth president Aaditya Thackeray defended his stand on the controversial Mumbai Metro project that has sparked a huge row over the need to fell trees for a carshed. Thackeray has openly opposed the carshed that is supposed to come up in a part of Mumbai's Aarey Forest.

Activists have strongly opposed the felling of trees and the issue has divided Mumbai.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2019 Mumbai, Aaditya Thackeray, whose party is a part of the very government constructing the Metro, said the issue was not about "Shiv Sena vs BJP" but about "Mumbai vs environmental damage".

GDP TO GROW 7-7.5 PER CENT IN 2ND HALF, DISINVESTMENT TO BRING REVENUE: NITI AAYOG VC RAJIV KUMAR

The GDP will grow between 7 and 7.5 per cent in the second half of this financial year, Niti Aayog VC Rajiv Kumar said while speaking at the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2019.

Kumar added that the government will find additional revenues from disinvestments--- it has a plan to divest stakes in 24 companies to raise Rs 1.3 lakh crore --- and raise the fund to bridge the budget deficit that arose out of corporate tax cut.

IDEA THAT THERE IS INFINITE SUPPLY OF WATER IS DUMB: P SAINATH AT INDIA TODAY CONCLAVE

P Sainath, Founder-editor, People's Archive of Rural India called for a rethinking on water crisis, not restricting it to just irrigation or drinking water problem. Water is a social, cultural, political, economic and environmental issue and has to be addressed from all these angles.

Water should also be declared a basic right as the planet is shared by humans as well as flora and fauna. He called for prioritisation of water uses and restrict the transfer of the infinite resource from agriculture to industry, from food to cash crop, from rural to urban areas, from the poor to the rich and from livelihood to lifestyle uses. Since water wars have been fought over the last 2000 years, it was important to discuss the issue as it cannot be evaded now.

WATER CONSERVATION SHOULD BE PRIORITY: PARAMESWARAN IYER

Parameswaran Iyer, Secretary Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, talked about how Indian villages lack clean water and what could be done to provide clean drinking water to the villagers.

He also pointed out that technology could be used to create awareness on water conservation. The focus should be on creating local water storages.

THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE LEARNABILITY WILL BE LEFT BEHIND: WIPRO CHAIRMAN ON THE FUTURE OF JOBS IN INDIA

Technology is changing the landscape of industries around the world. Many jobs that existed in the past are slowly phasing out and data says that over the next five years, 9% of India's 600 million workforce will hold jobs that do not exist yet. In such a time, the only thing that can save us is re-skilling and learnability.

Wipro Chairman Rishad Premji, the son of business tycoon and philanthropist Azim Premji conversed with Rahul Kanwal at the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2019 on how re-skilling and learnability are the top skills for tomorrow's workforce.

AUTOMOBILE, PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES ARE RAPIDLY GROWING IN UTTARAKHAND: CM TRIVENDRA SINGH

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat pitched for investment in the Devbhoomi saying it is a land of many opportunities.

He pointed towards the clean environment and better connectivity to make Uttarakhand an investment destination. Comparing with Jharkhand and Chhatisgarh, which were created in 2000 at the same time of Uttarakhand, Rawat claimed that his state has done better compared to the rest of two.

TECHNOLOGY SHOULD MAKE US BETTER HUMAN BEINGS, SAYS DIGISEXUALITY EXPERT NEIL MCARTHUR

Sexbots or sex robots are increasingly making their way into our society catering to various needs and and sexual desires of people. While on one hand they are being embraced by tech enthusiasts and other people in the society who prescribe to their services, on the other hand, people have also raised their concerns about their impact on people and society at large. The presence of an array of sensors that helps these sex robots read, interpret and even replicate humans has raised another question - if machines become more like humans, do they have rights?

Speaking at the India Today Conclave Mumbai two digisexuality experts -- Allysson Silva, Lawyer, Co-Founder of NextOs, AI and Tech-intimacies expert and Neil McArthur, Author, Robot Sex: Social and Ethical Implications - tried to answer concerns and challenges around digital sexuality. They were accompanied by Harmony, which is a female sex robot created by Silva's company, who shared her views on some of the questions being raised in the society.

DICTATORS WHO CONDUCT RIGGED ELECTIONS LAST LONGER THAN THOSE WHO DON'T: BRIAN KLAAS

Acclaimed journalist Brian Klaas on Saturday spoke on how alarmingly the world is becoming less democratic.

Klaas has authored two authoritative books on how elections are rigged across the globe The Despot's Accomplice: How the West is Aiding and Abetting the Decline of Democracy and The Despot's Apprentice: Donald Trump's Attack on Democracy and coauthored another book How to rig an election.

CONCLAVE 2019: GENETICS LOADS THE GUN LIFESTYLE PULLS THE TRIGGER, SAYS MURALI DORAISWAMY

On the second day of India Today Conclave 2019 Mumbai, Dr Murali Doraiswamy, who is a Physician and Futurist at the Duke University School of Medicine discussed the discoveries of the human brain and also gave a brief discussion about the genome and why it is the new gold.

"There is an old saying about genetics. Genetics loads the gun lifestyle pulls the trigger all of us are different because of our different genes. We have 23 pairs of Chromosomes and between then we have 3 to 6 billions of bits of coded information in our genes, said Doraiswamy.

OUR LEADER OF OPPOSITION IN MAHARASHTRA WAS 'MANAGED': PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN HITS OUT AT RADHAKRISHNA VIKHE PATIL

Congress leader and former Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan strongly hit out at Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, who was the leader of the opposition in the Maharashtra assembly for the last five years. Earlier this year, in a huge embarrassment to Congress, Patil quit the party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2019, former Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan said it was a huge mistake to appoint Patil as the leader of the opposition and to let him continue in that post for five years. Chavan did not name Patil directly.

SHAHID KAPOOR: KABIR SINGH IS 16 YEARS OF MY HARD WORK

Shahid Kapoor has had a rollercoaster of a journey in Bollywood. In his career spanning almost fifteen years, he has had his fair share of hits and misses. However, 2019 was a lucky one for him, as his film Kabir Singh crossed over Rs 270 crore at the box office and emerged as one of the highest-grossers in Bollywood.

At India Today Conclave Mumbai 2019, at his session, Heroes and Anti-Heroes: The craft and the heart of telling all stories, Shahid Kapoor opened up about the success of Kabir Singh, the constant debate around it, as well as his relationship with his family.

EKTA KAPOOR: I RESPECT THE WOMAN IN THE SAREE AS MUCH AS THE WOMAN IN THE SWIMSUIT

Ekta Kapoor spoke on Day 2 of the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2019 on how to interpret love, desire and ambition in India. The TV czarina didn't shy away from speaking her mind and wearing her heart on her sleeve.

Speaking on Day 2 of the Conclave, during a session titled, #Alt-Imagination: The Radical and the Regressive. Interpreting love, desire and ambition in India', moderated by Koel Purie, Ekta Kapoor spoke on everything from her TV shows being called regressive to ALTBalaji shows being termed soft porn. She also said how everyone had now given up on asking her to get married.

KATRINA KAIF: ZERO AND BHARAT REVIEWS MADE ME REALISE IF YOU GIVE YOUR ALL, IT SHOWS

Katrina Kaif joined the industry as an outsider. And from there, she's gone on to carve a niche for herself. She's learned on her own, she learned a language to fit in, learned how to dance a typical Bollywood number, and today boasts of an unparallel fan base.

In some ways what we see of Katrina Kaif today is a 2.0 version - and Katrina admitted the same, speaking at the India Today Conclave, Mumbai 2019, during a session titled Interstellar: My journey into Bollywood from a different planet.

KRITI SANON: RIGHT NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO BE A WOMAN IN BOLLYWOOD

She made her Bollywood debut with the 2014 film Heropanti. But it took her three years to make people sit and take notice of her talent. The 29-year-old actress surprised everyone with her small-town girl act in Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari's Bareilly Ki Barfi. And since then, there has been no looking back for the actress who entered Bollywood without a Godfather.

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Economy to water, Maharashtra politics to movies: Full coverage of India Today Conclave Mumbai 2019 - India Today

10 Famous Women Scientists in History

Science and technology are often considered to be the forte of men. Nevertheless, the contribution of women to the progress of these areas cannot be disregarded. There have been numerous gifted and far-famed women scientists in history who made crucial discoveries and inventions in the world of science.

Today on our Science Blog, well take a look at some of the most famous women scientists and their achievements.

Polish-born French physicist and chemist best known for her contributions to radioactivity.

British primatologist and ethologist, widely considered to be the worlds foremost expert on chimpanzees.

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German-born American physicist who received Nobel Prize for suggesting the nuclear shell model of the atomic nucleus.

American marine biologist and conservationist whose work revolutionzied the global environmental movement.

British biophysicist best known for her work on the molecular structures of coal and graphite, and X-ray diffraction.

American scientist and cytogeneticist who received Nobel Prize in 1983 for the discovery of genetic transposition.

Italian neurologist who received Nobel Prize in 1986 for the discovery of Nerve growth factor (NGF).

American biochemist and pharmacologist who received the 1988 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

American physician who was the first woman to become a medical doctor in the United States.

German biologist who received the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research in 1991.

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Genetic factors and hormones that determine gender

In the nucleus of every cell of his or her body, a human being has 46 chromosomes. 22 chromosome pairs (numbered from 1-22) belong to the autosomes and 1 pair to the sex chromosomes or gonosomes. They are denoted as X and Y. A female has two X-chromosomes and a male an X and a Y-chromosome. In a woman, one of the two X-chromosomes is inactivated in the form of heterochromatin (sex chromatin), the Barr body - diagnosis of the genetic gender is made on this basis. This inactivation already takes place in the blastocyst stage 3 - randomly - either on the paternal or maternal X chromosome. When a Y chromosome is present, the development takes place in the direction of manhood; if it is missing, a feminine development occurs.

It is not the number of gonosomes that is decisive for the gender, but rather the presence or absence of the Y-chromosome, as can be seen in the following table.

Phenotypicalgender

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An aneuploidy (anomaly in the number of chromosomes) of the gonosomes (sex chromosomes) is not rare, whereby Klinefelter's syndrome and Turner'ssyndromes occur the most frequently.Klinefelter's syndromeandTurner's syndrome

It is clear that the information encoded on the Y-chromosome is not enough to guide the formation of such a complicated organ as the testicles, but a localized gene on this chromosome, the SRY (sex determining region Y gene) operates very early in the development as a guide or "master gene". It has a testis-determining effect on the indifferent gonads. This small gene (a single exon), which is localized on the shorter arm of the Y chromosome (Yp), gets expressed in the precursors for the supporting cells (Sertoli). It controls a whole number of further genes on the autosomes as well as on the X chromosome. It is only through the concerted workings of this SRY-gene together with genes on other chromosomes that the development of the testicles is possible. (Diagram of the molecular factors involved in the development of the genital apparatus)

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Special case of a dissociation between the karyotype and phenotype.

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Genetic factors and hormones that determine gender

Female Genetic Contributions to Sperm Competition in …

Abstract

In many species, sperm can remain viable in the reproductive tract of a female well beyond the typical interval to remating. This creates an opportunity for sperm from different males to compete for oocyte fertilization inside the female's reproductive tract. In Drosophila melanogaster, sperm characteristics and seminal fluid content affect male success in sperm competition. On the other hand, although genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have demonstrated that female genotype plays a role in sperm competition outcome as well, the biochemical, sensory and physiological processes by which females detect and selectively use sperm from different males remain elusive. Here, we functionally tested 26 candidate genes implicated via a GWAS for their contribution to the female's role in sperm competition, measured as changes in the relative success of the first male to mate (P1). Of these 26 candidates, we identified eight genes that affect P1 when knocked down in females, and showed that five of them do so when knocked down in the female nervous system. In particular, Rim knockdown in sensory pickpocket (ppk)+ neurons lowered P1, confirming previously published results, and a novel candidate, caup, lowered P1 when knocked down in octopaminergic Tdc2+ neurons. These results demonstrate that specific neurons in the female's nervous system play a functional role in sperm competition and expand our understanding of the genetic, neuronal and mechanistic basis of female responses to multiple matings. We propose that these neurons in females are used to sense and integrate signals from courtship or ejaculates, to modulate sperm competition outcome accordingly.

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Are Calico Cats Always Female? – thesprucepets.com

Many people are surprised to hear that the vast majority of calico cats are female. Why is this? Can a calico cat to ever be male? Learn more about the genetics of coat color in felines.

A calico cat is not a breed of cat, it is a color pattern. To be called "calico," three colors must be present: black, white, and orange. Variations of these colors include gray, cream, and ginger. A true calico cat has large blocks of these three colors. Other names for calico cats include tortoiseshell or "torties," brindle, or tricolor cats.

Calico cats areusually female. And, this is due in large part togenetics.Coat color is a complex process that is the result of dominant and non-dominate genes interacting within the X chromosomes. Since coat color is a sex-linked trait, it is one of the cat's physical traits that vary based on gender.

Female animals have two X chromosomes (XX), while males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome (XY). The genetic coding for having black or orange color in thecoat is found in the X chromosome. The color display is either orange or black.The coding for white is a completely separate gene.

In femalemammals, one of the X chromosomes is randomly deactivated,called X-inactivation,in each cell.For calico cats, the random mix of color genes that are activated or deactivated gives the blotchy orange and black color display.

Since females have two X chromosomes, they are able to have two different colors (orange or black, depending what X was deactivated) and white; creating the three-color calico mix.

Since males have only one X chromosome, they only have one black or orange gene and can only display orange or black (plus or minus white, controlled by another gene).

Calico cats are not always female. Male calico cats do exist and typically have a chromosomal aberration of two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome (XXY). Cats with this chromosomal configuration are usually sterile,which means that they are not able to breed. This syndrome is similar to a condition in humans called Klinefelter's syndrome, or XXY syndrome.

On October 1, 2001, the calico cat became the official cat of the state of Maryland in the United States.Calico cats are believed to bringgood luckin the folklore of many cultures.Japanese sailors often had a calicoship's catto protect against misfortune at sea.

Cat genetics is responsible for producing many different varieties of cats and coat types. Common types include the bicolor or tuxedo cat (mostly black with a white chest), striped or marbled tabby cats, and solid color cats.

White cats, true albino cats, are quite rare. Much more common is the appearance of white coat color that is caused by a lack ofmelanocytes, or pigmentation cells, in the skin.White cats with one or two blue eyes have a particularly high likelihood of being deaf.

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Are Calico Cats Always Female? - thesprucepets.com

NIH launches largest-ever study of breast cancer genetics …

News Release

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Findings could inform breast cancer disparities.

The largest study ever to investigate how genetic and biological factors contribute to breast cancer risk among black women launched today. This collaborative research project will identify genetic factors that may underlie breast cancer disparities. The effort is funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health.

This effort is about making sure that all Americans no matter their background reap the same benefits from the promising advances of precision medicine.

Douglas R. Lowy, M.D., Acting Director, NCI

The Breast Cancer Genetic Study in African-Ancestry Populations initiative does not involve new patient enrollment but builds on years of research cooperation among investigators who are part of the African-American Breast Cancer Consortium, the African-American Breast Cancer Epidemiology and Risk (AMBER) Consortium, and the NCI Cohort Consortium. These investigators, who come from many different institutions, will share biospecimens, data, and resources from 18 previous studies, resulting in a study population of 20,000 black women with breast cancer.

This effort is about making sure that all Americans no matter their background reap the same benefits from the promising advances of precision medicine. The exciting new approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment ring hollow unless we can effectively narrow the gap of cancer disparities, and this new research initiative will help us do that, said Douglas R. Lowy, M.D., acting director of NCI. Im hopeful about where this new research can take us, not only in addressing the unique breast cancer profiles of African-American women, but also in learning more about the origin of cancer disparities.

Survival rates for women with breast cancer have been steadily improving over the past several decades. However, these improvements have not been shared equally; black women are more likely to die of their disease. Perhaps of most concern is that black women are more likely than white women to be diagnosed with aggressive subtypes of breast cancer. The rate of triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive subtype, is twice as high in black women as compared to white women.

The exact reasons for these persistent disparities are unclear, although studies suggest that they are the result of a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and societal factors, including access to health care. Large studies are needed to comprehensively examine these factors, and NCI is supporting several such efforts.

As part of the study, the genomes of 20,000 black women with breast cancer will be compared with those of 20,000 black women who do not have breast cancer. The genomes will also be compared to those of white women who have breast cancer. The project will investigate inherited genetic variations that are associated with breast cancer risk in black women compared to white women. In addition, researchers will examine gene expression in breast cancer tumor samples to investigate the genetic pathways that are involved in tumor development.

This $12 million grant in combination with previous investments should help advance our understanding of the social and biological causes that lead to disparities in cancer among underserved populations, said Robert Croyle, Ph.D., director of NCIs Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS), which is administering the grant. A better understanding of the genetic contributions to differences in breast cancer diagnoses and outcomes among African-Americans may lead to better treatments and better approaches to cancer prevention.

A number of studies have suggested that genetic factors may influence breast cancer disparities, so were hopeful that this project can help to shed further light on this matter. said Damali Martin, Ph.D., program director for the DCCPS Genomic Epidemiology Branch. Dr. Martins office is working directly with the grant recipients as well as the consortia groups that have been researching black women and breast cancer.

The grant has been awarded to Wei Zheng, M.D., Ph.D., of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennesee; Christopher Haiman, Sc.D., of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles; and Julie Palmer, Sc.D., of Boston University. Additionally, minority scientists from various institutions, including from one Historically Black College and University medical school, are playing an important role in this study, and they have been involved in previous research that this study builds upon. For example, the Southern Community Cohort Study, a contributing study for this grant, represents a 15-year partnership between Vanderbilt and historically black Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. In addition, this grant will provide training opportunities for scientists from minority populations.

Support for ongoing research in this area represents NCIs continued commitment to fund a comprehensive portfolio of research aimed at reducing cancer risk, incidence, and mortality, as well as improving quality of life for cancer survivors across all demographic groups.

The National Cancer Institute leads the National Cancer Program and the NIHs efforts to dramatically reduce the prevalence of cancer and improve the lives of cancer patients and their families, through research into prevention and cancer biology, the development of new interventions, and the training and mentoring of new researchers. For more information about cancer, please visit the NCI website at http://www.cancer.gov or call NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH):NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov.

NIHTurning Discovery Into Health

ReferenceBreast Cancer Genetic Study in African-Ancestry Populations, Grant Number R01CA202981

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Serious question about female genetics? | Yahoo Answers

Don't think that either is superior however, each is superior at specific things, obviously.

But here is some fodder for thought. Interesting Genetic Fact:

The female population currently outweighs the male population by 1% or so making the ratio 51% to 49% roughly. However, the male population is predicted to catch up and perhaps surpass the female population only slightly with modern medicine. Why? Because the sex chromosomes, XX for woman and XY for men, carry different genes. The X chromosomes carry large amounts of DNA information while the Y chromosome which is shorter than the X chromosome, only carries a few bits of genetic information such as the gene for becoming male. Essentially, we all start out female! It is the presence of the testis gene, called SRY, that determines the male gender.

Because the X chromosome carries large amounts of genetic information while the Y does not, males are more likely to suffer from disease and abnormalities than women. In genetics, two genes come together to determine a trait. One or both can be dominant or recessive. Disease genes are recessive as are abnormalities but if a male receives a recessive gene for a disease or abnormality, he is likely to express that gene given the lack of extra DNA information from the Y chromosome. Therefore, more male die in infancy than females. Does this make females genetically superior? Modern medicine will help combat early deaths from a genetic standpoint, helping even out the population. Let's not forget that females also develop faster overall, emotionally, physically, and intellectually.

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Serious question about female genetics? | Yahoo Answers

Female genetic hair loss? | Yahoo Answers

In women, hair loss usually begins at menopause. Although hair loss in females normally occurs after the age of 50 or even later when it does not follow events like pregnancy, chronic illness, crash diets, and stress among others, there has been rare cases reported, in which hair loss affects women as young as 15 or 16. However, unlike with men, hair loss in women typically begins later and is generally not to the full-head state that is generally seen in men.

Balding is genetic and hereditary, and it's thereby logical to think that by looking at family members can be helpful in determining the fate of one's hairline. Sometime it is the case that grandson and maternal grandfather will end up with the similar hairlines, but it's not that foolproof, not the ultimate reference point it's treated as, so better not to consider it at all when wondering if the baldness gene is one you have inherited. Genetic hair loss affects both men and women equally.

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Male and female ability differences down to socialisation …

It is the mainstay of countless magazine and newspaper features. Differences between male and female abilities from map reading to multi-tasking and from parking to expressing emotion can be traced to variations in the hard-wiring of their brains at birth, it is claimed.

Men instinctively like the colour blue and are bad at coping with pain, we are told, while women cannot tell jokes but are innately superior at empathising with other people. Key evolutionary differences separate the intellects of men and women and it is all down to our ancient hunter-gatherer genes that program our brains.

The belief has become widespread, particularly in the wake of the publication of international bestsellers such as John Gray's Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus that stress the innate differences between the minds of men and women. But now a growing number of scientists are challenging the pseudo-science of "neurosexism", as they call it, and are raising concerns about its implications. These researchers argue that by telling parents that boys have poor chances of acquiring good verbal skills and girls have little prospect of developing mathematical prowess, serious and unjustified obstacles are being placed in the paths of children's education.

In fact, there are no major neurological differences between the sexes, says Cordelia Fine in her book Delusions of Gender, which will be published by Icon next month. There may be slight variations in the brains of women and men, added Fine, a researcher at Melbourne University, but the wiring is soft, not hard. "It is flexible, malleable and changeable," she said.

In short, our intellects are not prisoners of our genders or our genes and those who claim otherwise are merely coating old-fashioned stereotypes with a veneer of scientific credibility. It is a case backed by Lise Eliot, an associate professor based at the Chicago Medical School. "All the mounting evidence indicates these ideas about hard-wired differences between male and female brains are wrong," she told the Observer.

"Yes, there are basic behavioural differences between the sexes, but we should note that these differences increase with age because our children's intellectual biases are being exaggerated and intensified by our gendered culture. Children don't inherit intellectual differences. They learn them. They are a result of what we expect a boy or a girl to be."

Thus boys develop improved spatial skills not because of an innate superiority but because they are expected and are encouraged to be strong at sport, which requires expertise at catching and throwing. Similarly, it is anticipated that girls will be more emotional and talkative, and so their verbal skills are emphasised by teachers and parents.

The latter example, on the issue of verbal skills, is particularly revealing, neuroscientists argue. Girls do begin to speak earlier than boys, by about a month on average, a fact that is seized upon by supporters of the Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus school of intellectual differences.

However, this gap is really a tiny difference compared to the vast range of linguistic abilities that differentiate people, Robert Plomin, a professor at the Institute of Psychiatry in London, pointed out. His studies have found that a mere 3% of the variation in young children's verbal development is due to their gender.

"If you map the distribution of scores for verbal skills of boys and of girls you get two graphs that overlap so much you would need a very fine pencil indeed to show the difference between them. Yet people ignore this huge similarity between boys and girls and instead exaggerate wildly the tiny difference between them. It drives me wild," Plomin told the Observer.

This point is backed by Eliot. "Yes, boys and girls, men and women, are different," she states in a recent paper in New Scientist. "But most of those differences are far smaller than the Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus stereotypes suggest.

"Nor are the reasoning, speaking, computing, emphasising, navigating and other cognitive differences fixed in the genetic architecture of our brains.

"All such skills are learned and neuro-plasticity the modifications of neurons and their connections in response experience trumps hard-wiring every time."

The current popular stress on innate intellectual differences between the sexes is, in part, a response to psychologists' emphasis of the environment's importance in the development of skills and personality in the 1970s and early 1980s, said Eliot. This led to a reaction against nurture as the principal factor in the development of human characteristics and to an exaggeration of the influence of genes and inherited abilities. This view is also popular because it propagates the status quo, she added. "We are being told there is nothing we can do to improve our potential because it is innate. That is wrong. Boys can develop powerful linguistic skills and girls can acquire deep spatial skills."

In short, women can read maps despite claims that they lack the spatial skills for such efforts, while men can learn to empathise and need not be isolated like Mel Gibson's Nick Marshall, the emotionally retarded male lead of the film What Women Want and a classic stereotype of the unfeeling male that is perpetuated by the supporters of the hard-wired school of intellectual differences.

This point was also stressed by Fine. "Many of the studies that claim to highlight differences between the brains of males and females are spurious. They are based on tests carried out on only a small number of individuals and their results are often not repeated by other scientists. However, their results are published and are accepted by teachers and others as proof of basic differences between boys and girls.

"All sorts of ridiculous conclusions about very important issues are then made. Already sexism disguised in neuroscientific finery is changing the way children are taught."

So should we abandon our search for the "real" differences between the sexes and give up this "pernicious pinkification of little girls", as one scientist has put it?

Yes, we should, Eliot insisted. "There is almost nothing we do with our brains that is hard-wired. Every skill, attribute and personality trait is moulded by experience."

Cambridge University psychologist and autism expert Simon Baron-Cohen:

"The female brain is predominantly hard-wired for empathy. The male brain is predominantly hard-wired for understanding and building systems"

Writer and feminist Joan Smith:

"Very few women growing up in England in the late 18th century would have understood the principles of jurisprudence or navigation because they were denied access to them"

John Gray, author of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus:

"A man's sense of self is defined through his ability to achieve results. A woman's sense of self is defined through her feelings and the quality of her relationships"

Sociologist Beth Hess:

"For two millennia, 'impartial experts' have given us such trenchant insights as the fact that women lack sufficient heat to boil the blood and purify the soul, that their heads are too small, their wombs too big, their hormones too debilitating, that they think with their hearts or the wrong side of the brain. The list is never-ending"

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Treating female pattern hair loss – Harvard Health

Noticeable hair loss in women can be deeply distressing. Here are some medical treatments that may help.

About one-third of women experience hair loss (alopecia) at some time in their lives; among postmenopausal women, as many as two-thirds suffer hair thinning or bald spots. Hair loss in women often has a greater impact than hair loss does on men w, because it's less socially acceptable for them. Alopecia can severely affect a woman's emotional well-being and quality of life.

The main type of hair loss in women is the same as it is men. It's called androgenetic alopecia, or female (or male) pattern hair loss. In men, hair loss usually begins above the temples, and the receding hairline eventually forms a characteristic "M" shape; hair at the top of the head also thins, often progressing to baldness. In women, androgenetic alopecia begins with gradual thinning at the part line, followed by increasing diffuse hair loss radiating from the top of the head. A woman's hairline rarely recedes, and women rarely become bald.

There are many potential causes of hair loss in women , including medical conditions, medications, and physical or emotional stress. If you notice unusual hair loss of any kind, it's important to see your primary care provider or a dermatologist, to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. You may also want to ask your clinician for a referral to a therapist or support group to address emotional difficulties. Hair loss in women can be frustrating, but recent years have seen an increase in resources for coping with the problem.

Clinicians use the Ludwig Classification to describe female pattern hair loss. Type I is minimal thinning that can be camouflaged with hair styling techniques. Type II is characterized by decreased volume and noticeable widening of the mid-line part. Type III describes diffuse thinning, with a see-through appearance on the top of the scalp.

Almost every woman eventually develops some degree of female pattern hair loss. It can start any time after the onset of puberty, but women tend to first notice it around menopause, when hair loss typically increases. The risk rises with age, and it's higher for women with a history of hair loss on either side of the family.

As the name suggests, androgenetic alopecia involves the action of the hormones called androgens, which are essential for normal male sexual development and have other important functions in both sexes, including sex drive and regulation of hair growth. The condition may be inherited and involve several different genes. It can also result from an underlying endocrine condition, such as overproduction of androgen or an androgen-secreting tumor on the ovary, pituitary, or adrenal gland. In either case, the alopecia is likely related to increased androgen activity. But unlike androgenetic alopecia in men, in women the precise role of androgens is harder to determine. On the chance that an androgen-secreting tumor is involved, it's important to measure androgen levels in women with clear female pattern hair loss.

In either sex, hair loss from androgenetic alopecia occurs because of a genetically determined shortening of anagen, a hair's growing phase, and a lengthening of the time between the shedding of a hair and the start of a new anagen phase. (See "Life cycle of a hair.") That means it takes longer for hair to start growing back after it is shed in the course of the normal growth cycle. The hair follicle itself also changes, shrinking and producing a shorter, thinner hair shaft a process called "follicular miniaturization." As a result, thicker, pigmented, longer-lived "terminal" hairs are replaced by shorter, thinner, non-pigmented hairs called "vellus."

Each hair develops from a follicle a narrow pocket in the skin and goes through three phases of growth. Anagen (A), the active growth phase, lasts two to seven years. Catagen (B), the transition phase, lasts about two weeks. During this phase, the hair shaft moves upward toward the skin's surface, and the dermal papilla (the structure that nourishes cells that give rise to hair) begins to separate from the follicle. Telogen (C), the resting phase, lasts around three months and culminates in the shedding of the hair shaft.

A clinician diagnoses female pattern hair loss by taking a medical history and examining the scalp. She or he will observe the pattern of hair loss, check for signs of inflammation or infection, and possibly order blood tests to investigate other possible causes of hair loss, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and iron deficiency. Unless there are signs of excess androgen activity (such as menstrual irregularities, acne, and unwanted hair growth), a hormonal evaluation is usually unnecessary.

Medications are the most common treatment for hair loss in women. They include the following:

Minoxidil (Rogaine, generic versions). This drug was initially introduced as a treatment for high blood pressure, but people who took it noticed that they were growing hair in places where they had lost it. Research studies confirmed that minoxidil applied directly to the scalp could stimulate hair growth. As a result of the studies, the FDA originally approved over-the-counter 2% minoxidil to treat hair loss in women. Since then a 5% solution has also become available when a stronger solution is need for a woman's hair loss.

Clearly, minoxidil is not a miracle drug. While it can produce some new growth of fine hair in some not all women, it can't restore the full density of the lost hair. It's not a quick fix, either for hair loss in women . You won't see results until you use the drug for at least two months. The effect often peaks at around four months, but it could take longer, so plan on a trial of six to 12 months. If minoxidil works for you, you'll need to keep using it to maintain those results. If you stop, you'll start to lose hair again.

How to use minoxidil: Be sure that your hair and scalp are dry. Using the dropper or spray pump that's provided with the over-the-counter solution, apply it twice daily to every area where your hair is thinning. Gently massage it into the scalp with your fingers so it can reach the hair follicles. Then air-dry your hair, wash your hands thoroughly, and wash off any solution that has dripped onto your forehead or face. Don't shampoo for at least four hours afterwards.

Some women find that the minoxidil solution leaves a deposit that dries and irritates their scalp. This irritation, called contact dermatitis, is probably caused not by the minoxidil itself, but rather by the alcohol that is included to facilitate drying.

Side effects and concerns: Minoxidil is safe, but it can have unpleasant side effects even apart from the alcohol-related skin irritation. Sometimes the new hair differs in color and texture from surrounding hair. Another risk is hypertrichosis excessive hair growth in the wrong places, such as the cheeks or forehead. (This problem is more likely with the stronger 5% solution.)

Because the patent on Rogaine (the brand-name version of minoxidil) has expired, many generic products are available. They all contain the same amount of minoxidil, but some include additional ingredients, such as herbal extracts, which might trigger allergic reactions.

Anti-androgens. Androgens include testosterone and other "male" hormones, which can accelerate hair loss in women. Some women who don't respond to minoxidil may benefit from the addition of the anti-androgen drug spironolactone (Aldactone) for treatment of androgenic alopecia. This is especially true for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) because they tend to make excess androgens. Doctors will usually prescribe spironolactone together with an oral contraceptive for women of reproductive age. (A woman taking one of these drugs should not become pregnant because they can cause genital abnormalities in a male fetus.) Possible side effects include weight gain, loss of libido, depression, and fatigue.

Iron supplements. Iron deficiency could be a cause of hair loss in some women . Your doctor may test your blood iron level, particularly if you're a vegetarian, have a history of anemia, or have heavy menstrual bleeding. If you do have iron deficiency, you will need to take a supplement and it may stop your hair loss. However, if your iron level is normal, taking extra iron will only cause side effects, such as stomach upset and constipation.

Hair transplantation, a procedure used in the United States since the 1950s to treat androgenic alopecia, involves removing a strip of scalp from the back of the head and using it to fill in a bald patch. Today, 90% of hair-transplant surgeons use a technique called follicular unit transplantation, which was introduced in the mid-1990s.

During this procedure, surgeons remove a narrow strip of scalp and divide it into hundreds of tiny grafts, each containing just a few hairs. Each graft is planted in a slit in the scalp created by a blade or needle in the area of missing hair. Hair grows naturally this way, in small clusters of one to four follicles, called follicular units. As a result, the graft looks better than the larger "plugs" associated with hair transplants of yesteryear.

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Genetics May Explain Why Birth Control Doesn’t Always Work …

Some women release an enzyme that canbreak down the hormones from birth control, which may makethese contraceptive methods less effective in preventing pregnancy. (Credit: Image Point Fr/Shutterstock)

No form of birth control is 100 percent effective. Now, a new study provides an explanation for why a small number of women who use hormonalcontraceptive methods still become pregnant, even if they use them correctly.

A new study published in Obstetrics & Gynecologyexplains that somewomen have an uncommon genetic difference that makes hormonal contraception less effective for them.

In the paper, researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicinesay that around5 percent of women carry a gene that makes their bodies produce an enzyme that breaks down the hormones in birth control faster than usual. The researchers think that the enzyme leaves women with hormone levels that may be too low to prevent pregnancy, particularly among users of low-dose contraceptives.

Hormonal contraceptive methods like the pill, implant or injection work by releasing synthetic versions of female hormones, usually estrogen and progestin, thatoverrides awomans monthly cycle andprevents ovulation. Receiving these hormones, ironically, tricks a womans body into thinking its pregnant, which stops the release of an egg each month. Thehormones also work to prevent pregnancy by thickening the mucus near the cervix, which preventssperm from reaching the egg.

To learn how a womans genetic makeup influences birth control hormones,the researchers examined 350 healthy women with a median age of 22.5 years old who had received a contraceptive implant. This long-lasting birth control device sits under the skin and delivers the hormones necessary toprevent ovulation.

The researchers found that around 5percent of women tested positive for agenetic variant, called CYP3A7*1C. And among these women, the researchers observed lower levels of birth control hormones in their system. Its thought thattheenzyme somehow interferes with the ovulation-suppressing effects of hormonal birth control.

Lead study author Aaron Lazorwitz said that the CYP3A7*1C gene normally shuts off during gestation, before a woman is ever born. But in some women that never happens and evidently impacts how they process steroid hormone-based drugs, like birth control.Better understanding genetic differences in medication effectiveness could be a game-changer in womens healthcare, Lazorwitz said.

The field of pharmacogenomics, looking at how genetics affects drugs, has been a hot topic in multiple areas of medicine [but] womens health research has unfortunately not focused much on this field to this point, he said. As we use the same types of hormonal medications for so many different treatments in womens health, the impact of genetics on these medications has huge potential to change how we take care of women.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 24 percent of women use a hormonal form of contraception like the pill or the implant. Lazorwitz said that many cases of birth control failure come down to user error such as missing a few pills. But, as this study shows, there arefactors outside of a womans controlthat can impact birth control effectiveness, and there are probably more to find, according to Lazorwitz.

We think that genetics is part of the equation, but there likely are other things we havent even considered yet, he said. This is just the first step in our work to try and figure out this complicated issue. Thankfully, we have extremely efficacious birth control methods like intrauterine devices and the [contraceptive] implant that we know work very well for the vast majority of women.

Lazorwitz said the findings likely apply to all forms of hormonal birth control such as the pill, implant or injection because the hormones used in these methods are similar and are processed similarly in the body. But future studies are needed to prove this.

The unintended pregnancy risk for women carrying this genetic variant cannot be quantified yet because its too early. Because the implant releases more than enough hormones needed to prevent pregnancy, Lazorwitz said the variant probably does not impact efficacy of the contraceptive implant. The researchers are more concerned that the genetic variant could affect the effectiveness of lower-dose hormonal methods, like the pill.

For now, Lazorwitz saidwomen should continue to work with their doctorsin finding the best birth control method for them.

We want to reassure women taking hormonal birth control that they dont need to go get genetic screening or anything like that at this time We hope that this kind of research will one day lead to enough information that we can develop some tools or screenings to help guide women on their individualized decision-making process in choosing a birth control method, he said.

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Lick Your Rats – Genetics

In our society, we think of anxious behavior as being a disadvantage. But that's because, for the most part, we live in a nutrient-rich, low-danger environment. In the rat equivalent to our world, the relaxed rat lives a comfortable life. It is likely to reach a high social standing, and it doesn't have to worry about where its next meal is coming from. An anxious rat, on the other hand, doesn't do so well. It is more likely to have a low social standing and suffer from diabetes and heart disease.

In another environment, however, the tables turn. The anxious, guarded behavior of the low-nurtured rat is an advantage in an environment where food is scarce and danger is high. The low nurtured rat is more likely to keep a low profile and respond quickly to stress. In the same environment, a relaxed rat might be a little too relaxed. It may be more likely to let down its guard and be eaten by a predator.

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Lick Your Rats - Genetics

Women’s Contributions to Early Genetics Studies Were …

As a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, Emilia Huerta-Snchez noticed something strange in the fine print of an old population genetics study. In the acknowledgements, the studys author, a well-known geneticist, wrote, I wish to thank Mrs. Jennifer Smith for ably programming and executing all the computations.

Huerta-Snchez showed the odd credit line to fellow postdoc Rori Rohlfs. Smiths level of computing, she remarked, would normally warrant authorship today. In all likelihood, the two scientists mused privately, other womens contributions to the burgeoning field of population genetics had also been relegated to the footnotes.

Years later, after watching the 2016 movie Hidden Figures, which depicts the black female mathematicians behind NASAs human spaceflight program, Huerta-Snchez and Rohlfsnow with university appointments of their owndiscussed the idea again. This time, they wanted to test the hypothesis. How many programmers had been left in the footnotes of their field, they wondered, and how many of those less-acknowledged contributors were women?

Huerta-Snchez and Rohlfs assembled a team of student researchers to flip through the archival pages of 20 years worth of articles in the programming-heavy journal Theoretical Population Biology, documenting the authors and the names in the acknowledgements and categorizing them by gender. After the group reviewed 800-plus articles by over 1,000 authors (about 93 percent of whom were men), Huerta-Snchezs initial suspicion proved correct. Women whod contributed to influential studies tended to receive a hat-tip in the acknowledgements rather than full authorship.

In a recent study published in the journal Genetics, the San Francisco State University and Brown University researchers found that just under half of the 46 acknowledged programmers they identified in theoretical population genetics studies were women, in contrast to only about seven percent of credited authors. Ezequiel Lopez Barragan, one of the San Francisco State University students who worked on (and got authorship) for the new study, says he felt the skewed acknowledgement of women as programmers was just not fair, not equitable.

By identifying the biases in old research conventions, the team hopes to draws attention to who doesand does notreceive acknowledgement in scientific papers today.

Population genetics, which sprouted up in the first half of the 20th century after the rediscovery of Gregor Mendels foundational work in genetics, is a computation-heavy field that looks at genetic variation to better understand how natural selection and population makeup influence evolution. By the 1970s, one of the decades reviewed in the new study, computer-generated models had become accessible tools for scientists, and technological advances made it possible to gather detailed protein variation data. The field of population genetics took off, Rohlfs says.

Some of the data couldnt be analyzed by hand, which is where the acknowledged programmers came in, computing on the new machines to conduct numerical analysis. These programming roles were often carried out by women, but the researchers crunching the numbers didnt receive the same acknowledgment in published research that they might expect today.

The practice of downplaying womens scientific contributions isnt anything new, says historian Marsha Richmond, who studies womens early contributions to academic biology. Instead, she says, it follows a long trend that was probably first established in astronomy. The Harvard computers, for example, who calculated the positions and characteristics of thousands of stars at Harvard Observatory at the turn of the 20th centuryand made many important discoveries in astronomy along the waymirrored the mathematical roles that women played at NASA more than half a century later.

Historically, women tended to enter emerging fields like ecology or radiation science, and as employees, they were cheaper to hire than their male counterparts. But once the field develops, they get rather marginalized and the men take over, Richmond says. Although the 1960s and 70s heralded increased visibility for some female scientists, like ecologist Rachel Carson and geneticist Charlotte Auerbach, both genetics and the initially pink-collar field of programming followed the pattern of sidelining women contributors. The proportion of female acknowledged programmers in the new study, for instance, decreased between the 1970s and 1980s as the field became more male-dominated and lucrative.

Richmond calls Huerta-Snchez and Rohlfs paper exciting. It was the first shed learned of women involved in this era of evolutionary biology. The lack of female scientists and programmers in the historic record, Richmond says, is not just a problem of science and society but also of historians. Historians have tended to gravitate towards the males who are considered geniuses.

Both Richmond and the studys principal investigators emphasized that uncovering the presence of women in population genetics could inspire future scientists and guard against the negative impact of gender stereotypes in science. Such work reveals paths to success in a field thats still relatively male-dominated. The more we see women doing science, the more its normal, Rohlfs says, and we hope that will lead to change.

Margaret Wu is an early contributor to population genetics and one of the acknowledged programmers whose name cropped up repeatedly in the new study. As the Atlantics Ed Yong explains, her work help develop a statistical toolstill used todaythat approximates the level of genetic diversity in a population.

But when the team behind the study finally reached Wu, she initially thought theyd contacted the wrong person. Wu, after working as a research assistant at Monash University in Australia, has gone on to specialize in educational statistics, not population genetics. She earned a PhD almost 30 years after the highly-cited study that she contributed numerical work to, and she is now on the faculty of the University of Melbourne.

I was in no way frustrated about the authorship. I didnt even think I should be acknowledged that was the norm in those days, Wu writes in an email. But she also says shes observed and experienced gender discrimination throughout her career in academia. My conclusion was that men are often mates (to use an Australian term), she says, and they unite and are unwilling to contradict each other even though someone is not doing the right thing.

Upon reading about Margaret Wu in the Atlantic, Jess Wade, a physics postdoc at Imperial College London whos created around 510 Wikipedia pages for female scientists, made Wu a Wikipedia page. Wade says via Twitter that her first reaction to the study was anger. I made [the Wikipedia page] because Im sick of these people being written out of history.

Rohlfs also pointed to norms, not individuals, as being responsible for the lack of acknowledgement for women. Because authorship, which is totally crucial for career advancement, can be distributed subjectively, its subject to all the biases we have, she says. Today, for instance, the contributions of technicians might be overlooked, and technicians, Rohlfs says, are more often women and people of color.

Everybody just thought it was okay that these women didnt get authorship, she says. I think that leads us directly then to think about what are our authorship norms today, and who are we excluding because we just tacitly agree that its right to exclude those people.

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