Gizmorama!

Gizmorama -
“The Cutting Edge of Science Fact and Science Possibilities”
————————————————————
Good Morning,

One of Todays’ articles is about Scientists identify-
ing important Rice Genes. Have A Good Day!

Until Tomorrow,
Erin

————————————————————

        Scientists identify important rice gene

A team of international researchers have identified a
gene in rice that controls the size and weight of
grains, Pennsylvania State University announced Sunday.
It is believed the gene might be useful in breeding
high-yield rice crops, a Penn State statement said.
Researchers, which included Penn State biology Profes-
sor Hong Ma, looked at mutant strains of rice that
exhibited underweight grains. “By selectively growing
only those strains of rice with heavier grains, humans
for thousands of years unknowingly have been increas-
ing the frequency of rice populations that had modifi-
cations in the GIF1 gene,” Ma said. The discovery was
published Sunday in an early online edition of the
journal Nature Genetics. The research also will
appear in the November print edition of the journal.

————————————————————
BODY SHAPING UNDERGARMENT
Like Spanx But Less Than 1/2 The Price…

Normal Price: $24.99
DEAL PRICE: $9.99
Get Two Pair for $15.98 (mix n match sizes)

The Body Shaper is a revolutionary slimming and lifting
undergarment than can give you a sexy, curvy hour glass
figure in and instant!

Made from a super comfortable miracle micro fiber, it is the
most effective solution for quickly smoothing out unsightly
bulges and getting your figure back. Just slip on a pair and
watch as the elastic ribbed support flattens and lifts for an
instant tummy tuck, how the side panels firm-up thighs, and
how the double U band ribbing lifts and shapes for a sexy butt!

Just imagine… No more confining girdles or strangling control
top pantyhose! With the Body Shaper, you go from bulging and
bumpy to tight and trim!

All of your problem areas are targeted at once!
- Flatten tummy   - Slim thighs    - Firm and lift butt

The cotton gusset keeps you dry and comfortable. Different
sizes are available. Check It Out By Visiting:
http://pd.gophercentral.com/r/120/a/474/l/1k1958
————————————————————

       Researchers report stem cell alternative

Scientists say they might have found an alternative to
embryonic stem cells that would allow them to exit an
ethics debate over using discarded embryos. Researchers
said they found a way to coax adult cells to regress
into an embryonic state, The Washington Post reported
Saturday. “We have removed a major roadblock for trans-
lating this into a clinical setting,” said Konrad
Hochedlinger, a Harvard University stem cell researcher.
 ”I think it’s an important advance.” His research was
published online Friday by the journal Science. “This
is a huge step forward — it could be the breakthrough
we’ve been looking for,” said Robert Lanza, a stem cell
researcher at Advanced Cell Technology in Worcester,
Mass. Since embryonic stem cells are believed capable
of becoming any type of cell in the body, scientists
hope to use them to create new tissue to meet individual
patients’ needs. Stem cell research is controversial
because the cells were originally obtained by destroy-
ing early-stage embryos. U.S. President George Bush has
restricted federal funding for projects requiring new
stem cell lines.

———————————————————–
SET OF 2 COLLAPSIBLE BUCKETS

Retail Price: $19.99
Deal Price: $12.99
Get 2 (four buckets) for $19.98

Bright 3-gallon buckets twist and fold completely flat for
easy storage in garage, trunk, or beach bag! In durable
polyester with sturdy handle, plastic liner, and zipper close,
they tote fresh-picked veggies or fruit, garden clippings,
potting soil, ice and picnic supplies.

Each, 11″ high x 10 1/2″ diameter.

- Holds Water, Weeds, Potting Soil, Tools & more…
- Great for the Garden, Camping & the Beach
- 3 Gallon Capacity
- Twists & Folds for EASY storage

Set includes one red and one blue. Get one set for $12.99 or
two sets (four buckets) for $19.98 (that’s half off the
normal price). See them at:
http://pd.gophercentral.com/r/120/a/474/l/hq2os0
————————————————————

   Enzyme blocks bug-induced secondary illnesses
 
GETTING one bug is bad, but two is worse. Bacterial
infections often open the door to other invaders,
but now it seems an enzyme can prevent these second-
ary infections, in mice at least.

The mammalian immune system goes into a “tolerant”
state during an infection, reducing its ability to
fight off other invaders. This state persists even
after the bacteria have been killed. Although a
molecule released by bacteria called lipopolysac-
charide (LPS) seems to initiate tolerance, it was
not clear how the immune system returns to its
normal state.

To see if removing LPS was the answer, Robert Munford
at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center,
Dallas, and colleagues injected the molecule into a
group of mice that lacked an enzyme which destroys LPS
and a control group that retained the ability to make
the enzyme. Two weeks later, both were given a deadly
strain of bacteria: 90 per cent of the enzyme-
deficient mice died, while most of the control mice
survived, indicating that removing LPS restored the
immune system to normal (Cell Host & Microbe, DOI:
10.1016/j.chom.2008.06.009).

Munford suspects some people lack a similar enzyme and
that a drug to stimulate its production could prevent
these infections.