Significant Achievements in Science (November 2nd Week)

Beating god in his design

University of Illinois researchers have built a better plant, one that produces more leaves and fruit without needing extra fertilizer. They achieved this feat using computer models and simulating every step of the photosynthetic process. Photosynthesis in plants involves an elaborate array of chemical reactions requiring dozens of protein enzymes and other chemical components. After determining the relative abundance of each of the proteins involved in photosynthesis, the researchers created a series of linked differential equations, each mimicking a single photosynthetic step. The team tested and adjusted the model until it successfully predicted the outcome of experiments conducted on real leaves, including their dynamic response to environmental variation. The researchers then programmed the model to randomly alter levels of individual enzymes in the photosynthetic process. Using “evolutionary algorithms,” which mimic evolution by selecting for desirable traits, the model hunted for enzymes that – if increased – would enhance plant productivity. If higher concentrations of an enzyme relative to others improved photosynthetic efficiency, the model used the results of that experiment as a parent for the next generation of tests. This process identified several proteins that could, if present in higher concentrations relative to others, greatly enhance the productivity of the plant.

Human ancestors: more gatherers than hunters?

Chimpanzees crave roots and tubers even when food is plentiful above ground, according to a new study at the University of Southern California that raises questions about the relative importance of meat for brain evolution. As the brain and body size of the early hominids approach more towards a human level, would they like meat more than potatoes or would they like potatoes more than meat was a topic of debate. Anthropologists had speculated that roots and tubers were mere fallback foods for hominids trying to survive the harsh dry season in the savanna 3.5 million years ago and later (hominids are known to have consumed meat at least as early as 2.5 million years ago). But the study based on observation of 11 digging sites in the Ugalla savanna woodland of western Tanzania, found that modern chimps only dig for roots during the rainy season, when other food sources abound. The finding suggests, but does not prove, that hominids behaved the same way. Researchers view modern chimps as proxies for hominids because of similarities in habitat, brain mass and body size.

Let’s share the nest, honey...

Whereas most birds are sole proprietors of their nests, some tropical species “time share” together – says Queens University researchers. The study confirms one of Charles Darwin’s more controversial theories – first put forward in 1859 and since disputed by many experts – that different species can arise, unhindered, in the same place. They studied a small seabird called the band-rumped storm petrel, which nests on desert islands in the tropics and sub-tropics. They observed that one set of petrels will breed in burrows, raise their chicks, and leave for the winter. Then a different set of birds moves in – similar to a vacation “time share” – and repeats the pattern in the very same burrows. When the season changes again, the first set of birds will return.

Young’s experiment goes molecular

The famous Young’s experiment – popularly known as the double slit experiment for creating interference patterns when light passes through tiny slits has now been conducted in the molecular level. At small sizes, atomic planes can create interferences in the transmission of X rays, providing information about the internal structure of the material. An experiment done by researchers at the University of Frankfurt used electrons for light and the slits were nuclei of hydrogen molecule. The two protons of the hydrogen molecule acted as the slits emitting the electrons which were part of the molecule. The interference pattern suggests wave nature rather than particle nature, as if emission had taken place from the two points simultaneously. This experiment may throw light into the quantum world and could aid research in quantum computing.

Significant Achievements in Science (November 1st Week)

Two wrongs make it right

A gene Kcna1 which is responsible for the flow of potassium in and out of channels would cause epilepsy if there is a deficiency in the gene. A gene Cacna1a which is responsible for the flow of calcium in and out of channels would cause epilepsy if there is a deficiency in the gene. Researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) has come up with a study published in Nature Neuroscience which says that if the mutation is present in both the genes, then the person may not be epileptic. The research indicates that it is not the presence of mutation in a gene that matters, but the presence of mutation in pairs of genes that would matter. Instead of analyzing individual genes, it is better to analyze a gene profile to obtain the correct diagnosis.

Turkeys or cuckoos?

What was the early bird like? Were they like turkeys that dwell more on the ground or were they like cuckoos that dwell more on the tree? This question had been a major topic of debate in evolutionary biology. The research done at the University of Queensland, compared the claw curvatures of ancient and modern birds and found that the evolutionary ancestor of birds moved more on the ground than on the tree. The claws of Mesozoic birds and their immediate ancestors, the non-avian theropods, are relatively ‘straight’—most like those of birds that are now either specialized for walking on the ground or have a preference for it, rather than the highly curved claws of birds that spend a lot of time in trees.

Computers learn to appreciate art

In a step forward in the field of computer vision, University of Haifa has taught computers to appreciate art through a mathematical program. After the computer "learns" some of the works of each artist, the program enables the computer to master the individual style of each artist and to identify the artist when looking at other works – works the computer has never seen. Prof. Daniel Karen, who developed this program says, “As soon as the computer learns to recognize the clock drawings of Dali, it will recognize his other paintings, even without clocks. As soon as the computer learns to recognize the swirls of Van Gogh, it will recognize them in pictures it has never seen before." This program could be used to identify whether a painting is a fake one or not.

Why are we generous?

This was the question asked by Paul.J.Zak of Claremont Graduate University. He says the secret behind generosity is Oxytocin. In the research, Zak and his colleagues gave doses of Oxytocin and a placebo to participants, who were then offered a blinded, one-time decision on how to split a sum of money with a stranger who could accept or reject the split. The results were overwhelming: Those given oxytocin offered 80% more money than those given a placebo. In an earlier study, Zak had found that Oxytocin was also responsible for trust. The conclusion is: If you want to trust somebody or to show generosity to somebody, have Oxytocin in your blood.