SineIraEtStudio

joined 8 months ago
[–] SineIraEtStudio@midwest.social 27 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (3 children)

Relevant Section on the genetics:

For the study, the researchers took blood from five of the cats, which had been adopted, and conducted a DNA test on four of the felines, which turned up no genetic mutations associated with white fur.

They then performed a whole genome sequencing for two of the cats, and this step turned up a deletion in what's called the KIT gene, which can encode whether white will turn up in a feline's coat (scientists have also connected variations in the KIT gene to piebald patterns in various animals like horses and mice.)

"In summary, comparative data from other species and genotype segregation analysis support the newly discovered KIT region deletion as potentially being a cause of salmiak coat color in cats," the researchers conclude.

[–] SineIraEtStudio@midwest.social 3 points 5 months ago (3 children)

It's strange to me they tested mice. My understanding is that Porcine (pigs) models are usually utilized to evaluate potential GI/intestinal effects on humans. As human and Porcine GI tracts are similar (why you really need to cook pork or you can get diseases or worms from the meat).

The article mentioned cats, so the current list of know susceptible species seems to be bird, cow, mice, and cats. Not a great sign.

[–] SineIraEtStudio@midwest.social 21 points 5 months ago (2 children)

Same with golfing, bowling, darts, etc. I think part of the enjoyment of these types of sports/games/competitions is to see how close to perfection you can get.

[–] SineIraEtStudio@midwest.social 11 points 5 months ago

Relevant section of the article where it lays out what has been changing and what still needs to change:

... graft has been all but exterminated in some of the worst affected areas - for instance, government services such as issuing passports, permits and licences.

He also tells the BBC that significant progress had been made in reforming education and police.

Problem areas

Mr Kalmykov admits, however, that the government has been less successful in eradicating corruption in using natural resources (e.g. in mining and forestry), regulating monopolies and in large infrastructure projects.

"Progress has been slowest where big interests and big players meet," he says.

According to him, "in the next five-ten years the government should focus on cleansing the judiciary, which will make the general system of public administration healthier".

[–] SineIraEtStudio@midwest.social 4 points 5 months ago

Relevant sections of the article:

The EU Council finalized the agreement earlier on May 21, which would provide Ukraine with between 2.5 billion and 3 billion euros ($2.7-3.26 billion) annually, with most of it allocated to Kyiv's military needs.

The European Commission then announced later in the day that the "resources will be available to support Ukraine starting from July 2024, with bi-annual payments."

The distribution will be reviewed on an annual basis.

[–] SineIraEtStudio@midwest.social 2 points 5 months ago

I had never heard anything about this, and found it an interesting read.

From the "War" section of the wiki article (I removed reference numbers for easier reading):

First blood was drawn by the Kasakela community on January 7, 1974, when a party of six adult Kasakela males consisting of Humphrey, Figan, Jomeo, Sherry, Evered, and Rodolf ambushed the isolated Kahama male Godi while he was feeding on a tree. The Kasakela males were accompanied by one female, Gigi, who "charged back and forth around the melee". Despite Godi's attempt to flee, the attackers seized him, threw him on the ground and beat him until he stopped moving. Afterwards, the victorious chimpanzees celebrated boisterously, throwing and dragging branches with hoots and screams, and retreated. Once the Kasakela group had left, Godi stood up again, but probably died of his injuries soon after. This was the first time that any of the chimpanzees had been seen to deliberately attempt to kill a fellow male chimpanzee.

[–] SineIraEtStudio@midwest.social 53 points 5 months ago (11 children)

My understanding is that some of the benefits China would get from invading Taiwan is the control of Taiwan's world-leading semiconductor industry. So making it public knowledge that any invading force (i.e. China) would not be able to take over their production capabilities is a small deterrent.

[–] SineIraEtStudio@midwest.social 4 points 6 months ago

I really like your idea. It would be great insight to have.

[–] SineIraEtStudio@midwest.social 17 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (4 children)

Good news we are increasing the percent from renewables. The pace leaves something to be desired though:

  • 23 years to increase 12% (2000 to 2023, 18% to 30%)

  • 12 years to increase 10% (2011 to 2023, 20% to 30%)

  • 6 years to increase 5% (2017 to 2023, 25% to 30%)

Based on the charts and write up, it seems like China is the main driver of us even making significant progress.

I'd like to be optimistic but 6 years to go 5% will have us totally renewable in 84 years (2023+[6x14]=2107).

[–] SineIraEtStudio@midwest.social 1 points 6 months ago

Certainly. The research is still ongoing but shows promise and is making progress toward being a viable replacement.

I'll edit my original comment to clarify that point.

[–] SineIraEtStudio@midwest.social 3 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (6 children)

Research in the last 5ish years has shown that "any" cell can be induced to change into a stem cell by changing its environment and adding specific growth factors.

Edit: I spent an hour looking for the research I was referring to. I found the papers and dissertation of the author who's talk I went to where the topic was discussed. Unfortunately, with a quick read I didn't find where the author talked about it, leading me to believe it was a discussion had at the end of their defense.

Although I couldn't find the research, BubbleMonkey@slrpnk.net found what I was talking about (induced pluripotent stem cells)

Edit 2: As CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org points out the techniques are not currently at the level where induced stem cells can replace native stem cells.

[–] SineIraEtStudio@midwest.social 10 points 6 months ago

That's a very cute comic. Thanks for sharing the link.

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