Scientists reverse old age symptoms in mice

In case rats at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School were feeling old, some lucky lab rats found their decrepit organs rejuvenated back to youth in an experiment conducted by a group of Harvard scientists, with far-reaching implications for human ageing.

The youth elixir in this experiment is an enzyme called telomerase, which prevents the natural deterioration of telomeres, a protective cap found at the tip of chromosomes.

Most ageing occurs because of the deterioration of telomeres. Three scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize last year for the discovery of telomerase.

In the experiment, led by Dr. Ronald DePinho, a cancer geneticist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, scientists took six-month-old mice and engineered them with a telomerase gene, which could be toggled on or off through artificial means. When turned off, the mice manifested typical symptoms of age often seen in humans in their 80s and 90s, such as barrenness, shrunken brains, and loss of smell.

"In this state we flipped the [telomerase] gene back on," DePinho explained to PCMag. "We expected to see a slowing of the ageing process, but instead what we witnessed was a dramatic reversal." For instance, the mice's coat hairs were restored to sheen, fertility enhanced, and smell restored.

Since the findings were first published yesterday in Nature magazine, other scientists have warned that artificially turning on and off a telomerase switch in humans could actually trigger cancer cells. DePinho added that decreasing telomere reserves was just "one of many factors" that can damage cells, and that "just correcting one factor won't necessarily extend lifespan."

Furthermore, a human application is still at least a decade away, he predicts. Instead, the biggest take-home from the experiment is that ageing cells can be rejuvenated.

"It teaches us that if the underlying cause of ageing is eliminated, that tissues retain a remarkable capacity to rejuvenate—so there is a point of return on the ageing process."

                                          SUBSCRIBE TO BLOG

Princeton engineers create laser from air

Princeton engineers create laser from air

In the "so-futuristic-it-hurts" category, Princeton engineers have come up with a way to create a laser beam out of thin air. Their method, published in the journal Science yesterday, uses a focused laser pulse which causes another beam to be created from the air, carrying fingerprints of any molecules it encounters to a receiver. The effect comes from the first laser energizing oxygen atoms in a specific area and, as they cool, causing them to release infrared light, exciting more atoms and amplifying the process. 

Besides the cool factor that comes with being able to create a laser beam out of nothing but surrounding atmosphere, the device is a very effective way of detecting contaminants, like bombs or hazardous gases, research group leader Richard Miles said in this article on physorg.com. According to the story, the group envisions a device small enough that it could be mounted on a tank and used to search a roadway for bombs, making it not just cool as a gadget, but also a potential life saver for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

                                                      SUBSCRIBE TO BLOG

Report: Facebook to overhaul commenting system for third-party sites

 Facebook is preparing to launch a completely revamped commenting system for third-party sites in the next few weeks.

CNet's Caroline McCarthy has reported that the system would allow Facebook's software to power commenting on high-profile sites and blogs.

Facebook is already present in the comments section of a lot of sites. Blogs or other Web sites can connect to Facebook by integrating the developer API. "Social commenting" is also available to build into a site as a widget.

Users can also set up alerts that are posted on their Facebook walls, advertising when they have commented. McCarthy's sources said that the new platform is a deeper expansion of these existing services. Facebook will handle all aspects of the new system, including the log-in, posting, and cross-promoting the comments on other users' pages. McCarthy also said that comments will likely be promoted on the fan pages for media outlets, and that the "like" button will be a prominent feature of the platform.

"We're testing an updated plugin that leverages authenticity and social relevancy to increase distribution," a Facebook spokesperson told PC Mag. "We're testing the plugin on our Facebook Blog and Developer Blog but have no further details to share at this time."

The concept is similar to that of TimesPeople, the commenting system the New York Times has been using in recent years.

Additionally, comments on People Magazine's Web site are already handled by Facebook. All Things D's Peter Kafka said. Facebook will be courting other major media companies to sign on with the new system.

Interestingly enough, Facebook's program could allow users to connect with Google, Yahoo, or Twitter usernames. It's a bit surprising, considering Facebook's relationship with both Google and Twitter has been rocky in the past.

Tensions between Facebook and Google have been slowly building over the past several months. After Google barred Facebook from its Contacts API. Facebook fired back by posting a loophole around the blockage.

On top of that, in November, Facebook introduced what some interpreted as a challenge to Gmail, a retooled messaging system that combines email, SMS, IM, and other messaging services.

Facebook has also blocked a Twitter application that finds friends by browsing through a user's Facebook friend list.

This new system could take a bite out of the business of commenting start-ups like Echo and Disqus. McCarthy's sources pointed out that the revamped platform is in direct competition with these newer, smaller companies.

                                                  SUBSCRIBE TO BLOG

Android Market finally gets a web store

The Android Market has finally joined the rest of the other major platform-owned mobile app stores (from Ovi to Apple to BlackBerry) by launching a web version of the store – market.android.com. Now users have the opportunity to view, access, and then single-click download Android Market applications on the web.

The interface is clean and has plenty of useful filters from compatibility to cost. The app download process is also simple - pay (if required) via Google Checkout, choose the device (one of the phones you’ve accessed the market with before, when signed in), click install, and the app arrives over-the-air (OTA) . You can manage your account here as well, assigning names to the devices for easy access later, and more.

All this makes web access of the Android Market a definite boon for those not in Wi-Fi areas, or those lacking or not wanting to use their mobile GPRS/EDGE or 3G connectivity.

The uncertain and sometimes expensive nature of mobile data usage/connectivity is not the only reason for the creation of a web mobile app store. App discovery is bound to be, and is, much easier on larger screens, and, the advantage to the app developers themselves obvious. App sharing via the web is also possible, sending app links via Twitter or email. App pages can also be much more elaborate (with high-res images and videos), allowing developers to better detail and sell their product to potential customers.

With the release of the web-store, Google has also announced some other long-awaited benefits to the developers, introducing in-app purchases and thereby opening up a world of add-on content, promotion and cross-promotion, something that’s obviously monetarily exciting for developers, even those creating free applications. This functionality will be available by the end of March, with the release of the latest SDK.

Developers will also be to give different prices for their apps in different currencies, and so avoid the rough, unrounded numbers common with currency conversions.

Check out the web-version of the Android Market here, and let us know what you think in the comments section below.
                                                 SUBSCRIBE TO BLOG