junk dna apparently not “junk”
Breakthrough study overturns theory of ‘junk DNA’ in genome
“Long stretches of DNA previously dismissed as “junk” are in fact crucial to the way our genome works, an international team of researchers said on Wednesday. It is the most significant shift in scientists’ understanding of the way our DNA operates since the sequencing of the human genome in 2000, when it was discovered that our bodies are built and controlled by far fewer genes than expected. Now the next generation of geneticists have updated that picture.”
dreams
The Kills (my current fave rock band) cover Dreams on the new Fleetwood Mac cover album–which is actually quite good.
riot grrls!
The Pussy Riot trial began in Moscow yesterday and is said to be the trial that will “set the tone” for Putin’s repeat “Presidency” (aka Dictatorship.) If you don’t know the story behind Pussy Riot, start here. It’s pretty fck’n awesome. Quick summary: ultra-intelligent feminist punk rock girl group takes on the new Russian dictatorship.
Until today, I didn’t realize that Amnesty International was now involved. Go here and add your name to the petition asking the Russian government to drop the “hooligan” charges that has these woman separated from their children for the past 5 months without visitation and could keep them in prison for the next SEVEN years.
Yeah…seven years in prison will show young Russian woman not to step up to the big, bad Putin-man. Must suck for him to be internationally humiliated by a bunch of riot grrls. Karma is a poetic bitch.
cloud atlas
The Wachowski siblings of The Matrix and Tom Twyker of Run Lola Run (two of the best movies ever made) came together to adapt the novel Cloud Atlas into a screenplay and then tri-direct the film. The six minute long trailer looks tremendous in scope. Even though it was rumored to cost 100 million to make, it’s basically an independent film as they had to collect funding from hundreds of different sources. (Nobody in Hollywood would back it because it was too “complex” and impossible to market.) Looks like one of the most ambitious films ever made and the subject matter is pure awesome—-karma, reincarnation, future/past/present connections, the nature of time and existence… does it get better? I think not. Pop the corn! October 26.
BFD rock fest
Shirley Manson & K. Flay (keep your eye on her)… two of Peter’s bad ass photos of from Live 105′s BFD rock festival this past weekend. You can see more of his fantastic (!) photos of Garbage, Silversun Pickups, Jane’s Addiction, Cake, Falling in Reverse, GROUPLOVE, Neon Trees, K.Flay, St. John and Eligh & Amp Live on Peter’s Silicon Valley photo blog, In Startup Land, or over at the Metro where they posted over a hundred of his photos from the fest!
20 seconds to sign your name?
FOOD is, arguably, foundational to any cause you care about. Without healthy food/agriculture, in a couple of decades, we’ll be such a sickly species that we will not have the strength and stamina to take care of our children, animals and the earth.
Let’s make sure that the 2012 FARM BILL—a federal bill that resets agricultural policies every 5 years—invests in healthy food instead of handouts to corporate MEGA-FARMS.
The ever-impressive EWG (Environmental Working Group) has joined with Mario Batali, Michael Pollan and more than 70 of the nation’s food and health leaders to urge Congress to redirect a portion of crop insurance subsidies into vital investments in nutrition, healthy food and conservation programs. Add your voice and SIGN HERE.
EWG is also already preparing for when the farm bill comes up in the House of Representatives. Add your name to their letter to House members HERE.