After just under a year in space, astronaut Scott Kelly’s gene expression changed significantly and it’s different to his identical twin brother’s DNA. A new NASA statement suggests the physical and mental stresses of Scott Kelly’s year in orbit may have activated hundreds of “space genes” that altered the astronaut’s immune system, bone formation, eyesight and other bodily processes. While most of these genetic changes reverted to normal following Scott Kelly’s return to Earth, about 7 percent of the astronaut’s gene expression remained altered — and it may stay that way permanently.
During Elvis Presley’s childhood…
During Elvis Presley‘s childhood, the family often relied on help from neighbors and government food assistance.
Born in January 1921, the writer…
Born in January 1921, the writer Patricia Highsmith once smuggled 100 snails and a head of lettuce into a literary party in her handbag so she had someone to talk to.
Massachusetts has a ruling regarding …
Massachusetts has a ruling regarding what qualifies as a sandwich. Qdoba and Panera were part of a 2006 contract dispute in which it was claimed that a burrito was a sandwich. The court ruled that only two pieces of bread, along with some sort of filling, could hold the mantle of sandwich.
European bison herds move…
European bison herds move by majority rule: each bison “votes” by facing the direction it wants to go, and the herd goes in the direction chosen by the largest number.
There are people who remember everyday…
There are people who remember everyday of their lives. It’s a condition called highly superior autobiographical memory, or HSAM. Given a random day, month and year, they can remember what they were doing, who they were with, where they were and even what day of the week it was.
Kermit the Frog was awarded an honorary…
Kermit the Frog was awarded an honorary doctorate of Amphibious Letters on May 19, 1996, at Southampton College, New York, where he also gave a commencement speech. He is also the only “amphibian” to have had the honor of addressing the Oxford Union debating society.
There is a Jewish “tradition”…
There is a Jewish “tradition” (primarily among Jewish Americans) of eating Chinese food on Christmas.
January is named after Pagan God Janus…
January is named after Pagan God Janus. He is deity of new beginnings and transitions. He is two faced. Older face is the year that has come to an end. Younger face is the New Year we look forward to.
The residents of the Spanish village…
The residents of the Spanish village Villar de Corneja near Avila, where the average age is 75, toast the New Year 12 hours before the rest of their countrymen in a collective decision to get to bed at a decent hour.