Saw this interesting article on ST Online

NZJ! Remember in RI we were discussing about the types of re-combinant DNA therapy that people were testing that resulted in tonnes of weird defects and worsening of cancer conditions? Like they use those virus shells to introduce the desired DNA into people?

Seems switching the genes on and off are a more probable solution now compared to replacing the genes entirely. I wonder when they say the gene is switched on/off, do they mean for the entire body or only the affected part? It'd be pretty phenomenal if it's for the entire body. BUT as usual, you don't know how much u can trust these studys and research reports. As the saying goings, there's lies, damn lies and then there's statistics =p


Healthy lifestyle triggers genetic changes

WASHINGTON - COMPREHENSIVE lifestyle changes including a better diet and more exercise can lead not only to a better physique, but also to swift and dramatic changes at the genetic level, United States researchers said on Monday.
In a small study, the researchers tracked 30 men with low-risk prostate cancer who decided against conventional medical treatment such as surgery and radiation or hormone therapy.
The men underwent three months of major lifestyle changes, including eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and soy products, moderate exercise such as walking for half an hour a day, and an hour of daily stress management methods such as meditation.
As expected, they lost weight, lowered their blood pressure and saw other health improvements. But the researchers found more profound changes when they compared prostate biopsies taken before and after the lifestyle changes.
After the three months, the men had changes in activity in about 500 genes - including 48 that were turned on and 453 genes that were turned off.
The activity of disease-preventing genes increased while a number of disease-promoting genes, including those involved in prostate cancer and breast cancer, shut down, according to the study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The research was led by Dr Dean Ornish, head of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, California, and a well-known author advocating lifestyle changes to improve health.
'It's an exciting finding because so often people say, 'Oh, it's all in my genes, what can I do?' Well, it turns out you may be able to do a lot,' Dr Ornish, who is also affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco, said in a telephone interview.
''In just three months, I can change hundreds of my genes simply by changing what I eat and how I live?' That's pretty exciting,' Dr Ornish said. 'The implications of our study are not limited to men with prostate cancer.'
Dr Ornish said the men avoided conventional medical treatment for prostate cancer for reasons separate from the study. But in making that decision, they allowed the researchers to look at biopsies in people with cancer before and after lifestyle changes.
'It gave us the opportunity to have an ethical reason for doing repeat biopsies in just a three-month period because they needed that anyway to look at their clinical changes (in their prostate cancer),' he said. -- REUTERS

=/

now what have i got myself into?

Chillout day =)

Pity I couldn't leave work @ 2pm =p

The Man Rules

Found this email pretty funny:

At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down. Finally, the guys' side of the story.( I must admit, it's pretty good.) We always hear the rules from the female side. Now here are the rules from the male side. These are our rules! Please note.. these are all numbered '1 'ON PURPOSE! 1. Men are NOT mind readers.
1. Learn to work the toilet seat.You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down..We need it up, you need it down.You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.
1. Sunday sports. It's like the full moonor the changing of the tides.Let it be.
1. Crying is blackmail.
1. Ask for what you want.Let us be clear on this one:Subtle hints do not work!Strong hints do not work!Obvious hints do not work!Just say it!
1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.
1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do.Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.
1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.In fact, all comments become Null and void after 7 Days.
1. If you think you're fat, you probably are.Don't ask us.
1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one
1. You can either ask us to do somethingOr tell us how you want it done.Not both..If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.
1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials..
1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.
1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.
1. If it itches, it will be scratched.We do that.
1. If we ask what is wrong and you say 'nothing,' We will act like nothing's wrong.We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.
1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.
1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine... Really .
1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as football or motor sports 1. You have enough clothes.
1. You have too many shoes.
1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!
1. Thank you for reading this.Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight; But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.
Pass this to as many men as you can -to give them a laugh.
Pass this to as many women as you can - to give them a bigger laugh.

lets go chill man~

Hey dudes,
wil's back? lets go chill when binx and i are done with exams man..after working hrs chill or smtg. coz i'll be starting my work attachment once exams are over. cool shit.