The 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine goes Americans Mario Capecchi, Oliver Smithies and Briton Martin Evans won the 2007 Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday for their discoveries of principles for introducing specific gene modifications in mice by the use of embryonic stem cells.
This morning, Mario R. Capecchi, Martin J. Evans and Oliver Smithies were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries of “principles for introducing specific gene modifications in mice by the use of embryonic stem cells.”
The technology for homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells permits specific targeting of genes for disruption or modification in the resulting animal. Known as transgenic gene “knockouts” (and more recently, “knock-ins”), the methodology has allowed the study of specific processes in normal development, adult physiology, and numerous diseases. According to the Nobel press release, over 10,000 gene knockout mouse strains are now available, representing the manipulation of half of the total genes in mice.
The process, known as gene targeting, has been used to help study such diseases as cystic fibrosis, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
In its citation, the award committee said that the use of gene targeting has shed light on embryonic development, aging and disease.
The medicine prize was the first of the six prestigious awards to be announced this year. The others are chemistry, physics, literature, peace and economics.
The prizes are handed out every year on Dec. 10, the anniversary of award founder Alfred Nobel’s death in 1896.
With gene targeting it is now possible to produce almost any type of DNA modification in the mouse genome, allowing scientists to establish the roles of individual genes in health and disease. Gene targeting has already produced more than five hundred different mouse models of human disorders, including cardiovascular and neuro-degenerative diseases, diabetes and cancer.
Music seems to be smitten by the bling bug too and there’s no doubt about it. In recent times we featured a collection of crystal-studded guitars on Bornrich that, I’m sure, dazzled most of the music aficionados. But those seeking pure bling can rave-up as gold and diamond encrusted Ritter bass is up for grabs for $250,000. Dubbed as Flora Aurum, it features a pure gold bejeweled floral inlay with each leaf decorated with black diamonds set in platinum. Two flawless 3,3ct diamonds sit atop the two knobs while tiny green diamonds serve as knob position markers. Even the bridge, the tuner buttons and the knobs are handcasted in gold.
Exclusively handcrafted, the body is one-piece highest-figured quilted maple while the nut is crafted out of 10,000 year-old mammoth ivory. However with this entire bling factor, it still doesn’t manage to get crowned as the most expensive bass. German luthier, Jens Ritter, crafted such an ornamented Flora Aurum cause he believes that “More and more people do not just want a tool for their job or hobby, they want a piece of culture.”
We have told you about tanning beds for your home at many instances. But, let’s give it to Hapro for designing Glamour Editions of Luxura X7 and V7 which comes detailed with sparkling rhine stones and eye-catching violet top lighting to make your interiors glow with you! The stylish tanning bed comes in pearl white color and it features impressive qualities on the inside as well. The horizontal X7 and stand-up V7 promise to give you gold tan with its efficient Maxlight tanning lamps. But, the glamorous design comes coupled with techie features including Contour Plus, SoundAround & MyMp3, Smartvoice, Xsens, Qsens and Climax on the horizontal X7 to keep you entertained. The Vertical V7 model even features adjustable body cooling, loud speakers and a variety of aroma options with Xsens for a rejuvenating experience. Just as the company’s tag line says, “Beauty does matter”.
As of yet, I am able to sit upright, facing my monitor, for many hours at a stretch in a day and also maintain a healthy back. But since my passion and job involves surfing internet, I need to focus on getting an ergonomically designed work station that will keep all the posture related probs at bay. Theoretically, on the mention of the Surf Chair, your mind with drift to relaxing lazing chairs on the promenades and beach fronts. But in a geek’s dictionary, it’s not the same. A true geek can immediately conjure up an image of a chair used to surf the net at ease. Like the one designed by Kenneth Lylover! Intended for the ‘Internet Collection’ competition at the Scandinavian Furniture Fair, this rocking chair also managed to bag the price of Winner of “Best Product” there. This chair seems to be very comfortable, as you can see from this picture that it is fitted with numerous pillows to support every part of body.
Also the monitor is smartly suspended in front of the user by this one piece work station. However the keyboard and mouse are supposed to be placed as usual on the users lap. Wonder why some kinda folding tray isn’t fitted in this otherwise uber cool workstation?
Though we managed to bring to you array of smart and elegant workstations some time ago, this Surf Chair seems to be much more simpler and straight-thinking then all of ’em
We, over at BornRich, are crazy about concept gadgets that could change the way we eat, drink, and interact. Lately, we spotted the Digitable coffee table, Spekti coffee table, One & Co coffee table, and the very attractive XYZ Computer Desk. This time, we have yet another multimedia coffee table that looks quite good, glossy, and inviting. The Digitable by Peter Lea integrates a CD/DVD player and disc storage carousel into a contemporary glass coffee table (do check out the image gallery). All you need to do is to pair it with your plasma TV and enjoy your favorite tracks and movies whilst sipping your cup of coffee. The form factor and the idea does look good (hope we see it for real too), but I am still not able to get myself out of the ecstasy of the XYZ computer desk.
This is just the thing that will prove that God does exist to all you die-hard Star Wars fans. After years of talking to the miniature versions of your favorite beings from the galaxy far, far away, you finally have the opportunity to welcome life-size versions of the droids into your living room. For a paltry sum of $5,950, you can get a life-size C-3PO figure to hang out with you. If you also want his sidekick R2-D2 to join your private party as well, you’ll have to shell out another $5,450. Which actually turns out to be quite a bargain considering how these Sideshow Collectibles exclusive figures are made from fiberglass and feature lights and sounds powered by a set of AA batteries and are as accurate a reproduction of the originals as possible on earth. And don’t worry about getting them special seats or something either. Both the figures come with their own display base with magnetically attached restraining bolt to maintain their posture. The droids are most likely to be limited edition so you better get busy with your pre-orders right now.
A truly inimitable experience can be had with this Teuco hydroshower - the Armonya bathtub and shower combination unit by Angeletti Ruzza. The Teuco Armonya combination unit is a novel piece of equipment that blends the convenience of the bathtub and shower with multiple other amenities that make this product stand out from the crowd. The Armonya and Armonya Light are characterized by meticulous transparency, precious finishes (i.e. anodized aluminum) and essential design. The combination unit touts the unique Hydrosilence System, which offers complete relaxation and lets you enjoy the purest possible sound of well-being, the murmur of flowing water. Other salient features include hydrosonic jets, hydromassage jets, hand shower with anti-scale function on the up-down adjustment rail, control panel and remote control, headrest, combined overflow filler for bath, and radio. The use of translucent and opaque materials and lighting make Armonya to deliver special effects that cannot be found in other showers.
After almost 9 months, we are back with more from the house of luxury yachts, Sabdes. Although this time it’s a bit smaller than the previous 230-foot megayacht that we had covered, the most recent Sabdes design comes in the form of a 50 metre (164′) Superyacht. So we need to understand that not everything big is better. Great things do come in (bit) smaller packs too! For this baby, the team has concentrated on producing an exciting, stylish, advanced luxury yacht that is efficient in fuel and emissions too. Thumbs up for focusing on being eco-friendly. Designed by Australian Superyacht Stylist Scott Blee, the yacht is based around an advanced slender hull form with a reverse bow, offering superior sea keeping, minimized wave ’slamming’, economical 25 knot performance, and long distance range.
The hull design also will be optimized to have a minimal surface and hull wake, thus reducing its impact on sensitive marine life and shoreline erosion. The external styling is described as contemporary, clean and slightly aggressive with sharp edges and sweeping lines intersecting glass windows in the superstructure. A ‘classic’ yacht character is achieved by side glass protection strakes covered with wood veneer, and in the the use of wood panels in the sides nearing the transom.
Here’s just one example of its contribution towards a greener earth. The yacht’s total power consumption will be kept to a minimum by careful consideration of every technical element throughout; for instance, the vessel will have LED lighting, there will be more reliance on natural cooling to support the air conditioning system, and insulation and window materials are carefully selected.
The new Sabdes 50 meter Superyacht will undoubtedly leave less charcoal footprints, without sacrificing on style and status as well as performance.
More and more strollers, outsized or undersized, are rolling into the pedestrian world. Choosing the right stroller can be pretty difficult since time, money, and most importantly you and your child’s comfort and safety all come into play. But with this Metrolla Strolla by dan levin, your infant will enjoy the best of the comforts and people are going to turn heads for more then once. Since not much is mentioned about the features of this oddly named
stroller, you’ll have to take my word on it. The shape resembles a car seat that is fixed on some kind of stand. The site does state that it is a city
stroller, for urban families, as this particular can disconnect from the
stroller and connect to a bicycle with ease. Co-designed by Evan Garrett,
stroller is also skilled to move up and down the stairs. Wonder how?
How would you like your Ferrari to look like? What say about designing one on your own? Well, Ferrari has recently announced its new Ferrari 612 Scaglietti One-to-One Personalisation Program, which will allow the buyers to design their own Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, accessory by accessory, detail by detail. The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti takes pride at the Ferrari stand for being the model used in the inauguration of the personalization program. A specially designated area will be set up at the Ferrari Factory to allow clients to put together their ideal 612 Scaglietti. In consultation with the Ferrari experts, clients can then decide what best accessories they would like for their cars. Eventually, the Ferrari experts would help clients build the car, according to specifications laid out by the clients.
The 612 Scagliettis being used to launch the One-to-One Programme are reflective of a series of technical evolutions that truly represent the Ferrari philosophy of constant innovations in each model. The new models of this flagship like the V12 have an electrochromic panoramic roof which covers the entire top of the cabin. This gives the driver and passengers a sense of comfort and safety. The roof is made from electrochromic glass which can be modified at the touch of a button to adjust the levels of sunlight allowed into the cabin. In addition to all this, the flagship models boast excellent gear-shifting times. Now, what a pleasure this would be drive this this car, regardless of the driving conditions.
So, don’t waste any more time and head straight to the Ferrari factory to make a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti that best suits your needs and liking.