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Australian Biomedical Science graduate with a passion for converting comprehensive genetic findings, into comfortable vernacular for anyone to appreciate.

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What is the 'Good Genes Hypothesis' and is it true?

The famous philanthropist Oprah has advised thousands of women across the globe on how to find ' the one '. But Oprah never mentioned the good genes hypothesis. The good genes hypothesis was originally proposed in the 1980s and propagates the idea that observed mates are selected by their ability to pass on genes that increase reproductive success. How might it work? An organisms phenotype is determined by its genotype. Meaning your body observable properties (organs, tissues and cells) are determined by their genes. Therefore if your face is asymmetrical then more mutations have arisen, making you a sub-optional candidate compared to a more symmetrical competitor, who is less prone to mutations. Many psychology studies have shown that greater symmetry has a relationship with attractiveness. Is the good genes theory well supported or true? Whilst it is an appealing hypothesis, a recent study with almost 5000 participants with varying degrees of facial symmetry fou...
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NKX2-5 Gene Overview

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NKX2-5 Gene Overview In mammalian cells the gene NKX2-5 is found on chromosome 5, more specifically on the long (q) arm of chromosome 5 at position 35.1. (Cytogenetic Location: 5q35.1) Cytogenetic Location: 5q35.1 Transcription of the homeobox NKX2-5 gene into RNA and consequential translation, synthesizes a homeodomain protein. Homeodomain proteins regulate gene expression and cell differentiation during early embryonic development, thus mutations in homeobox genes can cause developmental disorders. The NKX2-5 protein is known as: " Homeobox protein NKX2-5 " and is essential for cardiac development. In the fetal development of mice, disruption of NKX2-5 has proven to be lethal. NKX2-5 is ~3,213 nucleotide bases long and is involved in biological processes that give an organism its shape. Disruption of NKX2-5 has proven to cause abnormal heart shape. Cardiac expression of NKX2-5 continues throughout development and into adult life. References: Myogenic and...
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Does the damage from sun exposure outweigh the benefit of getting vitamin D?

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The sun emits ultraviolet light radiation which is the component of sunlight that is able to damage skin. Ultraviolet (UV) is a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 10 to 400 nanometers, shorter than that of visible light but longer than X-rays. To put nanometers into perspective - A human hair is around 75,000 nanometers in diameter. There are sub-types of UV which define the wavelength size: Ultraviolet A - UVA - 400–315 nanometers Ultraviolet B - UVB - 315–280 nanometers Ultraviolet C - UVC - 280–100 nanometers Interestingly UVB is essential to synthesize Vitamin D. UV light is able to damage DNA. This results with humans cells (typically skin cells) to attempt to repair themselves. As a result sometimes genetic mutations arise - some of which give the cell the ability to divide more frequently (cancer). The process of UV damage is shown in the image below. Although advertises I'm sure would love you to believe that Vitamin D should always be gained from th...
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