Freethought & Rationalism Archive

butswana · 04-24-2002, 10:17 AM

<a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/04/020423080642.htm" target="_blank">http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/04/020423080642.htm</a>

Dr.GH · 04-24-2002, 11:25 AM

Interesting. Thanks for the link.

Peez · 04-24-2002, 11:49 AM

Interesting story, and a good example of science in action.

Peez

RufusAtticus · 04-24-2002, 01:34 PM

I saw Hedges speak earlier this year. It was cool.

-RvFvS

lpetrich · 04-24-2002, 01:59 PM

One problem: as far as I can tell from the article, all of the gene family trees were unrooted, and in the 3-organism case, as is the case here, there is no way to recognize different molecular-evolution rates, which can confound estimates of relationship.

Also, if gene proofreading and repair are less efficient in nematodes than in the other species in the study, then that will allow extra mutations to accumulate in nematodes regardless of how slow-evolving some gene is; slow gene evolution is most likely the result of strong selection for some function, and if there are more mutations, even a slowly-evolving gene will evolve faster.

So I don't think that that paper is a conclusive swipe against the proposed group Ecdysozoa.

Boro Nut · 04-25-2002, 03:29 AM

Three cheers for Gene Study. I think a Nobel Prize would be in order given the amount of work and scientific advancements ascribed to her don't you?

Boro Nut

Oolon Colluphid · 04-25-2002, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Boro Nut:
<strong>Three cheers for Gene Study. I think a Nobel Prize would be in order given the amount of work and scientific advancements ascribed to her don't you?

Boro Nut</strong>

Yep, except that Gene would be a bloke...

Oolon

Boro Nut · 04-26-2002, 03:37 AM

That statement could be construed as offensive to all freethinking female impersonators, like myself.

04-24-2002, 10:17 AM	#1
butswana Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,804	Gene Study Determines How Humans Are Related To Fruit Flies And Nematode Worms <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/04/020423080642.htm" target="_blank">http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/04/020423080642.htm</a>

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04-24-2002, 11:25 AM	#2
Dr.GH Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Dana Point, Ca, USA Posts: 2,115	Interesting. Thanks for the link.

04-24-2002, 11:49 AM	#3
Peez Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Canada Posts: 5,504	Interesting story, and a good example of science in action. Peez

04-24-2002, 01:34 PM	#4
RufusAtticus Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NCSU Posts: 5,853	I saw Hedges speak earlier this year. It was cool. -RvFvS

04-24-2002, 01:59 PM	#5
lpetrich Contributor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lebanon, OR, USA Posts: 16,829	One problem: as far as I can tell from the article, all of the gene family trees were unrooted, and in the 3-organism case, as is the case here, there is no way to recognize different molecular-evolution rates, which can confound estimates of relationship. Also, if gene proofreading and repair are less efficient in nematodes than in the other species in the study, then that will allow extra mutations to accumulate in nematodes regardless of how slow-evolving some gene is; slow gene evolution is most likely the result of strong selection for some function, and if there are more mutations, even a slowly-evolving gene will evolve faster. So I don't think that that paper is a conclusive swipe against the proposed group Ecdysozoa.

04-25-2002, 03:29 AM	#6
Boro Nut Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Middlesbrough, England Posts: 3,909	Three cheers for Gene Study. I think a Nobel Prize would be in order given the amount of work and scientific advancements ascribed to her don't you? Boro Nut

04-26-2002, 03:37 AM	#8
Boro Nut Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Middlesbrough, England Posts: 3,909	That statement could be construed as offensive to all freethinking female impersonators, like myself.

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