Mal: That's not what I saw. You like to tell me what really happened? Book: I surely would. And maybe someday I will.

'Safe'


Natter 41: Why Do I Click on ita's Links?!  

Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.


Rick - Jan 03, 2006 7:22:51 pm PST #7154 of 10002

The house mice — believed to have made their way to Gough decades ago on sealing and whaling ships — have evolved to about three times their normal size

Can you really evolve over mere decades?

Late on this, but scientists in the lab have made these 3x size mice by altering a single gene (to do with growth hormones, I think) so it probably would require only a single mutation to do the same in the wild. Not much in the way of evolution, though, just a single gene.


Consuela - Jan 03, 2006 7:23:17 pm PST #7155 of 10002
We are Buffistas. This isn't our first apocalypse. -- Pix

oh, my god -- I'm astonished and thankful. I was convinced they were dead.


§ ita § - Jan 03, 2006 7:23:45 pm PST #7156 of 10002
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.

it probably would require only a single mutation to do the same in the wild. Not much in the way of evolution, though, just a single gene.

How long would this take to become predominant? Or am I ahead of myself by equating newsworthy with characteristic?


Betsy HP - Jan 03, 2006 7:28:32 pm PST #7157 of 10002
If I only had a brain...

Damn, would I ever sign up for A Week of Dressing Dangerously. I wonder if they do pirates?


Rick - Jan 03, 2006 7:30:23 pm PST #7158 of 10002

How long would this take to become predominant? Or am I ahead of myself by equating newsworthy with characteristic?

There are equations set up for this kind of question, and it depends on reproductive cycle (months in mice) and the relative advantage of the new mutation. But it's likely that there are two strains of mice on the island, each living on a different food source. As you suggest, only one strain is likely to be noticed by the media.


Lee - Jan 03, 2006 7:43:13 pm PST #7159 of 10002
The feeling you get when your brain finally lets your heart get in its pants.

I'm trapped beneath my cat. Send sushi.

Also, Mile High is making me sad.


Lee - Jan 03, 2006 10:30:51 pm PST #7160 of 10002
The feeling you get when your brain finally lets your heart get in its pants.

The earlier news stories seem to be wrong. Now news reports have only one minor surviving, and he is in critical condition.


msbelle - Jan 04, 2006 1:55:34 am PST #7161 of 10002
I remember the crazy days. 500 posts an hour. Nubmer! Natgbsb

I am so glad I did not hear the earlier news reports. Those poor families.


msbelle - Jan 04, 2006 2:26:31 am PST #7162 of 10002
I remember the crazy days. 500 posts an hour. Nubmer! Natgbsb

Google is in braille today.

NY1 is covering the consumer electronic's show in LV. My boss is gonna be there later this week. Not in a booth, but attending a session on the future of photo.


Topic!Cindy - Jan 04, 2006 3:12:43 am PST #7163 of 10002
What is even happening?

The coal miner tragedy is horrible. I cannot fathom how the family members must feel--who saw the mistaken reports that one was lost and 12 were alive, only to have it all reversed.

Late on this, but scientists in the lab have made these 3x size mice by altering a single gene (to do with growth hormones, I think) so it probably would require only a single mutation to do the same in the wild. Not much in the way of evolution, though, just a single gene.

Did they make 3X size mice or 1/3 size mice, or both, in different experiments? I just saw something on the Methusalah Project, and 1/3 size mice (which seem to live longer).