Remains from Pearl Harbor Identified 82 Years Later

 On December 7, 1941 there was an attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This attack killed 103 crew members of the U.S.S. California and 25 of those soldiers have been buried as unknown remains. Luckily, due to mitochondrial DNA analysis and Y chromosome DNA analysis some of the unknown remains have been identified within the last few months. The identified soldiers so far are David Walker (19), Stanley Galaszewski (29), Pete Turk (20), and Tceollyar Simmons (18). Similar projects are ongoing for soldiers/ crew members from different ships during the same attack.

In my opinion I think it is amazing that they are still putting in effort to put there names and their families to rest. Although it was 82 years ago, it is still remembered and those that were lost were not forgotten. I think the process of analyzing their mitochondrial DNA from 82 years ago is also very interesting and I am glad that we are using modern technology to aid in what many hoped for many years ago. 

Article Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/29/us/virginia-sailor-pearl-harbor.html?searchResultPosition=1

Additional Link: https://www.npr.org/2024/03/30/1241843461/pearl-harbor-dna-virginia-sailor

Discovering the Genes Behind Sleep

 Scientists have been trying to uncover the mechanism and purpose of sleep for decades. We know that all animals must sleep to survive and that there is a circadian rhythm which prepares the body for rest. What we do not yet know is how the body determines how much sleep it needs. Three genes have recently been identified as being related to sleep. These genes were identified by looking for matching mutations within a family who's sleep cycle is set 4 hours ahead of most of the population.

While these three genes do not change much on their own, this is a step towards improving our health. Currently the only measure of whether or not you are getting enough sleep is how sleepy you feel. The hope is that after all sleep genes have been identified, we will have a more quantifiable answer to that question. After studying the sleep genes, scientists will be able to determine how much sleep you need, what is a disorder vs what is habit, and when your body is best able to go to sleep. Some people feel well rested with less sleep than others, seemingly reducing the harmful effects of deprivation. Understanding the genes that cause this may open the way to for medication that helps people feel well rested.

As someone who has never been able to get sound sleep at a reasonable hour, I would like to know if it is because of lifestyle choices or a genetic predisposition. I hope this project gets completed quickly and accomplishes everything it set out to because I, and almost half of all Americans, do not get enough sleep.



Links:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/19/magazine/will-science-ever-give-us-a-better-nights-sleep.html?searchResultPosition=3
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/08/genetic-mutation-makes-people-feel-rested-just-6-hours-sleep

What Causes Warburg Micro Syndrome

            Warburg Micro Syndrome is an uncommon but very serious genetic disease.  Symptoms of this ailment include brain, eye, and endocrine defects.  Those that have to endure this horrific disease can be physically and mentally handicapped.  Also, trouble with mobility and speech as well as blindness and paralysis can be present from childhood on.  Researchers from the Medical College of Wisconsin and the University of Edinburgh have found a gene that is the cause of Warburg Micro syndrome.  The research done involved the gene named TBC1D20.  When tested on mice this gene caused sterility and blindness.  When families with the disease were examined, data showed that there were five different mutations in the TBC1D20 gene.  Even though the mutation of this gene can cause the disease, it is not the only gene that can cause it.  Further research on these genes could lead to a better way to treat Warburg Micro syndrome or to hopefully prevent it completely.

Sources: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131114122101.htm

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/11/121129130406.htm