Breath of Fresh Death

Breathing polluted air for even a short period of time can cause some genes to undergo reprogramming, which may affect a person's risk of developing cancer and other diseases, say Italian researchers.
Comparisons of blood DNA samples from healthy workers who were exposed to high levels of airborne particulates at a foundry near Milan revealed that after only three days of exposure, changes occurred in four genes that have been linked to tumor suppression, according to research presented Sunday at the International Conference of the American Thoracic Society, in San Diego.
more HERE and HERE

DNA tests are in: Jerry Lewis has another kid

Suzan Lewis' personal manager says tests have revealed both his client and U.S. entertainer Jerry Lewis' son, Gary, share a very rare DNA marker.
"Inside Edition" Thursday said DNA results indicate an 88.7 percent probability that Suzan is related to singer Gary, the oldest son of Jerry Lewis.
Suzan has tried to get Jerry Lewis to acknowledge her as his biological daughter for years.
more HERE
Howard Stern will interview the disabled, and formerly homeless Suzan Lewis, along with Gary Lewis on his Sirius Satellite radio program on March 18, 2009.
Suzan's website HERE

Colbert's DNA to be Shot into Space

Stephen Colbert continues to make late-night television space history. On "The Colbert Report" in May, he was the first host in late-night to interview an astronaut, Garrett Reisman, in space. Now, Colbert plans to save humanity when he has his DNA digitized and sent to the International Space Station (ISS) with famed game designer Richard Garriott.

"I am thrilled to have my DNA shot into space, as this brings me one step closer to my life-long dream of being the baby at the end of '2001'," said Colbert.
more HERE

'CSI' for Fish

Two teenage girls used DNA bar coding to determine that some sushi on New York dinner plates was mislabeled with cheaper fish being passed off as a more expensive species.
Kate Stoeckle and Louisa Strauss were not science majors or even college students when they decided to take 60 samples of seafood and use a genetic fingerprinting technique to see whether the fish were labeled correctly.
The results showed that 25 percent of the girls' samples were mislabeled: half of the restaurant samples and six out of 10 grocery store samples.
Kate Stoeckle's father, Mark, a scientist and proponent of the use of DNA bar coding, said of the girls, "They are the first to do it..."It's like 'CSI' for fish."
CNN report is HERE

Edwards' Ex-Lover Rejects DNA Test Idea

John Edwards, right, is seen seated next to Rielle Hunter, left, on a plane from New Hampshire to Reno, Nev. Friday, Dec. 29, 2006.

Rielle Hunter, the former presidential campaign aide who had an affair with John Edwards, said yesterday that she will not pursue DNA testing to establish the paternity of her 5-month-old daughter, despite the former senator's offer to participate in such a test.
Washington Post report HERE

DNA Research Pioneer Gunther Stent has Died

Gunther S. Stent, a UC Berkeley molecular biologist who was a member of the key postwar group of scientists who solved the basic mysteries of the gene and how DNA functions, died June 12 at a retirement home in Haverford, Pennsylvania.
He was 84 and died from a massive staph infection that he had been fighting for several months.
Los Angeles Times obit HERE
many of his books available HERE
our favorite title, 'Nazis, Women and Molecular Biology...' can be found HERE...available HERE

Finally an Eddie Murphy Home Test Kit

A take-home DNA test went on sale Tuesday at 4,363 Rite Aid drug stores throughout the United States, except for New York, because they all use condoms and know who fathered their babies.
The DNA test costs $29.95 and it contains a swab, a consent form and an envelope. The swab is used to collect saliva from baby, mommy and possible baby daddy. You then mail the swab to a lab for an additional $119. It takes 3 to 5 business days to get your results by mail, email or their online service.
more HERE