Gene that Links teenage drinking

Scientists have figured out the brain processes involving teenage alcohol abuse and believe they can explain why some young people have more of a tendency to binge drink then others. A study that was published in the Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences journal found a gene that plays a role in controlling how alcohol stimulates the brain to release dopamine, this gene is RASGRF-2.  "If people have a genetic variation of the RASGRF-2 gene, alcohol gives them a stronger sense of reward, making them more likely to be heavy drinkers," said Gunter Schumann who was a leader of the study.  Alcohol and other addictive drugs trigger the brain’s dopamine systems, which provides feeling of pleasure and reward. The study looked at mice that were modified to have the RASGRF-2 gene removed. It was found the lack of RASGRF-2 was linked to a major decrease in alcohol seeking activity.  The mice that was lacking the gene was found to have no reward since the brain was not releasing dopamine. 663 14-year-old boys were analyzed by brain scans. The findings suggest people with a genetic variation of the RASGRF-2 gene releases more dopamine when anticipating a reward. After two years the same group of boys now 16 years old were analyzed again finding that the ones with the RASGRF-2 gene drank more often at the age of 16 than those with out it.  

The article:

http://news.yahoo.com/scientists-gene-teenage-binge-drinking-222557975--sector.html

Photo:

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=teenage+drinking&num=10&hl=en&sa=X&tbo=d&biw=1275&bih=664&tbm=isch&tbnid=ynzk_xtwK68fXM:&imgrefurl=http://apolloidt.com/2012%2520capstone/Rachel%2520Williams/TeenageDrinking.html&docid=CY0r_1FzyfO78M&imgurl=http://apolloidt.com/2012%252520capstone/Rachel%252520Williams/Assets/070130_stock_teen_drinking.jpg&w=320&h=240&ei=PX3GULfUF8nr0QHelYHIDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=181&vpy=321&dur=202&hovh=192&hovw=256&tx=145&ty=37&sig=118152624156501124547&page=1&tbnh=143&tbnw=190&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:0,i:170

Bigfoots DNA Found??

A recent study claims Bigfoot’s DNA has been discovered. Written on International Science Times was an article stating a press release from DNA Diagnostics claims they found Bigfoot’s DNA. It was found that the DNA was a hybrid of Homo Sapiens and primates.  Dr. Melba S. Ketchum stated, “Sasquatch’s nuclear DNA is incredibly novel and not at all what we had expected.” They found the DNA to have human nuclear DNA within its genome as well as non-human, non-archaic hominin and non-ape sequences. Studies will need to be further done in order to get a better knowledge of the character and understanding of the Sasquatch’s nuclear DNA. For now the idea of BigFoot being real will keep living on, there is hope.

The Article:
http://www.isciencetimes.com/articles/4098/20121127/bigfoot-dna-discovered-study-claims-proven-sasquatch.htm

Primary source:
http://www.dnadiagnostics.com/press.html

Images:
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=bigfoot+crossing+road&hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1275&bih=680&tbm=isch&tbnid=ZijuROdOPTtTGM:&imgrefurl=http://www.examiner.com/article/latest-bigfoot-video-being-reported-on-very-disappointing&docid=NApGZcCaPnKNhM&imgurl=http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/b0/ef/b0ef30b0b757cbd6cf5c80ac71ba978b.JPG&w=469&h=264&ei=kJi_UO7EJaH20gGRnIHYAQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=4&vpy=139&dur=1751&hovh=168&hovw=299&tx=209&ty=41&sig=118152624156501124547&page=1&tbnh=138&tbnw=257&start=0&ndsp=27&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:83

   http://www.google.com/imgres?q=bigfoot&num=10&hl=en&tbo=d&biw=1275&bih=680&tbm=isch&tbnid=GUg1eJX8kOAoLM:&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bigfoot&docid=Wd1s5mUx_sWvzM&imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/25/Smalfut.jpg&w=238&h=267&ei=-Za_UOeFM6y20AHO3oHABw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=4&vpy=160&dur=791&hovh=213&hovw=190&tx=78&ty=102&sig=118152624156501124547&page=1&tbnh=152&tbnw=147&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:152

Are Humans Becoming Less Intelligent?

In a new study published in the journal Trends in Genetics, it is possible for humans to be losing intelligence at a slow rate. The loss of intelligence can be seen from the start, thousands of years ago when humans began living in dense agricultural communities. The first couple generations of humans lived by their spatial abilities; things like making shelter or fighting off a wild animal with a spear. As soon as humans began to go towards agricultural communities these spatial abilities became less of a necessity.  It has been determined through rate of mutations; the average person has two intelligence-stunting genetic changes occurring over the last 3,000 years.  The average IQ has amplified intensely over the last 100 years.  “Most of that jump probably from prenatal care, better nutrition and reduced exposure to brain-stunting chemicals such as lead”(Ghose). Humans are not becoming less intelligent due to the mutations of the intelligent gene.  As evolution occurred the genes for hunter and gatherer began to disappear. This disappearance allowed humans to evolve into a diverse population.

Ghose. Tia.  “Are Humans Becoming Less Intelligent?” Yahoo Science News. 12 Nov.

2012. Web.  25 Nov 2012

The Article:
http://news.yahoo.com/humans-becoming-less-intelligent-173400651.html