tagged w/ University of Missouri
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Lucy may well be the world’s most famous fossil hominid. She is the best-known specimen of the species Australopithecus afarensis, and her partial skeleton, found in 1974, revealed that she and her kin could walk upright.
But because of a lack of foot bone specimens, scientists have long debated how well she walked — that is, whether A. afarensis also used a grasping movement with the feet, as apes do when they grab tree branches.
Now, a fossilized foot bone from Hadar, Ethiopia, reveals that A. afarensis had arched feet, as do modern humans, and was fully committed to walking upright. The species lived between 3.7 million and 2.9 million years ago.
Researchers from the University of Missouri and Arizona State University report these findings in the journal Science.
The newly found specimen is a well-preserved fourth metatarsal, one of the long bones that connect the toe to the base of the foot.
The bone is more similar to the modern human foot than to that of apes, and it suggests that the A. afarensis foot had a well-formed arch that was shock-absorbing.
“One little tiny bone of the foot tells us a good, long story,” said Carol V. Ward, the study’s lead author and a biologist at the University of Missouri. “They couldn’t grab on to much, and they were walking just like we were.”
Until two years ago, Lucy was the earliest known skeleton from the human branch of the primate family. She was replaced by Ardi, who belongs to the species Ardipithecus ramidus and lived 4.4 million years ago. Unlike Lucy, Ardi most likely walked both upright and on all fours.Lucy may well be the world’s most famous fossil hominid. She is the best-known... more
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With TV shows like "Miami Ink" making body modification a staple in American homes, what is the role of body modification in our society today? Several University of Missouri students share their opinions, and Michael Wheeler, tattoo artist, discusses what he has seen as an industry professional.With TV shows like "Miami Ink" making body modification a staple in American... more
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adz68
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3 years ago
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In today's economy, prices are going up and down at a pretty constant rate. Jake Hammel, a junior at the University of Missouri, talks about his spending habits and how he attempts to curb them. We also spoke to MU Professor John Bangs for some professional advice on to limit spending and form good economic habits early.In today's economy, prices are going up and down at a pretty constant rate. Jake... more
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adz68
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3 years ago
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With Thailand currently in political upheaval, Thai students at the University of Missouri decided to run 81 laps around an outdoor track to show support for their king on his 81st birthday. King Bhumibol Adulyadej has served as the country's head of state since June 9, 1946. He is Thailand's -- and the world's -- longest-reigning monarch.With Thailand currently in political upheaval, Thai students at the University of... more
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Studies show an increasing number of college students are turning to long distance relationships. In fact, an estimated 4.4 million college students nationwide have been in long distance relationships. Rachel Smeda and Kate Miller, two University of Missouri college students, discuss the ups and downs of being in long distance relationships.
By: Jessica Malnik
*Still photos provided by Rachel SmedaStudies show an increasing number of college students are turning to long distance... more
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jnmb8c
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3 years ago
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Many people don't know a whole lot about CouchSurfing so we decided to check it out for ourselves and CouchSurf in Columbia, Mo.Many people don't know a whole lot about CouchSurfing so we decided to check it... more
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EricD
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3 years ago
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Barack Obama's campaign targeted Missouri as a potential pick-up in the 2008 election, relying heavily on volunteer effort to get out the vote. Nick Mustoe, a University of Missouri student, was one such volunteer. Current TV reporters Nick McClellan and Brad Fischer followed Mustoe through the final days and hours of campaign 2008. Mustoe shared how volunteering for a political campaign made a profound difference in his life, challenged him to take action and convinced him that change begins within.Barack Obama's campaign targeted Missouri as a potential pick-up in the 2008... more
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Without eyes or ears, plants must rely on the interaction of molecules to determine appropriate mating partners and avoid inbreeding. In a new study, University of Missouri researchers have identified pollen proteins that may contribute to the signaling processes that determine if a plant accepts or rejects individual pollen grains for reproduction.
Like humans, the mating game isn’t always easy for plants. Plants rely on external factors such as wind and animals to bring them potential mates in the form of pollen grains. When pollen grains arrive, an introduction occurs through a “conversation” between the pollen (the male part of the flower) and the pistil (the female part of the flower). In this conversation, molecules take the place of words and allow the pollen to identify itself to the pistil. Listening in on this molecular conversation may provide ways to control the spread of transgenes from genetically-modified crops to wild relatives, offer better ways to control fertilization between cross species, and lead to a more efficient way of growing fruit trees.
“Unlike an animal’s visual cues about mate selection, a plant’s mate recognition takes place on a molecular level,” said Bruce McClure, associate director of the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center and researcher in the MU Interdisciplinary Plant Group and Division of Biochemistry. “The pollen must, in some way, announce to the pistil its identity, and the pistil must interpret this identity. To do this, proteins from the pollen and proteins from the pistil interact; this determines the acceptance or rejection of individual pollen grains.”
In the study, researchers used two specific pistil proteins, NaTTS and 120K, as “bait” to see what pollen proteins would bind to them. These two pistil proteins were used because they directly influence the growth of pollen down the pistil to the ovary where fertilization takes place.
Three proteins, S-RNase-binding protein (SBP1), the protein NaPCCP and an enzyme, bound to the pistil proteins. This action suggests that these proteins likely contribute to the signaling processes that affect the success of pollen growth.
“Our experiment was like putting one side of a Velcro strip on two pistil proteins and then screening a collection of pollen proteins to see which of the pollen proteins have the complementary Velcro strip for binding,” McClure said. “If it sticks, it’s a good indication that the pollen proteins work with the pistil proteins to determine the success of reproduction.”
In previous studies, McClure showed that S-RNase, a protein on the pistil side, caused rejection of pollen from close relatives by acting as a cytotoxin, or a toxic substance, in the pollen tube.
For their study, the MU team used Nicotiana alata, a relative of tobacco commonly grown in home gardens as “flowering tobacco.” The study, “Pollen Proteins Bind to the C-Terminal Domain of Nicotiana Alata Pistil Arabinogalactan Proteins,” was published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry and was co-authored by McClure; Kirby N. Swatek, biochemistry graduate student; and Christopher B. Lee, post-doctoral researcher at the Bond Life Sciences Center.Without eyes or ears, plants must rely on the interaction of molecules to determine... more
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bmltv
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Wes Upchurch, the Libertarian candidate for the office of secretary of state in Missouri, and Carl Werner, the Missouri state youth coordinator for the Bob Barr presidential campaign, describe the challenges of being a third party member in the United States. Due to limited funding, Upchurch and Werner have come up with creative ways to get their message across and mobilize supporters. Wes Upchurch, the Libertarian candidate for the office of secretary of state in... more
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jnmb8c
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Scientists hope that a new development, which allows them to create pigs that develop cystic fibrosis in the same way the people do, will give them new insight into fighting the disease.
Scientists at the University of Iowa and the University of Missouri have created genetically engineered piglets with the same mutation that causes cystic fibrosis in humans, they report in the journal Science.
Up to this point, scientists have been unable to find any hints that may lead to a possible cure, but this latest development should offer an unprecedented look at the disease, said Dr. Michael Welsh of the University of Iowa.
CF is caused when people inherit two mutated copies of a gene called CTFR. The disease causes mucus to accumulate and clog some of the organs in the body, especially the lungs and pancreas.
About 70,000 people worldwide, including 30,000 people in the United States, have CF
. People with the disease can expect to live to about age 37, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, which helped fund the study.
Scientists create animal "models" of a disease in order to perform experiments that would not be possible with people. Mice with the genetic abnormality that causes cystic fibrosis have been developed, but the disease presents itself very differently in these rodents than in people.
"Unfortunately, the mice leave something to be desired," said Welsh, who helped lead the study.
"They don't get the pancreatic disease like people with CF get. They don't get the lung disease like people with CF get. They don't get the intestinal disease like people with CF get. There's been many questions that can't be answered," he added.
Christopher Penland of the foundation admitted there is some difficulty in pinpointing the onset of the disease.
This is the latest example of pigs used for human medical needs.
The scientists developed pigs with cystic fibrosis because their lungs have many characteristics of human lungs.
"Right now, if you want to do experiments to find treatments or therapies for the lung disease that is fatal for people with CF, you would have to experiment on kids that have CF," Randy Prather of the University of Missouri added.
Now the developments leading to the disease in pigs allows scientists to “start experimenting in ways that have never been possible," Prather said in a statement.Scientists hope that a new development, which allows them to create pigs that develop... more
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As I turned a quarter of a century old, I began to worry. What should I do next with my life? I had no idea, so I turned to the one person who always knows best: my mom. I wanted to find out how she felt when she turned 25 and get advice for dealing with my very own quarterlife crisis.As I turned a quarter of a century old, I began to worry. What should I do next with... more
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Check out the lounge we set up at the University of Missouri School of Journalism's Centennial celebration last week. Mizzou has been a huge supporter and strong partner of Current, and it was great to get a chance to meet with students and faculty there to talk about how to get involved with Current, from contributing to Current.com to creating short documentaries and ads that have the potential to air on Current TV!Check out the lounge we set up at the University of Missouri School of... more
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Mizzou is.... how do I say it.... FRICKIN' AMAZING! Tell why you love Mizzou and what you plan to do after you graduate!Mizzou is.... how do I say it.... FRICKIN' AMAZING! Tell why you love Mizzou and... more
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bdphvb
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Amanda Stapp's husband Jason, a National Guardsmen, will soon be deployed to Kosovo. Amanda found out about Flatdaddies.com, where she ordered a cardboard cut-out of her husband to fill the void while he's away. Everything Amanda does with "Flat Jason" is documented in a blog she started, allowing the real Jason to see.
To check out Amanda's blog, go to: http://www.ayeartogetherapart.blogspot.com Amanda Stapp's husband Jason, a National Guardsmen, will soon be deployed to... more
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bmmdk4
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When the University of Kansas and University of Missouri match up on Saturday to decide the Big 12 and one of college football's biggest rivals, one has to wonder how much money will be present in the stands. A game staged in the home of the KC Chiefs, Arrowhead Stadium, this will be one of the preeminent sporting events in recent years. Also, ticket prices are huge and the net worth of each fan could make that small bowl of people equal the wealth of many small countries around the world. When the dust settles on this match-up this Saturday, dollar signs will rain down in heaps.When the University of Kansas and University of Missouri match up on Saturday to... more
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