More bout those blue eggs

So, I looked my into the reason why robins eggs are blue and it isn't really all that much about genetics but more about their pigment glands. And most birds have Pigment gland to help in coloration of the eggs. Now more into the specifics: there are three main types of pigments. One produces reds pinks and browns and yellows the other two green and blue shades. Putting them all in different ratios and proportions yields different shade eggs and marks. It's similar to the process of creating the offspring itself. A combination of sone genes and traits yeild different organisms! A few other cool rhings birds primarily on the ground lay brown eggs, birds that lay then in cavities like tree holes lay the typical white egg and nesting birds will lay green or bluish eggs.The forsake marks cab also help a mommybird identify her eggs, like our own little traits and charscteristics that distinguish us from others.

Next question: how is the ratio of pigments determined? Could it change if sso when?

Somewhat of answer

So a question I had in my previous post was could we genetically modify the robin to produce different color eggs, and could the pigment be used in other organisms as an advantage to other organisms. I'v been trying to think of answers to my own questions before I research it. And I think that the answer to the first part of the question would be yes. I think somewhere in the DNA sequence of a robin there must be a gene for producing the pigment that causes that color. If somehow scientists altered that portion of the DNA chain and were able to cause the gene to creat less of the pigment the eggs would probably turn out to be more of a white color rather than blue because of the lack of the pigment. Then I'm assuming because of he color change the eggs would be more susceptible to predators if the eggs are blue for camouflage reasons. And as for the second part I think maybe more aquatic animals would benefit from a color pigment that yields that color. It could also provide them with camouflage.
Another question: do other animals have this pignebt?
I hope to find out!

Robin's eggs!

So in a recent walk around the side of my house I noticed robins eggs in a nest within a butterfly bush. Three eggs lay there just when my mom was thinking about cutting it down. So I've been recording and taking pictures of them each day since i've seen hem and today is day three. So far I have seen the nest the three eggs and twice I've seen the mother laying on her eggs. I'm not exactly sure how long the eggs have been there but it sparked a few questions related to the birds and biotech that I hope to get answers to or I'f not just share my own opinions on them.
1.) why are their eggs blue- so far I've been reading that it is to help hide the eggs and comes from a pigment in the mothers blood... Leading to my next question
2.) could the birds be genetically modified to produce different color eggs and how would that effect the amount of predators that come across the egg
Could the pigment in the blood that is causing the color of the egg be injected into another organism to create a bluish color and if so would that cor stay with the organism or would it just be there like on the eggs until the birth of the organism
3.) what qualities if any from a robin could be beneficial in DNA recombination genetically modifying organisms or gene therapy even? What qualities do they lack that could enhance or better their lives?
Soon i'll be posting my videos and photos of the eggs on the sidebar

OM GM Rice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of  Japan's major sources of food is rice, and there are many fields and areas dedicated to rice production in Japan. The recent tsuanmi and earthquake has desemated a lot of the fields where rice was grown, debris and other materials scattered all around the fields. In an article written by Jay Alabaster, a rice farmer comments rice production after the disaster, "If we start washing the soil out now, we can start growing our rice seedlings at the end of April at a different location, and plant them here a month later," It's great that people took on such optomistic attitudes after this tragedy,and working hard to rebuild. Knowing that rice is such a big product i wonder if genetically modified rice has been considered. Other than some malnourishment after the tsuanmi, and earthquake radiation poisoning from the nuclear powerplant has also been a major problem. This leads to my next question, : Could there be a way to genetically modify rice in order to help ease some of the symptoms of radiation poisoning?






http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hS2vcOuDBJlV1j5TSx2i2ilifldA

Japan is prepared with technology!

In an article from mytv9.com "Japan's Technology Helps With Recovery Efforts" the author discusses how Japan's preparedness has helped after the earthquake and tsuanmi. So as we all know Japan is has amazing technological advancements. Their buildings are made of earthquake/tsunnami resistant steel and metal. But what is most amazing is how the have developed robots to help find struggling victims. For example the Robocue not only does this but also has oxygen tanks which allow assistants to help victims breathe. The Quince another robot uses the detection of carbon dioxide to track down humans in need.
These are great inventions and applications of science at work helping humans survive. I wonder if a system like that is being used here in the US? And is it posssible to improve on this invention for the future? Could there be an addition to it that measures body temperature, pulse, etc. this way emergency crew members know the exact situation they are dealing .check out the pictures of the robocue.

Another cool thing check out this other blog that discusses the robocue:
http://dd-idham.blogspot.com/2011/03/robocue-robot-seeker-of-japan.html#comment-form
http://www.my9tv.com/dpps/my9_news/japan-earthquake-technology-helps-with-recovery-efforts-dpgoh-20110314-fc_12303803

Japan!

So it's been nearly a month since the earthquake and tsunami in japan. Yet this already tradgic story got worse with the nuclear power plant leak/ explosion. After listening to so many news reports on what's being done to help ( like donations being made, servicemen and women out there supplying Japanese with necessities) I'm wondering how the uses of science technology and biotechnology could be or is being used in this situation. For example in another disaster, the oil spill in the gulf a bacteria that "ate" oil was used to help in cleaning the area.
What can be done to prevent the harmful effects of radiation?
How can technology be used to rebuild their society?
These are some questions I'm hoping to find answers to, about the subject.

Seeing as how I found the article about stem cells from discover magazine so interesting I decided to look into some of their other articles. This one in particle sparked my intrest it discussed medicine. We constantly compare medicine with finding a cure. But as seen in the stem cell article with Hina treatments and mrdicines may not always have the best of affects this week i'll be discussing this according to what I've read in the article!
P.S. Jeanne Lenzer was also a writer o n this article too, she wrote the stem cell article.