HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: higham@waikato.ac.nz
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Avian eggshell formation and chemistry
Date: 2 Oct 92 10:03:30 +1200
Organization: University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand


I am interested in the chemistry of eggshell formation in birds (most centre on
the domestic fowl). If anyone on this group has any interest in this or
references or anything, I would be very interested in corresponding with them.
PLease e-mail me. I want to ask questions as this is a new field for me. Look
forward to any responses.
-- 
Tom Higham,                    
Radiocarbon Dating Lab,
University of Waikato,
Hamilton,
NEW ZEALAND.
Higham@waikato.ac.nz /
C14@waikato.ac.nz
Newsgroups: sci.bio,sci.chem,sci.med
From: dl10697@ehsn3.cen.uiuc.edu (Duc Trieu Le)
Subject: Carcinogens
Summary: Sex Hormones as Carcinogens?
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 1992 23:43:29 GMT


hi Everyone,

I have just read in a book that lists Progesterone, Testosterone,
Estrogens, and Androgens as being carcinogenis substances. I was
under the assumption that our bodies have certain amount of these
sex hormones. I was wondering why these hormones are carcinogenic
and what effects do they have on our bodies if excess amounts are
detected. thanks in advance.

--
Duc T. Le
led@sunfs1.dsd.northrop.com
From: klier@iscsvax.uni.edu
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Re: mosquitoes like goldenrods
Date: 6 Oct 92 20:00:02 -0500
Organization: University of Northern Iowa

In article <1992Oct6.032439.20883@vatmom.COM>, frank@vatmom.COM (Frank M. Haynes) writes:
> 
> I am not versed in biology at all.
> 
> I was in my backyard today and saw a goldenrod in bloom.
> Looking closer, I saw a mosquitoe apparently gorging itself
> on nectar.  I didn't think they were attracted to flowers.
> 
> Does anyone know if this is typical behavior?  I suppose I
> should be thankful it wasn't gorging itself on me.

Adult male mosquitos feed on nectar (from the flowers) -- there is a 
little nectar in goldenrods (but not much!).  Female mosquitoes require
a blood meal in order to lay eggs.  Adults of both sexes hang around in
shrubbery and tall grasses and trees during the day-- prime biting time
is late afternoon and early evening.

Yes, you wre probably seeing normal mosquito behavior.

Kay Klier  Biology Dept  UNI
From: josh@cqs.washington.edu (Josh Hayes)
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Re: Starfish Behavior Research
Date: 30 Sep 92 17:30:28 GMT
Article-I.D.: mowgli.josh.717874228
Organization: University of Washington

toby@carson.u.washington.edu (the ever iracscible Toby Bradshaw) jabs:

>In article <1abgruINNemh@darkstar.UCSC.EDU> jdale@cats.ucsc.edu (Jonathan Dale)wonders: 
>>
>>I'm about to embark on an undergraduate thesis focusing on arm preference and
>>decision making in starfish.  This area is interesting because starfish are
>>hampered in decision making by the absence of a brain.

>I would think this research area would receive high priority for funding
>from the U.S. Congress, since they have the same problem as starfish.

Now, now, Toby. Be nice. Starfish are at least innocuous....

But more seriously, I would suggest that Mister Dale send the reqest
to Win Hide at the Baylor College of Medicine; Dr. Hide is putting
out a sea-star mailing list and I have already used it to some effect
for gathering information from other workers.....the newsletter is
called "starnet", and he's done three issues so far.

Contact: whide@mbcr.bcm.tmc.edu

For further information. Hope this helps.

Josh Hayes


--
Josh Hayes, Quantitative Sciences HR-20 U of Washington
josh@mowgli.cqs.washington.edu             206 685-2793
Exclaimer: Hey!           Plan: Birth School Work Death
Xref: sparky sci.bio:3415 bionet.general:1749 bionet.sci-resources:191
From: wetsel_r@wums.wustl.edu
Newsgroups: sci.bio,bionet.general,bionet.sci-resources
Subject: RE: looking for advice on a book with explanations of methods
Date: 29 SEP 92 12:46:57 GMT
Organization: MIT PLASMA FUSION CENTER
NNTP-Posting-Host: msnews.wustl.edu

Mike:

Good books with an explanation can be hard to find... However,
for molecular biology, I'd consider these...

1) The three volume Manatis methods books, available in most labs, and
        libraries.

2) Bernard Perbal's "A practical guide to molecular cloning"

Other netters will have like/different suggestions but I've often
found very satisfactory explanations in these texts...  Also, if you
can grab it.. go for the Red Harvard manual found in most lab & libraries.

Have fun...

David
haviland@kids.wustl.edu
From: stranger@watserv.ucr.edu (Katherine T Lim)
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Taenia davis infections
Date: 3 Oct 92 20:18:54 GMT
Reply-To: stranger@watserv.ucr.edu


Hello,

I was wondering if there is anyone out there who has considerable
knowledge, or is currently working with the cestode Taenia davis.
I am about to launch an experiment myself, and would like to 
correspond with anyone who has worked with or is currently working
with this parasite. 

Thanks. 

			Kathy 
			Stranger@watsev.ucr.edu
Newsgroups: sci.bio
From: dl10697@ehsn3.cen.uiuc.edu (Duc Trieu Le)
Subject: Re: questions about spiders
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Distribution: sci
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 23:32:22 GMT

gamckeon@unix1.tcd.ie (The Blob) writes:

>In <ARA.92Sep27232431@camelot.ai.mit.edu> ara@zurich.ai.mit.edu (Allan Adler) writes:

>>Is there some reason why she likes my window as opposed to some other
>>place? For example, at night the light in my apartment attracts bugs to the
>>window and I am sure that is good for business.
> 
>The likelihood is that your windowsil has ideal anchorage possibilities
>for a web. Therefore the spider would be attracted to it. Other than
>that there isn't any other reason. The example that you gave above would
>be an added bonus but if you consider that a spider will build a web
>between two branches of a tree as readily as in your window it would
>seem that light wouldn't have much to do with it. 

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that in order for the spider to
catch any dinner, the web must be anchored between to surfaces. And a
windowsill provides the maximum area for the web to catch any prey with
the minimum amount of web.

Duc T. Le
led@sunfs1.dsd.northrop.com
From: barkdoll@cattell.psych.upenn.edu (Edwin Barkdoll)
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Re: Are There Any Venomous Mamals?
Date: 3 Oct 92 19:58:59 GMT
Organization: University of Pennsylvania

In article <1992Oct2.213358.22160@u.washington.edu> toby@carson.u.washington.edu (Toby Bradshaw) writes:
>In article <753@capmkt.COM> charles@capmkt.COM (Charles Neveu) writes:
>>Are there any mammals which are poisonous to eat? That is, whose
>>protection,  like the dart frogs and the puffer fish, consists at
>>least partly of being poisonous to injest.
>
>I believe the liver of polar bears has toxic levels of some lipid-
>soluble vitamin, either A or D.  No doubt this is their primary
>defense against predators :)

	In addition to polar bears, certain whales and seals have
livers toxic to humans.  Don't know if they are toxic to their primary
predators, not that the polar bear really has one, but I'm pretty Toby
is correct that the toxicity is due to vit. A.
	Nevertheless, given how animals of that size tend not to be
eaten in one fell swoop, unlike a small amphibian for example,
together with the relatively low toxicity of vit A compared to, say
batrachotoxin, hypervitaminosis A wouldn't seem to be a major
detererrent to predation.

>Toby Bradshaw
Edwin Barkdoll
barkdoll@cattell.psych.upenn.edu
eb3@world.std.com
Newsgroups: sci.bio,sci.chem,sci.med
From: fulk@cs.rochester.edu (Mark Fulk)
Subject: Re: Carcinogens
Organization: Computer Science Department University of Rochester
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 17:24:20 GMT

In article <1992Sep30.154739.3833@icd.ab.com> aep@icd.ab.com (Alexander E. Pensky) writes:
>Some types of breast cancer are dependent on estrogen, progesterone,
>or both for their continued growth.  The lab tests performed on excised
>breast tumors often include receptor assays designed to gauge the tumor's
>responsiveness to these hormones.  
>
>I don't know exactly how estrogen interacts with an estrogen-dependent
>tumor, but I've always assumed that estrogen was a "promoter" as described
>above.  
>
>If this is the case, are you sure that estrogen treatments DECREASE
>the probability of breast cancer?

It would not be unheard of for me to remember incorrectly.  However,
I think that in post-menopausal women estrogen decreases the probability
of breast cancer, presumably of the non-estrogen-dependent varieties.
I am fairly certain that, in some women at least, it increases the
probability of ovarian cancer.  You are probably right that it acts
as a promoter of estrogen-dependent breast tumors.  In any case,
the main point about the complexity of sex-hormone interactions
remains valid, if it is not further reinforced.

Mark
-- 
Mark A. Fulk			University of Rochester
Computer Science Department	fulk@cs.rochester.edu
Xref: sparky sci.bio:3410 bionet.general:1748 bionet.sci-resources:190
From: mlevin@husc8.harvard.edu (Michael Levin)
Newsgroups: sci.bio,bionet.general,bionet.sci-resources
Subject: anyone know of any development/morphogenesis conferences coming up?
Date: 29 Sep 92 00:29:23 GMT
Organization: Harvard University Science Center


    Does anyone know of any conferences coming up (preferably in the
summer) focussing on development and morphogenesis? I'm interested in
more higher-level approaches (complexity theory, modeling,
higher-order patterning, etc.) than low-level biochemistry etc.,
but any information would be welcome. Please email to
mlevin@husc8.harvard.edu.

Mike Levin
From: lepome@cco.caltech.edu (Lisa A. LePome)
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Re: Are There Any Venomous Mamals?
Date: 1 Oct 1992 00:19:28 GMT
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
NNTP-Posting-Host: alumni.caltech.edu


This may no longer be the accepted answer, but I believe that there is one
mammal which is considered venomous.  The questionable part is that it's a
monotreme (egg-laying mammal): the platypus.  Generally speaking though, I
suspect that mammals aren't venomous because those which are predators are
quite deadly enough as it is, and those which are prey just multiply to ensure
their continued existence.  By the way, the venomous part of a platypus is 
a small claw on the rear foot, well both feet actually.
				-Lisa


Newsgroups: sci.bio
From: bugman@sciborg.uwaterloo.ca (Steve Smith)
Subject: Re: mosquitoes like goldenrods
Keywords: mosquito nectar
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 01:11:37 GMT

In article <1992Oct6.174435.3341@aurora.com> isaak@aurora.com (Mark Isaak) writes:
>In article <1992Oct6.032439.20883@vatmom.COM> frank@vatmom.COM (Frank M. Haynes) writes:
>>Looking closer, I saw a mosquitoe apparently gorging itself
>>on nectar.  I didn't think they were attracted to flowers.
>
>The males are.  They eat pollen.  I think females can live off of
>flowers, too, but they need a blood meal in order to lay eggs.
>-- 
--
Male mosquitoes absolutely do NOT eat pollen. Both sexes in most species are
dependent on carbohydrates for metabolic energy; females use blood strictly
for oogenesis (unless they are hibernating adults, in which case the blood
meal may be used to manufacture overwintering fat and protein stores). If
you find pollen in the esophageal diverticula of mosquitoes it has been 
accidentally imbibed.
 


-- 
Steve Smith, Dept of Biology (ext. 2665).
From: jdale@cats.ucsc.edu (Jonathan Dale)
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Starfish Behavior Research
Date: 30 Sep 92 06:18:38 GMT
Organization: University of California; Santa Cruz
NNTP-Posting-Host: si.ucsc.edu


I'm about to embark on an undergraduate thesis focusing on arm preference and
decision making in starfish.  This area is interesting because starfish are
hampered in decision making by the absence of a brain.  It is also largely
unstudied because of the difficulty of doing cellular nervous system work on
echinoderms.  Still, there are some interesting papers, and I've done a fair
amount of research so far.  

Does anyone out there know of any good recent papers (say, since 1980) on the
subject, or of anyone currently studying behavior of starfish?  My expectation
is no, but any leads would be of value to me.  I would prefer email responses
unless you think your reply is of general interest, but I will summarize 
whatever I get here or by email if anyone else is interested.  Thanks for
your help.

Jonathan Dale
University Of California, Santa Cruz
jdale@cats.ucsc.edu
Newsgroups: sci.bio
From: onar@hsr.no (Onar Aam)
Subject: DNA
Organization: Rogaland University Centre
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 07:56:50 GMT

Could anyone help me on some DNA statistics? I need aspecially information on
junk-DNA. I know that there is about 90% nonsense in our genome. Is this typical
for most species, or are there less junk in older species(like bacteria)?
Is most of the junk DNA repeating sequences or is it random (in other words, do
the junk contain information?)? 


Onar.





Newsgroups: sci.bio
From: andrewt@watson.ibm.com (Andrew Taylor)
Subject: Re: Are There Any Venomous Mamals?
Date: Thu, 01 Oct 1992 02:39:19 GMT
Disclaimer: This posting represents the poster's views, not necessarily those of IBM
Organization: IBM T.J. Watson Research Center

In article <1992Sep30.194357.28853@ttinews.tti.com> jackson@soldev.tti.com
(Dick Jackson) writes:
>Its easy to think of examples of insects and snakes which do this, but as far
>as I know there are no poisonous mammals, birds or even fish.

The male Platypus has a venomous spur on its hind leg. This can inflict
a very painful but non-fatal injury. I belive some Shrews may have
a saliva which paralyses their prey. 

There are hundreds of fish species with poisonous spines. Notable are many
of the Stingrays and the Scorpaenids. The most notorious is the Stonefish
(Synanceia horrida). Its sting is excruciatingly painful and may produce
side-effects lasting months. It is occasionally fatal. Fortunately the
venom, like that of most fish, is heat-labile and bathing the wound in very
hot water will greatly relieve symptons.

Andrew Taylor
From: jdale@cats.ucsc.edu (Jonathan Dale)
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Re: Starfish Behavior Research
Date: 6 Oct 1992 22:28:55 GMT
Organization: University of California; Santa Cruz
NNTP-Posting-Host: si.ucsc.edu


Thank you for the address for STARNET; another user mentioned it to me but
no address.

I should add, however, that I printed out Toby's comment for future use;
maybe I'll give him a footnote somewhere.  It goes along with what I always
said about the applicability of marine invertebrate work to politics; both
involve slimy, spineless creatures.

Xref: sparky sci.bio:3409 bionet.general:1747 bionet.sci-resources:189
From: mlevin@husc8.harvard.edu (Michael Levin)
Newsgroups: sci.bio,bionet.general,bionet.sci-resources
Subject: looking for advice on a book with explanations of methods
Date: 28 Sep 92 23:39:57 GMT
Article-I.D.: husc3.1992Sep28.193958.15915
Distribution: usa
Organization: Harvard University Science Center



    I am looking for a graduate-student level reference book, or
textbook, which can be used as a reference to various methods used by
cell, molecular, and developmental biologists. For example, suppose
I'm reading a paper and they say they used method X to accomplish so
and so. I'd like to be able to look up X and get an explanation (not a
step by step how-to recipe for use in a lab, but an explanation of
general principles and applications) of how it works. Ideally, I'd
also like to use it to answer the reverse question ("what method might
I use to do so and so?"). I am talking about all the common methods
like chromosome walking, mapping, DNA therapy, cloning, protein
analysis, all that stuff. I find that many such things don't appear in
the indexes of the genetics, molecular bio, and developmental bio
textbooks. If anyone has any advice on any text that can be used for
these purposes, please email me the name and author at
mlevin@husc8.harvard.edu.
Thanks.

Mike Levin
Newsgroups: sci.bio
From: ronald@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu (Ronald A. Amundson)
Subject: Re: Gould
Organization: University of Hawaii
Distribution: usa
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 1992 00:08:19 GMT

In article <24SEP199209392101@portal.lasc.lockheed.com> le01167@portal.lasc.lockheed.com (Ron Nadel (x2025)) writes:
>In article <kim3.717279237@husc10>, kim3@husc10.harvard.edu (Jason Y. Kim) writes...
>> 
>>Stephen Jay Gould works in room 151 of the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ)
>OK, so what's his email address?

None.  And probably never will be.  He also doesn't welcome the fact
that a few other people in his lab have them.  


Newsgroups: sci.bio
From: binkley@boulder.Colorado.EDU (Jon Binkley)
Subject: Re: Synthetic Viruses
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Distribution: usa
Date: 29 Sep 92 15:59:35 GMT

kyrsten@eos.arc.nasa.gov (Kyrsten Swazey) writes:

>So, what i am wondering is: does this [the theory that AIDS is synthetic]
>have any basis in reality or is this paranoid tripe?

It is absolutely, without question, paranoid tripe.  The virus showed
up in humans as long ago as the late 50's, long before the technology
existed for such an engineering feat;  in addition, it shows a
clear relationship to viruses existing in the wild.

This whole notion of conspiracy theory advocates that Evil Government
Scientists posess technologies far beyond the comprehension of mere
academic scientists is complete bunk.  At least in the biosciences,
the cutting edge continues to be in academic institutions (although
it may soon shift to industry).  Of course my saying this makes me,
in the eyes of the conspiracy theorists, either part of the Conspiracy
or a patsy duped by the Conspiracy!!!

Jon Binkley
From: vladimir@hq.chci.chuvashia.su (Vladimir Ivanov)
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Who inrested in insects (butteflies and beatles)
Date: 30 Sep 92 01:53:09 GMT
Reply-To: vladimir@hq.chci.chuvashia.su
Organization: Cheboksary Information Center, Node 2

We have insects (butterflies and beatles) of Central Asia
for sale. All the representative species are found in
mountainous places of Pamir and Tian-Shan.

  Papilionidae /Parnassiinae:
  P. simonius taldicus Gund. /West Tian-Shan, Alay
  P. staud.kiritschenkoi Av. /East Pamir, Muzkol
  P. cardinal Gr.-Gr.        /W.Pamir, Darvaz
  P. actiues Ev.             /E. Pamir, Muzkol
  P. honrathi haitus         /W.Pamir, Karategin
     (13 species)
  Pieridae / Coliadinae:     /E. Pamir, N.-Alichur
  C. wiskotti Stgr.          /E. Pamir, N.-Alichur
  C. markopolo Gr.-Gr.       /W. Tian-Shan, Alay
  C. romanovi Gr.-Gr.        /W. Pamir, Petr-1
     (8 species)
  Coleoptera /Carabidae:
  Carabus emmerichi
  C. dokhtowrowi
  C. stschurowski
  Calosoma auropunctatum dzhungaricum

  All specimens are 1A quality with collection data.
  If you are interested this question, you can to write
  me by E-mail address:  vladimir@hq.chci.chuvashia.su

  Vladimir Ivanov
Xref: sparky sci.bio:3413 sci.chem:3749 sci.med:18110
From: mwilson@ncratl.AtlantaGA.NCR.COM (Mark Wilson)
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Re: Are There Any Venomous Mamals?
Date: 2 Oct 92 15:23:16 GMT
Article-I.D.: ncratl.9432
Organization: NCR Engineering and Manufacturing Atlanta -- Atlanta, GA

In <1adg6gINN1cn@gap.caltech.edu> lepome@cco.caltech.edu (Lisa A. LePome) writes:


LP:This may no longer be the accepted answer, but I believe that there is one
LP:mammal which is considered venomous.  The questionable part is that it's a
LP:monotreme (egg-laying mammal): the platypus.  Generally speaking though, I
LP:suspect that mammals aren't venomous because those which are predators are
LP:quite deadly enough as it is, and those which are prey just multiply to ensure
LP:their continued existence.  By the way, the venomous part of a platypus is 
LP:a small claw on the rear foot, well both feet actually.
LP:				-Lisa

If we expand venomous to include other forms of chemical warfare, the
skunk is pretty effective.  :^)

-- 
Mark
My opinions are mine, all mine.  Unless someone else claims them first.
Mark.Wilson@AtlantaGA.NCR.com
From: ewartd@emu.insted.unimelb.edu.au
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Re: Are There Any Venomous Mamals?
Date: 1 Oct 92 13:35:37 GMT

In article <1992Sep30.194357.28853@ttinews.tti.com>, jackson@soldev.tti.com (Dick Jackson) writes:
> 
> (I've not seen this discussed before, if there is a well known answer to
> this I apologize.) I was thinking about spiders and other animals who
> disable their prey with a sting or venomous bite.  Its easy to think of
> examples of insects and snakes which do this, but as far as I know there
> are no poisonous mammals, birds or even fish.  Is there a physiological
> reason why this tactic is a poor choice for mammals, etc?  I believe that
> in most or all cases the venom is also an enzymatic substance that causes
> digestive processes in the prey -- is this true?  Does it have to do with
> anything?
> 
> Dick Jackson

There is one extant mammal that has venom.  It is a monotreme.  
_Ornithorhynchus_anatinus_, the platypus.

Mahoney in the Zoological Catalogue of Australia (vol 5) puts it very
nicely . . .

	"Males have a prominent hollow spur on each ankle that is connected
	to a large gland in the groin.  This gland produces a toxic substance
	that is probably lethal to small mammals and decidedly unpleasant to
	humans."

Be aware to that effective toxins don't have to be injected.  Think of the
foul tasting caterpillars that avoid predation (as a group rather than as
individuals).  Some animals are only toxic when eaten.

Hope this helps

Don
From: jackson@soldev.tti.com (Dick Jackson)
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Are There Any Venomous Mamals?
Date: 30 Sep 92 19:43:57 GMT
Organization: Transaction Technology, Inc.


(I've not seen this discussed before, if there is a well known answer to
this I apologize.) I was thinking about spiders and other animals who
disable their prey with a sting or venomous bite.  Its easy to think of
examples of insects and snakes which do this, but as far as I know there
are no poisonous mammals, birds or even fish.  Is there a physiological
reason why this tactic is a poor choice for mammals, etc?  I believe that
in most or all cases the venom is also an enzymatic substance that causes
digestive processes in the prey -- is this true?  Does it have to do with
anything?

Dick Jackson
From: jjuanyse@neumann.une.edu.au (El pescador )
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Gene Imprinting ???
Keywords: Genes
Date: 6 Oct 92 04:59:34 GMT


	I am doing an essay on Gene Imprinting, and I read some articles in
this newsgroup where the topic was the relation between breast size and 
the genes from the parents, and I thought that these topics are somehow
related, so I post this request. Well, gene imprinting is when for example the 
baby's genes only work properly when they are inherited from its dad, others
will only function correctly if they come from its mum.

	But I need more information about it, like in what sorts of 
developmental processes are the "imprinted" genes involved, what sorts of 
explanations have been advanced for the evolution of imprinting, what could
be the mechanism for these changes in the male and female genes, etc.

	I thank you in advance for any information on the topic.

	Luis Alberto Laredo
		llaredo@mihi.une.edu.au
		jjuanyse@neumann.une.edu.au
	Mary White College
	University of New England
	Armidale,  NSW
	AUSTRALIA    2351
Newsgroups: sci.bio,sci.bio.technology,sci.chem,sci.misc
From: chmoris@techunix.technion.ac.il (Moris Eisen)
Subject: Glovebox|
Reply-To: chmoris@techunix.technion.ac.il (Moris Eisen)
Organization: Technion, Israel Inst. of Technology
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 08:40:45 GMT

Dear Readers:
 
	I am looking for the FAX and  Address of the company
	Vacuum Atmospheres. Inc.
        I was trying to find their address in the Thomas Register Data book
	but they have change places. I need to order a glovebox for my new Lab.I appreciate your collaboration.
thanks
chmoris@techunix.technion.ac.il (Dr. Moris S.Eisen)







Newsgroups: sci.bio