Science Brain Teasers?

I bet there are classic questions out there, they have probably been bothering scientists for generations and still unsolved. Can anyone identify some interesting ones, and see what the Redhotpawn Science Forum can do with them 😉

Originally posted by eamon o
I bet there are classic questions out there, they have probably been bothering scientists for generations and still unsolved. Can anyone identify some interesting ones, and see what the Redhotpawn Science Forum can do with them 😉

Is "junk dna" truely junk? or is there actually some higher function?

In my view it certainly provides evolutionary potential at least.

Any views? or up to date publications I may have missed?

Originally posted by timebombted
Is "junk dna" truely junk? or is there actually some higher function?

In my view it certainly provides evolutionary potential at least.

Any views? or up to date publications I may have missed?

Here is one piece from last year, saying 'junk' dna is involved in turning genes off and on, a much more vital role than thought even a couple of years ago.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070423185538.htm

Originally posted by sonhouse
Here is one piece from last year, saying 'junk' dna is involved in turning genes off and on, a much more vital role than thought even a couple of years ago.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070423185538.htm

I had come across regulator genes before, but not specifically ones only involved in very early development, like the ones used for cell mapping you highlighted in your article.

Interesting read, thanks :0)

FYI
If you are interested in transposons, Michael Gillings publishes papers on this area of research....... its his major field of research.

Originally posted by timebombted
Is "junk dna" truely junk? or is there actually some higher function?

In my view it certainly provides evolutionary potential at least.

Any views? or up to date publications I may have missed?

Well all of our genes have been derived from what was once junk DNA
so it must have its uses.

Originally posted by timebombted
Is "junk dna" truely junk? or is there actually some higher function?

In my view it certainly provides evolutionary potential at least.

Any views? or up to date publications I may have missed?

I saw them play at the Hammersmith Apollo..... they were pretty good.

Stop having a go at them

Originally posted by timebombted

Any views? or up to date publications I may have missed?[/b]

im writing a piece on it right now

Originally posted by eamon o
im writing a piece on it right now

What publication are you aiming for? Are you a scientist?

since light cannot escape the gravity of a black hole, could a supermassive black hole "grab" a beam of light and reduce its speed to zero? If so, what would frozen photons look like?

Originally posted by PinkFloyd
since light cannot escape the gravity of a black hole, could a supermassive black hole "grab" a beam of light and reduce its speed to zero? If so, what would frozen photons look like?

Actually, you would experience time dilation - as you are approaching the black hole, time will move more slowly - at the event horizon time is "frozen".

P.S: This is true for all black holes, supermassive or otherise - the less massive the black hole, the smaller the event horizon, but you still get an even horizon.

Originally posted by Retrovirus
Actually, you would experience time dilation - as you are approaching the black hole, time will move more slowly - at the event horizon time is "frozen".

P.S: This is true for all black holes, supermassive or otherise - the less massive the black hole, the smaller the event horizon, but you still get an even horizon.

That sounds pretty cool. Thanks, retro

Originally posted by eamon o
im writing a piece on it right now

If you get it published let us know the citiation / link, alternatively I'd still love to read your thoughts.

Regards