Science, Museums, and Adornment

[browngirl]

Heredity and metabolism: drglam told me about studies that indicate that if one's parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents underwent a famine, one can be at increased risk for metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes (the mechanism involves dna methylation, apparently). I immediately thought of the higher rates of obesity and diabetes amonng African-Americans and the malnutrition endemic among slaves and sharecroppers. Man, if I were twenty I would immediately set out to write a disseration on this.

Museums: like this writer, I was commuting (on a shuttlebus) when I glanced up and saw on a building's side, "MGH museum of medical innovation". I need to go see that, and so many other museums around Boston, so this is my note to myself.

While I sat on that bus I had my hair up in a bun with a white scarf tied around it; today I have a pink one. The new variant on my hairstyle has gotten me several compliments, and it's just... a lot of fun, feeling a scarf fluttering behind me like a flag as I walk outside. I'm rather indulging my frivolous side, but I don't think it'll rot my soul. :D

Comments

[chienne-folle.livejournal.com]

Those studies sound fascinating! Does drglam have some references for us?

Your frivolous side needs some air, and I'm happy to hear that she's getting some.

If I were in better health, I'd totally want to go to the Museum of Medical Innovation with you.

[pickledginger.livejournal.com]

Search for "famine, metabolic, obesity," or for "thrifty gene hypothesis"; there is a lot of material out there. I currently am busy being fascinated by the role of mitochondrial function in diabetes (and perhaps other metabolic dysfunction) and the possible reversibility of renal, retinal and other dysfunction in diabetics.

[chienne-folle.livejournal.com]

Thanks!