browngirl: (Coruscant)
browngirl ([personal profile] browngirl) wrote2012-04-30 11:08 am
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Science, Museums, and Adornment



Heredity and metabolism: [livejournal.com profile] 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
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[personal profile] ron_newman 2012-04-30 03:18 pm (UTC)(link)
If you can post links to those studies (or to lay articles about them) I'd really like to read them. Thanks.

(And I too want to check out that new MGH museum some time soon. Do you have a trip planned yet?)
Edited 2012-04-30 15:19 (UTC)

[identity profile] purlewe.livejournal.com 2012-04-30 03:27 pm (UTC)(link)
I want a foto of your gorgeousness with the scarf all aflutter.

[identity profile] branna.livejournal.com 2012-04-30 03:46 pm (UTC)(link)
If the alternate-twenty-year-old you wrote that dissertation, I'd sure want to read it :)

The whole science of epigenetics utterly fascinates me. The interaction of environment and heredity is so much more complex than we thought.

[identity profile] nancylebov.livejournal.com 2012-04-30 04:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Are you sure that obesity is a disorder in itself?

Possibly of interest: Diabetes Rising-- a book by a medical journalist which says both types of diabetes (and the distinction isn't as clear-cut as they're telling you) have been increasing for the past century, and none of the theories about why really explain what's going on.

Another angle-- how much are dieting (encouraged for fat women during pregnancy) and eating disorders contributing to obesity?

[identity profile] seanchaidh.livejournal.com 2012-04-30 04:18 pm (UTC)(link)
One day, I want to see Boston. :)

[identity profile] capra-maritimus.livejournal.com 2012-04-30 04:56 pm (UTC)(link)
On a vauguely related note, [livejournal.com profile] laerwen also posted a link to this article today :

http://acestoohigh.com/2012/04/23/lincoln-high-school-in-walla-walla-wa-tries-new-approach-to-school-discipline-expulsions-drop-85/

Severe and chronic trauma (such as living with an alcoholic parent, or watching in terror as your mom gets beat up) causes toxic stress in kids. Toxic stress damages kid’s brains. When trauma launches kids into flight, fight or fright mode, they cannot learn. It is physiologically impossible.

[identity profile] brighteyed-jill.livejournal.com 2012-04-30 07:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Things of which I approve:
* writing dissertations
* museums
* putting pretty things in one's hair.

Carry on!

[identity profile] chienne-folle.livejournal.com 2012-04-30 07:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Those studies sound fascinating! Does [livejournal.com profile] 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.
redbird: closeup of me drinking tea, in a friend's kitchen (Default)

those studies

[personal profile] redbird 2012-04-30 07:44 pm (UTC)(link)
I could file this under "one more reason to worry," but it's seventy years too late for anyone to do anything about in my case. I guess I will keep trying to take care of myself, and try not to fret. On the other hand, I like the idea of Godwining the "you should lose weight" discussions" (though the tsar probably deserves some of the blame as well).

[identity profile] spinrabbit.livejournal.com 2012-04-30 10:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Thing 1: yet another reason not to crash-diet.

Thing 2: Yeah!

Thing 3: In college, whenever the dining hall had a special-event type meal with balloons, I'd tie a balloon to my bun and go around that way for most of the rest of the day. How's that for frivolous? :)

[identity profile] echoinautumn.livejournal.com 2012-04-30 11:16 pm (UTC)(link)
What a lovely image, with you and your scarf :3

(I don't think I can speak to your first point with any authority, but it is very interesting!)

[identity profile] hitchhiker.livejournal.com 2012-05-03 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
wow. i had no idea epigenetic changes could span so many generations - that's freakily reminiscent of lamarckism.

[identity profile] fitfool.livejournal.com 2012-05-25 11:41 pm (UTC)(link)
I want to check out that MGH museum too. I think it just opened in April. I keep meaning to take photos of it while the copper is still gleaming -- before it eventually turns green. Free admission but it's annoyingly only open weekdays 9am-5pm. :P
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