Luis M. Rocha @lmrocha@qoto.org

I am fascinated by the recent evidence showing that Polyplody may grant evolutionary advantages in the presence of drastic fitness changes (e.g. cataclysms):
https://www.science.org/content/article/cells-extra-genomes-may-help-tissues-respond-injuries-species-survive-cataclysms.

One option is that extra chromosomes may increase connectivity of gene regulatory networks--- fascinating work from van de Peer on that note: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.04.28.538696, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220257.

The results are similar to ours a long time ago with RNA Editing , where we experimented with drastic fitness changes (simulated cataclysms) and emergence of memory: https://doi.org/10.1162/evco.2007.15.3.253, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-74913-4_7.

RNA Editing, we started arguing long ago, also adds additional regulatory variety and proves advantageous in drastic fitness changes---though RNA editing works by adding more variants, not greater number of regulatory possibilities (network connectivity) as it is hypothesized for polyploidy. Maybe this explains why the latter is maladaptive in stable fitness landscapes, whereas RNA Editing often isn't?

#Evolution #EvolutionarySystems #Polyploidy #Fitness #GenomeComplexity #Gemome

When people tell you it makes no difference who you vote for, and
Bernie Sanders, AOC, and colleagues are just window dressing, don't forget none of this would happen without their pressure.
https://theintercept.com/2023/08/29/insulin-medicare-drug-price-negotiation/

A visão sobre o que deve ser ensino superior em Portugal é mesmo muito pouco ambiciosa. Era bom lembrar que a nossa constituição é suposto garantir acesso ao ensino superior para todos, não só para aqueles que têm "talento, capacidade e garra." O numerus clausus em si nunca é posto em causa, quando é à partida uma exclusão por uma medida que não está de todo provada medir qualquer capacidade ou talento. Vários países da OCDE não têm numerus clausus (e.g. Bélgica), muito menos de fasquia tão elevada. Finalmente, assume-se que a universidade catalisa talento, mas a universidade portuguesa tende a ser onde vai morrer a criatividade e respeito pela individualidade e capacidade dos alunos. Baseada como é na exclusão por numerus clausus, está amarrada a uma cultura de autoridade, descarregamento passivo de matéria e notas para quem baixa a bolinha. É tudo menos um ambiente para quem tem imaginação e "garra". #ensino #EnsinoSuperior

https://www.publico.pt/2023/08/26/opiniao/editorial/ensino-superior-estado-nao-vender-ilusoes-2061349

Very well done. Uses only US data, but I wish people in other places would be more careful passing along these accepted wisdom myths. #pandemic #COVID #mentalhealth #schoolclosures

https://youtu.be/-h5xyGdVfvo?si=wjvBIlUeG7UFmlvL

I have not read the details, just the abstract, but I will note that my undergraduate training was in robotics, automation, and AI, and it checks :)
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2304748120

#The link between climate change and #infectiousdisease should raise a call to action for scientists and governments to evaluate the risks of the inevitable effects of climate change on #epidemics and #pandemics. Emergency response to climate disasters should automatically include public health actions to mitigate outbreaks. In addition, health systems should adapt to changing disease transmission patterns and the global mobility of people, animals, and goods. "
https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.adk4500

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/24/lockdowns-face-masks-unequivocally-cut-spread-covid-study-finds?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

https://www.publico.pt/2023/08/21/opiniao/opiniao/maleficios-vacina-covid19-2060703 #vacinas #COVID19

Do you see power lines (or cable tv or internet fiber) hanging above ground in Europe? No, they are buried, especially near human populations and where there is fire risk. Only high voltage transmission towers near production facilities are seen above ground. But those are designed to withstand high winds, earthquakes, and such---unlike the ancient "technology" of wooden poles barely lifting old cables used by American utilities. It is only the insularity of the USA, including reporting in media such as this article, that prevents the population from understanding that other countries have fixed this problem. It just takes investment from the utility companies to bury the cable and avoid such unnecessary and recurrent tragedy.

Experts Scrutinize Hawaiian Electric as They Search for the Maui Wildfire Cause https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/14/us/hawaiian-electric-maui-wildfire.html?smid=nytcore-android-share

"History of water" is one of the best books I've ever read. A complex view of the world was there all along for Europeans, but control of narrative brought eurocentrism (devouring Europe with religious, national and racial identitism). #history #humanism #identity #XVICentury

https://www.edwardwilsonlee.com/historyofwater

P.S. A tradução portuguesa está muito cuidada.
https://expresso.pt/revista/culturas/livros/2022-11-20-As-viagens-de-Camoes-e-Damiao-de-Gois-um-livro-fascinante-de-Edward-Wilson-Lee-3e1b5dfe

Why an Unremarkable Racist Enjoyed the Backing of Billionaires https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/12/opinion/richard-hanania-eugenics-billionaires.html?smid=nytcore-android-share

First hour of a live DJ set last July at Roterdão Club in Lisbon's Pink Street. It starts with respect for the great #TinaTurner, for a party aimed mostly at shaking the #booty.

‘Shake it!’ by E-Trash is on #SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/placebooracle/shake-it

#DJ #Disco #Funk #House #Equality

https://www.ted.com/talks/al_gore_what_the_fossil_fuel_industry_doesn_t_want_you_to_know?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare
#climatechange #fossilfuels

https://www.publico.pt/2023/08/05/mundo/noticia/revolta-toalhas-grecia-quer-praias-gente-2059286

"Elite institutions have become so politically progressive in part because the people in them want to feel good about themselves as they take part in systems that exclude and reject."

What if We’re the Bad Guys Here? https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/02/opinion/trump-meritocracy-educated.html?smid=nytcore-android-share

https://www.npr.org/2023/07/30/1190950660/nematode-worm-permafrost-discovery-frozen