#genetic polymorphisms

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

MTHFR Gene Mutation: Why It Matters & How to Get Tested

Discover the Role of the MTHFR Gene, the Impact of Its Mutations on Your Health, & How You Can Get Tested to Understand Your Genetic Risk Factors You may not have heard of MTHFR, but this enzyme plays a vital role in our body’s ability to process folate (vitamin B9) and maintain your DNA. Related to another critical B vitamin, I recently wrote a story about the global B12 epidemic.  Analyzing…

[cobbled-peach]

proposal(s)

aka: the four times Spencer thinks about proposing to you, and the one time he does

a/n: this is my first time writing/posting here pls be kind to me I just love him and I love books and I hope you love him and love books too !!!!! this hasn’t been edited much so apologies for sp mistakes cw: brief mention of sex, but nothing explicit. Fembau!reader. Lots of literature references (with books named at the end). I think this constitutes as fluff? Pre-prison Spencer, but no specific era. wc: 2.3k

darcy and elizabeth

The first time Spencer thinks about proposing to you, it’s the day you meet him.

The newest agent on the team. You’re emotionally intelligent in a way he can only dream of being.

You cradle a mug of coffee in your hands. His mug, which stuns Morgan into silence mid-sentence, his conversation with Garcia derailed by the sheer surprise of what he’s witnessing. Your mug had smashed thirty minutes earlier, an unfortunate casualty in the first-day desk unboxing. Spencer, seeing your disappointment, pulled a plain white mug from his top drawer, REID printed on the side.

He held it out tentatively. A peace offering. ‘Until you get a new one,’ he’d murmured, offering a small smile.

He’s always been wary of germs, but somehow didn’t care this time.

He watches your hands wrap around the mug. Soft, delicate, holding the item like its something precious. He wonders what it would be like to hold your hands himself. Then scolds the thought. Coworkers, Spencer.

You bring the cup up to your lips, humming in contentment after the first sip. Yor lipstick – or maybe lipgloss? He’s unsure of the correct term – leaves a gentle pink stain on the rim. He secretly hopes that it won’t wash off. He stares for a moment, and wonders, quite randomly, is this how Darcy felt when Elizabeth first touched his hand?

You set the mug down (Morgan still gaping in the background, like you’ve declared war on the Bureau’s hierarchy of personal property) and smile at him.

‘Thank you. Seriously. I desperately needed that caffeine.’

‘It’s not a problem. Did you know that caffeine sensitivity is actually inherited?’ A pause. To see if you’re listening. You are, and he suddenly wonders how appropriate it would be to stain his lips with your lipstick-lipgloss in a kiss. Not very, he concludes. ‘It’s all to do with polymorphisms in your enzymes. Its genetic; they tested it on twins.’

‘You sound well-versed in your coffee knowledge. A fellow connoisseur?’

‘I think the term “addict” is more fitting, actually. And I don’t know how much of my consumption is due to genetics over stress and lack of sleep.’

A laugh from you. He feels the sound in his chest and his stomach flips.

‘Good to know what’s in store for me,’ you tease.

‘Coffee addictions and sleepless nights,’ he replies. Then, hesitating. ‘Maybe I’ll let you use my high-quality espresso beans when it gets really bad.’

‘Literally marry me,’ you joke.

He almost says, I will.

He doesn’t, just stares at the mug like it holds the future.

2. the black cloud

The second time he thinks about proposing is your third-technically fourth date. (The first didn’t count, at least not to you. ‘You asked me to dinner to “celebrate closing the case,”’ you’d later said. ‘That’s not a date.’ He insisted that it was; he’d paid. You said so did JJ, once. Case closed.) They’re also technically not “dates” because dating within the team is prohibited, but Hotch showed some leniency.

Coffee in the park. A foolproof plan, not much room for error. He buys your drink, and you sip it beside him on the bench while he spews obscure facts about the tree you’re sitting under, intertwined with quotes from Ovid and Darwin. He offers to get you a refill as soon as you finish.

‘You haven’t even finished yours yet,’ you tell him.

‘I know. I can still get you a new one.’

‘Just drink your drink, Spencer.’ Accompanied by a fond smile.

You wander together. Conversation flows. He can’t quite explain why its so easy, why he feels so comfortable.

He’s puzzled by the anomaly, so he does what he does best: theorises. He’s been hypothesising for the past three-technically-four dates. Cross-referencing data points. He runs through the evidence, and draws the only viable conclusion:

Love.

Premature, maybe. But true.

You suggest dipping into a second-hand bookshop. He agrees eagerly, following you in like Orpheus descending. He’ll go anywhere, so long as he can find his way back to you. You disappear into your aisle; he into his. Mathematics, physics. The realm of science and fact. Only two minutes pass before you appear again, book clutched in your hand.

‘This is so you,’ you say.

It’s The Black Cloud. Fred Hoyle.

He blinks. Then again. Takes the book from your hand and turning it over like you’ve just handed him the world.

‘You’ve probably read it,’ you say. ‘But you’ve never mentioned it, and I know you like mid-century sci-fi.’

He has read it. Of course he has. But its not about the book. Its about you, thinking of him.

And you say it so casually. Like this isn’t the most intimate thing someone’s done for him.

‘You picked this out… for me?’

‘Yes.’

He turns it over again, shocked. He wants to hand you his heart, neatly wrapped in paper and ink.

‘Oh…’ he breathes out, the sound so quiet. He feels like he’s been winded, in the best way possible.

‘Not to your taste?’

‘No–’ he shakes his head. ‘No, its exactly to my taste. I think I have an older copy, but not this edition.’

‘Do you want it?’

‘Yes.’ The answer comes out before he even registers it. He does want the book. Not because he needs it, but because you picked it out for him.

You smile, gently take it back, and go to the register. He watches lamely, feels compelled to place a hand over his chest an steady his beating heart.

He thinks of Dante first catching sight of Beatrice. Of Gatsby staring across the bay. Of Gabriel and Bathsheba, paths destined to intertwine.

In the middle of the bookshop, he almost gets on one knee.

3. the hour of the star

The third time he thinks about proposing is directly after sex.

Not the first time, or the second. Somewhere in the quiet middle.

You’ve been officially together for six months. You transferred to a different department, and he asked the moment you were in your new office. (‘No interdepartmental fraternization,’ he’d quoted, followed by a nervous, ‘so, can you officially be my girlfriend now?’)

You’re both tangled beneath the sheets in your apartment, the place half his by default now. His toothbrush lives in the bathroom, his go-bag in the hallway, his own mug in your kitchen.

His copy of The Black Cloud lives on your bookshelf, annotated. He took it straight home, writing his thoughts in the margins, little notes to you. Fred Hoyle writes “There is a coherent plan to the universe” and beneath it, in Spencer’s barely legible font, is yes, and I think its you.

The book had been kept out of your sight for seven months, before he “sneakily” slipped it onto your shelf. “Sneakily,” because you watched every movement through the kitchen doorway. You’d read the whole thing that night, cried, and set to work annotating a book of your own for him.

The books are a love language themselves. If he could frame every annotated page on his wall, he would.

He’s reading aloud to you now.

It’s become a ritual. You, soft limbs and warm skin. Him, thumbing through whatever book is on the nightstand, voice a little hoarse. Sometimes it’s a play, sometimes poetry. Once, quantum physics (he didn’t take it personally when you instantly fell asleep to that).

Tonight, its Clarice Lispector. The Hour of the Star. Skin still flushed, he clears his throat and reads aloud, backed by your steady breaths. Each turn of a page is a pause in which he can press a kiss to your skin. Shoulder, cheek, temple. Wherever he can reach.

‘“Things were somehow so good that they were in danger of becoming very bad, because what is fully mature is very close to rotting.’” The sentence hangs in the air. Heavy. His voice stops, like he’s contemplating the words he’s just read.

You turn your head against his chest.

‘Everything okay?’

His quiet. Thinking, as always, a crease between his brows.

‘Mm.’ His arm shifts to wrap around your shoulders. ‘It’s just… interesting, isn’t it? How even the best things are fragile, maybe. Decaying.’

He doesn’t need to say “us” for you to catch what he’s referring to.

‘You think we’ll decay?’ you ask, propping yourself up on one elbow. He looks at your eyes, soft, unworried, and thinks again.

‘I think that… real things are vulnerable. We’re real. And I think that makes us susceptible.’ He hesitates, brushes some hair from your face absentmindedly. ‘Entropy. Everything tends towards disorder.’

‘Only if you don’t control it,’ you say. Factually incorrect, but he appreciates what you're saying.

And perhaps that’s it. Your unwavering faith. You’re a realist, not a romantic. Offering certainty in a world of disorder.

‘Decay isn’t death,’ you point out, continuing. ‘Its transformation, right? Compost to soil. Stars collapsing and becoming galaxies. Things can break and become something beautiful.’

His world shifts in that moment. He looks back at the line, reads it maybe 20 times in the span of five seconds.

‘We’re not going to rot, Spence.’

‘We’re not going to rot,’ he repeats. He knows it’s the truth as you press your lips to his chest, over his frantically beating heart. ‘Do you want me to keep going?’ he asks, lifting the book slightly.

‘Please.’

You adjust your position, curling into his side. He resumes his reading. He’s turning the page again when you mumble quietly.

‘We’re not going to rot, because I love you.’

Every syllable brands itself into his soul. He’s heard those three words before, but there’s something more to them in his context. He almost drops the book, catches I before it hits your head. He wants to tell you that you are his Eurydice, the person he’s always been trying to reach.

Instead, he says:

‘I love you, too.’

It falls easily. Inevitable, as always. No drama, no prelude. Just the truth, spoken to you many times before and many more to come.

He almost attaches a “marry me” to his words but instead kisses your hair and returns to the book. He’ll wait.

He already knows the ending will be worth it.

4. metamorphoses

The fourth time isn’t once. It’s every day.

You hand him coffee in the morning? Marry me.

You nurse him through a cold, unconcerned about coughing and sneezing, just wanting to be near to him? Here’s a ring fashioned out of Kleenex.

You coo over Henry in one of JJ’s photos? Let’s make one of our own. Just marry me first.

He asks Rossi for advice. (‘You’ve been married a lot, statistically speaking.’)

Garcia catches on quickly. Spencer Reid combined with search history is a concoction for whatever the opposite of “stealth” is. He looks at rings on his lunch break, tilting his computer screen like its classified information.

Pretty soon everyone knows. You remain oblivious – or pretend to be.

It’s simply a matter of when.

5. darcy and elizabeth

It’s a Tuesday. Raining.

Not a dramatic kind of rain. Unassuming. Soft and relentless, quietly soaking the world, a constant tap against the window of his apartment – now permanently shared with you.

He wonders if the rain is a piece of pathetic fallacy. A warning against his plans.

It’s four years to the day since he met you.

He had a plan. Of course he did. He was Spencer Reid. A riverside walk in the park. Take a picnic, surrounded by ducks. Bookmark a page in Much Ado About Nothing with the ring. But the weather has altered his plans, made him go off script.

But maybe that’s a good thing. Gentle touches and heartfelt gestures over big declarations, that’s what he’s always preferred. He just needs a moment.

You’re making coffee. Barefoot, hair damp from the rain that interrupted his plans. Wearing an old shirt of his effortlessly. A perfect picture of home. His home.

He stands in the doorway with a book in his hand. Pride and Prejudice. Not his favourite. Nowhere near his top ten. But it’s your favourite. You’ve worn it down with love, left your own story between the lines with annotations. And that makes it his favourite now, too.

His mismatched socks shift awkwardly on the floor.

‘Hi,’ he says, calling your attention.

You look up from the mugs with a pre-formed smile. Yours, a copy of the mug you’d smashed on your first day. His, the mug with your lipstick, now washed, but imprinted with you forever.

‘Hey,’ you respond. ‘Dry from the rain?’

He doesn’t respond. Crosses the kitchen and holds out the book. Why does it feel like a brick?

‘This is… mine?’ you say, unsure.

‘Yes,’ he confirms. ‘I added some annotations. For you.’

You open the cover. His handwriting – messy, familiar – sits below your own in black ink.

You know I am not very good with words. So, I thought I’d borrow someone else’s. Please turn to page 301.

He watches your breath hitch. Watches as you carefully flip the pages.

There’s a line. Circled not once, but many times over, holding the weight of what couldn’t be said with words.

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.”

Beside it, tentative but certain at the same time, his writing: but if you ever choose to be bound to someone, I hope it’s me.

He’s already on one knee when you glance up. Ring held out in his hand. A quiet promise, forged from the pages of books you’ve shared and the one you’ve written yourself.

Your hands are cradling his face. He’s crying. And you’re crying.

‘I will always choose you.’ Quiet, definitive. A fact.

He slips the ring on and kisses you. Pride and Prejudice lays open in the background. Page 301. A circled sentence. A note in the margins. A love undoubted.

hi I’m super awkward but I hope you enjoyed yippee!! I thought I’d quickly mention all the books I referenced/have implied references to because I love them all and if you like literature you should read them teehee (in order because I’m super sweet) (also I know darcy doesn’t touch her hand in the books pls don’t come for me <33) Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen Metamorphosis, Ovid The Origin of Species, Charles Darwin The Black Cloud, Fred Hoyle The Divine Comedy, Dante The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald Far from the Madding Crowd, Thomas Hardy The Hour of the Star, Clarice Lispector Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare Hamlet, Shakespeare

[covid-safer-hotties]

Reference saved in our archive

Yet another study showing Vitamin D deficiency coupled with acute covid severity. Maybe consider a supplement if you're going to be in covid high risk scenarios.

Abstract Background The vitamin D binding protein (DBP) plays a critical role in both innate and adaptive immune systems, participating in several clinical conditions, including coronavirus disease 2019 infection severity, and mortality rate. The study aimed to investigate the correlation between rs7041 and rs4588 polymorphisms in the DBP gene and Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) severity and mortality, in patients of Suez Canal University Hospitals in Ismailia, Egypt.

Methods A case-control study enrolled 220 individuals; 140 COVID-19 patients and 80 healthy controls. Serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and rs7041 and rs4588 polymorphisms of the DBP gene were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

Results The study found that both groups had vitamin D deficiency, which was considerably lower in the COVID-19 patients group compared to controls. Among COVID-19 patients, there was a significant difference in vitamin D levels according to the disease severity indicating that vitamin D levels can be used as predictors of COVID-19 severity. Negative significant correlations between genetic variants rs4588 CA genotype and genetic variants rs7041 TT genotype and COVID-19 prevalence (p = 0.006 and 0.009 respectively) were proved. No significant correlations between all the genetic variants of both rs4588 and rs7041 and COVID-19 severity (p > 0.05). Positive significant correlations between both genetic variants rs4588 CA genotype and genetic variants rs7041 TG genotype and COVID-19 mortality (p = 0.029 and 0.031 respectively).

Conclusion vitamin D deficiency increased the severity of COVID-19. The DBP polymorphism correlated with vitamin COVID-19 prevalence and mortality.

[postcrashcurly]

I don't know much about 'skin things' but I do have a little bit of information on it for those who are interested! (I hope you don't mind me using your comment). I'll be supplementing my knowledge with some research under the read more.

Skin grafting is a dermatological procedure utilized to facilitate wound closure.

We'll talk about some commonly used techniques:

1. Split-Thickness Skin Grafts (STSG) are composed of the epidermic and a superficial part of the dermis. These grafts are commonly used to cover large wounds, burns, and areas of skin loss. They are thinner than full-thickness grafts, which allows them to cover larger areas.

2. Full-Thickness Skin Grafts (FTSG) contain both the full epidermis and the dermis. These grafts are typically used for smaller wounds in areas where aesthetics and durability are essential, such as the face, hands, or neck. Since FTSGs retain the full dermal layer, they offer better cosmetic outcomes, including improved texture, pigmentation, and reduced scarring compared to split-thickness grafts. They also tend to resist contracture better, making them ideal for regions requiring flexibility. - FTSGs are more complex because they require a well-vascularized wound bed to survive and heal. - FTSGs are the most commonly used graft.

3. Composite Skin Grafts are usually small and include a combination of skin and underlying tissues, such as fat, cartilage, or muscle. These grafts are used to reconstruct areas where multiple tissue types are needed to restore both form and function, such as the nose, ears, or fingertips. - Composite skin grafts which combine allogeneic dermis and an expanded autologous epidermis can effect rapid wound closure.

It is further broken down by the following:

Permanent Skin Grafts

1. Autografts (autologous graft): skin collected from the patient 2. Isograft (syngeneic graft): skin collected from a genetically identical donor (twin)

Temporary Skin Grafts

1. Allocrafts (heterologous graft): skin from a cadaver (living donors are possible) 2. Xenograft (heterograft): skin from another species

Can be Temporary OR Permanent

1. Synthetic skin substitutes: use of manufactured skin - The only technique that is permanent is cultured epithelial autograft (CEA), which is essentially a skin graft grown from a patient's own skin cells.

NO NON-SELF TISSUE IS GUARANTEED TO COMPLETELY AVOID DEATH OR REJECTION.

Transplant Rejection: a patients immune system identifies the graft as a foreign body, which triggers an immune response to get "rid" of the tissue.

Skin implant compatibility is based on three highly polymorphic MHC genes (HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C) that encode proteins and are a part of the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) system. This system identifies foreign bodies.

Knowing this, the use of modified donor animals, such as pigs, to provide transplantable organs, is gaining some renewed research. It involves excising the genes in the pig that are most responsible for the rejection reaction after transplantation. However, finding these genes and effectively removing them is a challenge.

The use of autologous skin grafts is the most common approach in the treatment of chronic wounds. However, in the case of deep and/or large wounds or with extensive severe burns, the use of autografts is limited, and either allogeneic (from cadaver) or xenogeneic skin grafts are used for transplantation.

The use of allogenic/xenogenic tissue carries a high risk of graft rejection, limiting their clinical applications.

Tissue Engineering

Advanced therapies for chronic wounds involve application of bioengineered artificial skin substitutes to overcome graft rejection as well as topical delivery of mesenchymal stem cells to reduce inflammation and accelerate the healing process.

Photo shows potentially ideal artificial skin graft:

Modern treatment includes skin tissue engineering aiming to produce bioengineered biomaterial-based artificial skin grafts. Therefore, the main roles of bioengineered skin grafts is to supply oxygen (by being oxygen permeable), keep the wound from dehydration, promote healing, and prevent infections. - Depending on the type of biomaterial used for the production of artificial skin grafts, they may function as skin equivalents providing temporary wound covers or permanent skin substitutes. - When the biomaterials are pre-seeded or have cells incorporated within their matrix, they are classified as cellular artificial skin grafts, whereas biomaterials without or deprived of cells are defined as acellular artificial skin grafts.

Here are some current commercially available synthetic skin grafts I found applicable to Curly's injuries:

Definitions for Clarity: 1. Epidermal: Pertaining to the outermost layer of the skin. 2. Cellular Content: the complex structures and biomolecules that make up cells, the smallest units of life. 3. Acellular: not consisting of, divided into, or containing cells. 4. Fibroblasts: a cell in connective tissue which produces collagen and other fibers. 5. Keratinocytes: an epidermal cell which produces keratin (a fibrous protein forming the main structural constituent of hair).

Articles to Reference

Organ Transplantation and Rejection by Libretexts biology. LINK

(CW: Images) Skin Grafting by Joseph Prohaska and Christopher Cook. LINK

A Concise Review on Tissue Engineered Artificial Skin Grafts for Chronic Wound Treatment: Can We Reconstruct Functional Skin Tissue In Vitro? by Agata Przekora LINK

Composite skin graft: frozen dermal allografts support the engraftment and expansion of autologous epidermis by E L Heck, P R Bergstresser, C R Baxter LINK

[darkmaga-returns]

This comprehensive paper indicates that many infants can not safely tolerate routine vaccination schedules. By integrating pharmacogenetics, toxicology, and epidemiological evidence—including a detailed review of cytochrome P450 enzyme maturation, genetic polymorphisms, vaccine excipient toxicity, and post-vaccination death timing from VAERS—the authors show that underdeveloped liver enzyme systems may leave certain infants unable to detoxify vaccine components. The result is a biologically plausible mechanism linking early-life vaccination to sudden infant death, particularly in those with genetic or developmental vulnerabilities.

[inatungulates]

Eastern North Pacific long-beaked common dolphin Delphinus bairdii bairdii

Observed by chezasaurus, CC BY-NC

A note ...or, brief essay on common dolphin taxonomy

The common dolphin Delphinus delphis sensu lato has a near-cosmopolitan distribution, and considerable variability exists across the globe. Multiple species of common dolphin have been named, but in general there has only been one species recognized. In 1994, a study of common dolphins focused predominantly on the Eastern North Pacific found that the global offshore short-beaked common dolphin Delphinus delphis sensu stricto is different from the long-beaked common dolphin Delphinus capensis found in disjunct coastal areas around the world. The extremely-long-beaked and usually rather-dull-patterned Indo-Pacific common dolphin Delphinus tropicalis occupied a position as either a third species or a distinctive regional form of long-beaked common dolphin.

More detailed genetic studies in the 2010s did not uphold the short-beaked v. long-beaked dichotomy, however. A more complex evolutionary story is revealed by genetics, indicating that the long-beaked morphology developed repeatedly and independently in distinct coastal areas; thus, classification of all the world's long-beaked common dolphins as Delphinus capensis is erroneous as they do not all relate to one another to the exclusion of short-beaked common dolphins. Once again, all common dolphins were a single species.

Not all marine mammalogists were satisfied with solution of recognizing a single polymorphic species with a cosmopolitan distribution, particularly with the regard to the rather well-studied long-beaked common dolphins found on the Pacific coast of the US and Mexico. Despite overlapping geographically with short-beaked common dolphins, these long-beaked dolphins are distinguishable by external appearance, skull characters, mitochondrial DNA, and - to at least some degree - ecology and life history. In addition to the long beak, the broad, dark stripe running from gape to anus along the lower sides of these dolphins and often darkening the side of the face (as seen above) is one of the most recognizable characters. In 2024, a redescription of these dolphins considered them a separate species, the Eastern Pacific long-beaked common dolphin Delphinus bairdii. That paper notes that the Eastern Pacific long-beaked common dolphins off South America, with a >2500km gap from their northern counterparts, may warrant separation as a distinct subspecies. Another genetic study published in 2024 suggests that long-beaked common dolphins in the Western North Pacific may also belong to this species. That is the course followed on this blog - while the exact nature of these dolphins is in need of further study, recognizing such disjunct forms as at least separate subspecies is essentially the standard in other cetacean species.

The days of two globally-distributed common dolphin species are behind us, but what of the other long-beaked common dolphins besides those of the Eastern Pacific? The recent paper revalidating Delphinus bairdii suggests, as others have, that the long-beaked forms remaining at present in Delphinus delphis likely warrant taxonomic distinction. The evidence suggests to me each long-beaked form of common dolphin is probably best regarded as its own independent species, separate from the global short-beaked common dolphin. As tempting as it is to make this the course followed on this blog, I think I shall have to split the difference for now, given that there is evidence that some long-beaked populations are not reciprocally monophyletic with regards to sympatric short-beaks. The lack of complete genetic isolation from short-beaked common dolphins is not necessarily an indicator that specific distinction is unwarranted, but could indicate recent and ongoing speciation, possibly in response to geologically-recent climatic upheavals related to Pleistocene glacial cycles (...plus dolphins are not shy about hybridization). Though I believe further study will probably bear out recognition of additional common dolphin species besides D. delphis sensu stricto and D. bairdii, for now I will be listing other long-beaked common dolphins on this blog as Delphinus "delphis" to indicate their questionable taxonomic assignment.

Recall that the inatungulates blog is NOT a definitive source for taxonomy, and while I base my (generally splittery) taxonomic opinions on information and proposals that are in the literature, I am not beholden to any single source on taxonomy and the opinions here should not be treated as authoritative; hopefully, however, I will prompt an appreciation for (the sometimes-overlooked minutiae of?) ungulate diversity, and send curious readers to investigate the literature to form their own opinions from the available data.

Ref:

Becker, MA, KR Murphy, FI Archer, TA Jefferson, LW Keith-Diagne, CW Potter, MF Urrutia-Osorio, I Ndong, and MR McGowen. 2024. Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) mitochondrial genomes from Senegal reveal geographic structure across the North Atlantic but provide no support for a global long-beaked clade. Marine Mammal Science e13144.

Cunha, HA, RL de Castro, ER Secchi, EA Crespo, J Lailson-Brito, AF Azevedo, C Lazoski, and AM Solé-Cava. 2015. Molecular and morphological differentiation of common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) in the southwestern Atlantic: Testing the two species hypothesis in sympatry.

Heyning, JE, and WF Perrin. 1994. Evidence for two species of common dolphins (genus Delphinus) from the eastern North Pacific. Contributions in Science 442:1-35.

Jefferson, TA, and K Van Waerebeck. 2002. The taxonomic status of the nominal dolphin species Delphinus tropicalis Van Bree, 1971. Marine Mammal Science 18(4):787-818.

Jefferson, TA, FI Archer, and KM Robertson. 2024. The long-beaked common dolphin of the eastern Pacific Ocean: Taxonomic status and redescription of Delphinus bairdii. Marine Mammal Science e13133.

Segura-García, I, JP Gallo, S Chivers, R Díaz-Gamboa, and AR Hoelzel. 2016. Post-glacial habitat release and incipient speciation in the genus Delphinus. Heredity 117:400-407.

[frithwontdie]

5.2% of Black males carry a gene variant (2-repeat allele of the maoa gene) that is significantly associated with violent and antisocial behavior. Only 0.1% of white males carry the same variant.

"A significant amount of behavioral genetic research has examined the genetic basis to antisocial behaviors [...] The results of these studies [...] indicate that approximately 50% of the variance in measures of antisocial phenotypes is attributable to genetic factors"

[dailycharacteroption]

Polymorphic Disguise Envoy (Envoy Alternate Class Feature)

(art by Minda Sam on Artstation)

In a galaxy of fantastic technology and magic, it can seem like the best option is always to get more and more tricks and tools, but even in such a setting there’s a lot to be said for specializing in one gimmick and taking it to the extreme. And such is the case with envoys that master the art of polymorphic disguise.

It’s a long-standing trope in a lot of sci-fi settings with the alien species that can shapeshift to resemble others, and that carries over into Starfinder, with perhaps the most versatile being astrazoans, what with their ability to imitate not only humanoids but even other aberrations.

However, you might assume that an alternate feature like this is either meant to only be used by such shapeshifters, or by other species seeking to emulate them, with the assumption that in the former case it’s limited to those species, and in the latter case it only grants the same base ability as those natural shifters, making it uselessly superfluous to those who already can.

Well, I’m happy to say that neither of those things are the case, as the class option not only grants shapeshifting, but improves on it, which can easily be flavored as refining their own natural shapeshifting if they have it. Either way, these masters of disguise quickly go from purely espionage-related applications to all-out battle forms, similar to the likes of Martian Manhunter in their complexity and ability.

Indeed, while many use these talents to take on alternate identities, they can also use them for combat forms, refining their skill and it’s application as they master it and themselves. Some may be spies, others combat specialists, but their fluid form is their unifying factor.

At the start of their journey, these envoys gain a single form based on the capabilities of the least self-polymorphing magic, and as they grow in power, they may change it as they gain access to better tiers of self-change, and they can use their expertise to refine these disguises. However, they do not gain expertise with other skills, but they can still use talents by expending resolve, or they can choose not to learn such tricks and instead gain an additional form, diversifying that which they can turn into.

A relatively simple alt class option that grants an iconic power and accounts for how the class functions without the replaced ability, this can be fun for characters seeking to maintain several set identities that become better and better at replicating the species and individual they are based on over time. I personally would start with forms that are meant for disguise, but later branch out into those that can be used for combat, selecting however many you think you’d like to have for variety’s sake and utility, supplementing them with expertise talents and the like to help round out and complete the build.

While species that already have shapeshifting powers may see this as simply mastering or enhancing one of their natural advantages in the same way others might perfect a martial art, those that lack such a natural ability might pose some interesting questions, such as how they gained this ability in the first place. Was it through training, mutation, or perhaps something that was done to them with genetic tinkering? If it wasn’t their choice, how do they feel about these abilities and do they struggle with their identity?

Blajh the Efreet is no genie, but a shapeshifting con artist that takes on such a form to attract the desperate to his con games. Despite his role as a con artist, he has a legitimate fascination with elementals, and wants to one day see a gigantic starship-sized elemental in action, though doing so is obviously not without risk.

Infamous as the name suggests, the Face Stealer is a legendary assassin for hire that none know the true face of, though he has several forms he’s collected over the years, each one emulating the face of one of his favorite victims, used to help secure greater kills. While the number of such forms is likely a deliberate exaggeration to fuel his own mystique, he is nevertheless very dangerous, and even includes at least one powerful dragon form, just in case.

Very few would expect a burly being like a nuar to specialize in stealth and guile, but such is the case for Ulgan, who works as a spymaster for the Hardbrands. Exactly how he developed such a skill is not a story he’s ever told, but rumor has it that he was experimented on by grays, reptoids, or some ruthless corporation.

[vidalinav]

Stu(died) Chapter 6.5

Basically this is the beginning of chapter 7 except I change povs and so it annoyed me. So this is a short chapter.

~

Nesta has never liked the holiday season. Mostly, it's cold and there's no sweater warm enough, too few blankets to cover herself with, and her roommates don't subscribe to the idea of leaving the thermostat at a sweltering 78.

That's the advantage, Nesta thinks, of Emerie and Gwyn going home for the holidays.

Admittedly, it's also a bit sad.

78 and her heart is a solid 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The freezing point of water.

She's been holed up in this apartment, even as most students leave back to their respective families. Even Cassian leaves a week ago. Not that Nesta cares to keep track. She just knows because he keeps sending them photos of him making snow angels to their group chat.

Emerie sends photos of herself on a beach in Miami, because of course she lives somewhere warm. Gwyn, however, lives out in the boonies and barely gets cell reception on a good day. She sends a thumbs up just to tell them she's alive.

She tells them she's going home soon, but really Nesta plans on taking extra shifts if they're offered. No sense in trucking home. She missed the last bus there anyway.

So, Nesta makes do with the Christmas tree her friends put up together. Homemade ornaments and all. She makes do with Netflix and shitty rom-coms, and she ignores all semblance of Cassian who keeps calling her and texting her and sending her pictures.

As if she cares.

She won't tell anyone that she saves them in her phone. She won't tell her friends that he has a routine. Check-ins like some godforsaken good morning texts as if they're dating or something. Calls at midnight because he knows she's not sleeping. He asks what she watches since she's always watching something when he calls. Nesta's surprised she even answers.

But she does.

Every time.

She answers every text with a snark reply. Answers every photo with a wicked emoji. Her voice isn't even happy when she talks to him and yet he calls and calls and calls.

She swears there must be something wrong with this guy.

~

Or perhaps there's something wrong with her...

Nesta will blame genetics--her DNA with its single nucleotide polymorphisms. If she gets her hair from her father and her eyes from her mother, it only makes sense that her unreasonable obsession with staring at her phone comes from one of them too.

Nesta cannot stop staring at her phone.

It's been 24 hours and not one notification.

Cassian has been killed.

Or at least... he's been maimed.

Maybe shot.

Worse, he might be talking to another girl.

Nesta shakes her head at the thought. Ugh. What is she even thinking? Vomit worthy thoughts and she'll blame recessive genes and the human genome. What has become of her?

She looks at the screen again, sees nothing, and throws the phone on the bed.

She needs a hobby. One of those boring ones too. Paint by numbers or diamond dots. Something that will take her hours. A form of self-flagellation. A punishment for thinking about frat boys instead of studying for the MCAT.

Because she has to study for the MCAT. The MCAT is not going to take itself.

She contemplates this as her phone vibrates.

Nesta will not admit to anyone that she jumps at the sound and rushes to pick it up.

She groans as she sees who it is.

"What do you want Feyre?"

Her little sister huffs. "That's the Christmas spirit! Say that again but in a drearier way, I think you missed the bah humbug."

"You have five minutes," Nesta says, looking at the clock. It's only 12:15. What else is she suppose to do for 9 more hours?

"Hey! You gave me 15 minutes last time. You're shortchanging me."

"Fine. You get 15 minutes. Talk fast."

Feyre laughs and Nesta pauses at the sound, glad that her little sister sounds happy even if she only calls to ask for money.

"I'm calling to see what you're doing right now."

"Why?"

"Because... Well... I need someone to pick me up from the airport."

Her little sister uses her nice voice as she says it, too.

It’s a shame that Nesta has never been one for niceties.

~~~

Azriel says he’s been playing it too easy and that’s the only reason he’s not snapping Nesta a pic of his pie. Apple crisp with little lace edges.

His exact words were: why would she buy the cow, if she could get the milk for free?

Cassian is no cow, but he knows Nesta loves roast beef. He knows so much about her and yet she barely answers his texts.

So fine, maybe Azriel is right.

Maybe Nesta doesn’t even really like him that much.

Worse, what if she likes someone else?

Cassian shakes his head. No. Impossible. Nesta's his. He's already decided, as possessive as that may seem. How could she not be? She spent Thanksgiving with his family. They've kissed. Twice.

They've made out even.

But still she doesn't reach out to him. She responds with a thumbs up when he asks how she is. She replies with a heart to his message when he tells her he's baking her favorite dessert.

Stupidly short replies for her stupid, dumb... boyfriend? Friend with minimal benefits? Student she tutors?

Cassian shakes his head again.

He needs to get a hobby.

Except he's baking... that is his hobby. He's already cleaned his room. He's watched football with his brothers. He's taken his little sister to the science museum.

Nothing can stop him from gripping his phone and shaking it.

Why won't she call???

Nesta's face lights up his screen and Cassian presses the call button with the speed of a world record.

“Cassian,” she says in a voice so soft, he could swoon.

“I’ll be right there,” he says immediately.

~

Okay next chapter is car ride to Nesta's house with Feyre in tow. Also Nesta doesn't have a car right now. I'll explain that later.

@unhealthyfanobsession

[sharpsuite]

CHISHIYA + FAMILY RESEMBLENCES

When it comes to Chishiya's family resemblances, they certainly exist despite the difficulty to pin them down. Not because the resemblances are hard to see or discover per se - but because Chishiya and his parents are rarely in the same space for them to be observed. He essentially never speaks of them to the point one might assume they're dead until it comes up for some reason and he happens to reveal otherwise.

CHISHIYA & HIS FATHER

Chishiya shares more of his general temperament with his father, a fact he is entirely unaware of given his lack of any communication with the man. APATHY IS NOT ENTIRELY GENETIC, but there ARE genetic components that contribute to a higher risk - specifically in single-nucleotide polymorphisms that affect the body's dopaminergic system. In simple terms for the sake of this post, genetic mutations in the dopamine system (release, binding, or break down) can greatly increase the odds of apathy. His father does possess this gene mutation in regards to an issue breaking down the dopamine release and it is actively displayed. His father is, generally, fairly apathetic to almost all matters. BUT those subject matters that catch his interest and activate the dopamine release and breakdown wholeheartedly catch his interest. His father pursued medicine for this reason, for how much is still to be learned. In the single panel we have of Chishiya's father, there's books piled in towers on the desk, under the desk, beside the desk, AND and entire wall of books behind this. He pours himself into this object of interest - and little else matters. Not the son he had, not the image for society that his mother focuses on. What he pursues is what catches his interest. Even Chishiya points out his father's behavior came from lack of interest. CHISHIYA IS THE SAME TO A MORE INTENSE DEGREE. It was passed down to him alongside the small mutation that Chishiya's mother possessed in the release section of genetic system - hence Chishiya rarely finds something that DOES spark his interest and can easily discard it if need be. While these mutations don't guarantee it - for Chishiya to have both and the environment he was raised in, it was almost bound to happen. This is also why Chishiya can and will persistently pursue what he wants. Even if just mild entertainment. These mutations have in studies shown to cause a higher willingness to take dangerous risks and considering his behavior both around individuals like Niragi as well as high risk plans such as stealing the cards - well. It shows. His father and him share that general apathy and indifference, although Chishiya's is a more extreme version.

On a more observable level, there are the book similarities. We know Chishiya's not interested in the medical field like his parents, his pursuit of medicine was a mix of both a desire to feel something he lacked as well as a bit of expectation. But Chishiya does have a bookshelf full of medical and psychological/sociological textbooks with the odd one or two other books. THEY BOTH PREFER PAPER FOR GENERAL ENJOYMENT, BUT TECHNOLOGY FOR WORK. Textbooks, newspapers, etc. are their preferred for simply reading to learn but monitors for actual work or quick searching. They're both fast readers, both able to easily recount information from consumed text without much effort. He also has a similar physical build to his father, though he's not as tall as his father.

Socially, his father and him both tend to be very isolated. They prefer to be at a distance and observe or slip away versus in the heart of an event or crowd. Lack of interest primarily. They'd rather do their own thing. But they both can have extremely COMMANDING PRESENCES when they choose to or decide they want the control of the room. This is especially obvious in work-related meetings or conferences in their expertise. His father does however tend to keep a small team that he's rather close with for as much as he can get close to people. Chishiya follows in his footsteps in tending to have a very small group compared to his mother who is very involved and engaging with people ( albeit for less genuine reasons. )

CHISHIYA & HIS MOTHER

Although a lot of Chishiya's temperament is similar to his father's, his PERSONALITY is more reflective of his mother. A lot of this has to do with her involvement. Chishiya's mother was not affectionate as I've discussed before, nor what she very involved. But she was far, far more involved in Chishiya's life than his father ever was. She is more or less all he knows for family, albeit Chishiya considers them both strangers that share genetics with him. She's where Chishiya gets a lot of his cunning and manipulation from. At least, she served as a baseline where Chishiya picked it up and it helped form an section of his personality that grew and developed through experiences and life. His mother is a very, very cunning woman. She was the one suggesting the marriage as something of a business arrangement for mutual benefit with his father, she's the one willing to MANIPULATE BEHIND THE SCNES to get her way. She's not outright aggressive, just as Chishiya isn't. But her and Chishiya are both the ones to plant seed in someone's mind and carefully water it, or to guide people unknowingly to doing what they want the person to do. They can both put up an act - to be polite to a patient's face or anyone else, only for the truth to show the moment they're alone. What matters is effeciency. WHATEVER MEANS TO THE GOAL is the motto from his mother that Chishiya heard quite a bit when he was younger overhearing her conversations on the phone or sometimes their own discussions. They're strategists through and through, putting their own goals as their top priority above others - and they're willing to sacrifice to achieve it or to ensure they aren't held back/pinned down.

Some of his expressions are also almost identical to his mother's. One in particular is the CONDESCENDING STARE PAIRED WITH A SMIRK. Standing next to each other, their expressions would be almost perfectly the same, the only change is that Chishiya tends to be relaxed in body posture while his mother is very rigid and dominating. She's also a very sharp woman ; she's had to fight her way in the top in a male-dominated field. Chishiya and her both size people up. It's not overt most of the time, but they do the same steps when observing someone: any identification, eyes, shoulders, hands, overall posture, clothes, and whatever might be relevant to the situation. He's also only slightly taller than her.

Chishiya also takes after his mom in being more sterile with his living space. While his father has books crammed and stacked everywhere, things semi-clean but disorganized, Chishiya's mother tends to be very clean and minimalistic. She isn't one for much pomp, although what is around is of high value whether its paintings, appliances, or the odd decoration she might have. Chishiya, as I've discussed before, tends to be very minimalistic with his own space, having little outside of books or a few smaller items that he has. It even goes into their movements - neither of them tend to move a lot, not their whole bodies or their hands contrary to some who talk a lot with their hands or move around a lot.

[the-real-chuuya]

BELGIAN MALINOIS

The belgian malinois is a medium sized herding breed from Belgium! They are well known as super high drive working dogs. They descend from a common type of sheperd breed in the western Europe. Other dogs that descend from this shepherd include Bouvier des Ardennes, Dutch Shepherd and German Shepherd. They have alot of history of being herding dogs but they were also kept as companion dogs, guard dogs, military dogs, and assistant dogs. They were used in both WW by the US and Belgium mainly. By the 21st century they were used worldwide commonly as police k9s!

Belgian malinois are very intelligent breed of dog who need a job of some sort. They need daily intense exercise and thrive when given a job such as bitework, herding, bikejoring ect. As puppys they are very mouthy, biting, knawing, chewing ect. They need many enrichment choices and need to be taught to settle! Unlike herman Shepherds, who have a great natural off switch and are great at thinking through their actions, mals are impulsive, they WILL become very destructive and aggressive if not given an outlet for their energy and drive! These dogs excel at k9 poluce dogs, personal protection, canicross, bikejoring, herding, races, dock diving ect! They are not recommended for service work as they struggle to settle in new environments unless taught and socialized from a young age to do so!

Health issues in belgian malinois include hip and elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, and rage syndrom! A genetic polymorphism in the dopamine transporter gene has been linked to Rage syndrome, and dogs at risk of passing the genotype on to offspring can be identified through genetic testing. These dogs are very quickly rising in popularity meaning backyard breeders are starting to breed them. Finding abreeder with successful working and show dogs, good health testing, pedigrees, and are open about their practices are very necessary for this breed! These dogs can be very misbehaved if they are not bred right or are not worked right!!!

These dogs can be great working dogs if raised correctly and from an ethical breeder! They are fairly easy to train and have a need to please their owners! They are a very popular breed for bute work/military work and k9 work and have been for many many years. These dogs excel in many jobs and sports and need a good outlet for their drive and energy! The health testing is similar for most high drive working dogs and need to accommodate their high energy and strength! They can be good in a family home if worked and dont have much intrest in other dogs and people! They handler focus is great and they can be exceptional dogs as with all the belgian sheperds!

I ain’t reading all that, quit your yapping

[thescentofrainonstone]

As someone used to excess Dopamine because of how random my genetic polymorphism went (met/met), when I decided to lower my thyroid medication because by nature triiodothyronine fosters growth, and I'm in the middle of discovering if I have cancer or not, I didn't consider that despite the huge dosage I am on, lowering the dose would affect neurotransmitters.

And now for the last 48 hours I've lived with the frustration of never enough dopamine to get motivated, always little enough to realise I'm useless and can't do anything about it not even think words (I basically threw myself in accidental ADHD), and I have renewed respect for anyone that lives like this constantly.

How people with ADHD manage to get anything done, let alone be nice to anyone who ever interacts with them, is insane to me. There is literally nothing in their brain chemistry giving them the ability to access "decency" yet they do.

Wow.

Just wow.

[reddwarfpoll]

Polymorph: The Red Dwarf crew encounters the Polymorph, a genetically engineered space mutant that drains the emotions from humans, that has arrived on-board Red Dwarf.

Back to Earth: It's been a decade since we last saw the crew of Red Dwarf, but while the crew are older they're still none the wiser. When Lister's busy day of annoying Rimmer is interrupted by a monstrous attack, it's pretty much business as usual ­until a shock development throws Rimmer, Lister, Cat and Kryten back to planet Earth.

Photo IDs by @what--the-helliot (also in reblogs)

[kemetic-dreams]

What is the DNA haplogroup of modern Egyptians?

Haplogroup E1b1b1

Wikipedia (E1b1b): E-M215, also known as E1b1b and formerly E3b, is a major human Y-chromosome DNA haplogroup. It is a division of the macro-haplogroup E-M96, which is defined by the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mutation M215. In other words, it is one of the major patrilineages of humanity, linking from father-to-son back to a common male-line ancestor ("Y-chromosomal Adam"). It is a subject of discussion and study in genetics as well as genetic genealogy, archaeology, and historical linguistics.

The E-M215 haplogroup has two ancient branches that contain all the known modern E-M215, E-M35 and E-M281 subclades. Of the latter two, the only branch that has been confirmed in a native population outside of Ethiopia is E-M35. E-M35 in turn has two known branches, haplogroup E-V68 and haplogroup E-Z827, which contain by far the majority of all modern E-M215 carrying men. E-V68 and E-V257 have been found in highest numbers in North Africa and the Horn of Africa, but also in lower numbers in parts of the Middle East and Europe, and in isolated populations of Southern Africa.

The Study authors consider Mtdna L0 thru L4 exclusively African.

Wikipedia quote: Haplogroup L3 descendants notwithstanding, the designation "haplogroup L" is typically used to designate the family of mtDNA clades that are most frequently found in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, all non-African haplogroups coalesce onto either haplogroup M or haplogroup N, and both these macrohaplogroups are simply sub-branches of haplogroup L3. Consequently, L in its broadest definition is really a paragroup containing all of modern humanity, and all human mitochondrial DNA from around the world are subclades of haplogroup L.

repeat - and all human mitochondrial DNA from around the world are subclades of haplogroup L.

Basal J*(xJ1,J2) is found at its highest frequencies among the Soqotri/Socotra (71.4%).

The people of the Island of Soqotri/Socotra are the genetically PUREST of ALL ARABS.

This is what they look like!

[sorensonforensics]

Choosing the Right Type of Forensic DNA Testing

DNA testing has revolutionized how investigators solve crimes and identify victims, as well as the exoneration of the innocent. As there are various types of forensic DNA testing available, understanding the differences can help law enforcement and legal professionals navigate the labs to contact and the conversations that will take place.

STR Analysis (Short Tandem Repeat)

This is the most widely used method in forensic DNA testing. It examines specific regions of DNA that vary greatly among individuals. This technique is especially effective for human identification in criminal cases due to its high degree of specificity and reliability.

mtDNA Analysis (Mitochondrial DNA)

This analysis is used when nuclear DNA is degraded or unavailable, often in older samples. It examines the maternal lineage and can provide valuable insights in cases involving skeletal remains or hair samples. While less discriminative than STR, mtDNA can still be crucial for historical cases.

Y-STR Analysis

Y-STR targets the Y chromosome, making it ideal for tracing paternal lineage. This method is particularly useful in sexual assault cases where male DNA is mixed with female DNA, allowing forensic analysts to isolate male-specific markers for identification.

SNP Analysis (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism)

This emerging technique is often headlined in the industry and focuses on variations at specific single nucleotide sites in the DNA sequence. It's useful for ancestry testing, specifically forensic genetic genealogy in criminal cases, and can provide additional information when traditional methods are inconclusive.

DNA Phenotyping

While not a standard method for identification, DNA phenotyping can predict physical traits such as eye color, hair color, and skin tone from DNA samples. This approach can assist in generating leads when suspects are unknown, particularly in cases with minimal evidence.