Bad ass cats

More exciting things were learned in my neuroendocrinology class today. Here's a video of what happens when you electrically stimulate a region of the hypothalamus in cats. Use this link, scroll down to "Brain Stimulation Tapes" and click on "Egger and Flynn ('63) cat hypothalamic stimuation." I especially like the narration and editing.

Besides eliciting rage and hunting skills, the hypothalamus is where a number of hormones are produced that control reproduction, water and salt balance, lactation, stress responses, growth, and metabolism.

Science is cool!

Uber cow - the Belgian Blue

No, this is not a beef cow pumped up on steroids, he was born this way. You'd think that by going to an Ag school like UC Davis as an undergraduate we'd come across one of these babies in our time there. But I can say for certain this is the first time I have seen a He-cow and it was in a graduate level neuroendocrinology class at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, Ca. Weird, weird, weird.

The Belgian Blue is a breed that lacks a gene called GDF-8 or growth determining factor 8, which normally controls muscle growth through a protein called myostatin. Without it, muscles grow like crazy. It would be useful to understand how this gene and protein are regulated for theraputic reasons, as in the case of muscular dystrophy where muscles deteriorate. There is also a mutant mouse version but because they are furry, you can't see the definition like on these guys. I feel like ol' Blue here needs some tanning lotion, a speedo, and some workout music.

It pays to kick ass

Not only is kickboxing fun and good for extreme sweatiness, it has the potential to win you neat gadgets like this mp3 player from a raffle sponsored by Creative. It's tiny and has an FM radio on it, perfect for the gym. Plus, it comes with all the protective covers and arm band, not like iPods which rip you off but are also pretty neat. I bet Tim's jealous because I asked him if he wanted to come take this kickboxing class with me - as a way to help him reach his weight loss/I'm gonna get a PS3 goal. I probably would have given it to him if he had come. Sucker :)

Sick Dude, Sick

I just read a blog entry that had some news that makes me sad. Not sad in the "Oh, there's a pancake-sized dent in the bumper of my new car" way, or even in the "Oh, look at the poor little kitties that need to be adopted!" way, but in the truly sad "Oh, what is my life coming to?" way. It basically says that I am going to be working very hard for a very loooong time. It's not like I didn't know this when I entered into grad school, but to see it confirmed in print is a bit frightening. To make things worse, today I was foiled by shotty lab supplies ...again! This means there's a romantic weekend getaway in my future: just me and my cells.