Monday, October 31, 2005

The correct use of evolutionary terminology

A population of ants exists in the isolated habitat of File Drawer on Anna's table. They filled the niche of eating papers, ink and irrtating humans.

Today, a strong artificial selection pressure was applied to the population. Like all artificial selection, the end result is beneficial to Man and the rate of change in allele frequency in the population gene pool is much more rapid than natural selection can bring about. This is a directional selection favouring those ants that display a phenotype that allows them to survive in the presence of the selection pressure, which is Liquid Detergent.

Since there is no pre-existing mutation in the population that created a beneficial allele that allows the ants to be resistant to liquid detergent, all the ants were killed by the application of this selection pressure. This illustrates the importance of genetic diversity in a population, for now one can reasonably assume that there was no variation at the "soap resistance" gene locus, if such a locus ever existed. Hence, no ants are selected for in this exercise, no ants survived to reach reproductive maturity and no ants were able to pass on their alleles to their offspring.

If one or two ants survived, the population would have gone through a genetic bottleneck. The subsequent generations would have even less genetic diversity.

It is also interesting to note that the population on Anna's table is an isolated population. Perhaps Founder's Effect might apply to this population as they have obviously colonized the file drawer from another, faraway region. Interestingly, since physical reproductive isolating mechanisms are in place, had we left them alone, over time the population may have evolved enough to form a new species.

In English:
We found ants on Anna's table. We sprayed liquid detergent on them. All died.

This post is also published at theonlinebioblog.

List of things to do:

I'm not even going to write them down because there's just too much.

The blank list makes me happier... hoho talk about self delusion. =P

OK.. off to work..

Short blog:

Am looking at the many challenges and much work ahead of me and wondering if I am doing the right thing leaving my comfort zone.

It is most certainly uncomfortable and I feel so much more exposed and naked because I am no longer sheltered.

But the Bible says that one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is not fit for service.

And so I turn my face to the uncertainty of my future. What else does the Bible say?

That those who are weak, in us He is shown strong.

So I'll hang on upon His strength.

Thursday, October 27, 2005

If I had $200 to spare..

I'd choose between

a. buying a portable HDD
b. buying a new suit at LVER - which is SO gorgeous but so ex
c. taking myself off to Bangkok / KL for a weekend
d. rebonding and doing hair treatment
e. a spa, massage, mani and pedi package

sigh... dreams...

Thursday, October 20, 2005

House, M.D.

Recently I watched Histories, my very first episode of House (aka Dr House is in the house).


Oh my goodness, it's fantastic! I found myself sitting straighter and paying close attention to the screen while trying to figure out the cause of some woman's symptoms.

House is fantastic at piecing together random clues and no-one-would-think-of causes for patients' symtpoms. He diagnosed a tuberculoma and rabies correctly when everyone else thought ovarian cancer and meningitis. HWAH.. well done.. And I love the way he oh-so-coolly told a student doctor that she was revealing too much cleavage.

Chris: You're reading a comic book.
House: And you're calling attention to your bosom by wearing a low-cut top. Oh, I'm sorry – I thought we were having a ‘state the obvious' contest. I'm competitive by nature.

WHAT a put-down.. hahahahahaha.. Mean and evil, I like!

Excerpt from the epsiode "Maternity":

House: Lift up your arms. You have a parasite.
Jill: Like a tapeworm or something?
House: Lie back and lift up your sweater.You can put your arms down.
Jill: Can you do anything about it?
House: Only for about a month or so. After that it becomes illegal to remove, except in a couple of states.
Jill: Illegal?
House: Don’t worry. Many women learn to embrace this parasite. They name it, dress it up in tiny clothes, arrange playdates with other parasites...
Jill: Playdates…
House: (showing her sonogram) It has your eyes.

And from another episode:
Chase: We have two hours to figure this out. Either we restore the bloodflow or he loses his eye.
House: Forget the eye. Tell him to use the other one to look on the bright side.

Of course, the fact that I gush about this might just be due to the fact that medical terms and stuff have always fascinated me. Maybe I am a doctor wannabe deep inside? Hoho.. But I don't think I'm hardworking enough to see med studies through. So I'll just sit back, relax and watch House use his brains and wit to conquer the ER. =)

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

You get what you deserve..

A farmer had been swindled several times by the local car dealer. One day, the car
dealer informed the farmer that he was coming over to purchase a cow. The farmer
priced his unit as follows:

Basic cow $499.95
Shipping and handling 35.75
Extra stomach 79.25
Two-tone exterior 142.10
Produce storage compartment 126.50
Heavy duty straw chopper 189.60
Four spigot/high output drain system 149.20
Automatic fly swatter 88.50
Genuine cowhide upholstery 179.90
Deluxe dual horns 59.25
Automatic fertilizer attachment 339.40
4 x 4 traction drive assembly 884.16
Pre-delivery wash and comb 69.80

FARMERS SUGGESTED LIST PRICE: $2843.36
Additional dealer adjustments: 300.00

TOTAL LIST PRICE (including options): $3143.36


Hoho.. Maybe I should learn to 'price' my services accordingly?

Have been too busy to blog much lately. But I'll be back! argh!

Friday, October 14, 2005

See where being greedy gets you..


Snake bursts after gobbling gator:
An unusual clash between a 6-foot (1.8m) alligator and a 13-foot (3.9m) python has left two of the deadliest predators dead in Florida's swamps.

Full story from BBC News.


B.O.O.K (I love this)

Introducing the new Bio-Optic Organized Knowledge device--trade-named: BOOK.

BOOK is a revolutionary breakthrough in technology: no wires, no electric circuits, no batteries, nothing to be connected or switched on. It's so easy to use, even a child can operate it.

Compact and portable, it can be used anywhere -- even sitting in an armchair by the fire -- yet it is powerful enough to hold as much information as a CD-ROM disc.

Here's how it works:

BOOK is constructed of sequentially numbered sheets of paper (recyclable), each capable of holding thousands of bits of information. The pages are locked together with a custom-fit device called a binder which keeps the sheets in their correct sequence.

Opaque Paper Technology (OPT) allows manufacturers to use both sides of the sheet, doubling the information density and cutting costs. Experts are divided on the prospects for further increases in information density; for now, BOOKS with more information simply use more pages. Each sheet is scanned optically, registering information directly into your brain. A flick of the finger takes you to the next sheet.

BOOK may be taken up at any time and used merely by opening it.

BOOK never crashes or requires rebooting, though, like other devices, it can become damaged if coffee is spilled on it and it becomes unusable if dropped too many times on a hard surface. The "browse" feature allows you to move instantly to any sheet, and move forward or backward as
you wish. Many come with an "index" feature, which pin-points the exact location of any selected information for instant retrieval.

An optional "BOOKmark" accessory allows you to open BOOK to the exact place you left it in a previous session -- even if the BOOK has been closed. BOOKmarks fit universal design standards; thus, a single BOOKmark can be used in BOOKs by various manufacturers. Conversely, numerous BOOK markers can be used in a single BOOK if the user wants to store
numerous views at once. The number is limited only by the number of pages in the BOOK. You can also make personal notes next to BOOK text entries with optional programming tools, Portable Erasable Nib Cryptic Intercommunication Language Styli (PENCILS).

Portable, durable, and affordable, BOOK is being hailed as a precursor of a new entertainment wave. BOOK's appeal seems so certain that thousands of content creators have committed to the platform and investors are reportedly flocking to invest. Look for a flood of new titles soon.

Via Mikey's Funnies.

ANNOUNCEMENT: EMAIL RECOVERED

Yes, I've gotten my yahoo account back. Yayness!

my email stands: firstcor1614@yahoo.com =)

Thursday, October 13, 2005

ANNOUNCEMENT: UNI APPLICATIONS

Dear all,

It's that time of the year when everyone applies for Universities all over. To make your life and mine easier, please:

Try to give me all the materials necessary (forms, envelopes, anything else you have to send) at one shot. Do not give me your forms piecemeal.. I will end up worrying if I've included everything you need in your application!

Please remind me of the dates your uni applications have to go in, especially if you're applying to US unis as they have widely varying application deadlines.

Do tell me if you're doing your UCAS application and need me to approve / send / write a reference. FYI, you need to choose me as your referee - Miss Wang Hui Ming, else your name might not appear on my list. Finish your ref first AND then send to me for approval! Inform me again AFTER you have sent to me.

It is usually fine to give me your application forms AFTER your A levels, unless:
1. you're applying for Oxford / Cambridge
2. you're applying for Medicine in UK
3. you're applying for Early Decision in US (again, dates of these vary with the universities)

So don't worry overmuch about your applications - this is the time to focus your attention on your studies yeah? =) I am always available if you want to talk to me about studies / courses / unis etc even after your A's, cos I will be back in sch almost every day from 8/12 - 31/12 (doing Orientation next year = cannot slack in Dec) - just drop me an sms.

jiayou!

ANNOUNCEMENT: EMAIL HACKED!

Dear all, an announcement.

My email (firstcor1614@yahoo.com) has been hacked. Please ignore any emails sent to you from that address.

For the moment, I will be operating from
1. my College email (wanghm@hc.edu.sg) - email me there if there's any school-related stuff
2. my gmail (firstcor1614@gmail.com) - For church, UM etc.

Because I don't maintain address books for either of these emails up to this point, I would greatly appreciate an email to the gmail so that I can get YOUR email correct. I've been sending out things over the past few days based on my memory and it's probably no wonder if I haven't got it right.

If anyone knows any way to un-hack my email / find the perp, do leave me a comment. Thanks!

*sorrowing ming

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Welcome to Uncylcopedia..

the content-free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.

Filled with useless nonsense and impractical rubbish that will make you fall out of your chair laughing in incredulity.

Like how to increase your iPod Nano to 200GB, thesauruses (or should that be thesaurii for plural?) and a rewrite of Aesop's Fables.

Please enjoy. =)

Monday, October 10, 2005

You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan. You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavly by John Wesley and the Methodists.

Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan


93%

Neo orthodox


75%

Emergent/Postmodern


68%

Charismatic/Pentecostal


64%

Reformed Evangelical


64%

Fundamentalist


64%

Classical Liberal


50%

Modern Liberal


50%

Roman Catholic


36%

What's your theological worldview?
created with QuizFarm.com


You scored as Harry Potter. You can be a little reckless and hot-headed at times, but a more brave and courageous friend would be hard to find.

Harry Potter

85%

Albus Dumbledore

75%

Hermione Granger

70%

Remus Lupin

65%

Ron Weasley

60%

Severus Snape

60%

Ginny Weasley

55%

Sirius Black

55%

Draco Malfoy

10%

Lord Voldemort

5%

Your Harry Potter Alter Ego Is...?
created with QuizFarm.com

desperately wanna do

1. rebond, trim and dye my hair so it stops looking like a patch of uncontrollable grass

2. go shopping and spend all the money i want

3. NOT have to talk for an entire day unless I want to

4. loseweightloseweightloseweight.. like at least 5 kg

5. have a rest DAY.. not just a rest hour in a day, if even that.

6. go somewhere for a short escapade.. Sentosa, JB, wadeva!!!!!!

7. read books.. any books.. a day in Borders would be nice

tata.. continue dreaming. Ok back to work...

Miss-communicating..

It seems like nowadays everyone's too busy and tired to chat, whether face to face, via phone, or online. It's barely 1230am, and I have a grand total of 4 usher friends, 3 CG members and a teensy smattering of other people I know prowling the online world.

I miss the days when I'd have 6 or 7 MSN conversation windows popping up the moment I signed in, with different friends clamouring on various subjects and I could spend hours just answering MSNs. I miss getting alternately frustrated and entertained in turn by the silly conversations that ensued. I also miss the days of sitting around in church and chatting with friends as we wait to do the work we have to. I miss going out for dinner / shopping and talking fluff about cosmetics, clothes and embroidery (ME not the one doing the embroidering FYI...)

But I haven't had the energy to do that for weeks and it seems neither do many others.

It's again a time of preparation, this time for our big move to Expo.. so many things to think about and plan. Everything is shiftin into high gear, when there are barely 2 months to go.. I used to think I was busy... Oh boy, was I wrong! =P

The amount of stuff to do just keeps on increasing, but then again, so does my capacity to cope, with the Holy Spirit alongside. Every time I feel like I've reached a comfort zone, the bar gets raised another notch.... argh... the flesh gets poked out of complacency.

I want to be able to cope with the work I have to do.. To have victory over the mountains piling on my table and the ever-increasing admin. But more than just that, I want a comfortable-enough victory that I can get my free time back!

*Wail.. I miss communicating..

Saturday, October 08, 2005

timmortalien

Timmortal as usual writes fantastic stuff.

Sent to Jan, and she replied "Timmortal is not mortal".

Hm, what does that make him?

Alien.. TimmortALIEN?

sorry la.. *yawns hugely*.. i am crapping.

Hm hm, anyway.. I like Timmortal's writing - he is so real, and yet so poetic at the same time. Same thing: I like Kennysia - he is so real, and yet able to see the funny side of life.

So on and so forth...

i freaking fell down the steps of the bus!

ultimate maluation.

resulting in or cheh from knees downwards.

not going to wear skirts for a week till the ugly abrasions heal.

~dratted bus

Sunday, October 02, 2005

And this, I cannot believe.. No wonder there is no picture!

You have a sexual hidden talent


You have a sexual hidden talent. You might not look it but you are a dynamo in bed. Most of your lovers think that it is from years of practice, but really, you were just born with it.



Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

You've got your earplugs in all right..





Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

Singapore opened their casinos just in time

You will be famous for being a Poker Star





You have incredible intuition, and although you don’t desire fame or fortune you will eventually get both.


Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com