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Archive for July, 2007

Tuesday, July 31st, 2007

Duplicate genes help humans go the extra mile

Human beings can run long distances because we carry multiple copies of a gene that helps supply our cells with energy, a new study suggests. That supports the idea that endurance running gave our human ancestors an evolutionary edge.

An analysis of DNA from 10 primate species reveals that, compared with the genome of chimpanzees and gorillas, our genome includes many more duplicates of a gene called aquaporin 7 (AQP7), which transports water and sugary compounds into cells. Humans appear to have five copies of this gene, whereas chimps have just two, and other primates carry only one copy…

New Scientist: Duplicate genes help humans go the extra mile

Monday, July 30th, 2007

Alpinist news

Some interesting headlines got into the newsreader after the weekend, all of them brought by Alpinist Magazine:

Saturday, July 28th, 2007

Fast play

I had a really fast Squash game with Mauricio today. He won all of the 4 matches we had, despite all of my aerobic training.

A rematch will take place next time he comes to México…

Friday, July 27th, 2007

Friday lunch time

Today the weather is really enjoyable as well as the landscape near home. This allowed me to do another short variation of the usual course during lunch time:

Tuesday, July 24th, 2007

Nunez Blazes to Record Smashing Finish

This year marked the inaugural running of the Brook’s Brazil 135, a Badwater distance event. When Valmir Nunes finished that race in 27:30, the time was noteworthy, but not remarkable. Through the evening, however, as a three way duel between Nunes, Southern California dynamo Jorge Pacheco, and last year’s second place finisher Akos Konya evolved, people along the entire course were talking about the Brazilian contingent…

2007 Kiehl’s Badwater Ultramarathon Race Updates: Nunez Blazes to Record Smashing Finish

Monday, July 23rd, 2007

Badwater rush

Badwater Ultramarathon began this morning. I’ve been watching its webcast from time to time during the day and it seems like the participants are having a great time.

By the end of my working hours, I started to feel this urge to go out and have a long run. And so I did, I ran all the way down to my old neighborhood and did some sections of my usual courses there, then came back home after a total of 30 km. Nothing compared to Badwater (which is 217 km long), but still a great long run despite of the rain and the lack of crew & aid stations

Saturday, July 21st, 2007

Slug mode

Yeah, that was the last resort while finishing my trail run to Villa Alpina today.

I came to a point where heat exhaustion hit me despite all the liquids I carried in my bottles. When your forehead starts accumulating salt instead of sweat, then you are getting the sign that something may go wrong if you don’t pay enough attention.

Next time I’ll jump out from bed very early in the morning, I swear!

Thursday, July 19th, 2007

BOSC 2007

The Bioinformatics Open Source Conference 2007 started today in Vienna, Austria and will continue tomorrow with an interesting schedule of talks and workshops. The creation of a BOSC Software Distribution LiveCD is included too.

Wednesday, July 18th, 2007

Snails everywhere

Tonight, I was surprised by a big community of snails which has come to life in my front yard due to all the rain we’ve had these days.

I caught them while I was coming down from the car, they are all around the grass and climbing the rocks and walls of the house. I ran for the camera and took this pictures of my new companions

Monday, July 16th, 2007

Canadian Rockies Activity Yields Long-Awaited Lines

The Canadian Rockies still have vast potential for new routes, and with some free time I thought tapping into it, sans guidebooks, would be an adventure. With eager partners (Steve Gale, Will Meinen and other local climbers) and inspired by Andy Genereux’s route The Devil’s Right Hand (5.11b, 200m) and Jeff Relphs’ Hand in the Honey Pot (5.11b/c 500m) on East End of Rundle Wall, we began looking in March for new lines up old, classic faces…

Source: Alpinist Magazine.