(no subject)

For gypsy_raihana, who has probably already seen it:


Mutated gene doubles autism risk, study finds
Researchers find first clear genetic link to the complex disorder
Reuters

Updated: 6:16 p.m. CT Oct 16, 2006

WASHINGTON - U.S. researchers said on Monday they had identified a genetic mutation that raises the risk of autism and could also explain some of the other symptoms seen in children with autism.

Although autism and similar disorders can clearly run in families, theirs is the first study to find a definitive genetic link to the disorder, which affects as many as 1 in 175 U.S. children.

Dr. Pat Levitt and colleagues at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., studied 743 families in which 1,200 family members were affected by autism spectrum disorders, which range from fully disabling autism to Asperger’s syndrome.

They found a single mutation in a gene called MET, which is known to be involved in brain development, regulation of the immune system and repair of the gastrointestinal system. All of these systems can be affected in children with autism.

“This is a vulnerability gene,” Levitt said. “There are not genes that actually cause autism. It raises the risk.”

2 copies of gene double the risk
People with two copies of the mutated gene have 2 to 2.5 times the normal risk of autism and people with one mutated copy have 1.7 times the risk, he said.

The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, offer a way to start looking for the actual causes of autism, Levitt said.

( Read more... )

(no subject)

It's been a long weekend.

Of course the Durga workshop was on Friday, and I nearly made it to the end, but the recent temperature changes have been rough on my knees. I do hope to work on Ariellah's mini choreography, I've not heard back from her, but I know that they need to get to a place that has internet, not to mention have the time to check email. I miss being young and on the road. I really enjoyed it and I admit I am somewhat jealous of those two!

After the workshop Corey made a bonfire, and a few people came by to hang out, even Tempest and Ariellah hung out with us, which was uber cool of them, I know they were probably really tired, but we enjoyed fangirling with them while they were here. I really expected more people to come to the house, it being a Friday night, but maybe they felt weird about going to a house they didn't know, or maybe they thought I was weird, whatever. The cool kids stayed until about 2 in the morning, and then I felt my eyelids closing, so I picked up the munchies and folks started clearing out.

The next morning I got up early so I could make breakfast for Corey, who was an angel and did lots of stuff around the house for the get together. But he decided to sleep late, so I got myself ready to go, I had to teach a beginner bellydance class at Pagan Pride Day. I knew it was going to be poorly attended, there had been some problems as always with the administration of it--getting pagans organized is like trying to nail jello to a tree. But the folks that were there were cool. twistedtulip was kind enough to give me a ride out there, but we all sort of wished we could have stayed in Lebanon that day and go to the bikers against child abuse gathering at the local coffeehouse.

I made it through class, though it was far from my best. I found it hard to focus and it was a bit chilly, which wasn't good for the old bones. We left after my class, though normally I would have hung out and danced to the Love Drums music, they are always good fun and like me, get roped into doing PPD every year.

This morning, I woke up with a sneezy headcold, probably from dancing in the cold weather, or maybe from being around lots of humans at once, that always makes me sick, LOL. I've spent most of the day watching old movies on cable and doing my Latin homework, and brooding.

I've been carrying some insecurity with me kind of pissed off all week, because after setting up a friend with the contact for a drum workshop, she completely dissed me and is asking other dancers to perform at the show after the drum workshop. Of course the girls she is asking are young pretty and skinny, which only serves to make me more depressed. Of all the people I would have thought would respect experience and talent over cute and thin, she really surprised me, and I'm having some trouble dealing with it. It burns me even more because I never hesitate to support her music project at the haflas we host, it just really hurts, you know? Today on my friends list, someone linked to an awful post where a thin and pretty girl has said atrocious things about plus sized women, and acts as though it is completely fine to spew the hatespeak--in fact, she chides others above a size 10 as huge, saying that her size zero is healthy and fat chicks are disgusting.

I was never skinny, but I was a size 7 in high school, and I remember swearing to myself that I would never get fat, that I would simply stop eating if I got fat--I mean why didn't fat people just stop eating so much? It is so easy to throw stones when you are standing on a pile of them. Now I know that getting older, quitting smoking, injuries and hell, life can slowly add pounds when you aren't looking, but what good is it to try and tell people that when all they see are young and pretty and skinny, and everything else is crap? Maybe it is some form of karma return, though I really don't believe is such things. In any case, I'm feeling fat and old and ugly lately, and it's causing me to have some hate toward cute and skinny and young people right now. It's not your fault.

(no subject)

Ummm, guys, have you seen the trailer for 300?

http://300themovie.warnerbros.com/

Good gods, I'm ready for that one!

(no subject)

This evening I finally got started on my Medusa costume that has to be ready on Saturday! I got the chiton cut out of deep green satin, and I have a plan for the headpiece, I just have to sit down sometime tomorrow and do it. I was going to dance to Medusa's Path by Prodigy, which I love, but I'm thinking of going to my bluesy tunes again. I guess I will decide closer to date.

I'm still thinking of doing a Medusa head tattoo on my chest, like the Roman emperors had on thier armor. It would hurt like a bitch though. Also, I may not have enough room between my boobies for the detail I'd like to have. I could get her on my shoulder, or in the middle of my back. Until I figure that out, no tattoo. :-)

This is the one I want, it is from a bust of Pertinax, though the Medusa didn't work for him, he was murdered three months after taking over the position of emperor. But I love the design of this one. The only thing I might change is to make her slightly more feminine, but I may not.

Hallow-fla This Saturday!

Date & Time:October 21st, 2006 at 7:00 PM

Location: Stella Luna Proudly Presents

A Halloween Hafla in Lebanon (Tennessee)

Halloween costumes encouraged, or gothy if you like, pirates get a gold coin!

We are looking for costumed or Halloweenesque performances, so get your weird on and let me know if you want to dance! please contact Zebeebah at jademermaid at charter dot net.

Dancers, drummers and musicians are loved and appreciated!

The Perfect Cup serves the best coffee and teas in the area, along with yummy sandwiches and appetizers. Support the venue!

When: Saturday, October21st, at 7:00 pm

Where: Perfect Cup Coffee House

(615) 449-7939

1017 W Main St

Lebanon, TN


Directions: From Nashville go East on I40. Take exit 236 and turn left on Hartmann Drive. Follow Hartmann Drive to West Main (there will be a small strip mall to the right, a car lot on the left, and a Burger King & Walgreens on the corners across the street) Turn Right on West Main. Follow West Main to the coffee house (located on the left in a small strip mall immediately past the Baskin Robbins and across from Kentucky Fried Chicken).

Hope to see you there!