Using freshly sampled material from ten Viking skeletons from around AD 1,000, from a non-Christian burial site on the Danish island of Funen, Dissing and colleagues showed that it is indeed possible to retrieve authentic DNA from ancient humans.
Wearing protective suits, the researchers removed the teeth from the jaw at the moment the skeletons were unearthed when they had been untouched for 1,000 years. The subsequent laboratory procedures were also carefully controlled in order to avoid contamination.
Analysis of the Viking DNA showed no evidence of contamination with extraneous DNA, and typing of the endogenous DNA gave reproducible results and showed that these individuals were just as diverse as contemporary humans. A reliable retrieval of authentic DNA opens the way for a valuable use of prehistoric human remains to illuminate the genetic history of past and extant populations.
The next logical step is to clone them, which will lead to hordes of cloned Vikings burning and pillaging in a theatre near you.
Posted by: Mike ||
05/29/2008 10:15 ||
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They have concluded that they came from the land of the ice and snow, from the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
Posted by: Grenter Protector of the Geats4975 ||
05/29/2008 11:01 Comments ||
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#2
Modern northern europeans sure could use some genetic stock improvement from their viking ancestors. Just don't overdo it, we wouldn't want them rampaging their way through the known world again.
Posted by: Ebbereck Darling of the Weak9776 ||
05/29/2008 13:39 Comments ||
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#8
They have concluded that they came from the land of the ice and snow, from the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.
The researchers now hope to drive their ships to new lands to fight the horde, sing and cry, "Valhalla, I am coming!" Funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, they'll sweep with thrashing oar, and their only goal will be the western shore.
Posted by: Mike ||
05/29/2008 14:04 Comments ||
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#9
Clone them and when they reach 14 years, set them to plundering our enemies.
Morningside Elementary kindergarten teacher Wendy Portillo had her students each tell a special needs kid why they don't like him and then had them "vote him out of class" by a 14-2 margin. She then backs it up by telling officials and reporters that she doesn't see anything wrong with it. The little guy seems to be traumatized by it and the fact that the teacher had his only friend vote him out of class.
#1
Fire the bitch. Asperger's Syndrome kids read like brilliant nerds: ranging from bright to genius in intelligence, but clumsy and with poor social skills. However, the social skills can be taught in a "do this, do not do that, when someone says the other it means..." fashion, to the point where those with milder forms of the syndrome become indistinguishable from the normal population. And Aspergians are a joy to teach: quick to grasp ideas at a high level, creative, and capable of absorbing a wide range of facts to buttress the structure of theory, eager to make friends and generally highly obedient to classroom rules once they are explained. Only a mediocrity insistent on forcing others to be mediocrities would act as Ms. Portillo did, and such persons should not be permitted in the teaching profession.
#2
TW - concur, no place for this type of behavior in any classroom. I remember our teachers doing interesting things to get bad kids to behave in the classroom but there's a huge difference between misbehaved kids and those w/special needs. This is messed up. What was this child doing in that classroom in the first place? My nephew has a fairly severe form of aspergers & luckily he has usually been in the academic care of professional teachers and with peers in similar circumstances. This child should be in a classroom where he can be properly helped. Sounds like the one with the true disability here was the teacher. Anybody that participates in being cruel to a child needs to get beat the f*ck up.
#3
Broadhead6, I watched the child sitting in his mother's lap during the interview. He looked to be pretty high functioning, which is no doubt why he was mainstreamed. I was recently told of a case where the young man wasn't diagnosed until his university sent him out on a co-op job; until he had to function in an adult work environment he never registered as more than merely nerdy.
I've a young relative with fairly mild Asperger's, which wasn't diagnosed until high school -- until then she functioned just fine in not only mainstream classrooms but in honors classes. After spending a year of intense social training with her therapist, and with a great deal of patience and understanding from her teachers, she will go off to college with a high degree of confidence in her eventual success. It sounds like your nephew is in the right environment to enable him to master as much as possible the skills necessary to function in the outside world, as well as to learn to his no doubt very high capacity. My congratulations to his parents. :-)
#4
Only a mediocrity insistent on forcing others to be mediocrities..
Isn't that in the definition of the public school system? That's the whole basis of throwing out measured performance and promoting self-esteem curriculum.
#5
BH6, more and more kids with issues are being 'mainstreamed' into regular classrooms. Generally well accepted by the academics, less well accepted by some parents and teachers. Not sure why this child was in that classroom.
This teacher should be looking for work Monday in the bowling or fast-food industries.
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/29/2008 13:52 Comments ||
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#6
Voting a disruptive influence off the island doesn't seem like such a bad idea to me. For far too many years we've coddled the disruptive and out-of-control kids at the expense of the majority who might actually learn something if the classrooms could be brought back under control. If we're to fund public schools let's ensure that the impediments, biological or otherwise, to educating children are removed.
#7
"Voting a disruptive influence off the island doesn't seem like such a bad idea to me."
In kindergarden? When the "teacher" knows the child is not a little shit, but a special needs child that SHE isn't handling correctly? And to have the other children tell him why they don't like him? (Not his behavior, him.) Steve's right.
Please rethink your position, AzCat.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
05/29/2008 13:58 Comments ||
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#8
This would be OK with me if the parents are allowed to vote on which teachers stay.
#9
Why my children do not go to public schools, reason #173.
Googling "Wendy Portillo" doesn't bring anything else up but more references to this story. I'd be curious how old she is, how many years teaching, is she an "activist" of one sort or another, etc.
Posted by: Mike ||
05/29/2008 14:13 Comments ||
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#10
Thank you Barbara.
You were much more polite I could ever be. As the father of an Asperger's child, I can assure you that these kids usually have memories like elephants -- so this event will most likely be burned in that poor kids memory. In addition, these kids are not monsters, they're just a bit socially clueless. Being a little odd is not a crime, Azcat.
#11
I'd be interested in what the parents of those other children have to say. (And what they said to their children when they found out about this. My mother would have killed me first, then gone for the teacher.)
An enterprising journalist should be interested in that, too....
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
05/29/2008 14:21 Comments ||
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#12
AzCat, this boy was likely the curve-breaker for everything academic going on in that classroom, and every classroom he ever will be in. My young relative is a National Merit Scholar -- one of the top 15,000 students in the nation -- and a borderline genius, about as sweet, loving and helpful to her classmates as it is possible to be this side of Heaven. You speak out of ignorance.
#13
It will be interesting to see what my wife has to say about this. I sent her this this morning before she went to work......as a special needs Kindergarten teacher.
Me thinks that some mention of tar, feathers or possibly boiling oil may make it into the conversation this evening.
Only a mediocrity insistent on forcing others to be mediocrities...
i think you have found the operational basis for the current public school environment....
Posted by: Abu do you love ||
05/29/2008 16:53 Comments ||
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#16
#9. Mike, this idiot has been a St. Lucie County "teacher" for 12 years-- nine of which were at Morningside Elementary. There's a Wendy A. Potillo, age 49, living in Port St. Lucie. Now you tell us her political philosophies and activism. BTW, great comments from RBers with experience with this disorder.
#17
AzCat (aka friend of idiot Potillo): You've just been voted off of Rantburg by the society of classic posters for your rude and inhumane expressions of ignorance. WE DON'T LIKE YOU. WE DON'T LIKE YOU AT ALL. You have no understanding of disorders, you are backing a teacher who is sub-standard, and you obviously can't understand kindergarten--special needs or otherwise. SO GO AWAY. YOU SUCK. DON'T POST HERE ANYMORE. NO ONE WANTS TO READ YOUR STUPID POSTS ON ANY SUBJECT WHATSOEVER.
Having said that, depending on the disorder and it's affects, sometimes it is very difficult for regular teachers and students to cope with certain students--especially hard for teachers who don't have a hoot of understanding of the particular disorder and the special needs it might present, or how to deal with it in an integrated manner. Teaching either attracts great teachers with a true commitment, or louse-abouts who can't find anything else to do and think they can teach.
Having said that, gotta wonder if the whole "voting" thing isn't a sick example of the kind of ATTITUDE that will be running rampant among black Americans if Obama gets elected.
I KNOW that sounds excruciatingly racist, but it's not, especially considering Obama's "Pastor" Wright. Liberals are getting a false sense of empowerment through OBAMESSIAH, and for many it will be "pay back time." I have no doubt Wendy was feeling "the power" and had her own little "election."
For those interested:
Morningside Elementary School
2300 SE Gowin Dr
Port Saint Lucie, FL 34952-4948
(772) 337-6730
A LABOR backbencher has withdrawn comments she allegedly made to a pregnant Liberal MP, who says she was told her unborn child would turn into a demon.
Victorian MP Sophie Mirabella, who is 34 weeks pregnant, yesterday accused NSW Labor MP Belinda Neal of saying to her that "evil thoughts will turn your child into a demon".
Parliament's official record, Hansard, shows Ms Neal twice denied making the comment, but this morning she told the House of Representatives she was "unreservedly" withdrawing any remarks that may have caused offence to Ms Mirabella.
Posted by: Mike ||
05/29/2008 06:53 ||
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Yeah, it is was just a mix up in the lab on the amniotic fluid that turned up jackal DNA. :)
Today, the Clinton campaign announced the endorsement of Puerto Rican one-hit wonder artist Ricky Martin.
"These elections will have historic repercussions both in the United States and the world. Senator Clinton has always been consistent in her commitment with the needs of the Latino community. Whether fighting for better education, universal health care and social well-being, as First Lady and Senator from New York representing millions of Latinos she has always fought for what is most important for our families," said the 5-time Grammy award winning artist. "If elected president, she'll make you take your clothes off and go dancing in the rain./She'll make you live her crazy life but she'll take away your pain/like a bullet to your brain."
"I am honored to have Ricky Martin's support," said Senator Clinton. "Guess that means I'm livin' la vida loca, even though my lips aren't devil red and my skin's not the color of mocha!"
"In addition to his great talent, Ricky is committed to improving the world through his philanthropic work, and I am grateful for his support. He is a very important voice in oldies radio the Latino community and together we will work to improve the lives of families and children across the country."
Martin joins other figures including Madonna, star of the classic films Shanghai Surprise, Dick Tracy, and Body of Evidence
Elizabeth Taylor, Eva Longoria, Who?
Jack Nicholson, "Heeeeer's Hillary!"
America Ferrera, the sort-of-cute girl who plays Ugly Betty
Barbra Streisand, queen moonbat Elton John, Michael Douglas, Robert Kennedy Jr., Quincy Jones the most talented of the bunch
and Magic Johnson, among others in support of Hillary Clinton.
Looks like Hillary! has a commanding lead in the Clear-Channel-greatest-hits-of-the-Nineties-and-today demographic. With Obama locking up the influential lesbian folk singer and Pink Floyd headbanger endorsements, the nomination may be decided by which candidate polls better among disco nostalgics and Big-Hair-Eighties fans.
We'll be back with more music right after this . . . .
Posted by: Mike ||
05/29/2008 12:30 ||
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Whereas all John McCain has it the United States Marine Corps band.
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/29/2008 13:30 Comments ||
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I'm so confused about what to do now. Some of the leading intellectuals in Hollywood say I must vote for Hillary, others say I must vote for Obama. Since I am unable to think for myself, and must rely on my betters to decide for me, what am I to do?
/sarcasm
Posted by: Rambler in California ||
05/29/2008 13:56 Comments ||
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#3
Wait...he isn't dead?
Can someone please throw him out of the building? Hopefully from the roof?
#6
Steve W - of which, all McCain really needs is the drum major - who no doubt could whip the dog shit out of all the celeb hillary/obama supporters combined.
#10
...or whoever is supporting farm subsidies for growning mary jane in order to smoke it for purely *medicinal purposes* has both willie's and john cougar mellencrockofshit's vote...
#12
So who has the "old-white-gun-totin-bible-reading-copenhagen-spittin-NASCAR-watching-military-veteran-guy" endorsesment?
I'm gonna take a wild guess and say "McCain."
Whilst Gogling about to find links for my inline comments, I learned that John Mayer appears to be a Ron Paul fanatic. I guess that means the Tinfoil/Libertarian third-party ticket will carry the critical sorority-girls-who-like-sensitive-soft-voiced-singer-songwriters demographic in a landslide.
Since I'm from Northeast Ohio, I can't help but wonder, if Frankie Yankovic were still alive, who would he endorse?
Posted by: Mike ||
05/29/2008 16:38 Comments ||
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#13
Naughty flash animation that puts this in context.
The Indian President -- Pratibha Patil -- is once again mired in controversy after her photographs depicting her posing with rifle in hand, were published on the front page of newspapers. Her pictures have evoked strong reactions from various leaders. The National Conference Chief -- Omar Abdullah -- has objected to the picture saying that it was "inappropriate".
The controversy arose after the Indian President -- Pratibha Patil -- who is on a 5-day visit to the state of Jammu and Kashmir -- was seen examining the weapons seized from militants in Kashmir. Omar Abdullah has criticised the photograph of the President, claiming it was an inappropriate action by the First Citizen of the nation to pose with an arm, which for the people of the valley, is an ugly reminder of the bloodshed and destruction that the valley wants to forget.
Posted by: john frum ||
05/29/2008 00:00 ||
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Why not pose with weapons? Police can't be everywhere.
#1
hahaha, that was some funny stuff...especially the fools jumping around & seizuring in the background while that white preacher did his 'handling of snakes & talking in tongues' show...race Politics from the Pulpit - the Almighty must be so pleased w/those that profess to speak in his name. sarc/off.
#2
Blatant racism from the pulpit and the congregation eats it up like pudding. Wow. Makes me really want to put a lot of effort into improving race relations in this country. Fucking idiots (and I mean the people in the congregation).
#1
It is a nice commercial but hybrids aren't so great. I saw a Penn And Teller BS episode on it and the thing really didn't get better gas mileage than a European diesel or one of the other high mileage economy cars on the market. Yeah it had a higher smug factor but that can be dangerous.
The problem is they have an engine, and an electrical engine. People have put extra batteries in and tweeked the software to make them run on more battery and significantly increased the gas mileage. What they need to do is dump the gas engine and support stuff and all that weight and just go electric all around. They need to find a way to (a) increase battery recharge speeds or (b) make the batteries swappable so you could show up at a filling station and drop one set for another and let the filling station deal with charging. Toshiba's working on the first option, nobody is working on the second and perhaps it's impractical.
Yeah this shifts problems to the power grid but I'm happy to have them there where nuclear power can take over. So hybrids are just a mirage, in my humble opinion but they are a step in teh right direction.
#2
rjs says " find a way to (a) increase battery recharge speeds or (b) make the batteries swappable so you could show up at a filling station and drop one set for another "
and a pony, don't forget the pony!!! ;^)
How many cars does a typical gas station fill up in a week? 200, 500, more? Now, how big would the "gas" station have to be to service that many 200 lb battery packs? Nice idea but is it really practical? This strikes me as similar to the "run your car on free fryolator oil!!" Wouldn't be free for long and how many McDs would it take to generate the millions of gallons a year needed?
Get nukes on the grid big time and then we'll see.
#4
A very good friend of mine, lovely woman, moderately liberal in most of her political beliefs, one time pointed out to me (in one of our recurring political discussions) that "it's just an accident of geography that the Saudis sit on all that oil, and aren't we supposed to clean up after accidents?"
Well. If you it that way ...
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/29/2008 13:56 Comments ||
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Wasn't an accident, per the first book of the Bible, Genesis. Ishmael's decendents were promised such a find.
Posted by: Uninemble Prince of the Faith9743 ||
05/29/2008 14:05 Comments ||
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#6
Moby Dick was in Arabia, #5 UP?
Who knew?
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
05/29/2008 14:13 Comments ||
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#7
How about a different ending...
Drill the ANWR, CA and Florida Coasts NOW! Open up shale in Colorado and the Dakotas. Build nuclear power plants!
#8
How about do all three an open up the capitalistic competition...along w/someone figuring out how to gin up fuel from human fecal matter - there never seems to be a lack of that floating around.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
05/29/2008 17:46 Comments ||
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#10
AlanC, I think you sort of miss the point. Even if we have nukes we need to be able to get the power into the car in a reasonable time. Overnight recharges just don't cut it completely because some folks have to drive long distances or may forget to plug in at night and get stuck.
Currently we have no way to plug our cars in at home and fill them up with gas so we have to go to the gas station. With electricity we can fill them up at home most of the time so the number of vehicles at a gas station changing batteries would be far lower than the number getting gas today.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Using freshly sampled material from ten Viking skeletons from around AD 1,000, from a non-Christian burial site on the Danish island of Funen, Dissing and colleagues showed that it is indeed possible to retrieve authentic DNA from ancient humans.
