A study conducted by researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography has revealed that the Orgueil meteorite, which fell to earth in France in 1864, is the first meteorite that can be traced to a comet rather than an asteroid. Asteroids are commonly believed to be the source of all meteorites. The new information about the Orgueil meteorite may lead to an increased understanding of the origin of life on earth.
The researchers state in their findings, which were published in the Feb. 27 issue of the “”Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,”” that the meteorite may contain the components necessary to generate life on earth. The amino acids found in the object are the source of what the researchers say may have created life.
The meteorite had, however, been studied previously. Jeffrey Bada, a professor of marine chemistry at Scripps, and his colleagues used new technology to study the small amounts of amino acids in the object. The new evidence comes from this more sophisticated approach to looking at the meteorite.
UCSD School of Medicine Hosts ‘Mitochondria 2001’
The UCSD School of Medicine, the Mitochondrial Medicine Society, the Mitochondria Research Society and the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation are currently hosting a conference titled “”Mitochondria 2001,”” a forum intended to draw attention and look for solutions to the problems created by malfunctioning mitochondria in the human cells. The forum started yesterday and will conclude on March 4.
Mitochondria are responsible for converting food into energy inside cells, and doctors, researchers and patients are realizing the dangerous repercussions of the malfunctioning mitochondria, which can lead to organ failure and cell injury.
At the conference, which is being held at the Hyatt Regency Islandia, researchers and physicians intend to make a plan to bring before the National Center for Health Statistics in Maryland in an attempt to get the disease an international classification of disease code, which would recognize the health problem, since it is an emerging field of discipline.
Popular ‘Loveline’ to Visit, Record at UCSD Tuesday
MTV’s “”Loveline”” with Dr. Drew and Adam Corolla is coming to UCSD on March 6. The show will be at 7 p.m. at RIMAC Arena and will give UCSD students a chance to address Drew and Corolla with their love and sex concerns. Tickets are $5 for UCSD students with a valid ID and $10 for the general public. The show is intended for those 18 years old and up. Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster locations as well as at the UCSD Box Office in the Price Center. Groups purchasing tickets for 10 or more people will receive $1 off each ticket.
Author Diane Farr to Appear at UCSD Bookstore Monday
Author and former co-host of MTV’s “”Loveline”” Diane Farr will appear at the UCSD Bookstore on March 5 to discuss her new book “”The Girl Code.”” The book uses common female vernacular, including slang and euphemisms, to amuse women in this guide to the single life, which is subtitled “”The Secret Language of Single Women”” and sub-subtitled “”On Dating, Sex, Shopping and Honor Among Girlfriends.””
In addition to authoring the book, Farr has appeared on “”The Drew Carey Show”” and “”Roswell”” and contributed to several magazines.
