'Molecular Motors' Involved in Chromosome Transport Observed

Researchers at Waseda University in Japan have for the first time directly observed the "molecular motor," called Xkid, that plays a critical role in facilitating the proper alignment of chromosomes during cell division. The study provides invaluable knowledge on the mechanisms of materials transport in biological systems.

Researchers at Waseda University in Japan have for the first time directly observed the "molecular motor," called Xkid, that plays a critical role in facilitating the proper alignment of chromosomes during cell division. Their findings are expected to contribute greatly to elucidating the molecular mechanisms of chromosome segregation, a key aspect of the development of certain medical disorders including cancer and birth defects.
Within each cell, Xkid molecules are located inside the spindle apparatus, a structure required for cell division that's composed of a bundle of microtubules. Determining the movements of Xkid in natural spindles is considered the key to understanding the mechanisms of chromosomal segregation during cell division.
While a human body is composed of many different parts such as muscles, internal organs, and a brain, its origin is only a single cell, a fertilized egg, which keeps dividing to form the human being. At every step of the cell division, chromosomes must be precisely segregated without any kind of misplacement between two daughter cells. Chromosomes are the source of all genetic information, and incorrect chromosome segregation can cause various forms of medical disorders including severe illnesses and malignant transformation of tumors.
The Xkid molecular motor is known to play a critical role in facilitating the proper alignment of chromosomes during cell division. Previously, its motor functions have been investigated in vitro using purified Xkid molecules obtained from cell extracts, showing their plus end-directed movement as ensembles of molecules along the microtubules. How such molecular motors behave within intact spindles, however, remained to be characterized. In a cell, Xkid molecules are located within the spindle apparatus, a structure required for cell division. The spindle apparatus is an orderly structure composed of a bundle of numerous microtubules. Elucidating Xkid movements in natural spindles is the key to understanding the mechanisms of chromosome segregation during cell division.
Accordingly, the present study set out to examine the movements of Xkid within an intact spindle.
Techniques developed during the study
We found that Xkid traveled long distances (mean ≈5 µm; maximum 17 µm) along the oriented bundle of microtubules, moving from one microtubule to another along the way. We also observed Xkid moving mostly in the direction corresponding to the distribution of microtubule polarity, leading to the accumulation of Xkid near the spindle equator. This is consistent with the assembly and alignment of chromosomes near the spindle equator in metaphase.
Our findings are the first molecular-level demonstration of the role of Xkid in directing chromosomes toward the spindle equator. Near the spindle poles, more Xkid molecules moved in the equator mode (toward the spindle equator), whereas near the spindle equator, all modes of motion were seen equally frequently (A). The distributions of polarity and length of microtubules were symmetrical with respect to the spindle equator, and corresponded with the predominant direction of Xkid movements (B). The size of the circles representing Xkid-Qdot (quantum dot) indicates the proportion of direction of movement in each location within the spindle.

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UK Highway Cameras Appeared Useless

It recently turned out that the advanced snooping technology of the British Highways Agency has proved so useless that no drivers at all have received tickets for speeding on the M25.

Although a lot of users of the largest carpark in the world may be surprised that anyone could go fast enough to get a speeding ticket, it’s clear that at least someone must have got past 70 miles per hour during the past year. Local newspapers explained that certain technical and legal difficulties were the reason why the Highways Agency couldn’t switch on the network of 36 new digital cameras.

The cameras were purchased and installed in order to enforce variable speed limits on the London orbital motorway. It was found out that the equipment was wasted only after AOL wondered which section of the road netted the most cash. Surprisingly enough, it

BitTorrent Certified Set-Top Box Released

Antik Technolog, Slovakian manufacturer of IPTV devices, has recently introduced its first BitTorrent Certified set-top box designed for telecommunication companies, providers and retailers.

The device in question was announced for the first time in this past January. Desperately expected by many, the device called the FullHD Juice Mini is able to play files users download as torrents directly on a TV. Antik Technology CEO explained that Juice Mini was a unique gadget, because it was the first BitTorrent Certified box in the world.

The company added that thanks to their partnership with BitTorrent they have designed that special IPTV device for customers who

British Government Rejected Online Porn Ban

The UK government has recently rejected demands that ISPs install automatic filters on porn material online to protect the kids. After a joint consultation of the Department and Education and Home Office, the ministers have agreed that broadband providers won’t be required to put default blocks on porn content, and the responsibility should lie with parents.

During the consultation, there were suggestions for a process whereby users would have to “opt in” if they wanted to see adult content, instead of being freely available for any users to access. But the report delivering the government’s response to the consultation read that broadband providers would continue to use a so-called “active choice” system employed by such providers as BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media. The system involves encouraging parents to set certain controls on specific content instead of being putting it under the remit of the provider.

Iran Launched Its Own YouTube

The country has created its own YouTube which would only allow video on approval of the government’s regime.

Mehr, which means “affection” in Farsi, is created for Persian-speaking Internet users. Its aim is to promote and cultivate the local culture. At the moment, the URL YouTube.IR is redirecting to Fars TV, while Mehr, located at http://ir.mehr.ir, appears to be down. Anyway, the service is expected to share content specific to the country, including music videos. Iranian users will also be able to submit their own material.

Genetic Database to Be Created in UK

Advocates expressed concerns over a £100 million project that will see DNA information of 100,000 cancer patients mapped out in a database. Big Brother Watch has called the plan “wholly wrong”. In the meanwhile, David Cameron promised that the plans will be worked on over the next 5 years to finally hold the genetic details of every UK citizen.

According to the Prime Minister, this move will push the boundaries of science and allow genetic sequencing by unlocking the power of DNA information. However, the UK’s genome plan has also raised some concerns that the information could be used to create commercial deals with such entities as drug firms. People also fear that people having access to the database might use the genetic codes in order to identify and track everyone on it, as well as their relatives.

The Prime Minister’s office also promised that the genome sequencing would be entirely voluntary and the patients will have a choice to opt out without affecting their NHS care.

ITU Treaty Refused by US, UK, and Canada

The United Kingdom, United States and Canada have refused to sign a treaty which would allow greater involvement in web governance to nations throughout the globe

During the International Telecommunication Union conference in Dubai, a number of countries objected outright to the proposals of the agreement. For instance, there was strong opposition from the US Federal Communications Commission. Its head, Robert M. McDowell, claimed that the public governing of the web might impact the basic freedoms of web. McDowell also said that a number of countries present at the conference in UAE had gone back on commitments to keep the web free from government control.

Facebook Changed Policy despite User Vote

Although the company claimed to offer its users a kind of democracy, the social network still made the changes it wanted to its policies. In defense, Facebook blamed its users for not bothering to vote on a topic which received almost no promotion from the social network.

A couple weeks ago, the company opened the polls in a bid to provide its users the chance to vote on how the social network processes people’s information, as well as a plan to get rid of the website’s policy to allow users vote in the first place. However, Facebook has now claimed that participation in the polls wasn’t high enough to reach a consensus from its users.

Entertainment Industry against UK Pirate Party & TPB

Music industry group (British Phonographic Industry) is accusing the British Pirate Party of running its TPB proxy. The copyright outfit is going to sue the British Pirate Party because it refused to take its proxy for The Pirate Bay tracker offline.

The British Phonographic Industry asked the Pirate Party to close down the site, but the outfit had to quickly turn to threats when it didn’t get its way. The Pirate Party leader claimed that the party will stand behind its principles, which could result in an expensive legal battle.

After the High Court ordered a number of British Internet service providers to block their subscribers’ access to the largest BitTorrent tracker earlier in 2012, millions of users began using the British Pirate Party’s proxy service. Frankly speaking, it’s currently one of the most popular sites in the country.

Metallica on Spotify

One of the most famous rock bands – Metallica – finally joined Spotify this December. For a long time the band remained “the poster child of not doing things on the Internet”. Daniel Ek, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Spotify, confirmed that the music streaming service is making available Metallica’s music catalog during a presentation to introduce new features in New York.

Previously, Metallica was firm in its refusal to stream its music, but now metalheads will be provided with access to 30 years of recordings from the legendary rock band. Metallica’s official website announced that the band was beyond excited to confirm that music from every single Metallica album was now available on

McAfee Got out of Jail

If you follow the fate of anti-virus guru and Intel brand, turned outlaw, John McAfee, you might be surprised to know that he has been let out of a Guatemalan detention center. Local media has reported that McAfee had been fighting deportation to Belize where the local authorities wanted to question him about his neighbor being shot in the back of the head. McAfee recently admitted that it was ok in his cell, with PC and coffee and everything.

Apparently, judge Judith Secaida has decided that John’s detention was unlawful and ordered him released with providing him with 10 days to put his immigration situation in order. Thus far, it is unclear whether McAfee could get a kind of temporary or transit visa which

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IRC Botnet Takes Advantage of Tor Networks

One of the German anti-virus firms, G Data Software, has found out a controlled from an IRC server botnet inside Tor’s networks. According to the security experts from G Data Software, the botnet is operated via an Internet Relay Chat server hidden inside Tor’s networks.

The security specialists point out that this method involves both benefits and drawbacks. However, the specified list of benefits seems to over weigh the disadvantages. First of all, the obvious advantage is that the botnet server can’t be closed down, because it is nearly impossible to pin-point its location. Secondly, Tor’s protocol also includes encrypted data running via several nodes, which makes surveillance on a certain network very difficult.

UK Copyright Outfit Advised for Transparency

The Open Rights Group made an attempt to avoid complications of website blocking, at the same time having in mind transparency and accountability. The outfit asked ISPs to maintain the public lists of blocked sites, provided by the entertainment industry.

In 2012 the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in cooperation with ISPs managed to block such websites as The Pirate Bay and Newzbin2 across the country. Nevertheless, these giants were only the primary targets, while received injunctions enable the outfit to block other sites providing access to “rogue websites” via alternative addresses. The lists in question are sent to ISPs that ultimately apply the blockage.

UK Black Cabs to Get Free Wi-Fi

London’s famous black cabs are expected to provide free Wi-Fi to passengers. This will be possible thanks to technology provided by a TechCity startup. Passengers of the cab will be able to use the CabWifi service to gain access to 15 minutes of free Wi-Fi after they watch a 15 second ad.

Actually, startup firm Eyetease has been pushing the system in question for 2 years already, trying to offer broadband usage without racking up huge fees. This is especially important for tourists who are forced to pay huge money for data usage when being abroad. However, as Eyetease founder Richard Corbett pointed out, taxi drivers themselves have also seen data costs increasing.

Google Overwhelmed with Bogus DMCA Takedown Requests

Inspired by the overzealous campaigns against digital piracy, many important film studios have asked the search giant to not only remove their own legal material, but even to drop their Facebook pages and Wikipedia posts.

After Google announced of its intentions to publish DMCA notices (within the frames of a program called Google Transparency Report), the company found itself overwhelmed with an unprecedented number of requests.

File-sharer’s Extradition Case is Over

The 24-year-old UK student Richard O’Dwyer has welcomed the end of an American court case following charges over copyright violation. Richard was threatened with a jail sentence in the United States after launching the TVShack site which provided its members with links to pirated movies and other content. O’Dwyer has now had charges dropped, but he was ordered by the court to pay a £20,000 fine.

The student said he was happy that the lawsuit had now drawn to an end, but pointed out that he wished the British government had prevented the legal proceedings from going that far. O’Dwyer announced he was very happy that the case was finally over with, and claimed that he still believed he had never committed any crime. The student appreciated that the United States has decided to drop the case against him.

Bank to Reimburse Hacking Damages

Bank in Maine has finally agreed to reimburse its client $345,000. This amount was lost to hackers because, as the court ruled, the financial institution’s security practices were “commercially unreasonable”.

People’s United Bank, which owns Ocean Bank, will now have to pay Patco Construction Company all the assets the hackers stole from its account three years ago, plus around $45,000 in interest. Back in 2009, the hackers installed malware on the company’s PCs and stole its banking credentials in order to siphon money from its bank account.

The construction company had argued that the authentication system of the People’s United Bank was inadequate and therefore failed to contact Patco after the transactions were flagged as

10 Million Mobile Downloads for BitTorrent

BitTorrent Inc. has recently announced that its mobile apps have reached an impressive milestone: 10 million mobile downloads for a year.

BitTorrent’s popularity is obvious, but it still seems to be propelling insanely fast among Android users. At the moment, the company offers 4 different BitTorrent apps for Android devices (which you can get through Google Play): BitTorrent and µTorrent, as well as remote apps for both BitTorrent and µTorrent. In addition, the file-sharing giant has also made available uTorrent Remote for iOS (Web app), and uTorrent Remote for Windows Phone. According to the recent report, the total number of downloads for all clients amounted to 10,000,000.

UN Allowed Deep Packet Inspection

Despite the fact that Germany warned about the implications of allowing deep packet inspection, a UN summit decided that this method can help protect copyrighted works.

Media reports confirm that a UN summit has approved the Chinese proposals to spy on BitTorrent file-sharers. Back in November, Dubai held a meeting where ITU agreed upon a secret Y.2770 proposal, which allowed access to the papers to members only. Another meeting began this week, where the American government and a few Internet companies harshly criticized the decision.