Natural DNA cannot be patented, Supreme Court rules

Mark Memmott — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:45:12 +0000

In a decision that could have broad-reaching effects on the future of science and medicine, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday that:

-- "A naturally occurring DNA segment is a product of nature and not patent eligible merely because it has been isolated."

-- But, synthetically created "strands of nucleotides known as composite DNA (cDNA)" are "patent eligible" because they do not occur naturally.

The case, stepped forward to say he's the source of explosive leaks about government surveillance programs was among "thousands upon thousands" of such analysts hired to manage and sift through "huge amounts of data," NPR's Tom Gjelten ESPN's Outside the Lines reports.

"If the suspensions are upheld," ESPN adds, "the performance-enhancing drug scandal would be the largest in American sports history."

Who knew? Fed Chairman Bernanke is a funny guy

Mark Memmott — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 18:12:42 +0000

Hearing that Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke offered Princeton graduates "10 suggestions" at their commencement ceremony Sunday, we had visions of those in caps and gowns nodding off during a treatise on the fine points of investing in municipal bonds.

Well, count us as surprised to read what he had to say. Bernanke's not quite ready to do stand-up.

No smoking outside Starbucks shops starting Saturday

Mark Memmott — Fri, 31 May 2013 17:46:58 +0000

Starbucks is moving its smoking ban outdoors.

Starting Saturday, according to signs posted in its more than 7,000 shops across the U.S. and Canada, "the no-smoking policy ...

New data confirm the economy isn't growing as fast as hoped

Mark Memmott — Thu, 30 May 2013 16:25:49 +0000

The U.S. economy grew at a 2.4 percent annual rate in the first quarter, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported Thursday morning.

That basically confirms what the agency said a month ago, when it released its initial estimate for gross domestic product growth in the quarter.

Moms now primary breadwinners in 40 percent of homes

Mark Memmott — Wed, 29 May 2013 16:41:23 +0000

"A record 40 percent of all households with children under the age of 18 include mothers who are either the sole or primary source of income for the family," the Pew Research Center reported Wednesday as it released data that certainly won't surprise many Americans but will underscore some dramatic shifts over recent decades.

Citing data from the Census Bureau as its source, Pew notes how much has changed in just a few generations: In 1960, so-called breadwinner moms were the sole or primary sources of

Does Canada's $100 Bill smell like maple syrup? Many say so

Mark Memmott — Tue, 28 May 2013 19:01:15 +0000

This much is true: Many Canadians apparently think their government has embedded a maple-scented scratch-and-sniff patch in the nation's $100 bills.

According to CTV, "dozens of people" contacted the Bank of Canada after the polymer bills were introduced in 2011 to say they were sure there was something fishy ... or perhaps we should say sweet ...

GIF talk: Do you say it with a G or a J?

Mark Memmott — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:32:09 +0000

The kerfuffle Tuesday and today on Twitter about the "news" that the creator of the GIF gets annoyed if he hears someone use a hard "G" when pronouncing the name of his file format triggered our aging memory banks.

Hadn't we heard a while back that GIF creator Steve Wilhite and many other tech types insist it's supposed to be pronounced with a soft "J," like Jif peanut butter?

Yes we had.

Gun made with 3-D printer is successfully fired

Mark Memmott — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:15:14 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wym1LF3mmYo

Crazy photo: Reporter snaps pic as baseball nearly beans her

Mark Memmott — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:34:48 +0000

When Fox Sun Sports reporter Kelly Nash was at Fenway Park in Boston on Saturday to cover the Houston Astros' game with the Red Sox, she decided to take a few "selfie" photos while atop the famous Green Monster in left field.

Below, batting practice was underway. So some balls were flying in her direction.

Former British Prime Minister Thatcher dies

Mark Memmott — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:29:22 +0000

Margaret Thatcher, who as British prime minister in the 1980s became known as the "Iron Lady" for her tough economic policies, her partnership with President Reagan in standing up to communism and the short war with Argentina over the Falklands, has died.

Her spokesman, Lord Bell, tells the British Press Association that Baroness Thatcher died Monday following a stroke.

Facebook phone is 'a family of apps,' Zuckerberg says

Mark Memmott and Eyder Peralta — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 18:09:25 +0000

Facebook is going to "turn things around," CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Thursday, by turning "your Android phone into a great, simple social device" that is "designed around people."

He came on stage just after 1 p.m.

NRA task force: Train school personnel who want to be armed

Mark Memmott — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:03:37 +0000

A task force launched by the National Rifle Association after the Dec.

If something smells funny, remember what day it is

Mark Memmott — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:29:11 +0000

Google Nose was unveiled Monday morning.