Scientists Find the Tiny 24-Hour Clock in Every Living Thing

[Gerald]

Scientists have identified the mechanism that controls the internal 24-hour clock of all forms of life -- from us to algae.

Researchers from Britain's Cambridge and Edinburgh universities, whose work was published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, said their findings provide important insight into health-related problems linked to people such as nurses, pilots and other shift workers, whose body clocks are disrupted.

The studies also suggest that the 24-hour circadian clock found in human cells is the same as that found in algae, and dates back millions of years to early life on earth, they said.

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/...k-blood-cells/


Note: Published January 29, 2011 (Reuters)

[breadcatcher101]

That explains that ticking sound in my ear.

Makes sense really with the approx 24 cycle of the day, not sure about the seasonal change though, one controlled by temperture rather than time. Chill hours I believe for plants that go dormant in winter months.

I am surprised this is "new" information, though.

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by breadcatcher101

That explains that ticking sound in my ear.

Makes sense really with the approx 24 cycle of the day, not sure about the seasonal change though, one controlled by temperture rather than time. Chill hours I believe for plants that go dormant in winter months.

I am surprised this is "new" information, though.

"That explains that ticking sound in my ear"

[Oberon]

Any chance they can slow it down a bit. Always seems like the days are going past faster and faster these days...

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Any chance they can slow it down a bit. Always seems like the days are going past faster and faster these days...

Maybe because you are about to get married soon,

[Geno_Mariner]

Yeah, I'd like to know how to slow it down too... days going too quick XD

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Vendor

Maybe because you are about to get married soon,

Touché, touché

[Growler]

Interesting. I wonder what their take on this is?

[Takeda Shingen]

Originally Posted by Growler

Interesting. I wonder what their take on this is?

Huh. That's pretty interesting too. The only thing that I can think of is that the study was published back in 2000, so things may have changed since that time. Still, that's a cool link.

[Growler]

The link is based on a study I heard about a few years ago, in which a person confined to a cave and absent a clock was left to their own devices for a month or maybe longer. They had anything they needed, just no access to sunlight or any chronometer. By the end of the period of study, they were running on approximately a 26 hour "internal" clock. (It's been awhile since I heard the report - several years, so my memory's probably off on several aspects. A quick G-search gave me the link above.)

Anyway, I thought it was cool. The OP and his article made me think of the study.

If there is an internal clock embedded into my cells, it is broken.

[krashkart]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Any chance they can slow it down a bit. Always seems like the days are going past faster and faster these days...

Originally Posted by Geno_Mariner

Yeah, I'd like to know how to slow it down too... days going too quick XD

Sad but true. Just one more reason to cherish the moment.


May our beards pale gracefully, and our hair fall upon our ears to sprout anew.

[bookworm_020]

After reseting my body clock with 5 1/2 weeks of leave, it's about to be smashed to bits when I go back to work. Nothing like working till 2am in the morning one week and then starting at 2am the next!

[antikristuseke]

Tell me about it, 24h shifts like i just finished really mess up my sleep schedule.

[UnderseaLcpl]

I don't suppose they found a manual for this internal clock? I only ask because mine keeps flashing 12:00 and I can't figure out how to set the alarm. There's a sticker on it but it's in Chinese or something.