Photo Credit: David Niblack

A genetics study conducted by researchers at Newcastle University has shown that men with more brothers than sisters are likely to have more sons than daughters. The reverse also holds true if men have more sisters than brothers. It appears that men inherit this tendency from their parents.

Human cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes which include 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes. The sex chromosomes are the X chromosome and the Y chromosome. Fathers determine the gender of their offspring because gender is determined by the type of chromosome (X or Y) that combines with the mother's X chromosome. An (XY) pairing produces males and an (XX) pairing produces females.

Men that produce more Y chromosomes will have more boys, those that produce more X chromosomes will have more girls, and those that produce about the same amount of X and Y chromosomes will have about equal numbers of boys and girls. These tendencies to produce more X or Y chromosomes are passed on through genes from both parents.

Learn more about this study, see:

• Boy Or Girl? It's In The Father's Genes (Science Daily)

Cold and flu season is upon us, leaving those suffering from the effects of the cold or flu searching for relief. Studies have shown that an inexpensive way to combat cold and flu symptoms is to consume a hot drink.

In the study, volunteers with common cold symptoms were given a hot cordial apple and blackcurrant drink. The hot drink provided relief for symptoms such as runny nose, sore throat, coughing and sneezing. While fruit cordial was used in the study, the researchers suggest that almost any hot drink will be beneficial in fighting off cold and flu symptoms.

Learn more about this study, see:

• Hot Drinks Help Fight Cold And Flu (Science Daily)

Onion cell in metaphase. © The Entangled Bank

Mitosis, a form of cell division, enables organisms to grow and reproduce. Dividing cells go through an ordered series of events called the cell cycle.

In metaphase, the nuclear membrane disappears completely. The spindle fully develops and the chromosomes align at the metaphase plate (a plane that is equally distant from the two poles).

Chromosomes are held at the metaphase plate by the equal forces of the polar fibers pushing on the centromeres of the chromosomes.

In animal cells, two pair of centrioles align at opposite poles of the cell.

Learn more about mitosis:

• Mitosis Image Gallery
  
• Mitosis Study Guide
  
• Mitosis Quiz

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Can using your cell phone actually affect your memory? Researchers have shown in studies with rats that exposure to cell phone radiation can negatively affect memory.

The studies showed that rats that were exposed to mobile phone radiation did not perform as well on memory tests as rats who were not exposed to the radiation. The researchers believe that this exposure caused nerve tissue damage in the cerebral cortex and in the hippocampus of the brain. The radiation is also believed to interfere with blood-brain barrier function, allowing potentially harmful substances to enter the brain.

Learn more about this study, see:

• Mobile Phones Affect Memory In Laboratory Animals (Science Daily)