Retroviruses, which insert their genetic material into our genomes to copy themselves, have left behind genes that help to steer our immune systems and mold the development of embryos and the placenta.
Now researchers report in PLOS Genetics that syncytin, a viral protein that enables placenta formation, also helps to increase muscle mass in male mice. These results could partially explain a lingering mystery in biology: why the males of many mammalian species tend to be more muscular than females.
Cell-cell fusion is also pivotal for muscle fiber formation and repair, where the myotubes are formed from the fusion of mononucleated myoblasts into large multinucleated structures.
[...] [The greater than 20% reduction in muscle mass] is only observed in males, which subsequently show muscle quantitative traits more similar to those of females. In addition, [the authors] show that syncytins also contribute to muscle repair after cardiotoxin-induced injury, with again a male-specific effect on the rate and extent of regeneration.
[...] similar effects are observed with primary myoblasts from sheep, dog and human, with a 20–40% reduction upon addition of siRNA against the corresponding syncytins.
http://www.nature.com/news/virus-pumps-up-male-muscles-in-mice-1.20574
Genetic Evidence That Captured Retroviral Envelope syncytins Contribute to Myoblast Fusion and Muscle Sexual Dimorphism in Mice (open, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006289) (DX)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ERVW-1#Function
(Score: -1, Redundant) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday September 13 2016, @11:13AM
Could the process be reversed to transform men into the better sex: women. We all know men have no place in modern society and everyone would be much happier if men were eliminated. Instead of killing men or jailing men, perhaps the most humane solution would be to make everyone into women. Then all women everywhere can live together in cosmic harmony and joy.
(Score: 2) by The Mighty Buzzard on Tuesday September 13 2016, @11:26AM
It'd be fun while it lasted. I'd have part of a week to play with my new boobs before they were all like "Fuck this! Now we have to do all the shitty and dangerous jobs, work stupid-long hours, and probably die early from stress."
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 2) by inertnet on Tuesday September 13 2016, @01:20PM
No problem, we'll just modify that DNA so it will work on women too.
(Score: 2, Funny) by kurenai.tsubasa on Tuesday September 13 2016, @02:18PM
I can point you in the direction of a transformation story or two that may be relevant to your interests…. But they're NSFW so it'll need to wait until this evening.
Do you prefer autogynephilia or the BDSM approach? There's also this weird subgenre which I think is BDSM but I'm not sure where a father and son transform into women prostitutes to pay back some unspecified debt. That's rule 34 for you, creeped the hell out of me at the very least. I'm assuming that's not quite what you're looking for.
What about witches? It sounded like you were interested in biotech, but I mean, in the end, who gives a crap what magical woo gets invoked? I may be able to fish out a caption that's actually a short story (rather than the usual vignette) if I still have it involving Walpurgisnacht (auf dem kahlen Berge, no less) and throw it up on pastebin for you.
(Score: 2) by RamiK on Tuesday September 13 2016, @02:36PM
I can think of at least ½ an option that's safe for work.
compiling...
(Score: 3, Funny) by takyon on Tuesday September 13 2016, @02:47PM
I think the OP is trying to make a point about men becoming obsolete and devalued, rather than seeking ebook smut.
🍆👌😂😂😂😂😂😂
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 1) by kurenai.tsubasa on Tuesday September 13 2016, @03:41PM
I'm wondering if that's the same AC below. I figured I'd attempt to reinterpret the comment in a way that was completely unintended. I blame Buzzard for giving me the idea. :)
Actually, I'm wondering where the alt-right are. Looking forward to how jmorris will connect this to bathroom rape!
(Score: 2) by Pino P on Wednesday September 14 2016, @02:56AM
If you first click the Back button, you'll discover that we're all the Alt+Right.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday September 13 2016, @02:59PM
Clearly this virus is misogynist, as it makes men stronger, but not women.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday September 13 2016, @04:52PM
Marry little girls.
Kill feminists.
>In the United States, as late as the 1880s most States set the minimum age at 10-12, (in Delaware it was 7 in 1895).[8] Inspired by the "Maiden Tribute" female reformers in the US initiated their own campaign[9] which petitioned legislators to raise the legal minimum age to at least 16, with the ultimate goal to raise the age to 18. The campaign was successful, with almost all states raising the minimum age to 16-18 years by 1920.
Also see: Dteronomy chapter 22 verses 28-29, hebrew allows men to rape girl children and keep them: thus man + girl is obviously fine. Feminists are commanded to be killed as anyone enticing others to follow another ruler/judge/god is to be killed as-per Deuteronomy. It is wonderful when this happens from time to time: celebrate)