Today in Globe Business

Local companies delve deep into cell origami

A devastating disease that robs the elderly of their memories seems a world away from rare genetic diseases that set children on a path of pain, deformity, and even early death. But scientists are focusing on a common thread: an intricate origami gone awry in cells.

Normally, cells make proteins that are folded into various three-dimensional shapes and ferried to different areas of the cell to do their work. Those jobs, ranging from fighting infections to helping orchestrate cell processes, are essential to the life of the cell. But sometimes, because of genetic mutations or reasons scientists still don't fully understand, key proteins crumple into the wrong shape.

That simple mistake can result in anything from emphysema to cancer to mad cow disease. In some diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, misfolded proteins aren't transported to the part of the cell where they are critically needed. In others, misfolded proteins clump into toxic tangles like the ones found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

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Adult 'science fair' mixes innovation, savvy networking

WALTHAM - As he spoke, Jeff Boehm fiddled with the black, accordion-like arm of the gizmo he held.

"The story behind this is that there was this guy named Wally Berry . . . like blueberry," Boehm began, stretching the arm of the device. It's an antileak valve invented by Berry after he became frustrated with a leaky toilet. And the gizmo was developed using software made by Boehm's Boston company, Invention Machine Corp.

Across the room, IBM Software Group representatives demonstrated a black box, called Lotus Foundations, that can help small businesses manage their information technology needs. And upstairs, a husband and wife team talked up Xelago, their new Internet review and recommendation service. MBA students from Babson College took it all in.

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Simply put, Twitter may be worth the fuss

Justifying Twitter hoopla. Calling Twitter "a deceptively simple idea with remarkably powerful applications," writer and consultant Paul Gillin attempted to explain the online messaging service to those who still don't get what all the fuss is about.

The 140-character limit is liberating. Writing blog entries is a time-consuming task. . . . Twitter's 140-character limit lends itself well to quick thoughts that I believe are worth sharing with others but that don't justify a full-blown blog entry.

When you just can't wait for information, Twitter can't be beat for getting your question to a large group. It's impractical to do this with e-mail: People's inboxes are already cluttered with spam and you have no way of getting your message to people you don't know. Also, through "retweeting" a message can reach a large number of people who aren't on your follower list. This brings new perspectives to the conversation and gives you the opportunity to discover people you wouldn't have otherwise met.

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