During her chemistry Nobel Prize lecture in 2018, Frances Arnold said, “Today we can for all practical purposes read, write and edit any sequence of DNA, but we cannot compose it.”…
Category: Life
These hornets may be the alcohol-detox champs of the animal world
Don’t get into a drinking contest with Vespa orientalis hornets. They could out-booze a tree shrew, even a fruit fly. Mere humans wouldn’t stand a chance. These hornets can survive…
Giant rats could help sniff out illegally smuggled goods
A new kind of border patrol agent could soon start work in African ports, sniffing out illegal goods that are smuggled across country lines. They’re rats. And they wear tiny…
When Human-AI Teams Thrive and When They Don’t
Summary: A new study reveals that while human-AI collaboration can be powerful, it depends on the task. Analysis of hundreds of studies found that AI outperformed human-AI teams in decision-making…
Key Biochemical Trigger of Huntington’s Disease Progression Identified
Summary: Researchers have identified a crucial biochemical mechanism that could allow Huntington’s disease to be studied before symptoms appear, offering hope for early intervention. The team found that disrupted dopamine…
Childhood Attention Problems and Genes Linked to Psychosis Risk
Summary: Childhood attention issues, coupled with genetic predispositions, increase the likelihood of experiencing psychotic-like symptoms in adolescence. By analyzing data from 10,000 youths, researchers discovered that variability in attention spans…
Prenatal Cannabis Use Linked to Child Aggression and Cognitive Deficits
Summary: New research shows that prenatal exposure to cannabis can negatively impact children’s thinking and behavioral skills, including impulse control, attention, and aggression, which are key for academic and social…
A common kitchen tool could help koala conservation
Known for their fluffy ears, round faces and big black noses, koalas spend most of their time snoozing in the canopies of eucalypt forests. Their penchant for perching high up…
Viewpoint: Britain’s new Labor government signals it will move forward legislation to open the door to CRISPR and other crop gene editing innovations
There are increasingly positive signs that the newly-elected Labour administration will shortly bring forward the secondary legislation needed to implement the provisions set out in the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding)…
How Curiosity Styles Shape Wikipedia Use and Learning
Summary: A study of global Wikipedia browsing patterns reveals three curiosity styles: the focused “hunter,” the exploratory “busybody,” and the creative “dancer.” Data from 482,760 readers in 50 countries shows…
