Bioengineers have repurposed a ‘non-working’ CRISPR system to make a smaller version of the genome engineering tool. Its diminutive size should make it easier to deliver into human cells, tissues and the body for gene therapy. «CRISPR can be as simple as a cutter, or more advanced as a regulator, an editor, a labeler or…

Researchers discovered that 50 percent fewer frogs died from vehicle collisions in Maine in spring 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began, that during the season in other recent years. They also found a broader decline in animal road fatalities in spring 2020, but not noble change in vehicle-related mortality among salamanders. Vehicles kill many adult…

A method of producing vital chemical building blocks for use in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries mimics how plants manufacture them. Using enzymes in the same way that plants do, the scientists have created bacteria that ‘digest’ molecules to synthesise new compounds in a process that is reusable and produces minimal waste products. Their results…

Scientists found that ants and other natural systems use optimization algorithms similar to those used by engineered systems, including the Internet. These algorithms invest incrementally more resources as long as signs are encouraging but pull back quickly at the first sign of trouble. The systems are designed to be robust, allowing for portions to fail…

The CRISPR system is a powerful tool for the targeted editing of genomes, with significant therapeutic potential, but runs the risk of inappropriately editing »off-target» sites. However, a new study shows that mutating the enzyme at the heart of the CRISPR gene editing system can improve its fidelity. The CRISPR system employs an enzyme called…

Phosphorus is an essential element for life as we know it. But how it arrived on the early Earth is something of a mystery. Astronomers have now traced the journey of phosphorus from star-forming regions to comets using the combined powers of ALMA and the European Space Agency’s probe Rosetta. Their research shows where molecules…

The large near-Earth object is well known to astronomers and will get no closer than 3.9 million miles to our planet. The asteroid, called 1998 OR2, will make its closest approach at 5:55 a.m. EDT (2:55 a.m. PDT). While this is known as a «close approach» by astronomers, it’s still very far away: The asteroid…

A research team recently succeeded in developing the first physics-based model that can accurately predict imminent large solar flares, which can cause severe space weather disturbances affecting Earth. The research team led by Professor Kanya Kusano (Director of the Institute for Space-Earth Environmental Research, Nagoya University) recently succeeded in developing the first physics-based model that…

Researchers used single-molecule imaging to compare the genome-editing tools CRISPR-Cas9 and TALEN. Their experiments revealed that TALEN is up to five times more efficient than CRISPR-Cas9 in parts of the genome, called heterochromatin, that are densely packed. Fragile X syndrome, sickle cell anemia, beta-thalassemia and other diseases are the result of genetic defects in the…

N95 respirators offer the best protection against wildfire smoke and other types of air pollution, performing better than synthetic, cotton and surgical masks. N95s were so effective in the lab experiments that the researchers estimate their widespread use could reduce hospital visits attributable to wildfire smoke by 22% to 39%. Researchers performed lab experiments to…