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This extremophile micro organism can stand up to excessive radiation.Credit score: Michael J Daly/Science Photograph Library
Researchers have found that sure hardy micro organism may survive within the hostile Martian circumstances for tens of millions of years, by testing the flexibility of a number of ‘extremophile’ microbes — which might dwell in harsh environments — to outlive in chilly, radioactive circumstances much like these on Mars. The crew discovered that, when dried and frozen, the Deinococcus radiodurans microbe may survive beneath the floor of Mars for 280 million years. The findings enhance the prospect that life may very well be present in future samples from the crimson planet.
New Scientist | 2 min learn (free registration could also be required)
Reference: Astrobiology paper
Outbreaks of a extremely pathogenic pressure of avian influenza are leaving a path of destruction throughout Europe and North America, on a scale that has not been beforehand seen. Home fowl culls as soon as saved the virus in examine, however sustained circulation in wild birds has change into the norm for the reason that early 2000s. Over the previous yr, transmission in wild birds has ramped up dramatically. “One thing is kind of totally different about this virus”, says wildlife-disease researcher Rebecca Poulson, however nobody is aware of precisely what that’s. It’s potential that mutations have enabled the virus to contaminate extra fowl species than earlier strains; mammals corresponding to seals, bobcats and skunks are additionally being contaminated. Researchers concern that the outbreaks may rage on.
An astronomy professor has been suspended from Leiden College, the Netherlands, following years of what the college says was intimidating behaviour in direction of feminine colleagues. The choice to droop the professor was made after an investigation following allegations made in Might by 4 feminine staff of the college; nonetheless, earlier allegations weren’t correctly addressed on the time, says Annetje Ottow, chair of Leiden College’s board. Chatting with the Dutch newspaper NRC, she stated: “There have been earlier indicators. They weren’t taken severely sufficient.” Ottow stated that the professor in query has not been fired and can nonetheless hold his wage, following the recommendation of the college’s complaints committee and out of doors authorized counsel.
NRC (information article) | 3 min learn and NRC (interview) | 7 min learn (originals in Dutch, English translations accessible by way of Google)
Options & opinion
Analysis laboratories and biotech firms are making use of cellular-reprogramming strategies to animals to see whether or not they could make them younger. The strategies are primarily based on the Nobel-prizewinning discovery in 2006 by Japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka, who turned grownup cells into stem cells that resemble embryonic cells. Some scientists say they’ve discovered proof of the process rejuvenating the animals and their organs. “We expect we are able to flip again the clock,” Richard Klausner, chief scientist of the corporate Altos Labs, instructed an viewers at an occasion in June. Traders are throwing billions into these initiatives, regardless of an absence of consensus amongst scientists on what causes ageing and when ageing even begins.
MIT Know-how Evaluate | 13 min learn
To make progress on most cancers analysis, scientists must construct giant registries that hyperlink scattered data, says most cancers biologist T. S. Karin Eisinger-Mathason. By profiting from applied sciences that may hyperlink disparate however related knowledge whereas preserving privateness, we are able to hint most cancers diagnoses, well being results and threat of dying again to potential threat elements, she argues.
As Brazilians put together to go to the polls on Sunday, a Nature editorial argues {that a} second time period for Jair Bolsonaro would characterize a risk to science, democracy and the setting. Bolsonaro charged into workplace 4 years in the past denying science, threatening Indigenous peoples’ rights and pushing a development-at-all-costs strategy to the financial system. This weekend, Brazilians will go to the polls within the second spherical of one of many nation’s most essential elections. Bolsonaro is standing for re-election towards Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Employees’ Get together chief who was president for 2 phrases between 2003 and 2010. Lula just isn’t with out baggage — he spent 19 months in jail on account of a corruption investigation, though the convictions have been annulled in 2021. Nonetheless, he has pledged to realize ‘web zero’ deforestation and shield Indigenous lands, if elected.
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