Droughts are becoming more common and severe. This is bad news for watermelons, which need plenty of water to grow. Farmers are struggling to keep their crops healthy and productive in these harsh conditions. Scientists are looking for ways to help. One promising solution is a gene called ClTCP4. This gene plays a crucial role in helping watermelons withstand drough...
The Asian corn borer is a serious threat to corn crops in Asia. This pest has a knack for developing resistance to genetically modified crops. These crops produce insecticidal proteins from a bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt for short. To stay ahead of these pests, scientists need to understand how resistance works. This understanding can help in monito...
Canada is known for its strong investment in innovation. Yet, it struggles to convert that investment into tangible results. This is especially true in the crop agriculture sector. The country ranks high in innovation spending but lags in actual outputs. One major hurdle is the heavy regulatory burden. This impacts the economy and slows down the development of new pl...
In the realm of tissue engineering, scientists are exploring new ways to create living replacements for damaged tissues. These engineered tissues aim to help the body heal itself. However, there are challenges. Custom-made tissues can be expensive and take time to create. Plus, they might not work as well for every patient. One promising approach is to use materials...
Mitochondrial diseases are tricky. They are caused by faulty genes in the tiny powerhouses of our cells, called mitochondria. These diseases can be passed from mothers to their children, making family planning a complex issue. The way these faulty genes mix with healthy ones, called heteroplasmy, plays a big role in whether a child will inherit the disease. ...
Neurological diseases are a big deal. They're the second biggest killer worldwide. Diseases like Huntington's, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's are becoming more common as people live longer. This is where CRISPR comes in. CRISPR is a powerful tool for editing genes, and it's been a game-changer in the fight against neurological diseases. But there's a catch. Getting CR...
Have you ever thought about changing a mushroom’s DNA? That’s exactly what scientists did with the Ganoderma lucidum mushroom. They used a powerful tool called CRISPR/Cas9 to slice into the mushroom’s genetic code. They tried adding different-sized pieces of new DNA, from tiny to large. What they found was surprising. Adding tiny segments called homologous arms made ...
In Switzerland, scientists, doctors, and other experts recently shared their views on human gene editing. They talked about two main types: somatic gene editing (SGE) and germline gene editing (GGE). Most experts were okay with SGE, but they had mixed feelings about GGE. They all agreed that patients should have the right to choose gene editing treatments, and that n...
As we contemplate the possibility of establishing human settlements on the Moon, Mars, and beyond, a crucial debate is unfolding. Should we prioritize robotic exploration or human missions? The answer lies in the realm of gene editing, a technology that has revolutionized our ability to alter human DNA. Lord Martin Rees, the Astronomer Royal, and Mars exploration adv...