The Daily Populous

DNA surgery on embryos removes disease

Precise "chemical surgery" has been performed on human embryos to remove disease in a world first, Chinese researchers have told the BBC.

Base editing alters the fundamental building blocks of DNA: the four bases adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine.

Junjiu Huang, one of the researchers, told the BBC News website: "We are the first to demonstrate the feasibility of curing genetic disease in human embryos by base editor system.".

The experiments were performed in tissues taken from a patient with the blood disorder and in human embryos made through cloning.

He told the BBC: "About two-thirds of known human genetic variants associated with disease are point mutations.

The research group at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou hit the headlines before when they were the first to use Crispr on human embryos.

The study, published in Protein and Cell, is the latest example of the rapidly growing ability of scientists to manipulate human DNA. »

Russian-linked Twitter accounts stoked NFL anthem debate

Authored by cnet.com

A network of Twitter accounts suspected of links to Russia were used this weekend to stoke the controversy over whether NFL players should stand for pregame performances of the national anthem, The New York Times reported late Wednesday.

The accounts pushed both sides of the debate, using hashtags such as #boycottnfl, #standforouranthem and #takeaknee, the newspaper reported.

Those accounts, operated by human users and suspected bots alike, pushed the opposing messages surrounding the NFL and the playing of the national anthem, researchers said. »

Monsanto banned from European parliament

Authored by theguardian.com

Monsanto lobbyists have been banned from entering the European parliament after the multinational refused to attend a parliamentary hearing into allegations of regulatory interference.

Monsanto officials will now be unable to meet MEPs, attend committee meetings or use digital resources on parliament premises in Brussels or Strasbourg.

A Monsanto letter to MEPs seen by the Guardian said that the European parliament was not “an appropriate forum” for discussion on the issues involved. »

Archaeologists Find Lost Ancient Greek Temple Of Goddess Artemis

Authored by ibtimes.com

It took more than 100 years of searching but archaeologists have finally found a lost temple to the ancient Greek goddess Artemis.

But the culture ministry said the temple to Artemis was actually found 60 stades away from Eretria, or about 6.8 miles.

The culture ministry refers to the recently rediscovered temple as being dedicated to Artemis Amarysia, with the second name being a sort of adopted surname of the goddess. »

The Rams Are Suffering The NFL’s Worst Attendance Decline In Decades

Authored by fivethirtyeight.com

#Chargers can't even fans to show up to a 27,000 seat high school stadium! pic.twitter.com/gPiqsQ3frp — Ray Lismon (@Raybeno11) September 17, 2017.

Among the nine teams in their first year in a new city since 1993, the Rams had the highest single-game attendance (91,046), largest average (84,457) and highest total attendance (591,197).

The NFL’s attendance problem in L.A. may reach its most embarrassing level in Weeks 14 and 17, when both the Rams and Chargers play at home. »