An extensive study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has found that new technologies in genetic engineering and conventional breeding are blurring the once clear distinctions between these two crop-improvement approaches.

The National Academies Committee on Genetically Engineered Crops - Past Experiences and Future Prospects authored an almost 600-page landmark report, released in May 2016. It was perhaps the most comprehensive analysis of genetically engineered crops to date.

The effects of climate change on the distribution of species can be predicted more accurately by considering the genetic differences between different groups of the same species, a new study suggests. The researchers found that a computer model which incorporated genetic information on different groups of a US tree species was up to 12 times more accurate in predicting tree locations than a non-genetically informed model.

Formed by two wood-clad shipping containers, Skit 2014 is the ideal living arrangement for eremitic types who don't mind ladders and composting toilets.

Christiana Figueres says any agreement will be a step in the right direction, but it's clear she's not convinced Cancun will be a huge step.

The USDA says this method of tampering with a food's genes is not the same as genetically modifying it.

Plant waste has been seen as a possible source of sustainable biofuels, now modified E. coli would convert plant waste into fatty acids, and then into fuel.

Sabrina Gonzalez Pasterski, who built and flew her own plane at 14, just earned a Ph.D. from Harvard and she's proof of the growing power of the STEM push.

A commentary on last week's remarks by British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, criticising anti-biotechnology activists for not engaging in a rational debate about genetically modified food.

Easily provides water and feed for your pets using IoT technology! Automatic Water Dispenser, Automatic Feed Dispenser, Camera, Speaker, Monitoring, Video Call, CCTV, Remote Control

H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III was Compelled and Could Not Decline

Safi Bahcall, a former biotech CEO, began his career as a theoretical physicist before joining the business world. He compares the moment that innovative companies become complacent ones to a glass of water freezing, becoming ice. The elements are the same, but the structure of the company has changed. Bahcall offers ways for growing companies to avoid these inevitable forces and continue to innovate. He's the author of the book "Loonshots: How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas That Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform Industries" and the HBR article “The Innovation Equation."

In this paper we collect some open set-theoretic problems that appear in the large-scale topology (called also Asymptology). In particular we ask problems about critical cardinalities of some special (large, indiscrete, inseparated) coarse structures on $omega$, about the interplay between properties of a coarse space and its Higson corona, about some special ultrafilters ($T$-points and cellular $T$-points) related to finitary coarse structures on $omega$, about partitions of coarse spaces into thin pieces, and also about coarse groups having some extremal properties.

In this paper we study the following set[A={p(n)+2^nd mod 1: ngeq 1}subset [0.1],] where $p$ is a polynomial with at least one irrational coefficient on non constant terms, $d$ is any real number and for $ain [0,infty)$, $a mod 1$ is the fractional part of $a$. By a Bernoulli decomposition method, we show that the closure of $A$ must have full Hausdorff dimension.

Particular aspects provide compositions comprising an electrokinetically altered oxygenated aqueous fluid, wherein the oxygen in the fluid is present in an amount of at least 25 ppm. In certain aspects, the electrokinetically altered oxygenated aqueous fluid comprises electrokinetically modified or charged oxygen species present in an amount of at least 0.5 ppm. In certain aspects the electrokinetically altered oxygenated aqueous fluid comprises solvated electrons stabilized by molecular oxygen, and wherein the solvated electrons present in an amount of at least 0.01 ppm. In certain aspects, the fluid facilitates oxidation of pyrogallol to purpurogallin in the presence of horseradish peroxidase enzyme (HRP) in an amount above that afforded by a control pressure pot generated or fine-bubble generated aqueous fluid having an equivalent dissolved oxygen level, and wherein there is no hydrogen peroxide, or less than 0.1 ppm of hydrogen peroxide present in the electrokinetic oxygen-enriched aqueous fluid.

A method for engineering and utilizing large DNA vectors to target, via homologous recombination, and modify, in any desirable fashion, endogenous genes and chromosomal loci in eukaryotic cells. These large DNA targeting vectors for eukaryotic cells, termed LTVECs, are derived from fragments of cloned genomic DNA larger than those typically used by other approaches intended to perform homologous targeting in eukaryotic cells. Also provided is a rapid and convenient method of detecting eukaryotic cells in which the LTVEC has correctly targeted and modified the desired endogenous gene(s) or chromosomal locus (loci) as well as the use of these cells to generate organisms bearing the genetic modification.

An apparatus for suspending and positioning marionettes. The apparatus includes a thin, planar support membrane such as a plastic sheet. A tender vehicle is positioned on the upper side of the support membrane. A motor or other drive mechanism selectively positions the tender vehicle relative to the support membrane. The apparatus includes a puppeteer vehicle from which a marionette is suspended. The puppeteer vehicle is positioned proximate to the lower side of the support membrane opposite the tender vehicle. To support the puppeteer vehicle, one or both of the vehicles includes one or more rotatable magnetic elements such that the attractive forces support the weight of the puppeteer vehicle and the marionette. Typically, the puppeteer vehicle is a passive follower, and the drive mechanism of the tender vehicle includes motors to move the magnetic elements and position the tender and following puppeteer vehicle with its marionette to provide a show.

Methods and compositions for targeted delivery of biotherapeutics are provided. The compositions comprise bile-sensitive St. thermophilus bacteria modified to release a biotherapeutic agent following bile exposure. Biotherapeutic agents released by the St. thermophilus bacteria disclosed herein include AQ and AQR rich peptides. Methods of the invention comprise administering to a subject a St. thermophilus bacterium modified to release a biotherapeutic agent following bile exposure. Administration of the St. thermophilus bacterium promotes a desired therapeutic response. The bacterium may be modified to express and release AQ or AQR rich peptides which subsequently inhibit cellular apoptosis or reduce mucosal damage. Thus, methods of the invention find use in treating or preventing a variety of gastrointestinal disorders including C. difficile infection and antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Kinetically stable halogenated polysilanes include mixture of compounds having respectively at least four silicon atoms bound together, the substituents thereof comprising chlorine, and chlorine and hydrogen, and in the composition thereof, the atomic ratio of substituent to silicon is at least 1:1, wherein a) the kinetically stable halogenated polysilanes have a kinetically high stability in relation to oxidative splitting by chlorine, and the degree of conversion at temperatures of 120° C. within 10 hours with an excess of chlorine gas at 1013 hPa does not exceed 30 mol %, and b) the kinetically stable halogenated polysilanes have a percentage of branching points in the polysilane molecules of more than 8 mol %.

A sealed solenoid, magnetically operated electric power switch is suitable for use as capacitor, line and load switch operating at transmission and distribution voltages that includes no dynamically moving seals through the sealed container housing the contactor portion of the switch. The sealed solenoid switch includes a magnetically operated drive system with an actuator that magnetically couples across the container wall to avoid the use of a moving or sliding seal as part of the drive system. The sealed solenoid switch may also include a ballast resistor and resistor contact located inside the sealed container to avoid another seal as part of the ballast system. A magnetic latch holds the switch in a closed position, and a spring holds the switch in the closed position, to avoid the need for an energizing current to maintain the switch in either position.

A model railroad car coupler assembly comprises a coupler with an upper shank having a coupler knuckle at a distal portion and a flat proximal portion, a lower shank having a coupler thumb at a distal portion and a flat proximal portion, and a coil spring terminating in first and second end portions, with a first turn of the coupler spring interlocked with the upper shank and a second turn interlocked with the lower shank. A mounting box has a circular mounting post that accepts circular openings in the shanks permitting them to rotate relative to each other between a closed coupled position and an open uncoupling position. The spring end portions engage the mounting box to bias the shanks into their coupled position. The knuckle carries a ferrous actuating pin that cooperates with a magnetic pad along a track to rotate the upper shank into its open position.

Polyphase converter, comprising a plurality of electrical phases (11 to 16), which can each be driven by switching means (21 to 26), wherein at least one coupling means (31 to 39) is provided, which magnetically couples at least one first phase (11) to at least one further phase (12, 14, 16), wherein at least two phases (11, 12) to be coupled are surrounded at least partially by the coupling means (31), wherein at least one insulating body (72) is provided, which on the upper or lower side thereof accommodates the phases (11 to 16) to be coupled and on which at least one fastening means (74, 76, 90) is provided, which interacts with at least one of the phases (11 to 16) for fastening purposes.

Magnetically adjusting color-converting particles within a matrix and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. A magnetic-adjustment process can include applying a magnetic field to a mixture including a non-solid matrix and a plurality of color-converting particles (e.g. magnetically anisotropic color-converting particles). The magnetic field can cause the plurality of color-converting particles to move into a generally non-random alignment (e.g., a generally non-random magnetic alignment and/or a generally non-random shape alignment) within the non-solid matrix. The non-solid matrix then can be solidified to form a solid matrix. A magnetic-adjustment process can be performed in conjunction with testing and/or product binning of solid-state radiation transducer devices. For example, a position, direction, strength, or duration of a magnetic field used to perform a magnetic-adjustment process can be controlled according to optical output collected from a solid-state radiation transducer device. Measuring the optical output and performing the magnetic-adjustment process can be at least partially concurrent.

A lock assembly (10) including a plug (12) having a keyway (14) for inserting therein a key (16), and a movable element (18) movingly disposed in the plug (12), the movable element (18) being divided into at least two separate magnetic portions (20, 22) arranged to move relative to one another and having identical magnetic polarity, wherein the magnetic portions (20, 22) are sufficiently near one another such that one of the magnetic portions (20, 22) applies a magnetic repelling force on the other magnetic portion (20, 22).

An electromagnetically actuable valve, e.g., a fuel injector for fuel-injection systems of internal combustion engines, includes an electromagnetically actuable actuating element having a solenoid coil, a fixed core, a valve jacket, and a movable armature for actuating a valve-closure element, which cooperates with a valve-seat surface provided on a valve-seat body. A sleeve-shaped guide element is introduced into an inner longitudinal bore of the armature and into an inner flow bore of the internal pole, the guide element being firmly fixed in place in the armature or the inner pole, and loosely guided in the respective other component.

Disclosed herein are a hygienic handle assembly and related methods for automatically advancing a clean portion of a protective sleeve over a handle after use of the handle by a person. In one embodiment, an exemplary hygienic handle assembly comprises a pair of first magnetic couplers, each having a passage therethrough, and a handle extending between the pair of first magnetic couplers and having a second magnetic coupler at each of its opposing ends. Each of the second magnetic couplers may be configured to be located within at least a portion of a corresponding first magnetic coupler, wherein magnetic fields of the first magnetic coupler repel magnetic fields of the second magnetic couplers received therein such that each second magnetic coupler is magnetically suspended within the corresponding first magnetic coupler.

The invention relates to an electromechanical-magnetically integrated braking assistance device, comprising an electrical motor, an oil holder, a braking main cylinder, an assistant force generating portion, and a pedal input rod, an absolute displacement sensor or a relative displacement sensor is connected to the pedal input rod; a lead screw is sleeved over the pedal input rod, and a ball nut is sleeved over the lead screw; a ball nut bushing is fixed to the ball nut by being sleeved over the ball nut; a driven gear is fixed to the ball nut bushing by being sleeved over the ball nut bushing; and the electric motor meshes with the driven gear via a transmission mechanism. An end of the lead screw which passes through the ball nut bushing has an aperture, into which a feedback disc is installed; an end of the feedback disc is connected to an end of an output rod which is coaxially arranged with the lead screw inside the assistant force generating portion, and another end of the output rod extends into the braking main cylinder and is connected to a piston of the braking main cylinder.

Integrated heat spreaders having electromagnetically-formed features, and semiconductor packages incorporating such integrated heat spreaders, are described. In an example, an integrated heat spreader includes a top plate flattened using an electromagnetic forming process. Methods of manufacturing integrated heat spreaders having electromagnetically-formed features are also described.

According to some aspects, a cymbal system is provided, comprising a cymbal, and a vibrational transducer magnetically coupled to the cymbal, the magnetic coupling provided by at least one magnetic component on an upper side of the cymbal and at least one magnetic component on a lower side of the cymbal. According to some aspects, a method for transducing vibrations of a cymbal is provided, comprising magnetically coupling a vibrational transducer to a cymbal, the magnetic coupling provided by at least one magnetic component on an upper side of the cymbal and at least one magnetic component on a lower side of the cymbal.

A magnetically enhanced low temperature high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (LT-HDP-CVD) source has a hollow cathode target and an anode, which form a gap. A cathode target magnet assembly forms magnetic field lines substantially perpendicular to the cathode surface. A gap magnet assembly forms a magnetic field in the gap that is coupled with the cathode target magnetic field. The magnetic field lines cross the pole piece electrode positioned in the gap. The pole piece is isolated from ground and can be connected to a voltage power supply. The pole piece can have negative, positive, floating, or RF electrical potentials. By controlling the duration, value, and sign of the electric potential on the pole piece, plasma ionization can be controlled. Feed gas flows through the gap between the hollow cathode and anode. The cathode can be connected to a pulse power or RF power supply, or cathode can be connected to both power supplies. The cathode target and substrate can be inductively grounded.

A magnetically enhanced HDP-CVD plasma source includes a hollow cathode target and an anode. The anode and cathode form a gap. A cathode target magnet assembly forms magnetic field lines that are substantially perpendicular to a cathode target surface. The gap magnet assembly forms a cusp magnetic field in the gap that is coupled with the cathode target magnetic field. The magnetic field lines cross a pole piece electrode positioned in the gap. This pole piece is isolated from ground and can be connected with a voltage power supply. The pole piece can have a negative, positive, or floating electric potential. The plasma source can be configured to generate volume discharge. The gap size prohibits generation of plasma discharge in the gap. By controlling the duration, value and a sign of the electric potential on the pole piece, the plasma ionization can be controlled. The magnetically enhanced HDP-CVD source can also be used for chemically enhanced ionized physical vapor deposition (CE-IPVD). Gas flows through the gap between hollow cathode and anode. The cathode target is inductively grounded, and the substrate is periodically inductively grounded.

An electrically and magnetically enhanced ionized physical vapor deposition (I-PVD) magnetron apparatus and method is provided for sputtering material from a cathode target on a substrate, and in particular, for sputtering ceramic and diamond-like coatings. The electrically and magnetically enhanced magnetron sputtering source has unbalanced magnetic fields that couple the cathode target and additional electrode together. The additional electrode is electrically isolated from ground and connected to a power supply that can generate positive, negative, or bipolar high frequency voltages, and is preferably a radio frequency (RF) power supply. RF discharge near the additional electrode increases plasma density and a degree of ionization of sputtered material atoms.

Scientists at Yale and other universities came to some surprising findings when they studied a group of genetically modified mosquitoes released in Brazil.

Copyright 2018 NPR. To see more, visit SCOTT SIMON, HOST: Just in time for midterm exams comes Sans Forgetica. It's a font researchers say can help you remember what you read. Typography lecturer Stephen Banham is part of the team at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, that developed the slyly named lettering. He joins us now over Skype. Mr. Banham, thanks so much for being with us. STEPHEN BANHAM: Absolute pleasure. SIMON: This font has letters that look like they're broken up, almost like your pen's running out of ink. BANHAM: (Laughter) That's a very interesting way to describe it. I've worked with psychologists on trying to work out how we can trigger recall or memory when people are reading particular select parts of text, in a quotation or a sentence or something. And the essence of what we've done is that we've actually subverted the kind of conventional reading patterns by creating, firstly, a back slant, which is a slant that runs counter to the normal direction of the

Who would you pick?

BET brings peace, love and soul to your texts.

Check out: The FDA Is Cracking Down On Rogue Genetic Engineers. Apparently the US Food and Drug Administration wants to classify genetically altered dogs as drugs. When this is done to humans will they become drugs too? I think Huey Lewis has foreseen this possibility. A substantial part of the population is going to continue to insist on owning highly inbred genetically messed up dog breeds with serious health issues (e.g. bulldogs and pugs). If you do not want to me like them then avoid the unhealthiest dog breeds. But given that these breeds will continue to exist it certainly makes sense to genetically fix the fixable ones (some are, by breed standard, probably not fixable). So genetic engineers who...

The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing worldwide. Although gene-environment interactions have been implicated in the etiology of several disorders, the impact of paternal and/or maternal metabolic syndrome on the clinical phenotypes of offspring and the underlying genetic and epigenetic contributors of NAFLD have not been fully explored. To this end, we used the liver-specific insulin receptor knockout (LIRKO) mouse, a unique nondietary model manifesting 3 hallmarks that confer high risk for the development of NAFLD: hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. We report that parental metabolic syndrome epigenetically reprograms members of the TGF-β family, including neuronal regeneration–related protein (NREP) and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15). NREP and GDF15 modulate the expression of several genes involved in the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism. In particular, NREP downregulation increases the protein abundance of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) and ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY) in a TGF-β receptor/PI3K/protein kinase B–dependent manner, to regulate hepatic acetyl-CoA and cholesterol synthesis. Reduced hepatic expression of NREP in patients with NAFLD and substantial correlations between low serum NREP levels and the presence of steatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis highlight the clinical translational relevance of our findings in the context of recent preclinical trials implicating ACLY in NAFLD progression.

Philadelphia : Barrington and Haswell, 1850.

London : Longmans, Green, Reader, and Dyer, 1877-1878.

A 24-team Stanley Cup Playoffs? Here's a look at the latest NHL buzz and a hypothetical Flyers matchup. By Jordan Hall

Perhaps it was not just a massive slice that made Pizza Rat a true New Yorker

High doses of radiation have been linked to cancer induction in irradiated populations such as atomic bomb survivors. Medical imaging directs significant radiation doses to human tissues. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that children are more sensitive to radiation than adults.

The link between cancer induction from moderate radiation doses such as diagnostic imaging is controversial. This study uses Food and Drug Administration–accepted formulas to calculate theoretical risk of breast cancer induction in female pediatric trauma patients receiving diagnostic imaging of the thoracic spine. (Read the full article)

Malaria parasites invade and replicate within red blood cells (RBCs), extensively modifying their structure and gaining access to the extracellular environment by placing the plasmodial surface anion channel (PSAC) into the RBC membrane. Expression of members of the cytoadherence linked antigen gene 3 (clag3) family is required for PSAC activity, a process that is regulated epigenetically. PSAC is a well-established route of uptake for large, hydrophilic antimalarial compounds and parasites can acquire resistance by silencing clag3 gene expression, thereby reducing drug uptake. We found that exposure to sub-IC50 concentrations of the histone methyltransferase inhibitor chaetocin caused substantial changes in both clag3 gene expression and RBC permeability, reversing acquired resistance to the antimalarial compound blasticidin S that is transported through PSAC. Chaetocin treatment also altered progression of parasites through their replicative cycle, presumably by changing their ability to modify chromatin appropriately to enable DNA replication. These results indicate that targeting histone modifiers could represent a novel tool for reversing epigenetically acquired drug resistance in P. falciparum.

The study is the second in a series, after an earlier report found that OPEC’s spare capacity reduces oil price volatility and generates as much as $200 bn of annual economic benefits for the world economy.

Genetically modified diamondback moths designed to replace pesticides by wiping out female moths have been released in New York state