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Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 188 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:
CRISPR-Cas13 is the newest pair of “molecular scissors” researchers are using to edit the genetic material of plants, animals and microorganisms. Unlike Cas9, the Cas13 enzyme cuts RNA, the intermediate between DNA and proteins in the central dogma of molecular biology. Targeting transient RNA molecules instead of DNA could make the Cas13 technique a little safer, though it’s not as precise as CRISPR-Cas9. It may therefore be premature to say the newer technique is an improvement on existing gene-editing methods.
Are you willing to donate your eyes to science? Some organ donors are, and their contributions may help us pin down the causes of blindness. A team of researchers has devised a way to preserve human eyes once they are taken from donors, which will keep them functional long enough for scientists to investigate how different conditions can induce blindness. This development could prove to be an important step forward for ophthalmology, since much of the field’s existing research is performed on rodents.
Charles Darwin posited that humans develop athletic and artistic abilities to improve our chances of attracting desirable romantic partners. A recent study conducted by psychologists in Brazil lends some interesting support to Darwin’s conclusion. The survey showed that women and men use their talents to attract attention from the opposite sex, though they use these skills differently. Men tend to use their ability to compete with other men, while women use their skills as “ornaments” to attract mates.
Kevin M. Folta is a professor, keynote speaker and podcast host. Follow Professor Folta on Twitter @kevinfolta
Cameron J. English is the director of bio-sciences at the American Council on Science and Health. Visit his website and follow ACSH on Twitter @ACSHorg