This Week in Evolution

Nels and Vincent examines the use of AI and genome language models to design novel derivatives of bacteriophage phiX174.

Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello

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• AI design of bacteriophage phiX174 derivatives (bioRxiv)
• Timestamps by Jolene

Nels – NIH official resigns after flap over risks of seasonal flu virus study and The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) requests input from all interested parties on Federal policy updates that aim to accelerate the American scientific enterprise, enable groundbreaking discoveries, and ensure that scientific progress and technological innovation benefit all Americans. Vincent – One Plus One Equals One: Symbiosis and the evolution of complex life by John Archibald

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Nels and Vincent explain research which shows that insertion of a retrovirus into the genome regulates a novel color trait in swordtail fish.

Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello

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• Retrovirus and swordfish scale color (bioRxiv)
• Timestamps by Jolene

Nels – Some like it hot! A geothermal amoeba sets a new upper temperature limit for eukaryotes and Kara Marshall's talk on history of science/science funding in the US, family connections to medical care, and her own lab's work at Baylor College of Medicine Vincent – NIH shake-up to grant decision-making draws concerns of political meddling

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Nels and Vincent explain research attempting to explain why among humans, females around the world live on average 5 years longer than males, but the trend is reversed in many birds, amphibians, and insects.

Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello

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• Sexual selection drives sex difference in adult life expectancy (Sci Adv)
• Timestamps by Jolene

Nels – NIH Leadership Is Failing Early Career Researchers Vincent – Kennedy's Comments on Circumcision Are Only Going to Confuse and Shame Parents

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Nels and Vincent discuss research which shows a shift from the rule that living organisms produce same-species offspring: an ant that produces individuals from two distinct species.

Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello

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• David Baltimore interview (TWiV 100)
• One mother for two species (Nature)
• Timestamps by Jolene

Nels – Dr. Bill Rom, NYU canoes every lake connected by a portage trail in the Boundary Waters in Minnesota Vincent – Google just made photography obsolete

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Nels and Vincent discuss research on hidden evolutionary constraints that dictate the retention of coronavirus accessory gene, which was flagged by NIH as potentially dangerous gain-of-function research.

Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello

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• Hidden evolutionary constraints and retention of coronavirus accessory genes (Curr Biol)
• Timestamps by Jolene

Nels – NIH suspends dozens of pathogen studies over 'gain-of-function' concerns and Mentorship and acts of kindness Vincent – Kennedy's case against mRNA vaccines collapses under his own evidence

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Nels and Vincent review research on how neuropeptides influence the behavior of leafcutter ants, and regulate the different caste behaviors such as defenders, leaf foragers, brood care, and fungus farming.

Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello

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• Neuropeptides and behavior of leaf cutter ants (Cell)
• Timestamps by Jolene

Nels – My academic job offer was rescinded. I'll keep going—but U.S. researchers are running out of road Vincent – There's a new acid in our rain — should we be worried?

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Nels and Vincent discuss an ultra reduced archaeal genome, the closest cellular entity to date that approaches a viral strategy of existence.

Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello

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• Ultra-reduced archaeal genome (bioRxiv)
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Nels – The Bethesda Declaration Vincent – US to Drop Guidance to Limit Alcohol to One or Two Drinks Per Day, Sources Say

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Nels and Vincent review the properties of Mendel's pea genes through the lens of modern genetic analysis.

Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello

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• Insights into Mendel's pea genes (Nature)
• Timestamps by Jolene

Nels – Evolution related game Vincent – Should Unvaccinated Patients Get Organ Transplants? Ethicist Weighs In

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Nels and Vincent explain the ancestry and evolution of the extinct dire wolf.

Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello

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• Evolution and ancestry of dire wolf (bioRxiv)
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Nels – Navigating to the forefront of innovation: A celebration of immigrant scientists Vincent – Exclusive: a Nature analysis signals the beginnings of a US science brain drain

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Nels and Vincent explain the ancient evolutionary origin of sex in cephalopods.

Hosts: Nels Elde and Vincent Racaniello

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• Evolution of sex in cephalopods (Current Biol)
• Timestamps by Jolene

Nels – Speaking into a microphone? Your audio quality can impact the way people view you Vincent – Remedy Supported by Kennedy Leaves Some Measles Patients More Ill

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