Sarah Zhang – Page 8 – Esoteric news

March 21, 2016

Good Riddance, Chemicals: Microbes Are Farming’s Hot New Pesticides

With today’s food politics, the chemical fertilizers and pesticides that fantastically increased yields in the 20th century are looking not so hot anymore. The post Good Riddance, Chemicals: Microbes Are Farming's Hot New Pesticides appeared first on WIRED.

March 16, 2016

A Mysterious Disease Is Killing People in Wisconsin

Since November, nearly 50 people in Wisconsin have one by one fallen ill with an obscure kind of bacteria called Elizabethkingia. The post A Mysterious Disease Is Killing People in Wisconsin appeared first on WIRED.

March 14, 2016

Beyond Blood Type: Genomics Can Show What You’re Really Made Of

The AB+ on your blood donor card? Yeah, that’s a massive oversimplification. The answer to precise blood donation is genomics. The post Beyond Blood Type: Genomics Can Show What You're Really Made Of appeared first on WIRED.

March 11, 2016

Obviously Don’t Set Off Nukes to Do Cool Science. Obviously

Soon, there won't be enough radioactive carbon-14 to do carbon dating. Does it make sense to set off more nukes to continue the research? The post Obviously Don't Set Off Nukes to Do Cool Science. Obviously appeared first on WIRED.

March 10, 2016

Mutant Yeast Are Cranking Out Pharma’s Next Superdrug

The offices of Adimab, a biotech company in New Hampshire, smell like bread. But nobody's baking anything. Instead, Adimab is using yeast to cure cancer. The post Mutant Yeast Are Cranking Out Pharma's Next Superdrug appeared first on WIRED.

March 4, 2016

Lab-Grown Brain Balls Strengthen Zika’s Link to Microcephaly

Two new papers show that Zika kills developing brain tissue culture in a dish, adding evidence to support the idea that the virus causes microcephaly. The post Lab-Grown Brain Balls Strengthen Zika's Link to Microcephaly appeared first on WIRED.

March 3, 2016

Ancient Viruses Hidden in Your DNA Fight Off New Viruses

Eight percent of human DNA comes from ancient viruses that once infected our ancestors. But there’s no need for alarm about the DNA of viral origin teeming inside your cells. The post Ancient Viruses Hidden in Your DNA Fight Off New Viruses appeared first on WIRED.

March 2, 2016

SpaceX Keeps Aborting Liftoffs Because Rocket Fuel Is Tricky

SpaceX is betting superchilled liquid oxygen will give its rockets an edge—except when it comes to reliable launch schedules. The post SpaceX Keeps Aborting Liftoffs Because Rocket Fuel Is Tricky appeared first on WIRED.

March 1, 2016

You Can Bet Real Money on the US Election. It’s for Research

PredictIt, a website that definitely, absolutely doesn't count as gambling on an election. The post You Can Bet Real Money on the US Election. It's for Research appeared first on WIRED.