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Profluent, a California-based artificial intelligence (AI)-first protein design company, announced its AI model that can generate CRISPR-like proteins that do not occur in nature on Tuesday. CRISPR or Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats is a complex containing important proteins that scientists can use for precise gene editing in organisms. The company claims the usage of AI can create a vast number of such proteins that can help in creating bespoke cures for diseases which, at present, remain incurable.

Ali Madani, the founder and CEO of Profluent announced the AI model in a series of posts on X (formerly known as Twitter). The company has also made a blog post detailing the initiative and a pre-print version of its research paper has been published on bioRxiv. Besides announcing the DNA editor-generating AI model, the company also launched OpenCRISPR-1, one of the AI-created gene editors, as an initial open-source release licencing it for both ethical research and commercial uses.

Why OpenCRISPR AI Model matters

While CRISPR is a major focus of scientists, the research is limited due to the protein Cas9, which acts as a gene editor, and its equivalent being only available in nature. As a result, scientists spend a significant amount of time discovering different types of gene editors and their impact. Profluent claims its AI model, which is powered by an in-house large language model (LLM) trained on “massive scale sequence and biological context”, can now generate millions of diverse CRISPR-like proteins that do not occur in nature. In theory, these synthetic gene editors can play a pivotal role in finding cures for diseases previously thought to be incurable.

In its blog post, the company said, “OpenCRISPR-1 gene editor maintains the prototypical architecture of a Type II Cas9 nuclease but is more than 400 mutations away from SpCas9 and nearly 200 mutations away from any other known natural CRISPR-associated protein.”

What is CRISPR

CRISPR, put simply, is a complex or system found in bacteria and some other unicellular organisms. This complex contains the Cas9 (or similar proteins like Cas12 and Cas13) proteins that have a specific ability to make precise cuts in gene strands of DNA to enable editing. It was first discovered in 1987, and ever since scientists have been researching it extensively. The technology has vast applications and has already been used to artificially create crop variants that have a higher yield, are resistant to diseases, and are drought tolerant.

It is also used to change the DNA of mosquitoes so that they cannot spread diseases like malaria. Experiments are being conducted to cure patients suffering from diseases such as sickle-cell anaemia. It is also theorised that the technology can be used to edit the DNA of the embryo to create babies who are naturally resistant to diseases and possess genes that promote higher physical and mental abilities.

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7,000-Year-Old Arrow Poison Found in South Africa, Shows Ancient Hunting Skills

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February 5, 2025

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7,000-Year-Old Arrow Poison Found in South Africa, Shows Ancient Hunting Skills

A 7,000-year-old femur bone belonging to an antelope, discovered in a South African cave, has revealed the earliest confirmed use of a multi-component arrow poison. Three modified bone arrowheads were found embedded within the marrow cavity, and a recent scientific analysis has identified a mixture of plant-based toxins. This discovery provides new insight into the pharmacological knowledge and hunting practices of early humans, highlighting the complexity of their technological advancements and understanding of toxic substances.

Scientific Analysis of the Poisonous Compound

According to the reports published in The Conversation, Justin Bradfield, Associate professor at University of Johannesburg along with other researchers examined the femur using micro-CT imaging. The sediment-like substance inside the marrow cavity was found to be foreign matter rather than natural deposits. Chemical analysis confirmed the presence of digitoxin and strophanthidin, toxic cardiac glycosides that disrupt heart function. Ricinoleic acid, a derivative of ricin, was also detected, suggesting the use of multiple plant sources to create a potent poison.

Implications for Ancient Trade and Knowledge Systems

As per the research, the plants containing these toxic compounds are not naturally found near Kruger Cave, where the femur was originally discovered. No remains of these plants have been identified in previous archaeobotanical studies of the region. This suggests that early humans either travelled long distances to acquire these materials or engaged in an organised trade network for toxic plant ingredients. Such findings highlight the extensive knowledge early societies had regarding medicinal and toxic plants and their application in hunting strategies.

Historical Context of Poison Use in Hunting

Previous evidence of poison use dates back approximately 60,000 years, coinciding with the development of projectile hunting technology in Africa. While chemical verification of such early poison use remains unconfirmed, the newly analysed femur provides the first concrete proof of a deliberately mixed poison for arrows. The application of plant-based toxins to hunting weapons marks a significant evolutionary step in the efficiency of ancient hunting techniques, demonstrating a sophisticated level of planning and knowledge transfer among early human groups.

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February 2025 Planet Parade: How to See Five Planets Align in the Sky



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February 2025 Planet Parade: How to See Five Planets Align in the Sky

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February 5, 2025

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February 2025 Planet Parade: How to See Five Planets Align in the Sky

A spectacular celestial event is set to unfold in February 2025, as five of the brightest planets—Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury and Saturn—become visible together in the evening sky. The alignment will peak on February 24, when Mercury and Saturn will appear closest to each other, creating a striking visual near the horizon. Skywatchers with a clear view of the western sky at dusk will have the opportunity to witness this planetary display, with Uranus and Neptune also observable through telescopes or binoculars. Similar alignments have been recorded in the past, but this particular configuration offers an accessible viewing window for astronomy enthusiasts and casual observers alike. The next comparable event will not occur until October 2028, making this a rare chance to observe multiple planets in a single glance.

Venus and Saturn: A Contrasting Pair

According to reports, Venus will dominate the evening sky as the brightest of the five planets, shining prominently in the west-southwest. Despite its intense luminosity, Saturn, appearing below Venus, will be significantly dimmer due to its current ring orientation, which reflects less sunlight. Telescopic observation will reveal the rings as a thin line bisecting Saturn’s disk. As the month progresses, Saturn will sink lower into the horizon, becoming increasingly challenging to spot by the end of February.

Jupiter and Mars Brighten the Night

Jupiter will be another standout feature, appearing high in the southern sky with its signature silvery-white glow. Its four largest moons—Europa, Ganymede, Callisto and Io—will be visible through binoculars, particularly on February 25-26, when three of them will form a distinct triangular formation. Meanwhile, Mars, positioned in the eastern sky, will share its space with Gemini’s twin stars, Pollux and Castor. This trio will shift gradually across the sky, offering a dynamic spectacle throughout the month.

Mercury and Saturn’s Close Encounter

Mercury will emerge in the final week of February, reaching peak brightness on February 24, when it will align closely with Saturn. The two planets will be separated by only 1.5 degrees, with Mercury shining nearly eight times brighter. Observers will need a clear west-southwest horizon and binoculars to spot both planets, particularly as Saturn fades into the twilight.

Uranus and Neptune: The Fainter Participants

For those equipped with telescopes or high-powered binoculars, Uranus and Neptune will also be within reach. Uranus, with its faint greenish hue, might be visible under dark-sky conditions, while Neptune will require optical aid due to its lower brightness. The latter will spend the month in Pisces, gradually vanishing into the brightening evening sky before its solar conjunction in March.

Skywatchers hoping to view this rare planetary alignment should mark their calendars for February 24, when the best chance to witness all five bright planets together will occur.

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SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Explosion Raises Concerns Over Air Pollution

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February 5, 2025

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SpaceX Starship Flight 7 Explosion Raises Concerns Over Air Pollution

The explosion of SpaceX’s Starship Flight 7 in mid-January has sparked discussions among experts about its potential environmental impact. The upper stage of the rocket, which weighed approximately 85 tons without fuel, exploded at an altitude of around 90 miles (146 kilometres). Fragments of the disintegrated spacecraft were reported to have fallen over the Caribbean. Preliminary estimates suggest that the event may have generated significant quantities of metal oxides and nitrogen oxides, pollutants known for their effects on Earth’s ozone layer and atmospheric composition. Scientists are evaluating the extent of contamination left in the upper atmosphere due to the mishap.

Estimates of Emissions from the Explosion

As reported by space.com, according to a preliminary assessment by University College London atmospheric chemistry researcher Connor Barker, approximately 45.5 metric tons of metal oxides and 40 metric tons of nitrogen oxides may have been released into the atmosphere during the incident. Barker noted to space.com over an email that the amount of metal pollution potentially generated was roughly a third of the annual influx of meteorite material into the Earth’s atmosphere. The figures remain rough estimates rather than definitive calculations of the environmental impact.

Potential Risks to the Atmosphere

Space debris expert Jonathan McDowell stated to Space.com that “many tons” of the spacecraft’s remains likely splashed into the ocean, reducing the potential airborne pollution. Unlike many satellites and traditional rocket stages made from aluminium, Starship’s stainless steel composition limits the production of aluminium oxides, which are known to impact the ozone layer and atmospheric reflectivity.

With the increasing frequency of satellite re-entries and rocket launches, scientists are raising concerns about the cumulative impact of these pollutants. Research suggests that nitrogen oxides and metal particulates accumulating in the mesosphere and upper stratosphere could affect climate patterns and slow ozone layer recovery.

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