QLN 35 (151) - Saving World's DNA, "Galactic 02", Hawaiian Wirldfires, Zimbabwe's Digital Token & Stem Cells Moment

This newsletter has?5?cover stories,?26?articles,?5 videos &?1?quote

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SMALL TALK

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A scientific rescue mission aims to analyze every plant, animal, and fungus before it’s too late

The information encoded within the genomes of different species holds the potential for humans to decipher the origins of life, create novel foods, medicines, and materials, and even rescue endangered species. However, a significant portion of this valuable data is slipping away, primarily due to human activities driving an ongoing mass extinction. The ongoing threat has placed over forty thousand animal, fungal, and plant species in the realm of endangerment—only accounting for those that have been identified. A cohort of scientists has embarked on a critical scientific rescue mission known as the Earth BioGenome Project , or E.B.P. This initiative aims to sequence the genomes of every plant, animal, and fungus existing on Earth, including numerous single-celled organisms like algae. The ultimate objective is to capture the findings of life's magnificent experiment before time runs out.

Virgin Galactic's 2nd commercial flight sets some new records

Virgin Galactic has achieved resounding success with its second-ever commercial mission, establishing numerous records. On August 10, the company conducted the "Galactic 02" flight , which successfully transported six individuals to suborbital space and back. Notably, four of these participants were women, marking a groundbreaking achievement for the highest number of women on a single spaceflight, as confirmed by Virgin Galactic. Among the six individuals, three were private passengers who left an indelible mark on space tourism. This group encompassed the inaugural mother-daughter duo, with one of them attaining the distinction of being the youngest-ever space traveler. Additionally, a former Olympian made history as the first from their category to journey to the final frontier.

Death toll in the deadliest wildfire in recent US history is mounting

Having combed through just a quarter of the scorched area from the Maui wildfire, authorities in Hawaii have indicated that the current death toll from this devastating blaze, which already stands as the most fatal wildfire in the United States in over a century, might see a substantial increase. In parallel, frustration towards the government's handling of this unprecedented wildfire is intensifying. Concerned citizens are voicing inquiries regarding multiple facets of the government's reaction, spanning from the adequacy of warnings issued during the inferno to the effectiveness of aid distribution in the days following the disaster.

Zimbabwe central bank to rollout gold-backed digital Tokens for public use

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has announced its impending launch of a retail-oriented digital token backed by gold (GBDT), as stated by the RBZ. This development follows the commendable reception of the token among investors, as highlighted in a recent report by the bank. The introduction of the GBDT was declared by the RBZ in April, and by July 21, the bank had conducted 11 issuances, equivalent to 325 kilograms (716.5 pounds) of gold, as detailed in a midterm financial report released on August 9. These tokens derive their value from physical gold held by the RBZ.

After an initial hype, embryonic stem cells are still waiting for their moment

A quarter-century ago, back in 1998, scientists in Wisconsin achieved the isolation of potent stem cells from human embryos. This marked a pivotal milestone in the field of biology, as these cells serve as the foundational building blocks of human bodies, holding the remarkable potential to differentiate into various cell types—ranging from heart cells to neurons and beyond. However, despite the passage of more than twenty years since that breakthrough, there hasn't been a single treatment introduced to the market that relies on these cells.

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FK's MEDIUM BLOG

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OTHER ENGAGING READS

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VIDEO CORNER

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“Jokes of the proper kind, properly told, can do more to

enlighten questions of politics, philosophy, and literature

than any number of dull arguments.”

Isaac Asimov

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