Lifeboat Foundation

Circa 2013

Tigers and their close relatives (Panthera) are some of the world’s most endangered species. Here we report the de novo assembly of an Amur tiger whole-genome sequence as well as the genomic sequences of a white Bengal tiger, African lion, white African lion and snow leopard. Through comparative genetic analyses of these genomes, we find genetic signatures that may reflect molecular adaptations consistent with the big cats’ hypercarnivorous diet and muscle strength. We report a snow leopard-specific genetic determinant in EGLN1 (Met39Lys39), which is likely to be associated with adaptation to high altitude. We also detect a TYR 260GA mutation likely responsible for the white lion coat colour. Tiger and cat genomes show similar repeat composition and an appreciably conserved synteny. Genomic data from the five big cats provide an invaluable resource for resolving easily identifiable phenotypes evident in very close, but distinct, species.

This flying motorcycle takes coolness to new heights.

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Audi has unveiled the “AI: ME,” a Level 4 autonomous, all-electric concept car. Its high-tech features are contrasted with a nature-inspired design.

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Astra, DARPA’s rocket startup of choice, is preparing to launch satellites into orbit in record time.

The mind-reading tech works without brain implants.

Walking and running may affect the functional connectivity of brain networks in different ways, according to a new study.

A tiny nanoparticle has been chilled to the max.

Physicists cooled a nanoparticle to the lowest temperature allowed by quantum mechanics. The particle’s motion reached what’s known as the ground state, or lowest possible energy level.

In a typical material, the amount that its atoms jostle around indicates its temperature. But in the case of the nanoparticle, scientists can define an effective temperature based on the motion of the entire nanoparticle, which is made up of about 100 million atoms. That temperature reached twelve-millionths of a kelvin, scientists report January 30 in Science.

Lego is an unusual candidate to make thermal computing cost less.