A new Anthropic life‑sciences group built an integrated AI-human research workflow and laboratory to mine huge DNA databases for uncharacterized protein systems. Using Claude agents, the team scanned sequence data at scale (roughly 950 agents, 210 million tokens, ~21 hours), collected over 200,000 reverse transcriptases (RTs), generated ~3,500 candidate systems and distilled those to the top 20 human‑readable reports for expert review and lab testing. Human scientists performed BSL‑1/2 bench work guided by Claude Science and Claude Code; the group iteratively trains the model on what kinds of hypotheses are worth following, then validates biochemical and structural properties experimentally.
The autonomous analysis identified a previously unrecognized bacteriophage system composed of a reverse transcriptase, an adjacent accessory gene, and a long, evenly spaced array of noncoding repeats. The repeat array resembles CRISPR-like repeat banks and is transcribed into distinct short RNAs; the team named the system ART (array‑associated reverse transcriptases). ARTs combine features that, in other systems, enable programmable operations on DNA - cutting, copying and pasting - although the precise mechanism remains to be determined. Early biochemical and genomic evidence supports ART as a novel, potentially programmable enzyme system; further experiments and a technical preprint document the findings and invite broader scientific follow-up.
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Chinese automakers have developed a fast-charging technology that can charge electric vehicles in five minutes. This advancement could enable China to replace all petrol stations with EV chargers within five years. (newsminimalist.com)
Hail causes billions of dollars in damages and is expected to worsen with climate change. Scientists in Colorado analyze hailstone layers to better understand their formation and improve mitigation efforts. (hcn.org)
Astronomers have captured an unprecedented image of a gas giant forming, providing new insights into planetary birth processes. This observation offers valuable data for understanding how massive planets develop in space. (phys.org)
Elephants in Kenya's Mount Elgon region are believed to self-medicate by consuming medicinal plants and mineral resources, according to local indigenous knowledge. Researchers identified 35 plant species and four soil types potentially used for health purposes by elephants, supported by detailed local observations. (nature.com)
Creatine uptake enhances the activation and immunostimulatory function of dendritic cells, supporting its potential use in cancer immunotherapy. The research shows that creatine boosts anti-tumor immunity in mice and human cells. (cell.com)
The human body is poorly designed overall, with the liver being a notable exception due to its remarkable regenerative ability. Many other parts, like kidneys and limbs, are fragile, prone to damage, and lack regenerative capacity, highlighting evolutionary trade-offs in biological design. (dynomight.substack.com)
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