Researchers modified AlphaFold AI to identify and alter key areas of the Cas9 protein in gene-editing systems, significantly reducing off-target effects from 28% to 5% through targeted amino acid swaps.
Wildfires in France, Germany, Greece, Spain, and Portugal have emitted over 8.31 million tonnes of CO₂ by July 22, with a 57% rise in European wildfires since 2022. WHO Europe warns of more frequent and intense blazes due to climate change, highlighting severe health impacts from smoke pollution.
Archaeologists at Vindolanda, a Roman fort in northern England, have unearthed a 1,600-year-old sandstone carving of a guardian spirit (genius) that protected the military outpost, offering insights into Roman soldiers' spiritual lives and religious practices on Hadrian's Wall.
A California court has struck down portions of the state's Diwali holiday law, less than a year after its official recognition. The ruling targets the legislation's description of Diwali's religious significance, not its aim to allow observers paid leave, according to the Hindu American Foundation.
Heat health alerts are active across parts of England until Sunday, with temperatures possibly reaching 30C as dry, warm weather persists. This follows a drought declaration in north Wales and the upper Severn region, and concerns over climate change's impact on extreme weather.
Experts identify common causes of fatigue and poor sleep, including high CO2 levels in bedrooms, low creatine stores, insufficient daylight exposure, lack of fibre, and late-night eating, offering simple lifestyle adjustments to improve energy and rest.
Scientists created 'Moon cement' using lunar and Martian regolith simulants, testing it for six months outside the ISS. Samples showed no degradation, with one composition exhibiting 35% higher compressive strength than Earth controls, advancing off-world construction.
Australia's national security watchdog, INSLM, recommends reforming espionage and foreign interference laws, warning they risk undermining democracy and press freedom. The review proposes new offenses against transnational repression and clearer national security definitions to protect civil liberties.
Parts of Wales, including north Wales and Upper Severn, are officially in drought due to record-low river flows and heatwaves, with July set to be the driest in nearly 200 years. This follows similar declarations in England and comes amid wider European drought intensified by climate change, impacting wildlife, farming, and prompting water restrictions.
La préfecture a ordonné l'évacuation de 195 chalets au VVF Lège-Cap-Ferret le 23 juillet. Vacanciers et personnel ont été évacués par route et mer, certains trouvant refuge dans des salles communales, tandis que des habitants aidaient les pompiers.
Brutal heat and a marine heatwave in southern Europe have triggered intense wildfires in France and Spain, forcing approximately 30,000 people, including thousands of tourists, to evacuate. Authorities in both countries are deploying resources as record-breaking temperatures and land burned exacerbate the crisis.
China's senior men's football team will not participate in the Fifa Asean Cup in September, opting instead for warm-up matches against Palestine and North Korea in Chongqing as part of their preparation for next year's Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. The women's and U23 men's teams will compete in the Asian Games in Japan.
A large Danish study of 3.1 million participants over 18 years found a modest but consistent association between long-term exposure to road traffic noise and a 3% higher risk of Parkinson’s disease for every 11.5dB rise in noise. Having a quiet part of the home may mitigate this risk.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has declared drought status for parts of Wales, including North and South Gwynedd, Ynys Môn, Dee, Clwyd, and Upper Severn, due to widespread wildfires, critically low river levels, and successive heatwaves. This marks the first UK region to face such a declaration this summer, impacting wildlife, farming, and water quality.
China has rapidly closed the AI gap with the US, developing open-source models like Kimi K3 that rival top US systems at lower cost. This advance has prompted US threats of sanctions and bans over alleged IP theft, while China dismisses the claims as "technological bullying."
West Virginia deployed about 500 National Guard members after torrential rain caused flash floods, prompting Governor Patrick Morrisey to declare a state of emergency. Emergency crews are conducting search and rescue operations, with concerns about potential fatalities and widespread power outages.
The French Football Federation is set to announce Zinedine Zidane as the new men's national team coach on Tuesday, succeeding Didier Deschamps. Zidane, a former Real Madrid boss and France legend, is widely expected to lead Les Bleus in upcoming UEFA Nations League matches.
Bison Futé prévoit une circulation très dense avec des drapeaux orange et rouge pour vendredi 24 et samedi 25 juillet en France. Les départs seront particulièrement difficiles dans le Nord-Est, Sud-Ouest et au niveau national samedi, tandis que les retours depuis la Méditerranée et Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes seront également perturbés.
Major carmakers, including BMW, Ford, Nissan, and Toyota, privately lobbied the UK government to revoke the 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales, advocating for an "open technology approach" that includes hybrids and sustainable fuels. Campaigners and Polestar criticized the move, while the government reiterated its commitment to the ban.
Dunedin, New Zealand, is seeing hotels book out two years ahead of a total solar eclipse on July 22, 2028, the first in the region in over 850 years, expected to attract 35,000 visitors and boost tourism.
Hosepipe bans across large parts of England are causing public frustration and a "culture war" over exemptions for vulnerable groups. Critics blame water companies for significant leaks and AI data centers for high water consumption, while experts highlight climate change and aging infrastructure as root causes.
French authorities reported 5,764 excess deaths between June 17 and July 2, primarily among those 75 and older, during a heatwave. This comes as southern Europe faces extreme temperatures, with Spain battling massive wildfires and other countries experiencing heat-related issues.
Redwood High School student Ben Mueller's Instagram report on Jeffrey Epstein files, linking them to Marin County, sparked a defamation threat from Gisele Attias Bonnouvrier. This led to administrative pressure on the student newspaper, the Redwood Bark, and ultimately the resignation of their journalism teacher, Erin Schneider, amidst broader concerns about student press freedom.
Several significant football transfers have been announced, including Leandro Trossard's move to Besiktas, Nathaniel Brown joining Bayern Munich, Denzel Dumfries signing with Real Madrid, and Emersonn transferring to Ipswich. Other notable moves include Harry Winks to Cagliari, Mathys Detourbet to Manchester City, Illan Meslier to Arsenal, and Gonçalo Ramos to Milan, alongside Robert Lewandowski's move to Chicago Fire.
