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io9First Proof that Evolution Can Work Faster Than Genetic Engineering
Click to view For years, farmers have been growing genetically-engineered cotton plants that exude an insecticide known as Bt. But now, a pest called the bollworm moth has evolved a resistance to Bt — and the altered bugs have already spread across part of the southern United States. This is the first-known example of bugs … Continued
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io9
Chameleons Use Color to Communicate, Not Hide
Though most people believe chameleons use their color-changing abilities for camouflage, a new study released today proves this is incorrect. In fact, chameleons evolved the ability to transform skin color quickly to send messages to other chameleons. In a careful analysis of how and when chameleons change color, a group of researchers from South Africa … Continued
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io9
It’s a GMO Holiday With Glowing Red Kitty, Glowing Green Bunny
Just hold ’em under fluorescent bulbs, and they’re like living, purring holiday lights! A Korean team of genetic engineers has created a super race of glowing red kitties. What everyone seems to have forgotten is that several years ago, bio-artist Eduardo Kac had some French engineers build him a glowing green bunny. Same technique: just … Continued
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io9
Humans Are Rapidly Evolving and Mutating
Not only are human beings still evolving, but it looks like life in civilization may be pressuring us to evolve faster than ever. A groundbreaking new study published today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that the cultural environment of homo sapiens, including high population density and rapid immigration patterns, is exerting … Continued
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io9
United Nations Urges Human Rights for Clones (Sort Of)
Now that human clones are everywhere, how should we treat them? It’s not just Clonaid asking anymore. The United Nations has just released a policy report saying that if we cannot reach global consensus on banning human cloning, we’ll have to cope with a world full of human clones. And you know what that means. … Continued
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io9
Future People Will Have Nicer Wobbly Bits
In just a thousand years, evolution will turn us all into supermodels, says British evolutionary psychologist and media whore Oliver Curry. That’s because “sexual selection” naturally means that only people with the nicest faces and genitals get to produce babies — which anybody who’s been to a baby shower will totally back up. Says Curry: … Continued
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io9
DNA Warlord James Watson Finally Spanked for a Lifetime of Racism, Sexism
James Watson, who won the Nobel Prize for helping to discover the double-helix shape of DNA, has been suspended from his administrative duties at Cold Spring Harbor Labs over comments he made to the London Times about how blacks are genetically hardwired with lower intelligence than other races. This should come as no surprise to … Continued
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io9
Ants Know When They Will Die
Ants apparently know exactly when they’ll die, and when the insects are closer to death they choose to do more risky jobs like foraging for food far from the nest. Many scientists had observed that older ants tend to take on risky tasks, but had postulated that this was just a function of age. But … Continued
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io9Television
The 50 Million Dollar Dame. Episode 2.
This week’s show opens at a funeral; apparently Will didn’t survive the shooting. Which immediately leads me to wonder: if the Berkut Group (a private, clandestine group dedicated to stopping rogue organizations from ending civilization as we know it) has all this Bionic technology, why didn’t they apply it to Will? Of course, with Will … Continued
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io9Television
Bionic Sex Leads To Broken Ribs!
Things couldn’t get any worse for Jaime Sommers last night on Bionic Woman. Another bionic woman shot her fiance to death last week. To make matters worse, Jaime found a secret dossier in dead fiance’s house that was all about her, dating back to years before they met. Creepy. And just to add insult to … Continued
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io9Television
Heroes Grossout: Claire’s Toe and Peter’s Chest
We’re learning more of the deep backstory on Heroes — there were superpowered mutants back in Feudal Japan, for example, and Mama Petrelli was naughty enough in her youth to piss off a Big Bad-style supermutant who now wants revenge. But let’s face it. The big standouts from last night’s episode were two grossout scenes … Continued
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io9Movies
Must See: Twelve Monkeys
Must-see movies are futuristic classics that shouldn’t be missed. Of course, not every must-see is perfect. That’s why we’ve rated them 1-5 on the patented “crunchy goodness” scale. Written by James Rocchi. Title: Twelve Monkeys Date: 1995 Vitals: Reluctant draftee Bruce Willis is sent up and down the timestream, hurled out of a virus-ruined future … Continued
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io9Movies
Must See: Planet of the Apes
Must-see movies are futuristic classics that shouldn’t be missed. Of course, not every must-see is perfect. That’s why we’ve rated them 1-5 on the patented “crunchy goodness” scale. Title: Planet of the Apes Date: 1968 Vitals: Astronaut Charlton Heston returns from a deep space mission and crash-lands on a crazy planet of … Apes! Pierre … Continued
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io9Movies
Must See: Gattaca
Must-see movies are futuristic classics that shouldn’t be missed. Of course, not every must-see is perfect. That’s why we’ve rated them 1-5 on the patented “crunchy goodness” scale. Title: Gattaca Date: 1997 Vitals: Genetic engineering is rampant, and economic status hinges on your genetic desirability. Ethan Hawke plays a genetic undesirable who steals the genotype … Continued
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io9Movies
Must See: Altered States
Must-see movies are futuristic classics that shouldn’t be missed. Of course, not every must-see is perfect. That’s why we’ve rated them 1-5 on the patented “crunchy goodness” scale. Title: Altered States Date: 1977 Vitals: One of the last great LSD-inspired science fiction movies, Altered States follows the adventures of a scientist who takes some weird … Continued
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Tech News
Norwegian Scientists Create Evolving Hardware While Jeff Hawkins Creates the Brain (Verdict: Start Building Nuclear Shelters NOW)
Say hello to Kyrre Glette, Jim Tørrenson, Jeff Hawkins and one of your future robot overlords. The first three have developed two different ways to create independent machines. The fourth is just looking to destroy you. Glette and Tørrenson, from Oslo University, have come up with what could be the next generation of hardware—machines that … Continued
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Tech News
Wii Controller Strap, v3.0: It’s Thickerer
Evolution is alive and well, and here’s proof: the Wii controller strap has now mutated into its third iteration, after the first one was accused of hurting, maiming, and otherwise causing deadly mayhem to innocent users. What’s new? The new straps are thicker, longer and have a supposedly more-durable plastic restraint that better helps it … Continued