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New DNA editing tool promises greater precision than CRISPR-Cas9
A new genome editing method called prime editing appears to provide greater precision than the current leading CRISPR-Cas9 technique (Nature). Unlike CRISPR-Cas9, prime editing nicks and replaces only one strand of DNA at a time, reducing the likelihood of random insertions or deletions of DNA sequences that can be made by cells' repair systems in CRISPR-Cas9, where both strands are cut and replaced at once.
NordVPN server breached, private keys stolen
NordVPN has acknowledged a breach that affected one of its servers 19 months ago, in which private keys, including one used to secure the company's website and another that appears to have been used to secure a private certificate authority, were stolen by hackers (Ars Technica). While security breaches are a fact of life for online service providers, NordVPN's handling of it has been poor, with a long delay in disclosure – the company says it's been carrying out an audit – and continued use of hyperbolic advertising while this was ongoing.
TikTok removes ISIS propaganda accounts
TikTok owner ByteDance has removed around two dozen accounts used to spread ISIS propaganda on the social micro-video platform(TheNextWeb). The accounts published content including videos of corpses, proclamations of support and songs promoting the terrorist group, although only a handful of them had more than 1,000 followers.
Europe's drying peatlands may start releasing carbon if they aren't protected
A new study has found that Europe's peatlands are drying out, with 40 per cent of them now dryer than they've been in the past 1,000 years and 24 per cent dryer than they've been in 2,000 years (BBC News). These areas serve as natural carbon sinks, holding on to five times as much carbon as forests, but if they dry out, this process goes into reverse as peat decomposes, releasing trapped carbon into the atmosphere.
Apple Watch Series 5 review: still the best, but where’s the rest?
The Apple Watch apparently accounted for half of all the 45 million smartwatch sales in 2018 (WIRED). Rubbing salt in the wearable wound, Apple will supposedly sell more watches than the entire Swiss watch industry combined this year. Having casually won the smartwatch fight some time ago, the Apple Watch is now taking on the established watch world, and it's winning.
Boilers, porn and planes
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This article was originally published by WIRED UK
