Good news on health, economics, species, energy
Among the free items in this edition of Fix the News:
Researchers at Caltech have invented a new DNA construction tool called Sidewinder, which they say can build long genetic sequences more accurately, quickly and cheaply than existing tools.
One of the researchers, Kaihang Wang, says: “During the pandemic it took 42 days from getting the Covid sequence to make the first mRNA vaccine, and that was just, wow. It was a huge achievement. But with our technique, from getting the DNA code, we could do it in 62 hours.”
Among the items requiring a subscription:
— Vietnam’s economic transformation is one of the defining development stories of the past 50 years, says VoxDev, an economic development website. The country endured decades of conflict, severe food shortages and high levels of absolute poverty. But now it’s among the world’s most trade‑open economies, with absolute poverty rates dropping to near zero.
— In a milestone achievement for Saudi Arabia’s ReWild Arabia initiative, the critically endangered red-necked ostrich, once celebrated by Arab poets and Roman scholars, has made a return to the kingdom after an absence of almost 100 years, reports Arab News.
— MIT says its researchers have designed silicon structures that can perform calculations in an electronic device using excess heat instead of electricity. These structures could eventually enable more energy-efficient computation.
Note to readers: I’m grateful that this is another holiday weekend! I’m going to extend it by a day and will see you next on Wednesday, February 18.
Also in the news
Bangladesh center-right party is landslide winner of first election since Gen Z uprising ended rule of increasingly autocratic leader
Whistleblower complaint against Gabbard is based on intercepted conversation of foreign nationals about Jared Kushner
Judge Boasberg orders Trump administration to help dozens of deportees whose rights were violated to return to U.S.
Border czar Tom Homan hails a ‘safer’ Minnesota as he says the state’s immigration crackdown is over
New York Fed report says Americans pay for almost all of Trump tariffs
Trump EPA revokes scientific finding that underpinned U.S. fight against climate change
Trump nominates Scott Socha, provider of hospitality services in national parks, to lead National Park Service
With no agreement on DHS funding, Congress leaves town for week-long recess, to be called back if a deal is reached
Legislation to prevent D.C. from opting out of Trump tax cuts goes to him for signature
House Speaker Mike Johnson says he disapproves of Justice Department tracking lawmaker searches of Epstein files
House renames press gallery after Frederick Douglass, a former press gallery member, in bipartisan recognition of Black history
Judge blocks Trump administration from rescinding $600 million in public health grants to 4 Democratic-led states
Judge blocks Pentagon from punishing Arizona Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly over call to resist unlawful orders
NYTimes: Epstein files ‘tell a story of a heinous criminal given a free ride by the ruling class in which he dwelled’
WSJ: Kristi Noem faces fire for confrontational immigration crackdown, self-promotional style
KFF: RFK Jr. made promises in order to become HHS secretary; he’s broken many of them
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