How our brains count things

In this episode:

00:46 Engineered pig kidneys show transplantation promise

Kidneys from genetically-engineered miniature pigs have been transplanted into non-human primates, in some cases keeping the animals alive for more than a year. Using CRISPR, a team made dozens of edits to the pig genome to prevent the monkeys’ immune system from attacking the organs. They also removed pig retrovirus genes that could represent an infection risk. These steps are necessary if pig organs are to be used in human transplants, something many clinicians and researchers think will be needed to overcome a critical shortage of organs for transplantation.

Research article: Anand et al.

News and Views: Pig-to-primate organ transplants require genetic modifications of donor

Nature News: The most-complex gene edits yet move pig organs closer to human transplant

09:02 Research Highlights

How babies’ nasal immune systems could explain why they tend to have mild cases of COVID-19, and the molecular ‘glue’ that allows 3D printing with challenging materials.

Research Highlight: How the littlest children stop SARS-CoV-2 in its tracks

Research Highlight: 3D printing tackles tricky materials with help from tiny crystals

11:35 Briefing Chat

This time, the discovery that the human brain uses one system for estimating whether a group contains four or fewer items, and a different one for when there are five or more. Plus, we discuss how researchers fixed the Euclid telescope’s wobbles.

Nature News: Your brain finds it easy to size up four objects but not five — here’s why

Nature News: ‘Immense relief’: Universe-mapping Euclid telescope fixes problem that threatened mission

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