The world, the universe and us Weekly: Dire wolves (not) brought back from extinction; US science in existential crisis; how to pour the perfect coffee
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Apr 11, 2025 A company claims to have reintroduced dire wolves through genetic engineering, sparking debates on whether these pups are truly dire wolves or just grey wolves in disguise. Meanwhile, U.S. scientific agencies face significant budget cuts, raising alarms about the future of public health. On a lighter note, physicists unveil the ideal method for pouring coffee, promising perfect brews. It's a mix of ethical dilemmas, funding crises, and the pursuit of the perfect cup that keeps listeners engaged!
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Dire Wolf De-Extinction?
- Colossal Biosciences claims to have revived dire wolves using gene editing on grey wolves.
- Experts argue that these are merely modified grey wolves, not a true de-extinction.
Species Definition Debate
- Colossal's species definition, based on morphology, is convenient for their claims.
- However, genetic data often reveals cryptic species that look identical but are distinct.
US Science in Crisis
- US science faces an existential crisis due to sweeping cuts across various agencies.
- These cuts impact crucial areas like public health, disease control, and climate research.