Scientists decoded the last 8% of the human genome

Plus: NASA scientists have a new message for extraterrestrials Apr 01, 2022 [View in browser]( Scientists have filled in millions of missing bits of human DNA, achieving a gapless and comprehensive sequence of the human genome, for the first time. This establishes a new benchmark for understanding human genetic diversity in all its splendor. In other words, it means that, when you have your genome sequenced in the future, scientists will be able to identify all of the variants in your DNA and use that information to better guide your healthcare. Exciting stuff. But, before we peer inside ourselves and examine the human genome, today’s video will take you to the heart of a vehicle wheel factory. Good morning. I’m Derya, an editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s roll. [Video]VIDEO OF THE DAY [Here's how vehicle wheels are made in a factory]( If you've ever wondered how wheels are made, then you're in for a treat. [Here's how vehicle wheels are made in a factory]( HEALTH [A huge team of scientists finally decodes the last 8% of the human genome]( [Machines similar to this one made the project possible.]( A team of 99 researchers from across the globe [published a complete draft of the human genome]( in the academic journal Science. Scratch that. The breakthrough comes nearly twenty years after the Human Genome Project made a similar claim by ignoring sections of DNA that were then believed to be unimportant. - During the process, the team also corrected thousands of structural errors in our previous most complete reference genome. The achievement cannot be overstated: It holds enormous promise for improving our understanding of human evolution and illness. Having one complete genome brings us a big step closer to the kind of personalized medicine that researchers have talked about for decades. Time will tell whether personalized medicine can live up to its promise of providing affordable, targeted treatments [based on an individual's genetic make-up]( but researchers remain optimistic. [Read More]( INNOVATION [A massive Airbus A380 flew using 100% sustainable fuel made from cooking oil]( [Airbus A380.]( Ever wondered what to do with old cooking oil? It turns out it could power the world's largest passenger airliner. Airbus [performed the first-ever A380 flight powered]( by 100 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) derived mainly from cooking oil and other waste fats. - The SAF-powered A380 took off from Blagnac Airport in Toulouse, France. It flew for approximately three hours, powered by a Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine running on sustainable fuel. All Airbus aircraft are already certified to fly using up to 50 percent SAF mixed with kerosene, but the company aims to take things a step further by earning 100 percent SAF flight certification before 2030. Sustain the fall. SAF has shown great potential for cutting emissions for the aviation industry, which accounts for roughly 2 percent of all global emissions annually. Other companies, [including Rolls-Royce]( are running tests with a view to also powering their engines using the sustainable fuel alternative in the future. [Read More]( SCIENCE [NASA scientists have a new message for extraterrestrials]( [The Allen Telescope Array.]( How can we communicate with extraterrestrials? A team of researchers led by Jonathan Jiang of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory [has set out to answer that very question](. - Though we’ve yet to find extraterrestrial life, the search is heating up thanks to projects like China's FAST Telescope and NASA's James Webb Telescope. With this in mind, the team outlined a new design for a message aimed at intelligent alien life forms. Is there anybody out there? The 13-page paper, titled "Beacon in the Galaxy" is a basic introduction to mathematics, chemistry, and biology as understood by humans. The team also included details like the best time of year to broadcast their message and potential targets for their message, including a dense ring of stars near the center of the Milky Way galaxy. One important detail that this message also adds is a return address that should allow any receiver to pinpoint the exact location of Earth and send back their own message. Let's just hope that message isn't picked up by an intelligent species [capable of destroying solar systems](. [Read More]( MAIL & MUSINGS It’s the hard truth: The number of aliens who want to talk to us seems to be exactly zilch. Should we contact aliens? Be sure you check back tomorrow for the results! [Yes. Let’s see what happens.]( [No! It’s a recipe for disaster.]( [We should look for them, not make them aware of our existence.]( [It’s not worth trying. Heat death is coming for us all.]( Yesterday’s Results We asked whether you think NASA is right to fight for the ownership of Neil Armstrong's moon dust sample. Most of you are with NASA. I agree with NASA. An artifact from space cannot be privatized. 55% Well, they shouldn’t have lost it in the first place. 22% It’s just… dust. 16% I’d like to bid, please. 7% QUOTE OF THE DAY “ History repeats itself, in part because the genome repeats itself. And the genome repeats itself, in part because history does. The impulses, ambitions, fantasies, and desires that drive human history are, at least in part, encoded in the human genome. ” Siddhartha Mukherjee in “The Gene: An Intimate History” AND ANOTHER THING... - A U.S. firm [is building smart contact lenses]( with digital displays and eye-tracking features. - When the U.S. cut itself off from Russian energy products, [uranium was not on the list](. (The Verge) - Here is [how we learn, think, remember, and solve]( problems. - Ancient smells [are revealing the secrets of the Egyptian tombs]( Jars containing fish, fruit, and beeswax balm sustain the tomb’s residents in the afterlife. (Nature) - Elon Musk [is not happy about Biden's billionaire taxes]( claiming SpaceX and Tesla wouldn't have flourished under them in 2008. - Vast seas of sand dunes can not only grow, but also move and interact with one another. Now, a recent study suggests [they can also “breathe” water vapor](. (Science Alert) - Dyson [has unveiled a pair of bizarre headphones]( that come with an air-purifying mouth visor. But will it flop? [Share to Win]SHARE TO WIN [All products]( Share The Blueprint! Give your friends deeper insights into engineering and tech, and win exclusive IE swag for free. [Read Details]( Share your link Copy & share your referral link with others. 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