The CRISPR protein (blue and pink) is hooked up to an RNA sequence (orange) that guides where to cut DNA (purple)Science Photo Library / Alamy Stock PhotoThe risk of developing many common conditions could be drastically reduced by making dozens of edits to peoples genomes at the embryo stage, claims a team of biologists and ethicists. We dont yet have the technology to do this safely, but we should start thinking about whether to use it when we do, they say.However, their paper has come under fire from other biologists, who say we currently know too

Paraparticles could appear as vibrations in certain quantum systemsGiroscience/Science Photo LibraryA group of fundamental particles, long theorised but thought to be physically impossible, might exist after all. Known as paraparticles, they could one day have exotic applications if we ever manage to detect them.Paraparticles arent a new idea, but physicists have previously dismissed them as having no relevance to physical reality. The concept has its origin in a division between the known fundamental particles that are always classified as belonging to one of two groups, either a fermion or a boson.

Digital models of the ancient molluscs Punk ferox and Emo vorticaudum, created from X-ray scans of their fossilsSutton et al. Nature (2025)Fossils of two prehistoric marine molluscs with distinctive spiky hairstyles have been discovered and named Punk and Emo.Their strange appearance highlights the ancient diversity of molluscs which nowadays include organisms like snails, slugs, clams and octopuses. AdvertisementSome people may be a bit down on molluscs. My partner called them loser animals. But theyre one of the really major branches of life, says Mark Sutton at Imperial College London.He and his colleagues unearthed the finds, which date back 430 million years, at a UK site known as the Herefordshire Lagersttte.The fossils, from a group of molluscs known as Aculifera, were so delicate that the researchers couldnt just crack open the stone that contained them because that would destroy their fragile forms. Unmissable news about our planet delivered straight to your inbox every month.Sign up to newsletterInstead, Sutton and his colleagues used X-ray scans to discern the structures inside the rock and then took thin slices of the material, photographing each layer and then putting the images together to create a 3D picture of what the organisms looked like. Both were worm-like animals about 2 centimetres long with long spines.The music-related monikers were originally pet names, says Sutton, because the spike-laden fossils were reminiscent of hairstyles from the punk rock movement, but the names stuck, leading to the official suggestions of Punk ferox and Emo vorticaudum.The spikes are probably mostly protective, says Sutton, although it is possible that they were formed because the organisms needed to get rid of the calcium that accumulated in their bodies as they went about life in the sea. Quite often, such hard protuberances may serve both purposes, he says.The researchers arent sure how Punk moved, but the way a specimen of Emo is preserved in a folded position hints that it inched along a little like a caterpillar. Emo also had a bunch of stout spines at the back that point downwards and could have worked as a ratchet to aid motion, says Sutton.These spines would have stopped it sliding backwards in the sediment as it bent, ensuring it went forwards, he says. This inching hasnt really been shown in any fossil at all before, says Sutton.I really like the names and they definitely fit the bill for these spiky molluscs, says Luke Parry at the University of Oxford. Fossil molluscs that preserve soft tissues like this are incredibly rare, and so seeing what these unusual ancient animals looked like in 3D is just spectacular. This site in Herefordshire appears to be a treasure trove, like a wormy mollusc Pompeii.He too thinks it is likely that the spikes would have primarily been protective because both species certainly would have moved around on the sea floor rather than burrowing.Journal reference:Nature DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08312-0Topics:

The ship felt impressively big.We boarded our cruise in Greece. David Morris We began our cruise in Piraeus, Greece, and the process was quick and easy.Within minutes of arriving at our ship, we were brought on board and given Champagne. Every cabin on this ship is a suite.We stayed in an ocean-view suite on our Explora Journeys cruise. David Morris When booking our spots on the 813-foot-long ship, we could choose from three tiers of cabins: suites, penthouses, and residences. Residencies are the highest tiers and can come with butlers and private jacuzzis.My roommate and I were happy with our 377-square-foot, entry-level ocean-terrace suite, which had two twin beds, a balcony, a walk-in closet with a dressing room, and a lounge area. My favorite feature was the heated floor in the bathroom.Our bathroom felt pretty spacious. David Morris The heated floors were a nice touch in our fairly spacious bathroom.I also loved the sizable walk-in shower, strong water pressure, and ample counter space. The room featured a Dyson hairdryer and other solid amenities.The light-up mirror in our dressing room was also a hit. David Morris The dressing room was spacious, with ample storage and a vanity area complete with a light-up mirror.My friends were particularly excited that cabins come with a quality Dyson hair dryer, as some cruise lines restrict the wattage you can use for these devices.There were also nice touches throughout the room, like wireless charging pads for cellphones built into the nightstands.Our cabin host also ensured our complimentary minibar was fully stocked with coconut water, ginger beer, Belvedere, and other items throughout our trip. I loved that our terrace had a daybed.The terrace felt pretty cozy. David Morris All cabins come with private outdoor spaces. Ours had a comfortable daybed and a table with two chairs. The ship has multiple restaurants, but Fil Rouge was my favorite.I enjoyed the lobster thermidor at Fil Rouge. David Morris The ship had numerous dining options, from a pan-Asian eatery to a steakhouse. Fortunately, meals atmost were included in the cost of our cruise fare.My favorite was Fil Rouge, as I thought its French-inspired menu was very well executed. Standout dishes included crab cakes, escargot, lobster thermidor, veal Wellington, and daily souffls. My second-favorite eatery was the ship's only added-cost dining room.I took part in the tasting experience at Anthology. David Morris Meals at the onboard Italian-inspired eatery Anthology were not included in our cruise fare, but we headed there for my birthday.We participated in its seven-course tasting experience for 140 euros a person, plus an extra 60 euros each for wine pairings. It wasn't cheap, but we paid for it with onboard credits that came with our booking.Our food was excellent, with bites featuring Oscietra Royal caviar, lobster, truffle, and A5 Japanese wagyu. There were also bars and lounges on board.Lobby Bar had plenty of seating. David Morris We had plenty of spots to hang out in on the ship, from a whisky bar to a mixology lounge.My favorite was Lobby Bar, which was centrally located on the ship. Some of my friends preferred the Explora Lounge, which served afternoon tea and offered sweeping views of the ocean. I also liked the onboard spa, high-end retailers, and pools.I made sure to spend some time at the spa. David Morris I had two incredible massages at the onboard spa, which was fantastic. Much to my surprise, going there didn't cost me extra on most cruises, travelers must pay for spa access.There were also numerous pools and jacuzzis on board and some seriously high-end retailers. We looked through luxurious pieces from brands like Cartier and Piaget, and my friend was even able to purchase a Rolex. Still, the ports really made this cruise.I enjoyed our stop in Greece. David Morris Our cruise stopped in numerous places throughout Greece, Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro.The Greek island of Paros was a highlight for me. Its beaches were truly stunning, and I loved how authentically Greek the towns felt.We also particularly loved Dubrovnik in Croatia. As my friends enjoyed shopping for leather goods, I relished walking through the walled city made even more famous by HBO's "Game of Thrones."My favorite experience, though, was visiting the walled city of Kotor, Montenegro, and spending the afternoon at nearby Nikki Beach. Overall, my Explora Journeys cruise gets high marks from me.Nikki Beach was one of my favorite places we visited. David Morris I was really impressed by the service, amenities, and rooms on this cruise.Plus, we stopped in so many places and our small ship spent a decent amount of time docked in each. I really felt like I could take my time experiencing every city because we'd typically arrive at port very early in the morning and sometimes leave as late as 11 p.m.As the MSC Group continues to grow Explora Journeys by adding new itineraries and ships, I think it will become a really prominent player in the luxury-cruise space.

The amount of calcium in a glass of milk could lower the risk of colorectal cancer, a study on women found. Many foods, including seeds, canned sardines, and figs, are high in calcium.The studies comes as cases of colorectal cancer in people under 50 rise in the US.Consuming the amount of calcium found in a glass of milk could reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, according to a new study involving women. That was regardless of whether the calcium came from dairy or non-dairy sources. Foods such as figs, leafy greens, and tofu are among the non-dairy sources of calcium.In the study published on Wednesday in Nature Communications, the authors said this suggests calcium itself, rather than milk, was the main factor responsible for cutting the risk.Using dietary and health data provided by more than 542,000 women with an average age of 59 over for around 16 years, researchers from Oxford University studied whether 97 foods affected colorectal cancer risk. They found that consuming an extra 300mg of calcium a day was associated with a 17% lower colorectal risk from the baseline. In the US, the lifetime risk of developing the disease is approximately 4.4% for men and 4.1% for women.Calcium is commonly known as a mineral the body needs to build and maintain strong bones. But calcium may have a protective effect against colorectal cancer because it binds to bile acids and free fatty acids in the colon, which helps reduce their cancer-causing potential, the study said.Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related death in US men and the forth-leading cause in US women, according to The American Cancer Society. The rate of people being diagnosed with the condition has fallen since the mid-1980s, but in people under 55, rates have been increasing by 1% to 2% a year since the mid-1990s.The link between colorectal cancer risk and diet is well-established, and experts recommending people cut down on ultra-processed foods and red meat, and instead eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. But the new findings could help provide even more targeted dietary guidance.The study was observational, meaning the researchers didn't intervene in any way, and more research is needed to confirm a link between calcium intake and cancer risk. "It is difficult to separate the effects of individual nutrients from an effect of milk per se," Tom Sanders, professor emeritus of nutrition and dietetics at King's College London, said."We already know that around half of all bowel cancers could be prevented by having a healthier lifestyle, and this new research supports this, with a particular focus on dairy," Lisa Wilde, director of research and external affairs at the charity Bowel Cancer UK, said. If you don't drink dairy milk, there are other ways you can get calcium and still reduce your bowel cancer risk, she added.Americans should consume around 1,000mg of calcium a day, according to the Office for Dietary Supplements. Here are six foods that are high in calcium, including some that might surprise you.SeedsSome seeds pack a punch when it comes to calcium content.One tablespoon of sesame seeds, for example, contains 100mg of calcium, while one tablespoon of poppy seeds contains 127mg or around 10% of the daily recommended amount.They are also high in other nutrients such as fiber and healthy fats.Whey proteinAs well as being high in protein and helping to promote muscle growth, whey protein powder is very high in calcium.A 1.2-ounce scoop of whey protein powder isolate contains about 160 mg or 12% of the daily recommended amount.Leafy greensLeafy greens are rich in many nutrients, including calcium.One cup of cooked collard greens has 268 mg of calcium, or about 21% of the amount the average person needs in a day. And kale has around 250 mg of calcium per 100g, which is more than the 110mg in 100g of whole milk.Spinach and chard contain lots of calcium, but they also contain a group of molecules called oxalates that bind to calcium and make it unavailable to our bodies. Tofu, kale, and sesame seeds all contain calcium. vaaseenaa/Getty Images TofuWhether it's firm, soft, or silken, tofu is also a good source of calcium. 120g of the plant-based protein steamed or fried contains 200mg of calcium.Edamame beans, which are young soybeans, also contain the mineral.Canned fishCanned fish is higher in calcium than fresh fish because it contains bones that have become soft through cooking and can be eaten.Canned sardines and salmon are particularly rich in calcium, with 60g of canned sardines in oil containing 240 mg, while 85 grams of canned salmon with bones contains 19% of the daily recommended amount.FigsDried figs contain more calcium than any other dried fruit. Just two figs have 100 mg or 10% of the calcium we need each day.They are also high in fiber, copper, potassium, manganese, magnesium, and vitamin K.

The US Navy is officially referring to F/A-18s armed with nine air-to-air missiles as "Murder Hornets."This loadout was first observed during Red Sea combat operations last year.The loadout consists of four AIM-9X and five AIM-120 missiles.The US Navy is officially using the term "Murder Hornet" to describe F/A-18 fighter jets armed with nine air-to-air missiles, a munition configuration first spotted amid Red Sea combat operations last year.The office of the Chief of Naval Operations highlighted the new term for these missile-packed Super Hornets in a document outlining the Navy's achievements over the past year. It said the configuration, which was used in combat as the sea service faced off against numerous airborne threats, involves arming the jets with four AIM-9X instead of two and five AIM-120 missiles.This air-to-air loadout was first seen on a Boeing-made F/A-18 Super Hornet during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea last April. The Ike and the other ships in its strike group had deployed to the region for several months in response to repeated Iran-backed Houthi rebel attacks on shipping lanes off the coast of Yemen.The Navy took steps to boost the air-defense capabilities of its Super Hornets amid pressing threats in the Red Sea. Navy aircraft and warships have routinely shot down Houthi drones and missiles above the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since October 2023. An F/A-18 with the Murder Hornet loadout launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea in April 2024. US Navy photo The head of Naval Air Systems Command's Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons, Rear Adm. Stephen Tedford, said last year that the heavy air-to-air configuration, among other efforts, was brought about due to the need for "a lot more firepower and capability immediately in support of Red Sea operations and counter-UAS," The War Zone, which first reported the new nickname, previously reported.The AIM-9X is the latest model in the decades-old Sidewinder family of short-range missiles, and the AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) is a beyond-visual-range missile capable of all-weather engagements. Both munitions are manufactured by US defense contractor Raytheon, now known as RTX Corporation.The Eisenhower, where the Murder Hornet configuration was first showcased, is one of four carriers that, along with their strike groups, have participated in counter-Houthi operations. US forces are routinely tasked with intercepting rebel drones and missiles; the Navy said it has defended military and civilian ships from more than 180 attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.Using a range of other munitions, the US military has also carried out airstrikes targeting the Houthis. Just on Wednesday, for instance, American forces bombed two underground weapons storage facilities in Yemen.Despite a year of combat action, the Houthis still maintain the ability to launch attacks, which they claim are done out of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. In recent weeks, the rebels have stepped up drone and missile attacks on Israel, which has responded by bombing their facilities.

Wildfires are raging across Los Angeles, turning the skies red, destroying homes and businesses, and blanketing the region with smoke and debris. The largest fire is in Pacific Palisades, which has grown to nearly 3,000 acres as of Wednesday and forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate.Three other major fires have engulfed Los Angeles County: The 2,000-acre Eaton Fire in Altadena, the 500-acre Hurst Fire north of San Fernando, and the 30-acre Woodley Fire near Sepulveda Basin. Several more small fires have also broken out throughout Southern California as powerful winds continue to sweep the region.Devastating wildfires like these are becoming increasingly common, even in places that have not historically been at risk, with climate change exacerbating the conditions that fuel them.This is a developing story. Follow here for the latest news, explainers, and analysis.

EA FC 25's latest Team of the Week is here, as Gyokeres, Gordon, Martinez and Barkley shine here's the full EA FC 25 Team of the Week 17, in packs from nowTech18:00, 08 Jan 2025Manchester United continue to be linked with Gyokeres(Image: Getty Images)The latest EA FC 25 TOTW drop is here, and while our prediction of a 'monster' Haaland card was off-base this time, we did pick plenty of players getting upgrades.Premier League stars like Newcastle winger Gordon and Bournemouth left-back Kerkez see upgrades, while Lisandro Martinez makes another appearance after his efforts against Liverpool.Still, the highlights this week are definitely Pajor and Gyokeres, with both strikers seeing pacy new cards and 89 and 88 overall stats respectively.Read on for the full EA FC 25 TOTW 17 lineup. Team of the Week 17 cards are in packs as of right now, 6pm GMT on January 8.TOTW 17 has some rapid forwardsArticle continues belowHere's the full Team of the Week squad, with their upgraded overall ratings, too.ST - Pajor (Barcelona) - 89ST - Gyokeres (Sporting) - 88CM - Pellegrini (Roma) - 87LB - Kerkez (Bournemouth) - 87LW - Gordon (Newcastle) - 86CB - Martinez (Manchester United) - 86CM - McTominay (Napoli) - 84CDM - Barkley (Aston Villa) - 86CM - Rongier (Marseille) - 84LW - Caicedo (Real Madrid) - 84GK - Montipo (Hellas Verona) - 83ST - Emegha (Strasbourg) - 83ST - Stassin (Saint-Etienne) - 83RM - Guessand (OGC Nicej) - 83LM - Hagi (Rangers) - 83LM - Davidson (Baakehir) - 83CB - Robson Bambu (Strasbourg) - 83CAM - Forson (Norwich) - 83CAM - Mayenda (Sunderland) - 83CB - Saintini (FC Martigues) - 83CDM - Thurgate (Western United) - 83RB - Laird (Birmingham City) - 83CB - Weir (Walsall) - 83For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

Freedom Wars Remastered gives a PlayStation Vita classic a new chance at finding an audience on current consoles and PC, and is well worth a look for Monster Hunter fansTech16:01, 08 Jan 2025Combat is fun, if a little clumsy(Image: Dimps Corporation/Bandai Namco)Freedom Wars was one of the brightest parts of the PlayStation Vitas software library when it launched back in 2014, bringing a unique narrative conceit and fun, bite-sized missions that felt perfect for a handheld.Reborn again on console and PC in 2025 with a Remaster, some of the games idiosyncrasies work against it, but it remains a fun, Monster Hunter -esque romp thats kept me logging in to whittle down my sentence throughout the review period.It still feels better suited to a handheld, but if you've never played before it's a great way to check out a title that deserved better back in 2014.Building a loadout is great fun(Image: Dimps Corporation/Bandai Namco)After a decade-long gap, you can be forgiven for not knowing what Freedom Wars is all about. Set in a dystopia where humanity is kept under the thumb of a watchful government in cities called Panopticons.Panopticons rival each other for resources, and anyone stepping out of line is branded a Sinner, doomed to spend comically large amounts of time in prison cells. Each crime carries its own penalty, and early on your character opts to lay down for a nap rather than stay seated, adding an extra decade onto your already six-digit prison sentence.Its a hokey Orwellian nightmare that occasionally revels in its own silliness, and while character voice acting is fine , its definitely the storys staging that had me logging in regularly and the fun combat, too, of course.With almost a million years on your prison sentence, your Sinner is sent on missions for the totalitarian government to earn early release. Each successful sortie brings your sentence closer to zero, with more challenging ones unlocking as you tick down the total. Its a fun inversion of trying to climb up the ranks of other action RPGs of this ilk.The game is best played with friends(Image: Dimps Corporation/Bandai Namco)Missions play out similarly to Monster Hunter or God Eater, with players picking a loadout and heading into relatively small arenas to gather resources and fight enemies before extracting.Sinners have ranged and melee weapons to choose from, and each has module slots that can be used to increase stats, and youll need them for the games tougher encounters.Some missions focus on dealing with other humans (and fellow prisoners), but Freedom Wars is at its best when it pits you against huge biomechanical beasts called Abductors that capture civilians like classic Doctor Robotnik inventions from Sonic games.These require a team effort to take down, as you draw its fire, search for weak spots, and try to shoot off its key components. Doing so earns you better rewards (more on that in a moment), but in the short term will make fights easier, too.Sinners are equipped with a Thorn, a futuristic grappling hook used for traversal, but also for tugging Abductors down, or climbing atop them. It gives everything a more kinetic feel, but it can feel clumsy at first.Sadly, I did feel melee combat never really starts to feel any less clunky. Ranged weapons have a satisfying kick and recoil patterns, but getting in close I found myself accidentally darting past enemies I was trying to hit. Its not on the same level as Monster Hunter, but the way you can switch between ranged and close-quarters combat certainly helps make up for that.Characters' sentences are always displayed between missions(Image: Dimps Corporation/Bandai Namco)Once you take down your foes, or scour the (relatively basic) environments for materials, you have the option to donate them to your Panopticon in exchange for currency to buy Entitlements, which can unlock additional weapons and even AI comrades.You can also keep them for yourself, using them to craft better gear, and the decision-making of whether to retool your own loadout or work towards something longer-term is a fun one Ive not seen any other game offer.It helps that missions can be relatively bite-sized, meaning you can fly through a few in an hour or so, helping the cause and grinding for what you need. Its a hangover from the games handheld origins, but it makes me think its the ideal game for the Steam Deck or Switch as a result.I played on PS5, however, and while the bump in resolution is appreciated, theres no denying the game looks its age. Still, it runs well, but similar to the Final Fantasy 7 Crisis Core Remaster, its clear its flatter, squarer arenas were developed with much less powerful hardware in mind.Article continues belowFreedom Wars Remastered gives an under-appreciated gem another chance at pulling an audience, and its mix of unique narrative concept and varied combat make it well worth a look.Reviewed on PlayStation 5. Review code provided by the publisher.RECOMMENDED

Is there room for a 2? (Nintendo)Leaks of Nintendos next console have continued to snowball, with an insider posting what appears to be the Switch 2 logo on X.Nintendo Switch 2 leaks have accelerated to an everyday occurrence over the past few weeks, with images showing the console itself, the dock, and the seemingly magnetic Joy-Cons.These leaks have only grown in volume since the start of 2025, with replicas of the console and a rumoured April launch date recently popping up at CES in Las Vegas.If that wasnt enough, another insider has now seemingly outed the logo for Nintendos next console, suggesting a reveal might be imminent.The logo comes from Universo Nintendo editor-in-chief Necro Felipe Lima, who claims to have seen the logo after being sent a photo of the console from a reliable source.In a post on X, Necro shared a recreation of the logo based on what I saw and respecting the measurements, which you can see below.As you can see, the logo itself is basically exactly the same as the original Switch, only with a massive 2 latched onto it, which is probably exactly what you would expect.If its real, the logo confirms the console will actually be called the Nintendo Switch 2, which is what the system has already been dubbed by fans.While the alleged leaks havent left much to the imagination around the console itself, the big question is when it will be revealed. Nintendo has said it will be shown before April, and various insiders have suggested January as a strong possibility.This has been further supported by insider Nintendeal, who wrote on X that they were now 99% sure the Switch 2 will be officially revealed this month, after changing his mind based on new, but unspecified, information.While January is a reasonable assumption anyone can make (theres only three months left to choose from, after all), the sheer amount of leaks might force Nintendo to make some sort of announcement soon even if that wasnt their original intention.A reliable insider has claimed an announcement around Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is set to arrive this week, leaving a late January reveal for the Switch 2 as the most likely timing.More TrendingAs for when the console will launch, speculation has varied greatly from as early as April to somewhere between late May and June. The Switch 2 leaks dont stop (Nintendo)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralExclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy