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Professor Emmanuelle Charpentier and Professor Jennifer Doudna have won the 2020 Nobel Prize in chemistry for their work developing a method for genome editing.
The award takes the number of women who have ever won the Nobel Prize in chemistry from five to seven.

Both scientists will equally share 10 million Swedish kronor (£866,000) for their discovery of “one of gene technology’s sharpest tools” – the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technique, or “genetic scissors” as the committee described it.

Image: How do the genetic scissors work? Pic: Nobel Committee
“Using these [scissors], researchers can change the DNA of animals, plants and microorganisms with extremely high precision,” said the Nobel committee.
“This technology has had a revolutionary impact on the life sciences, is contributing to new cancer therapies and may make the dream of curing inherited diseases come true.”

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It is the first time the Nobel Prize for chemistry has been awarded to two women in the same year in its 119-year history.

The genome editing technique they developed is based on creating proteins which match the DNA code where a “cut” is going to be made.
This effectively allows researchers to insert, repair or edit a gene in such a way that the DNA doesn’t see the change as damage, but as a legitimate edit to be replicated by the cell.
“There is enormous power in this genetic tool, which affects us all,” said Claes Gustafsson, chair of the Nobel Committee for chemistry.
“It has not only revolutionised basic science, but also resulted in innovative crops and will lead to ground-breaking new medical treatments,”

“My wish is that this will provide a positive message to the young girls who would like to follow the path of science, and to show them that women in science can also have an impact through the research that they are performing.”- 2020 Chemistry Laureate Emmanuelle Charpentier. pic.twitter.com/0yWdih3hpl
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 7, 2020

The discovery was described as an unexpected result of Professor Charpentier studying the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes.
She discovered a previously unknown molecule, tracrRNA, in the bacteria and found that this molecule was part of an ancient immune system, CRISPR/Cas, that disarms viruses by cleaving their DNA.
“Charpentier published her discovery in 2011. The same year, she initiated a collaboration with Jennifer Doudna, an experienced biochemist with vast knowledge of RNA,” the committee reported.
“Together, they succeeded in recreating the bacteria’s genetic scissors in a test tube and simplifying the scissors’ molecular components so they were easier to use,” it added.

When #NobelPrize laureates Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna investigated the immune system of a Streptococcus bacterium they discovered a molecular tool that can be used to make precise incisions in genetic material, making it possible to easily change the code of life. pic.twitter.com/LU0JEYqLNW
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 7, 2020

“In an epoch-making experiment, they then reprogrammed the genetic scissors.
“In their natural form, the scissors recognise DNA from viruses, but Charpentier and Doudna proved that they could be controlled so that they can cut any DNA molecule at a predetermined site.
“Where the DNA is cut it is then easy to rewrite the code of life,” the Nobel committee added.
Since the scientists discovered these genetic scissors in 2012, the tool has contributed to an enormous range of research, including developing crops that can withstand mould, pests and drought.
In medicine, clinical trials of new cancer therapies are under way, and the dream of being able to “cure inherited diseases is about to come true” the citation concluded.

Apple is holding special event on 13 October at which it is expected to launch the iPhone 12 and a handful of other products.
The company unveiled a range of new products including Apple Watches and iPads in its September event last month, but for the first time in years it did not released a new iPhone.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the iPhone launch event in October is being held online – like the September one and Apple’s developer conference in June – and will broadcast at 6pm UK time.
You can follow it live with Sky News, but here’s what to expect ahead of time:

Image: Apple’s September event focused mainly on the Apple Watch
The main invite that has been sent out has the title “Hi, Speed”, suggesting the company is going to be making a big deal out of the inclusion of Apple Silicon – or its in-house developed computer chips – as it did in September for the A14 Bionic, available in the new iPad Air 4.

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The chip was described as “by far the most advanced we’ve ever made” with transistors so small they “challenge the laws of physics” with about 11.8 billion packed into a single chip.

“We’re talking about a scale so small, they’re measured in atoms,” Apple said.

More from Apple

It is the first time such a chip has been announced in any product line other than the iPhone, potentially due to the delayed release date which the company warned investors about earlier this year.
According to Apple, the iPad Air 4 is three times faster than the top-selling Android tablet, and six times faster than the top-selling Chromebook. We’ll have to wait and see what comparisons Apple makes with the iPhone 12.
Apple is expected to unveil four devices in three different sizes in the iPhone 12 range.
They are rumoured to include super-fast 5G wireless connectivity for the first time, with the models going on sale to consumers on 23 October.
The smallest device will have a 5.4-inch screen from corner to corner, two will measure 6.1 inches, and the biggest one will have a mammoth 6.7-inch display.
The 6.7-inch version and one of the 6.1-inch models are expected to be Apple’s higher-end devices, potentially called the iPhone 12 Pro range, and feature the latest technology that the company has developed.
These Pro models are expected to retain the triple-lens housing which debuted with the iPhone 11 Pro, while the regular and smaller iPhone 12 models will have a dual-lens set-up for its rear cameras.
It isn’t clear what the smaller iPhone 12 will be called, but there have been some suggestions it might be named the iPhone 12 mini.

Image: Apple could be set to drop the iPhone charger from its next device
Apple is rumoured to have added a new distinctive metal frame reminiscent of that used for the iPhone 4 and the newest iPad Pro models too to differentiate the devices from the iPhone 11 range.
The design is expected to align with that of the iPad Pro, with the stainless steel frame giving the device a square-edged look – although for most consumers these design features tend to be hidden by protective casings.
For months it has been rumoured that the iPhone 12 will be sold without headphones, a charger or a plug adaptor in the box.
The best features are rumoured to be packed into the 6.7-inch device, including a rear camera system which will use lasers to calculate depth information for the immediate environment – opening up a range of new photography and augmented reality features.
Apple is also rumoured to be working on over-the-ear headphones to add to the AirPods family, potentially called AirPods Studio – although leaks on Chinese social media claim these headphones won’t feature in the event.

Image: Apple will reportedly launch bluetooth-tracker tags
Perhaps the most novel new addition will be the Apple AirTags – similar to the Tile Bluetooth trackers, which can be added to a keyring or other physical items and located using an iPhone app.
Particularly exciting is the idea of an augmented reality tracker, which would enable users to pull up the app on their iPhone and get an overlay of where the tag is located in the immediate environment.
It could be particularly handy if you don’t know which room you left your keys in. But even if the tag has been left further afield, there are suggestions it could be located by other iPhones through Apple’s “Find My” app mesh network.

Apple has announced a special event on 13 October at which it is expected to launch the iPhone 12 and a handful of other products.
The company unveiled a range of new products including Apple Watches and iPads in its September event last month, but for the first time in years it did not released a new iPhone.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the iPhone launch event in October is being held online – like the September one and Apple’s developer conference in June – and will broadcast at 6pm UK time.

Image: Apple’s September event focused mainly on the Apple Watch
You can follow it live on Tuesday with Sky News, but here’s what to expect ahead of time:
The main invite that has been sent out has the title “Hi, Speed”, suggesting the company is going to be making a big deal out of the inclusion of Apple Silicon – or its in-house developed computer chips – as it did in September for the A14 Bionic, available in the new iPad Air 4.

Advertisement

The chip was described as “by far the most advanced we’ve ever made” with transistors so small they “challenge the laws of physics” with about 11.8 billion packed into a single chip.

“We’re talking about a scale so small, they’re measured in atoms,” Apple said.

More from Apple

It is the first time such a chip has been announced in any product line other than the iPhone, potentially due to the delayed release date which the company warned investors about earlier this year.
According to Apple, the iPad Air 4 is three times faster than the top-selling Android tablet, and six times faster than the top-selling Chromebook. We’ll have to wait and see what comparisons Apple makes with the iPhone 12.
Apple is expected to unveil four devices in three different sizes in the iPhone 12 range.
They are rumoured to include super-fast 5G wireless connectivity for the first time, with the models going on sale to consumers on 23 October.
The smallest device will have a 5.4-inch screen from corner to corner, two will measure 6.1 inches, and the biggest one will have a mammoth 6.7-inch display.
The 6.7-inch version and one of the 6.1-inch models are expected to be Apple’s higher-end devices, potentially called the iPhone 12 Pro range, and feature the latest technology that the company has developed.
These Pro models are expected to retain the triple-lens housing which debuted with the iPhone 11 Pro, while the regular and smaller iPhone 12 models will have a dual-lens set-up for its rear cameras.
It isn’t clear what the smaller iPhone 12 will be called, but there have been some suggestions it might be named the iPhone 12 mini.

Image: Apple could be set to drop the iPhone charger from its next device
Apple is rumoured to have added a new distinctive metal frame reminiscent of that used for the iPhone 4 and the newest iPad Pro models too to differentiate the devices from the iPhone 11 range.
The design is expected to align with that of the iPad Pro, with the stainless steel frame giving the device a square-edged look – although for most consumers these design features tend to be hidden by protective casings.
For months it has been rumoured that the iPhone 12 will be sold without headphones, a charger or a plug adaptor in the box.
The best features are rumoured to be packed into the 6.7-inch device, including a rear camera system which will use lasers to calculate depth information for the immediate environment – opening up a range of new photography and augmented reality features.
Apple is also rumoured to be working on over-the-ear headphones to add to the AirPods family, potentially called AirPods Studio.

Image: Apple will reportedly launch bluetooth-tracker tags
Perhaps the most novel new addition will be the Apple AirTags – similar to the Tile Bluetooth trackers, which can be added to a keyring or other physical items and located using an iPhone app.
Particularly exciting is the idea of an augmented reality tracker, which would enable users to pull up the app on their iPhone and get an overlay of where the tag is located in the immediate environment.
It could be particularly handy if you don’t know which room you left your keys in. But even if the tag has been left further afield, there are suggestions it could be located by other iPhones through Apple’s “Find My” app mesh network.

A team of palaeontologists headed by experts from the University of Edinburgh has discovered a new species of toothless, two-fingered dinosaur.
Multiple complete skeletons of the feathered species – named Oksoko avarsan – have been unearthed in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert, providing critical clues about evolution.

The dinosaurs, which were omnivorous and grew to about two-metres long, thrived more than 68 million years ago.
They had two functional digits on the end of each forearm and had a large toothless beak similar to modern parrots.

Image: Several complete fossils were unearthed in the Gobi desert
According to the team, the fossils provide the first evidence of digit loss in the three-fingered dinosaur family known as oviraptors.

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The new species had one less finger than its close relatives, suggesting an adaptability which enabled the animals to spread during the late Cretaceous period, researchers said.

The discovery that they could evolve forelimb adaptations suggests the group could alter their diets and lifestyles, and enabled them to diversify and multiply, the team claimed.

More from Science & Tech

Dr Gregory Funston of the University of Edinburgh said: “Oksoko avarsan is interesting because the skeletons are very complete and the way they were preserved resting together shows that juveniles roamed together in groups.
“But more importantly, its two-fingered hand prompted us to look at the way the hand and forelimb changed throughout the evolution of oviraptors, which hadn’t been studied before.
“This revealed some unexpected trends that are a key piece in the puzzle of why oviraptors were so diverse before the extinction that killed the dinosaurs.”
According to the researchers, oviraptors gradually lost their third finger over the course of their evolutionary history as it first reduced in size and then disappeared altogether.

Image: The skeletons reveal interesting clues about dinosaur evoluton
The changes to the creatures’ arms and hands took place as they migrated to new geographic areas, specifically to what is now North America and the Gobi Desert.
Oksoko avarsan, like many other prehistoric species, also appeared to be very social as juveniles – with the remains of four young dinosaurs preserved resting together.
The study, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, was funded by The Royal Society and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada.
It also involved researchers from the University of Alberta and Philip J Currie Dinosaur Museum in Canada, Hokkaido University in Japan, and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences.

This September was the hottest on record across the globe, scientists have found.
Surface temperatures worldwide were 0.05C higher than 2019, making it the hottest September since records began, according to the EU Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S).

Europe also experienced its hottest September ever – beating the previous record set in 2018 by around 0.2C, the service said.

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Wildfires tear through Argentina countryside

The overall increase saw warmer temperatures in the Siberian Arctic, where this year the ice extent melted faster than normal due to forest fires in the wider region.
September is the month when the ice extent is at its lowest – following the summer melt and before it freezes again for winter, the scientists said.

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Heatwave in Siberia ‘man-made’

There were also well-above average temperatures in the Middle East, South America and Australia, they added.
The C3S, which is implemented by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), monitors the global and European climate using billions of measurements from satellites, ships, aircraft and weather stations around the world.

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‘We’re at the last hour’: Charles’ climate warning

The findings are a clear reminder of climate change worldwide, which this year has resulted in devastating wildfires burning large parts of the US states of California and Oregon.
But the Arctic is where temperatures are rising “faster than anywhere else in the world”, the C3S said.

Image: Last month saw warmer-than-usual weather for the UK and beyond
Carlo Buontempo, director of C3S at the ECMWF, added: “In 2020, there was an unusually rapid decline in Arctic sea ice extent during June and July, in the same region where above average temperatures were recorded, preconditioning the sea ice minimum to be particularly low this year.
“The combination of record temperatures and low Arctic sea ice in 2020 highlight the importance of improved and more comprehensive monitoring in a region warming faster than anywhere else in the world.”