Scientists clash over mirror life

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Microbes based on mirror images of molecules in the natural world would have a hard time surviving outside the laboratory, according to a modelling study. To do so, they would need a ready supply of “mirror food”, or some novel way to feed themselves. “Our view is that mirror life would likely face very severe barriers under a broad range of ecological conditions, making successful establishment difficult,” says Ricard Solé at the Santa Fe Institute, New Mexico. But the research has drawn a backlash from other experts in the field who warn that it may underestimate the grave risks posed by such organisms. Read more

A virus has stopped pancreatic cancer in its tracks in three people in a clinical trial in the US. Further evaluation is needed in larger trials, but the early results are encouraging, especially since only small doses of the virus were administered for initial safety testing. “We only injected one-tenth of the dose we are eventually aiming at, so the efficacy is better than I expected, especially as this is pancreatic cancer,” says Masato Yamamoto at the University of Minnesota, who led the development of the viral treatment. Read more

Individualism is on the rise, and according to one of the largest ever studies on love, it is affecting how we feel about our partners. Read more

Particles of light cannot be divided into smaller particles, but if you try to snip off the end of one, instead of shortening it multiplies. Read more

One of the world’s last stable glacier regions may have finally begun to succumb to global warming. Read more

A quantum computer has been used to create a horror video game – and it’s available to play online. Read more

According to a mathematical model of how people weigh up different outcomes, the optimal strategy is to be ambitious, but not overly so. Read more

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Columnist Karmela Padavic-Callaghan never bought any bitcoin, and thought that might be enough protection to get away with not caring about cryptocurrency. But the impending quantum revolution means that if you have a home mortgage or a retirement savings account, there’s a good chance some of your money is tied up in bitcoin’s fate. And now, we’re facing the real prospect of Q-Day, the moment when quantum computers become powerful enough to break the encryption that is supposed to keep cryptocurrencies safe. Read more

This week, our readers want to know:

What percentage of a dog or cat’s food intake is used just to maintain their fur coats? 

and

Stars are orbited by planets, and planets by moons. So why are there no moons with natural satellites of their own? 

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