How phages escape CRISPR and start an arms race

Viruses can mutate to escape bacterial CRISPR defenses

A virus can escape a bacterium's CRISPR defense by changing the DNA sequence that the defense recognizes. The bacterium may then need to save a new matching piece of viral DNA to protect itself again. This creates an ongoing evolutionary arms race between virus and bacterium.

Ancient Greeks counted the Sun as a planet

Over the year, the Sun appears from Earth to move through the zodiac, so Greek astronomers grouped it with the seven “wandering” planets. Roman-era weekday names still preserve that ancient grouping.

Egyptians cluster along the Nile

98% on 3% of Egypt

Egypt’s extreme dryness concentrates people along the Nile Valley and Delta. About 98% of Egyptians live on just 3% of the country’s land.

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How phages escape CRISPR and start an arms race

Viruses can mutate to escape bacterial CRISPR defenses

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