mutation
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Gene editing tool could treat many diseases created by mutations
The use of gene editing to eliminate diseases has numerous challenges, including the not-so-small problem of dealing with mutation-based conditions like Huntington's. Existing approaches that replace the gene could cause damage. Salk Institute scientists say they've created a tool that can perform edits when mutations are at work. SATI (Single homology Arm donor mediated intro-Targeting Integration) builds on HITI, a variant of the familiar CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technique, deals with mutations by inserting a healthy copy of a troublesome gene into the non-coding region of DNA. As the DNA repairs itself, the normal gene integrates into the genome alongside the old one -- it eliminates the harm from the mutation without taking risks.
Smoking triggers hundreds of DNA mutations every year
You know that smoking is bad for your health. However, scientists have just shed additional light on how those toxic chemicals can wreck your body. A newly published study has determined that a pack-a-day smoker typically produces 333 DNA mutations per year, and only about half of them (150) are in the lungs. There are also mutations in the larynx (97), pharynx (39), mouth (23), bladder (18) and liver (6). Many of those mutations are harmless, but you're effectively rolling the dice with every year that you puff -- you're triggering a "cascade" of gene damage that could lead to cancer.
Mutants exist and are fighting lethal diseases
A study that analyzed the genetic data of almost 600,000 people has discovered that mutants are very real. But, rather than shooting lasers from their eyes or lifting cars, their power is to lead a healthy, normal life. The meta-study, conducted by a team led by Stephen Friend, found 13 individuals who should have either been dead or seriously ill. Despite this, they've been unaffected by disorders like Tay-Sachs and cystic fybrosis, thanks to some genetic mutation in their bodies that's been quietly fighting the condition.
Aphex Twin is making music software based on mutation
Aphex Twin (aka Richard James) is known for creating original, complex sounds whenever he can, but his next creation might just take the cake. He tells Groove that he hired a programmer to develop music software based on mutation. Once you give the app an audio sample, it automatically generates six variants on that and asks you to pick your favorite before going on to create more variations -- think of it as natural selection for sweet beats. The software still "needs to be tweeked," and there's no mention of a public launch, but the early output reportedly sounds "totally awesome." Don't be shocked if one of James' post-Syro albums uses this software to create some truly one-of-a-kind tunes.
Left 4 Dead 2 Steam beta introduces 'Extended Mutation System'
The Left 4 Dead 2 beta program has added the Extended Mutation System, an expanded toolset for modders to author custom scripts controlling enemy behavior, spawn points and custom game types. A Valve-created survival variant, called Holdout, is included as a Mutation example.Valve has published a wiki page detailing everything possible with the Extended Mutation System for budding directors, explaining the scripting language used in the game and some of the finer points of Mutation modding. Throughout this test phase, Valve will monitor what Mutations players come up with, fix bugs when needed and keep a close eye out for any features that may be missing.If you're in the Left 4 Dead 2 beta program – if you want in, this is probably the best place to ask for an invite – you can get cracking on your own custom Mutations right now.
Left 4 Dead 2's latest mutation has a Special Delivery for the survivors
These guys just can't catch a break, can they? As if the zombie apocalypse wasn't enough for the survivors to deal with, Left 4 Dead 2's latest mutation, Special Delivery, removes spawn timers for special infected and raises their in-game cap to 10. Can you imagine it? The safe house is in sight; you're almost there and the effects of those hastily-consumed pain pills are quickly fading. Then you see them: two boomers, two jockeys, a spitter, a smoker and four tanks. Okay, maybe our version of the mutation sounds a bit extreme, but you get the idea.
Left 4 Dead 2's latest mutation invites the survivors to a Hunter Party
It's Friday, which means it's Pizza Night in America. Sure, a slice of 'za is a great way to cap off the week, but some people prefer their unwinding to be a bit more slaughterful. So we'd like to point out the latest Left 4 Dead 2 mutation: Hunting Party. This mutation simplifies the horde by turning all of the Special Infected into Hunters. No Boomers, no Smokers, no Jockeys, just the sheer agony of listening to screeching, nimble Hunters like so many dozens of nails scratching against so many dozens of chalkboards. And the tearing -- oh, why all of the tearing?
Next Left 4 Dead 2 mutation reintroduces competitive survival
This week's Left 4 Dead 2 mutation introduces a game mode so clever, we're surprised Valve hadn't thought of it yet -- or have they? Yes, players will temporarily be able to re-experience the magic of Survival Versus, in which one team of four survivors lasts as long as it can on a chosen Survival map, and then the next team tries to beat their time. The competing teams go back and forth in this manner until one team fails to surpass the other's lifespan. It sounds like a pretty hectic addition to an already hectic game type. Give it a try this week only if you think you can handle all the hect ... hecticnicity?
Left 4 Dead 2's next mutation suffers a Healthpackalypse
The one thing saving Left 4 Dead 2 from being the world's most comprehensive zombie apocalypse survival sim is its liberal use of pain meds and "health packs." In the real world, these things don't have the immediate recuperative effects they do in the video games. If you want a taste of how it'll truly be, you should probably check out this week's mutation: Healthpackalypse. In this custom Versus play mode on both the PC and Xbox 360, the survivors get no health packs whatsoever. If you're on the Infected side, laugh maniacally as the humans try to make it through without the use of first aid. If you're on the survivor side, well -- better luck next time! It's called "the apocalypse" for a reason, muchachos.
Left 4 Dead 2 mutation plays Follow the Liter this week
The Left 4 Dead blog has revealed this week's mutation of choice, and it's another round of Follow the Liter, in which only one character can carry a gas tank at the time, and they always spawn together (meaning that Infected know where the survivors are going to be). Should be a grindfest, but Valve thinks you'll like it -- they're bringing some old modes like this back to see if they can "take" a second time around. And just for kicks, you Left 4 Dead fans can head past the break for a (NSFW due to language) fanmade mashup between Pixar's Toy Story (the original one!) and your favorite zombie headshot game. We won't ruin the surprise, but after what happens below, Woody's going to need some pills here.
L4D2's next Mutations: Gib Fest on PC; Chainsaw Massacre on 360
Valve has announced the latest Mutations for Left 4 Dead 2 and it looks like the Survivors will have a leg up on the undead hordes. It's good to know that even in the apocalypse, humans can sometimes catch a break. In the PC version, players can check out Gib Fest, where all survivors are packing M60s with unlimited ammunition. Xbox 360 players will have to get a bit more up-close-and-personal in Chainsaw Massacre -- all survivors will have access to nothing but Chainsaws. Who wants zombie kebab?
Valve breaks down Left 4 Dead 2 mode stats, 'Gib Fest' is latest mutation
Valve has posted some interesting stats for Left 4 Dead 2's mutation modes. The team has been watching you closely as you work your way through the zombie hordes, and it turns out you like realism and gore in your L4D games: Realism Versus and Chainsaw Massacre have been the two most popular mutations by far, with Realism Versus (which was later turned into a permanent mode) grabbing 41 percent of the player base during its featured week and 22 percent of the playing time. The Chainsaw mode was the "most tried" of the mutations, with 52 percent of the player base revving it up, and 14 percent of player minutes spent playing it. Outside of mutations, versus and the co-op campaign actually both nab about 40 percent of players every day. And while Valve doesn't mention any of the least-played mutations, it does give notice to the Infected-doubling Hard Eight mutation, which was only tried by 26 percent of players but still grabbed over 10 percent of that week's playing time. This week, it's a "Gib Fest," with everyone on the team getting M60s and unlimited ammo. That sounds like a hunting accident just waiting to happen.
New L4D2 Mutation: Hard Eight (more like 'Just Hard')
At first, we really liked the idea of Left 4 Dead 2 "mutations." They promised fun tweaks to the gameplay to keep it interesting and fresh. In practice, however, they seem more like an excuse for Valve to make the game even harder. For instance, this week's mutation is "Hard Eight," which doubles the maximum number of active special Infected from four to eight. Eight. What's that? You just killed a Boomer? Well, don't worry, because there are seven more standing right behind you.
Left 4 Dead 2's latest mutation is nothing but swords
The official Left 4 Dead 2 blog has posted the latest mutation to Valve's great zombie apocalypse simulation and it's ... swords. All swords, all the time. Hacking, slashing, slicing, dicing, piercing, thrusting -- you name it, you'll be doing it against the undead horde. The post also has the results of the poll about players' favorite level finale, and Dark Carnival's Midnight Riders concert takes the win on Xbox 360, with The Parish's bridge traversal tying it for PC players. The worst? Unanimously, Hard Rain's boat wait is the pick (and we'd have to agree). Finally, the blog teases next week's mutation with the words "Hard Eight." That could only mean one thing: Get ready to star in an underrated Paul Thomas Anderson movie!
Latest Left 4 Dead 2 mutation: more like Left 1 Dead
Valve's latest "mutation" gametype for the Left 4 Dead 2 "The Passing" DLC takes three survivors out of the equation. "Last Man on Earth" is a single-player mode in which the player is the only Survivor left in the world, and must face nothing but Special Infected without the help of other players or even bots. In other words, it might has well have been called "The Player is Murdered Immediately." Instead of an opportunity to play with developers (since, you know, it's single-player), Valve is encouraging players to record sixty-second clips of gameplay and upload them to YouTube with the tag "L4D2LastSurvivor." If you want to see lots of footage of player characters being torn apart by Special Infected, now you know where to go.
Left 4 Dead 2 gets permanent Realism Vs mode, new weekly Mutation
You guys really liked that Realism Vs mode in Left 4 Dead 2, huh? Lucky for you, Valve's Left 4 Dead Blog passes along word that it's been made into a permanent game type. Valve reports the final results of the in-game poll show 68 percent of those voting wanted it to be permanent, while only 21 percent of those voting didn't want it hanging around -- the final 11 percent really had no opinion. Apathy doesn't help kill zombies, people. And because it's past Thursday, there's now a new Mutation to enjoy: Follow the Liter. In this Scavenger variant, the gas spawning is limited to a solitary can in one location known to both the Survivors and the Infected. Sounds like Mad Max -- you know, but with zombies. The Left 4 Dead Blog offers more details and teases us with next week's Mutation title: Last Gnome on Earth. You think that's a The World of David the Gnome reference?
Left 4 Dead's 'The Passing' Achievements unveiled, spoilery
We've had to walk on eggshells to avoid spoiling the twists and turns of Left 4 Dead 2's imminent content expansion, "The Passing," due out this Thursday on PC and 360. This post is ... well, it's no different at all. Posted after the jump is the list of Achievements included in the DLC, a handful of which may ruin certain plot points you might want to avoid until you get your hands on the new chapter. You've been warned!
Evolution as it does and doesn't apply to MMOs
A few days ago, we discussed the lack of innovation in the MMO market at the moment, as well as some of the underlying reasons behind it. The topic prompted We Fly Spitfires to postulate the idea that we needed an MMO that broke most if not all of the established and accepted rules of the genre. In his own parlance, we needed a mutation instead of a steady evolution. Those of you familiar with evolutionary science might be quirking your eyebrow a bit, as did Of Teeth and Claws, where it was pointed out that mutation is a part of evolution. Continuing the analogy, it's a part of the slow improvement we see in our genre of choice, as the source leading to feature implementation and improvement. And as Killed in a Smiling Accident added, evolution is not a straight line, nor does it select features based on inherent quality -- the current "standard features" have evolved because they're best at succeeding in the current environment (that is, the market). Ultimately, aside from fascinating extension of the analogy, the biggest point to be taken away from both this discussion and the previous one is that change in the genre isn't something which will happen overnight. While the powerful influence that World of Warcraft has placed upon the genre is beginning to abate a bit, it'll be quite some time before it's discarded wholesale.
