“There are a bunch of newsletters out there I have read. News Items is the one I want to read.” — Jane Metcalfe, Chair of the Board of Directors, Human Immunome Project, co-founder Wired magazine and Wired Ventures.
1. A database of predicted structures for nearly every known protein on Earth is being upgraded to better represent some of the least known and deadliest species: viruses. Researchers added more than 8,000 virus protein dimers — pairs of interacting molecules — to the AlphaFold Protein Structure Database today. The resource contains predictions of the 3D structure of proteins, which are generated using the AlphaFold2 artificial-intelligence tool and made publicly available. The added proteins come from 23 virus families, all with human-infecting members, and are part of the launch of a ‘pandemic preparedness portal’ within the widely used and freely available AlphaFold database. (Source: nature.com, biorxiv.org. The research paper is here.)
2. The Wall Street Journal:
President Trump hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a summit heavy on ceremony and light on outcomes, concealing major disagreements between the two superpower nations on trade, technology and Beijing’s support for Iran.
A modest two-month extension on an existing trade detente was reached, and the leaders discussed artificial intelligence threats. Xi warned about a broader “zero sum gladiatorial contest.” And once again he pressed Trump on Taiwan, the democratic, self-governing island that China claims as part of its territory, saying the U.S. should oppose independence.
Trump seemed intent on putting a bow on his friendship with Xi and showing off his remodeling of the White House. Speaking Thursday night at a state dinner, Trump maintained the pleasantries and didn’t delve into the substance of earlier discussions. Xi said they had common understanding on issues without elaborating. (Source: wsj.com)
3. The Guardian:
Iran said it has told Donald Trump it is willing to open the strait of Hormuz in six days, and to start talks on its nuclear program the day after, so long as the US lifts sanctions on Iran’s oil exports in return, ends the war on all fronts – including in Lebanon – and releases some of Iran’s frozen assets.
The proposal is designed to accelerate the steps first laid down in the memorandum of understanding signed by the US and Iran in June, particularly by helping the talks on Iran’s nuclear program start much more quickly than previously agreed.
Iran says a deal on the temporary route through the strait of Hormuz has been agreed with Oman, describing it as a done deal, and is ready to register the details with the International Maritime Organisation.
Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian foreign minister, said he was waiting to hear a response from the Americans to the proposal. He added that he had consulted on the plan with China, which fully supported the proposal. (Source: theguardian.com)
