Peptides from the venom of the Tasmanian cave spider and giant Japanese funnel-web spider effectively kill Varroa destructor mites while leaving honeybees unharmed. This research marks a significant advancement in potential treatments for protecting honeybee hives from this deadly parasite.

DNA can be sequenced at home using an Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION by collecting cheek cells from a swab, preparing them for sequencing, and analyzing the results. Cheek cells are easily accessible and replenish quickly, but they are not suitable for diagnosing conditions like cancer or inflammation.

Equine cloning has become a mature industry in Argentina's polo scene, with cloned horses now commonly used. Ethical dilemmas surrounding the practice continue to be a topic of discussion.

Craig Venter, a key figure in the Human Genome Project, passed away on April 29th at the age of 79. He was known for his ambitious efforts to decode the human genome and was often seen as a rival to other prominent scientists in the field.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that are gaining attention as new drugs available for mail order. The term "peptide" can have different meanings in scientific contexts compared to popular usage.