Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Gene drives are genetic modifications that ensure a specific trait is passed on to nearly all offspring, increasing its spread in a population. [SEP] Text: Figure 6—figure supplement 3 Download asset Open asset Characteristics of population suppression drives. The optimal suppression drive for a given population will be highly species- and situation-dependent. In species with poorly understood genetics, more technically challenging drives may not be an option. While all true drives risk spreading into non-target populations with compatible sequences, the ecological risks to those populations vary. For some drives, a single individual escaping to a non-target population could cause widespread population suppression or even extinction, while others would require multiple sequential escapees of particular drive types. Some drives will be quickly eliminated by natural selection if not continually re-released, others would require a reversal drive to restore the wild-type sequence but should not have any phenotypic effects, and the most aggressive would require a suitable immunizing drive to be released within a certain timeframe in order to prevent a population crash. All of these risks could be mitigated by first recoding the target population to create a unique target sequence using successive standard drives (Figure 5A–B). ‘Sterile-daughter’ refers to a drive cassette that causes female infertility analogous to Drives AB1 and AB2 in Figure 6—figure supplement 1; because its fitness will be at most 50% of a standard gene, it cannot exhibit true drive. Figure 7 with 1 supplement Download asset Open asset Potential applications of RNA-guided gene drives. Clockwise from left. Disease vectors such as malarial mosquitoes might be engineered to resist pathogen acquisition or eliminated with a suppression drive. Wild populations that serve as reservoirs for human viruses could be immunized using Cas9, RNAi machinery, or elite controller antibodies carried by a gene drive. Reversal and immunization drives could help ensure that all transgenes are safe and controlled. Drives might quickly spread protective genes through threatened or soon-to-be-threatened species such as amphibians facing the expansion of chytrid fungus (Rosenblum et al. , 2010). Invasive species might be locally controlled or eradicated without directly affecting others. Sensitizing drives could improve the sustainability and safety of pesticides and herbicides. Gene drives could test ecological hypotheses concerning gene flow, sex ratios, speciation, and evolution. Technical requirements for these applications vary with the drive type required (Figure 7—figure supplement 1). Figure 7—figure supplement 1 Download asset Open asset Technical limitations of different gene drive architectures with implications for various applications. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing the characteristics and implications of gene drives, emphasizing their ability to spread a trait within a population. It describes how gene drives can cause significant impacts on population dynamics, including 'widespread population suppression or even extinction' and how they can be applied in various ecological contexts. This aligns with the claim regarding the modification and passing on of specific traits in offspring to enhance their spread.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Biodegradable packaging is designed to decompose faster than conventional plastic. [SEP] Text: After 40 weeks, films were intact, and no significant CO2 or CH4 was produced from the biodegradable mulch films. We conclude that the mulch films we used have a low biodegradability in lake sediments. The sediment lacks the microbes needed to break down the biodegradable plastics that were used here. Hide Co-editor-in-chief The findings of this study are interesting to a broader audience as it demonstrates that supposedly biodegradable mulch films used for agricultural purposes remain unchanged in lake sediments over several months. The results indicate that lake sediments are a place of long-term storage rather than a place of degradation for this form of plastic. van Grinsven and Supplement Sigrid van Grinsven and 10. 5194/bg-20-4213-2023 Latest update: 02 Sep 2024 Sigrid van sigrid. van-grinsven@tum. de × Department of – Research and Management, Institute of and Technology (EAWAG), Seestrasse 79, Kastanienbaum, 6047, Schubert × Department of – Research and Management, Institute of and Technology (EAWAG), Seestrasse 79, Kastanienbaum, 6047, of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, Institute of Technology, Zurich (ETH Zurich), Universitätstrasse 16, Zurich, 8092, The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version. Preprint (1157 KB) Metadata XML Supplement (2178 KB) revised paper The findings of this study are interesting to a broader audience as it demonstrates that supposedly biodegradable mulch films used for agricultural purposes remain unchanged in lake sediments over several months. The results indicate that lake sediments are a place of long-term storage rather than a place of degradation for this form of plastic. The findings of this study are interesting to a broader audience as it demonstrates that. . . Read more Short summary Agriculture relies heavily on plastic mulch films, which may be transported to aquatic environments. We investigated the mineralization of soil-biodegradable agricultural mulch films in lake sediments. After 40-weeks, films were intact and no extra CO2 or CH4 was produced. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by providing evidence that biodegradable mulch films used for agricultural purposes remain largely unchanged and intact in lake sediments after 40 weeks, indicating a low biodegradability in that environment. It suggests that instead of decomposing quickly, these biodegradable plastics are stored long-term in lake sediments rather than degrading, which directly contradicts the assertion that biodegradable packaging decomposes faster than conventional plastic.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Mars has polar ice caps composed of water and carbon dioxide. [SEP] Text: 04. 006 (2013). 10. 1016/j. icarus. 2016. 03. 024 (2016). 10. 1038/ngeo2619 (2016). 10. 1016/0017-9310(66)90111-6 (1966). 10. 1038/nature08115 (2009). 10. 1029/2007JE003000 (2008). 10. 1002/2015JE004992 (2016). 10. 1002/2014JE004735 (2015). 10. 1029/2010GL044743. L20203 (2010). Bridges, N. T. et al. Investigation of the Bagnold dunes by the Curiosity rover: Overview of initial results from the first study of an active dune field on another planet. Conference, vol. 47, 2298 (2016). Westoby, M. , Brasington, J. , Glasser, N. , Hambrey, M. & Reynolds, J. ‘Structure-from-Motion’ photogrammetry: A low-cost, effective tool for geoscience applications. Geomorphology 179, 300–314, (2012). 10. 1029/2009JE003540 (2010). 8892. We thank two anonymous reviewers for dedicating their time to help us to enhance this paper. We are indebted in particular to S. Sutton for sharing her expertise on HiRISE image and DTM uncertainty estimates. We thank S. Diniega, P. Becerra and S. J. Conway for insightful discussions. We thank E. Dunne, K. Ryan, P. Veale, M. Harris and the Dept. of Civil, Structural and at Dublin for providing their insight, laboratory space and equipment to carry out this work. Author informationAuthors and AffiliationsDepartment of Geography, School of 2, IrelandL. E. & M. C. BourkeInstitute, 1700 E Rd, Tucson, 85719,. C. Bourke & J. N. McElwaineDepartment of 1, KeownView author publicationsYou can also search for this author in PubMed 4. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text is irrelevant to the claim about Mars having polar ice caps composed of water and carbon dioxide. It primarily consists of citations, acknowledgments, and author information without any content that addresses the claim itself or provides relevant information about Mars' polar ice caps.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Gene drives are genetic modifications that ensure a specific trait is passed on to nearly all offspring, increasing its spread in a population. [SEP] Text: In addition to those listed above, an RNA-guided gene drive spreading through a population will be under selection to maintain the function of Cas9 and the guide RNAs, as any nonfunctional mutants will lose their inheritance advantage. This selective pressure is restricted to components that relate to drive function or efficiency and will only last for as long as the drive spreads. Once it reaches fixation, any mutations that can increase fitness by inactivating the drive components will be favored. Figure 8 with 1 supplement Download asset Open asset Containment strategies and ecological risk. Ecological containment involves building and testing gene drives in geographic areas that do not harbor native populations of the target species. For example, most gene drive studies involving tropical malarial mosquitoes have been conducted in temperate regions in which the mosquitoes cannot survive or find mates. Molecular containment ensures that the basic requirements for drive are not met when mated with wild-type organisms. True drives must cut the homologous wild-type sequence and copy both the gene encoding Cas9 and the guide RNAs. Experiments that cut transgenic sequences absent from wild populations and copy either the gene encoding Cas9 or the guide RNAs - but not both - should be quite safe. Ecological or molecular containment should allow basic research into gene drive effectiveness and optimization to be pursued with negligible risk. Figure 8—figure supplement 1 categorizes these and many other possible experiments according to estimated risk. Figure 8—figure supplement 1 Download asset Open asset Estimated ecological risk of experiments during RNA-guided gene drive development. This should not be considered an exhaustive list, but includes many relevant experiments that might be performed during the development of an RNA-guided gene drive of any type. The assessment of ecological risk is intended to be a guideline only and will vary with the purpose of the drive. For example, releasing a laboratory-tested ‘neutral’ drive that is intended to cause no changes in organism phenotype beyond spreading its cas9 gene, guide RNAs, and recoded essential gene through the population is listed as a moderate risk because it will certainly edit a wild population, but in a way that is comparatively unlikely to affect its interactions with the ecosystem. Contained field trials of drives that do cause phenotypic changes are listed as moderate-high risk due to the very real possibility of a containment breach and subsequent unintentional population engineering; a standard drive with few or no expected phenotypic effects would represent a moderate risk, while a suppression drive would represent a high risk. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by explaining that an RNA-guided gene drive will be subject to selection pressure that maintains its function, and its effectiveness in spreading traits depends on this mechanism. The mention of selective pressure highlights how nonfunctional mutants lose their inheritance advantage, thereby supporting the idea that the gene drive operates to ensure a specific trait is passed on effectively. Furthermore, the text discusses the implications of gene drives on wild populations and the risks associated with their use, reinforcing the understanding of how gene drives function in terms of inheriting specific traits.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Biodegradable packaging can help reduce the accumulation of plastic waste in landfills. [SEP] Text: -19 PreprintsProtocolsVideosJournalsTools & a 10. 21203/rs. 3. rs-3224250/v1This work is licensed under a CC BY 4. 0 LicenseStatus:PostedVersion 1posted You are reading this latest preprint versionAbstractPlastics are non-biodegradable, strong, durable, moisture resistant, light weight polymers of carbon along with hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur, and other organic and inorganic elements and are manufactured from fossil fuel which is a non-renewable source. Low density polyethylene is the most commonly occurring non-biodegradable waste material which constitutes approximately 60% of the total plastic production. In the present study, an attempt has been made to isolate, screen, and characterize the most efficient polyethylene degrading bacteria by using partially degraded polyethylene samples with adhered soil collected from two municipal waste dumping grounds of Jammu region. A total of 62 bacterial isolates were obtained from different waste disposal sites were screened on synthetic Medium. Low density polyethylene powder was used as the sole carbon source in synthetic medium. The biodegradation activity of the isolates was investigated based on the percent weight loss and percent loss in tensile strength of the polyethylene. Maximum percent weight loss (%WL; 22. 66) was recorded with MB57 after 2 months of shaking at room temperature. Maximum percent loss in tensile strength (% loss in TS; 74. 35) was documented MB57. Further, the level of degradation was confirmed by scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis. In SEM analysis, scions/ crakes were found on the surface of the degraded polyethylene. Low density polyethylenePlastic wasteBiodegradationSynthetic mediumFiguresFigure 1Figure 2IntroductionPlastic was first developed in England in the 1850s, and is now widely used in all aspects of life and have gradually become an indispensable part (Zhuang 2022). Billions of virgin plastic products produced to date that are eventually discarded in the natural environment (Nielsen et al. 2020). Almost 6. 3 billion tons of plastics were produced worldwide in 2015 and the number is increasing exponentially each year because of its efficient and versatile use (Yuan et al. 2020). In 2020 alone, the global plastic production has been nearly 400 million tons (Feil and Pretz 2020). [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by emphasizing that plastics, specifically low-density polyethylene, are non-biodegradable and constitute a significant portion of plastic production. It highlights the ongoing production and environmental impact of plastics, indicating that the problem of plastic waste accumulation continues to grow and that biodegradable options are under investigation but not yet widely implemented.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: The search for extraterrestrial life involves studying extremophiles on Earth. [SEP] Text: Cite this book. Beyond UFOs: for Implications for Our Future, Princeton: Press, 2011. Bennett, J. (2011). Beyond UFOs: for Implications for Our Future. Princeton: Press. Bennett, J. 2011. Beyond UFOs: for Implications for Our Future. Princeton: Press. Bennett, Jeffrey. Beyond UFOs: for Implications for Our Future. Princeton: Press, 2011. Bennett J. Beyond UFOs: for Implications for Our Future. Princeton: Press; 2011. Copied to clipboard Copy to clipboard Download: by Press 2011 Purchase book for Implications for Cite this Share this this book The quest for extraterrestrial life doesn't happen only in science fiction. This book describes the startling discoveries being made in the very real science of astrobiology, an intriguing new field that blends astronomy, biology, and geology to explore the possibility of life on other planets. takes readers beyond UFOs to discuss some of the tantalizing questions astrobiologists grapple with every day: What is life and how does it begin? What makes a planet or moon habitable? Is there life on Mars or elsewhere in the solar system? How can life be recognized on distant worlds? Is it likely to be microbial, more biologically complex--or even intelligent? What would such a discovery mean for life here on Earth? Come along on this scientific adventure and learn the astonishing implications of discoveries made in this field for the future of the human race. Bennett, who believes that "science is a way of helping people come to agreement," explains how the search for extraterrestrial life can help bridge the divide that sometimes exists between science and religion, defuse public rancor over the teaching of evolution, and quiet the debate over global warming. He likens humanity today to a troubled adolescent teetering on the edge between self-destruction and a future of virtually limitless possibilities. Beyond UFOs shows why the very quest to find alien life can help us to grow up as a species and chart a course for the stars. In a new afterword, Bennett shares the most recent developments in extrasolar research, and discusses how they might further our quest to find alien life. Author Editor information is an astrophysicist, author, and educator. His books include leading college-level textbooks in astrobiology, astronomy, mathematics, and statistics, as well as the award-winning children's book to the Moon. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text discusses the search for extraterrestrial life and the science of astrobiology, but it does not specifically mention extremophiles or relate their study to the search for life beyond Earth. Instead, it focuses on the broader context of astrobiology, exploring concepts like habitability and the nature of life on other planets. Therefore, the text is irrelevant to the claim.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Gene drive technology has the potential to control pests and invasive species without the use of pesticides. [SEP] Text: Skip to Content eLife home page your research Search by keyword or author Reset form my search to Feature 10. 7554/eLife. 03401 Open access Copyright information annotations (there are currently 0 annotations on this page). Share 46,927 views 7,310 downloads 634 3401. Copy to clipboard Download BibTeX Download. RIS 10. 7554/eLife. 03401. 001 numerous advances, the field of molecular biology has often struggled to address key biological problems affecting public health and the environment. Until recently, editing the genomes of even model organisms has been difficult. Moreover, altered traits typically reduce evolutionary fitness and are consequently eliminated by natural selection. This restriction has profoundly limited our ability to alter ecosystems through molecular biology. If we could develop a general method of ensuring that engineered traits would instead be favored by natural selection, then those traits could spread to most members of wild populations over many generations. This capability would allow us to address several major world problems, including the spread of insect-borne diseases, the rise of pesticide and herbicide resistance, and the agricultural and environmental damage wrought by invasive species. Scientists have long known of naturally occurring selfish genetic elements that can increase the odds that they will be inherited. This advantage allows them to spread through populations even if they reduce the fitness of individual organisms. Many researchers have suggested that these elements might serve as the basis for ‘gene drives’ capable of spreading engineered traits through wild populations (Craig et al. , 1960; Wood et al. , 1977; Sinkins and Gould, 2006; Burt and Trivers, 2009; Alphey, 2014). was the first to propose gene drives based on site-specific ‘homing’ endonuclease genes over a decade ago (Burt, 2003). These genes bias inheritance by cutting the homologous chromosome, inducing the cell to copy them when it repairs the break. Several efforts have focused on the possibility of using gene drives targeting mosquitoes to block malaria transmission (Scott et al. , 2002; Windbichler et al. , 2007, 2008, 2011; Li et al. , 2013a; Galizi et al. , 2014). However, development has been hindered by the difficulty of engineering homing endonucleases to cut new target sequences (Chan et al. , 2013a; Thyme et al. , 2013; Takeuchi et al. , 2014). [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing how gene drive technology could spread engineered traits through wild populations, thus potentially addressing major problems like the spread of insect-borne diseases and the damage from invasive species. It suggests that gene drives might be a solution that does not rely on traditional pesticides, emphasizing the capability of engineered traits to influence population dynamics positively.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Biodegradable materials can break down without leaving toxic residues in the environment. [SEP] Text: In these simulations, previously reported values for the anterograde train injection rate (1. 3 trains s−1) (Mueller et al. , 2005) and the average number of KAP bound to a single anterograde train for each flagellar length (Engel et al. , 2009) were used to estimate the number of KAP that arrives at the flagellar tip per second. KAP dissociated from the trains at the tip and immediately started one dimensional diffusion in the flagellum. The resting time of KAP at the tip was insignificant, and was not accounted for. The flagellum was modeled as a 5–12 µm long linear grid with spacing defined as the MSD of KAP diffusing at 1. 7 µm2 s−1 (Figure 3h) during the time-step of the simulation (5 ms). At every time point, each active molecule had its grid position changed by +1 or −1. The molecules at the extreme terminus of the tip only moved towards the base. The diffusing KAP molecules were perfectly absorbed to the cell body as they arrived at the flagellar base (i. e. perfect sink) and exited the simulation. The simulations were run for 100,000 time points to allow molecules to reach a steady-state. The number of molecules at each grid position was calculated to plot the distribution of KAP molecules diffusing along the length of the flagellum. The total number of KAP was calculated by integrating the number of KAP diffusing along the entire flagellum and KAP on the anterograde trains. This number was compared to a hypothetical scenario that KAP returns to the cell body with active transport. The simulations were run 10 times to calculate the error. Simulation codes are available on (Chien, 2017). A copy is archived at Add a comment + Open annotations. The current annotation count on this page is being calculated. 991. 3978. PubMed 412. PubMed 6081. PubMed 8470. PubMed 1137. PubMed 338. PubMed 1008. PubMed 2318. PubMed 237. PubMed 659. PubMed 89. PubMed 167. PubMed 129. PubMed 307. PubMed 119. PubMed 10. 1101/156760 24. PubMed 234. PubMed 5523. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text is irrelevant to the claim as it discusses simulations regarding KAP molecules diffusing in flagella, without any mention of biodegradable materials or their environmental impact. Thus, it does not corroborate nor contrast the claim.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: The search for extraterrestrial life involves studying extremophiles on Earth. [SEP] Text: Reviews "Bennett describes the search for life beyond the Earth in terms that are accessible to the nonscientist and yet reveal a broad understanding of the evolution of stars, planets, and organisms. The author's optimism is contagious. May it help inspire us to actually accomplish these lofty goals. "—James F. is a rich, slow, and rewarding read. Rich because it is full of some of the most interesting current interdisciplinary science regarding planets and life that you can find, blending astronomy, geology, history, and astrobiology in a single narrative. Slow because each page is so full of interesting content that you don't want to skim. Rewarding because Bennett is simply a fantastic writer and presenter, making the read thoroughly enjoyable. No science expertise required. ---Jennifer Wiseman, Books & CultureBeyond UFOs gives a good impression from the moment you first take it into your hands. It is attractively produced, well written, and very thoroughly proofread. It's an interesting and challenging complement to focused research, and will be particularly enjoyed by anyone who has an appetite for broad science tinged with morals. ---Elizabeth Griffin, The ObservatoryThe old adage 'don't judge a book by its cover' (or, in this case, its title) certainly applies here. While one might expect a book of science fiction, Bennett presents this awe-inspiring topic in a scientifically accurate but personal way. I would recommend it to anyone interested in reading a creative summary of the status of the search for life elsewhere in the universe and would hope that it might provide a starting point to inspire the next generation of astronomers and astrobiologists. ---Lisa Jardine-Wright, EducationParticularly enjoyable is the down-to-earth writing; Bennett, an astrophysicist, author, and educator, tells the reader exactly how he feels about various topics (even the role of God in the scheme of things). Readers may not agree with everything he says, but he does offer food for thought. ---B. R. Parker, ChoiceFinalist for the 2008 Eugene M. walks us through the daunting calculations that lead to the conclusion that the existence of life elsewhere is not only possible, but highly likely. But as we wonder where else life exists and what forms it might take, scientists are forced back to more fundamental questions. What is the nature of life itself? Will we know it if we see it? . . . [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text does not directly address the claim regarding the search for extraterrestrial life and the study of extremophiles on Earth. Instead, it provides a general overview of a book that discusses the search for life beyond Earth but does not specify the role of extremophiles or their relevance in that context.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Gene drive technology has the potential to control pests and invasive species without the use of pesticides. [SEP] Text: Attempts to build gene drives with more easily retargeted zinc-finger nucleases and TALENs suffered from instability due to the repetitive nature of the genes encoding them (Simoni et al. , 2014). The recent discovery and development of the RNA-guided Cas9 nuclease has dramatically enhanced our ability to engineer the genomes of diverse species. Originally isolated from ‘’ acquired immune systems in bacteria, Cas9 is a non-repetitive enzyme that can be directed to cut almost any DNA sequence by simply expressing a ‘guide RNA’ containing that same sequence. In little more than a year following the first demonstrations in human cells, it has enabled gene insertion, deletion, and replacement in many different species (Bassett et al. , 2013; Cho et al. , 2013; Cong et al. , 2013; DiCarlo et al. , 2013; Friedland et al. , 2013; Gratz et al. , 2013; Hu et al. , 2013; Hwang et al. , 2013; Jiang et al. , 2013a, 2013b; Jinek et al. , 2013; Li et al. , 2013b; Mali et al. , 2013c; Tan et al. , 2013; Upadhyay et al. , 2013; Wang et al. , 2013b). Building RNA-guided gene drives based on the Cas9 nuclease is a logical way to overcome the targeting and stability problems hindering gene drive development. Less obvious is the extent to which the unique properties of Cas9 are well-suited to overcoming other molecular and evolutionary challenges inherent to the construction of safe and functional gene drives. We submit that Cas9 is highly likely to enable scientists to construct efficient RNA-guided gene drives not only in mosquitoes, but in many other species. In addition to altering populations of insects to prevent them from spreading disease (Curtis, 1968), this advance would represent an entirely new approach to ecological engineering with many potential applications relevant to human health, agriculture, biodiversity, and ecological science. The first technical descriptions of endonuclease gene drives were provided by in his landmark proposal to engineer wild populations more than a decade ago (Burt, 2003). Any of the rapidly expanding number of laboratories with expertise in Cas9-mediated genome engineering could attempt to build a gene drive by substituting Cas9 for the homing endonucleases described in his proposal. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing the advancements in gene drive technology using the Cas9 nuclease, which enhances our ability to engineer the genomes of diverse species. It mentions that building RNA-guided gene drives is a logical solution to overcome previous challenges in gene drive development. The text posits that these advances could lead to controlling populations of insects, which directly supports the claim that such technology could manage pests and invasive species without relying on traditional pesticide methods.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Biodegradable materials are universally more cost-effective than traditional plastics. [SEP] Text: L. Lacourse, P. A. Altieri, Biodegradable shaped products and the method of preparation thereof, US Patent No. 5043196, 1991. [65] C. Bastioli, Properties and applications of mater-Bi starch-based materials, Polym. Degrad. Stab. 59 (1998) 263–272. [66] J. K. Jang, Y. R. Pyun, Effect of moisture content on the melting of wheat starch, Starch – Starke. 48 (1996) 48–51. [67] R. L. Shogren, Effect of moisture content on the melting and subsequent physical aging of cornstarch, Carbohydr. Polym. 19 (1992) 83–90. [68] -plastic materials-preparation, physical properties, and biodegradability (a review of recent USDA research), J. Environ. Polym. Degrad. 1 (1993) 155–166. [69] I. Tomka, Thermoplastic starch, in: Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. , 1991: 637. [70] Bio-based products – overview of standards, (2011). [71] L. Avérous, Biodegradable multiphase systems based on plasticized starch: a review, J. Macromol. Sci. – Polym. Rev. 44 (2004) 231–274. [72] N. L. Lacourse, P. A. Altieri, Biodegradable packaging material and the method of preparation thereof, US Patent No. 4863655, 1989 [73] A. K. Mohanty, M. Misra, G. Hinrichsen, Biofibres, biodegradable polymers and biocomposites: an overview, Macromol. Mater. Eng. 276–277 (2000) 1–24. [74] A. Chaudhari, R. Kulkarni, P. Mahulikar, D. Sohn, V. Gite, Development of PU coatings from neem oil based alkyds prepared by the monoglyceride route,. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 92 (2015) 733–741. [75] F. Bilo, S. Pandini, L. Sartore, L. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text provides a list of references related to biodegradable materials without making any claims about their cost-effectiveness compared to traditional plastics. Therefore, it is irrelevant to the claim since it does not support, contrast, or provide any relevant information about the cost implications of biodegradable materials.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: The search for extraterrestrial life involves studying extremophiles on Earth. [SEP] Text: Bennett offers a host of lessons here not only about global warming and environmental degradation, but our place in the universe as well. ---by planet, moon by moon, [Beyond UFOs] explores the possibility of life elsewhere in this solar system. It then speculates about other solar systems in our galaxy where, according to the prevailing scientific view, simple life almost surely exists and intelligent life is plausible. For the most part, Bennett's search for extraterrestrial life adds up to a very satisfying package. . . . At its core, this book delivers a combination that is hard to beat: solid yet highly speculative science plus accessible prose that add up to an out-of-this-world reading experience. ---Fred Bortz, Seattle TimesIn cogent and entertaining language, astrophysicist and popular writer Bennett explains that the determining factor in whether we can locate intelligent life elsewhere in the universe is whether such a civilization--and our own--can continue long enough to develop the highly sophisticated technology needed for interstellar travel. . . Bennett does a wonderful job of explaining the conditions necessary for simple life, how we might discern its existence and where we should be looking. He then does the same thing for intelligent life. While he is fair to those who believe life is incredibly rare, he makes a compelling case that life is likely to be abundant. "Precise, accurate, lucid, and engaging. This is popular-science writing at its best. I enjoyed reading this book. "—"This is a fascinating book about the living universe, well-written and timely. "—David Morrison, coauthor of System and Voyages to the PlanetsThis is a highly readable and enjoyable book that centers on astrobiology--a discipline that melds astronomy, biology, geology--and a little bit of luck--to explore the prospect of life on other worlds. . . . Bennett is an excellent writer, taking the reader on an exploration quest to find alien life, and how difficult solar system sleuthing can be, such as on Mars, Jupiter's Europa, or on Saturn's Titan. You'll also find an excellent treatment on current activities surrounding the on-going search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Winner of the 2010 US Review of Books's in Culture"With the possible exception of the God question, I can think of no subject that has inspired such wide-eyed wonder and speculation as the matter of whether or not we are alone in the cosmos. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text does not address the specific claim about studying extremophiles on Earth in relation to the search for extraterrestrial life. Instead, it discusses the broader topic of the search for intelligent extraterrestrial life, astrobiology, and the conditions required for life on other worlds without mentioning extremophiles or their relevance.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Gene drive technology has the potential to control pests and invasive species without the use of pesticides. [SEP] Text: Indeed, the well-recognized potential for gene drives to combat vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue virtually ensures that this strategy will eventually be attempted in mosquitoes. While considerable scholarship has been devoted to the question of how gene drives might be safely utilized in mosquitoes (Scott et al. , 2002; Touré et al. , 2004; Benedict et al. , 2008; Marshall, 2009; UNEP, 2010; Reeves et al. , 2012; David et al. , 2013; Alphey, 2014), few if any studies have examined the potential ecological effects of gene drives in other species. After all, constructing a drive to spread a particular genomic alteration in a given species was simply not feasible with earlier genome editing methods. Disconcertingly, several published gene drive architectures could lead to extinction or other hazardous consequences if applied to sensitive species, demonstrating an urgent need for improved methods of controlling these elements. After consulting with experts in many fields as well as concerned environmental organizations, we are confident that the responsible development of RNA-guided gene drive technology is best served by full transparency and early engagement with the public. Here we provide brief overviews of gene drives and Cas9-mediated genome engineering, detail the mechanistic reasons that RNA-guided gene drives are likely to be effective in many species, and outline probable capabilities and limitations. We further propose novel gene drive architectures that may substantially improve our control over gene drives and their effects, discuss possible applications, and suggest guidelines for the safe development and evaluation of this promising but as yet unrealized technology. A discussion of risk governance and regulation intended specifically for policymakers is published separately (Oye et al. , 2014). Natural gene drives In nature, certain genes ‘drive’ themselves through populations by increasing the odds that they will be inherited (Burt and Trivers, 2009). Examples include endonuclease genes that copy themselves into chromosomes lacking them (Burt and Koufopanou, 2004), segregation distorters that destroy competing chromosomes during meiosis (Lyttle, 1991), transposons that insert copies of themselves elsewhere in the genome (Charlesworth and Langley, 1989), Medea elements that eliminate competing siblings who do not inherit them (Beeman et al. , 1992; Chen et al. , 2007), and heritable microbes such as Wolbachia (Werren, 1997). [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing the potential of gene drive technology to combat vector-borne diseases and its capabilities in species management. It mentions that gene drives could be effective in controlling populations like mosquitoes, which implies a method of pest control that does not rely on traditional pesticides. Furthermore, it outlines the development of gene drive architectures that may enhance the effectiveness and safety of these technologies.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Biodegradable materials are universally more cost-effective than traditional plastics. [SEP] Text: 10554. [85] S. Guilbert, C. Guillaume, N. Gontard, on Renewable Resources: Properties, Applications, and Prospects, in: J. M. Aguilera, R. Simpson, J. Welti-Chanes, D. Bermudez-Aguirre, G. Barbosa-Canovas, eds. , 2011 630. [86] A. Gennadios,eds, Protein-based films and coatings, 2002. [87] S. Nakai, Structure-function relationships of food proteins: with an emphasis on the importance of protein hydrophobicity, J. Agric. Food Chem. 31 (1983) 676–683. [88] I. Arvanitoyannis, E. Psomiadou, A. Nakayama, Edible films made from sodium caseinate, starches, sugars or glycerol. Part 1, Carbohydr. Polym. 31 (1996) 179–192. [89] D. Brault, M. LaCroix, M. Ressouany, Biodegradable films containing caseinate and their method of manufacture by irradiation,US Patent No. 6120592, 2000. [90] M. Delgado, M. Felix, C. Bengoechea, Development of bioplastic materials: from rapeseed oil industry by products to added-value biodegradable biocomposite materials, Ind. Crops Prod. 125 (2018) 401–407. [91] L. L. Madison, G. W. Huisman, Metabolic engineering of poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates): from DNA to plastic. , Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev. 63 (1999) 21–53. [92] G. J. . De Koning, Prospects of bacterial poly[(R)-3-(hydroxyalkanoates)], Eindhoven: Eindhoven. 1993. [93] L. G. Donaruma, Microbial polyesters, by 1990, 156 pp. , J. Polym. Sci. Polym. Chem. 29 (1991) 1365–1365. [94] Y. . [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text does not address the claim regarding the cost-effectiveness of biodegradable materials compared to traditional plastics. Instead, it provides a list of citations and references related to biodegradable materials without any specific analysis or information that could support, contrast, or relate to the claim about cost-effectiveness.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: The search for extraterrestrial life involves studying extremophiles on Earth. [SEP] Text: The search for extraterrestrial intelligence today has almost theological status in terms of its implications, and yet it is a rigorous science conducted by world-class scientists. Jeffrey Bennett's book is one of the finest primers on this burgeoning new field. And even though this can be a technically daunting science, Bennett's highly readable prose invites everyone into the dome to gaze through the telescope to have a look for themselves, for this is a journey we are all on together. "—Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic and columnist for Scientific American[Jeffrey Bennett] has taken a break from the treadmill of updating his textbook and has written a popular book instead, bringing the rest of us up to date on our extraordinary new and expanded universe--and on who else might live in it. . . Beyond UFOs is crammed with neat analogies, startling imagery and mind-blowing illustrations of astronomical concepts. If you want to understand the universe and our place in it, you will not find a better primer. The first diagram alone--which shows how Earth's 10,000-kilometre span of real estate fits into a supercluster of galaxies a billion trillion kilometers across--bear a good 10 minutes of study. This truth is astonishing, and humbling--and Beyond UFOs is a great place to find it. ---Michael Brooks, New ScientistWinner of the 2009 in Cosmology/New ScienceThis exploration of potential alien life is a timely work, just as the steadily increasing discoveries of extra-solar planets makes the possibility of finding alien life more plausible. . . . [Beyond UFOs] is a fully rounded examination of the subject, accessible to all. I guarantee that after reading this book you will be watching space probe results that much more closely. And maybe, you will be watching the skies too! ---and i ix xi 1. Worlds beyond 1 2. It Science? 22 3. Know about 41 4. Life? 62 5. 87 6. of a 111 7. Life in the 137 8. Life among the 161 9. for 184 10. Everybody? 197 207 Afterword to the 209 221 (Deutsch) Share this book Twitter Linkedlogin or register with to order this product. in Language: English Publisher: year: 2011 Edition: With a New afterword by the author Audience: Professional and scholarly;College/higher education; content: 248 Illustrations Other: 8 color illus. 25 halftones. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text is irrelevant to the claim as it discusses the general pursuit of extraterrestrial intelligence and the merits of Jeffrey Bennett's book about the subject, without mentioning extremophiles or their role in the search for extraterrestrial life.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Gene drive technology has the potential to control pests and invasive species without the use of pesticides. [SEP] Text: Endonuclease gene drives Natural homing endonuclease genes exhibit drive by cutting the corresponding locus of chromosomes lacking them. This induces the cell to repair the break by copying the nuclease gene onto the damaged chromosome via homologous recombination (Figure 1A) (Burt and Koufopanou, 2004). The copying process is termed ‘homing’, while the endonuclease-containing cassette that is copied is referred to as a ‘gene drive’ or simply a ‘drive’. Because copying causes the fraction of offspring that inherit the cassette to be greater than 1/2 (Figure 1B), these genes can drive through a population even if they reduce the reproductive fitness of the individual organisms that carry them. Over many generations, this self-sustaining process can theoretically allow a gene drive to spread from a small number of individuals until it is present in all members of a population. Figure 1 Download asset Open asset The spread of endonuclease gene drives. (A) When an organism carrying an endonuclease gene drive (blue) mates with a wild-type organism (grey), the gene drive is preferentially inherited by all offspring. This can enable the drive to spread until it is present in all members of the population–even if it is mildly deleterious to the organism. (B) Endonuclease gene drives are preferentially inherited because the endonuclease cuts the homologous wild-type chromosome. When the cell repairs the break using homologous recombination, it must use the gene drive chromosome as a repair template, thereby copying the drive onto the wild-type chromosome. If the endonuclease fails to cut or the cell uses the competing non-homologous end-joining repair pathway, the drive is not copied, so efficient gene drives must reliably cut when homology-directed repair is most likely. Engineered gene drives To build an endonuclease gene drive, an endonuclease transgene must be inserted in place of a natural sequence that it can cut. If it can efficiently cut this sequence in organisms with one transgene and one natural locus, reliably induce the cell to copy the transgene, and avoid being too costly to the organism, it will spread through susceptible wild populations. Standard drives spread genomic changes and associated traits through populations. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by explaining how endonuclease gene drives can spread genetic traits through populations, potentially leading to the control of pests and invasive species. It describes how gene drives can reproduce preferentially, facilitating the spread of a genetic modification that might address pest populations without employing traditional pesticide methods. The explanation of how these gene drives operate supports the idea that they can be a means of biological control.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Consumers can dispose of biodegradable packaging in any household trash without issues. [SEP] Text: Containers, trays, cell packs, and flats are used for the propagation and production of annual and perennial bedding plants, in which relatively small plants are produced in large quantities (Evans and Hensley, 2004). Additional plastic use in the floriculture industry includes greenhouse films, pot tags, and packaging (Garthe and Kowal, 1993). In 1993, estimates showed that 408 million pounds of plastic were generated by the floriculture and nursery industries. Of that, 23 (5. 6%), 90 (22%), 240 (58. 8%), and 55 (13. 5%) million pounds, respectively, were used for greenhouse films, mulch films, containers, and container trays, packs, and flats (Garthe and Kowal, 1993). In 2003, the generated ≈11 million tons of plastic in the municipal solid waste stream as containers and packaging [Agency (EPA), 2007], which comprised a third of all municipal solid waste (EPA, 2005). Nationwide, only 3. 9% of the 26. 7 million tons of plastic generated in the was recycled in 2003 according to the EPA (2007). Most of the recycled plastic was from beverage containers, including soda pop and milk. Agricultural plastics are challenging to recycle or reuse as a result of contamination problems or ultraviolet light degradation. Recycling facilities are often unwilling to accept plastics with soil or media residue. If recycling facilities clean and process the plastics, collection and shipment fees increase as a result of the heavier weight and increased transportation expenses (Garthe and Kowal, 1993). Two types of contamination unique to agriculture are ultraviolet light degradation and pesticide residue (Garthe and Kowal, 1993). Ultraviolet light and heat degradation are caused by exposure to extreme sunlight and heat, which lessens the value of the plastics resulting from loss of flexibility and recyclability (Garthe and Kowal, 1993). Typically, these non-reusable or non-recyclable plastic containers are disposed by consumers and landscapers, thus presenting a significant disposal issue for the horticulture industry (Evans and Hensley, 2004). In recent years, the floriculture industry has seen a rise in biodegradable, compostable, or bioresin containers often called “green” products (Lubick, 2007). [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by discussing the challenges associated with disposing of agricultural plastics, indicating that they often present significant disposal issues. It mentions that if recycling facilities process contaminated plastics, the costs increase, implying that there are complexities in disposal which might affect how biodegradable packaging is handled, thus contradicting the claim that it can be disposed of 'without issues.'


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: The search for extraterrestrial life involves studying extremophiles on Earth. [SEP] Text: Hostname: page-component-7bb8b95d7b-dtkg6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-10-06T01:00:22. 028Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false Home >Books >in the Universe >for in the print or eBook [Opens in a new window] Book contents in the Life in the page Acknowledgements1 for Extraterrestrial Life2 Where in the Universe to Look? 3 Evolution – Here and Elsewhere4 Concept of Habitability5 Life in the Solar System6 Life in Systems7 of Extraterrestrial Life8 Intelligence – Here and of 10. 1017/9781009207355. 003 [Opens in a new window] Publisher: publication year: 2022 a Privileged Generation? For many millennia, humans have gazed up in wonder at the night-time sky. The full panoply of the is an awesome sight. The scale of space is immense. Is there life out there somewhere? If so, where, and what form does it take? In the space of a couple of sentences, we’ve already gone from generalized wonder to specific questions. The next step is from questions to hypotheses, or, in other words, proposed answers. Here are two such hypotheses that I’ll flesh out as the book progresses: first, life exists on trillions of planets in the universe; second, it usually follows evolutionary pathways that are broadly similar to – though different in detail from – those taken on Earth. Going from cosmic wonder to questions about alien life and on to hypothetical answers has been possible for a long time. But the final steps – from hypothetical answers to testing the hypotheses to arriving at an understanding of reality – have so far proved beyond humanity’s grasp. That may be about to change. We may be on the threshold of being able to answer the age-old question ‘are we alone in the universe? ’ with a resounding ‘no’. But what is the basis of this claim? The short answer is advancing technology, and in particular advancing design of telescopes. We’ll get to that topic soon. But first, let me reassure you that I’m not alone in my optimism about the imminent discovery of evidence for alien life. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text does not address the search for extraterrestrial life in relation to extremophiles on Earth. Instead, it discusses the broader inquiries into the existence of life in the universe and the technological advances that may assist in that search. Consequently, it is irrelevant to the specific claim about the role of extremophiles.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Gene drive technology has the potential to control pests and invasive species without the use of pesticides. [SEP] Text: Burt‘s original study proposed using them to drive the spread of other transgenes or to disrupt existing genes (Figure 2A,B) (Burt, 2003). The gene drive copying step can take place immediately upon fertilization (Figure 2C) or occur only in germline cells that are immediate precursors to sperm or eggs, leaving most of the organism‘s somatic cells with only one copy of the drive (Figure 2D). Figure 2 Download asset Open asset Consequences and timing of gene drive replication. (A) Gene drives can carry other genes with them as cargo. For example, a transgene that blocks malaria transmission could be driven through wild mosquito populations. There is no selection to maintain the function of a cargo gene. (B) Gene drives can disrupt or replace other genes. For example, a drive might replace a mosquito gene important for malaria transmission. Because it cannot spread without disrupting the target gene, this strategy is evolutionarily stable. (C) If homing occurs in the zygote or early embryo, all organisms that carry the drive will be homozygous in all of their tissues. (D) If homing occurs in the late germline cells that contribute to sperm or eggs, the offspring will remain heterozygous in most tissues and avoid the consequences of drive-induced disruptions. Suppression drives reduce the size of the targeted population. outlined an elegant strategy involving the use of gene drives to disrupt genes that cause infertility or lethality only when both copies are lost (Burt, 2003). These ‘genetic load’ drives would spread rapidly through minimally impaired heterozygotes when rare, and eventually cause the population to crash or even become extinct due to the accumulated load of recessive mutations. A second approach would mimic naturally occurring ‘meiotic’ or ‘gametic’ drives that bias the sex ratio (Craig et al. , 1960; Hickey and Craig, 1966; Hamilton, 1967; Newton et al. , 1976; Wood and Newton, 1991). In this model, the Y chromosome (or its equivalent in other sex-determination systems) would encode an endonuclease that cuts and destroys the X chromosome during male meiosis, thereby ensuring that most viable sperm contain a Y chromosome (Newton et al. , 1976; Wood and Newton, 1991; Windbichler et al. , 2007, 2008; Galizi et al. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing various mechanisms of gene drive technology that can alter gene frequencies in pest populations, such as suppressing population size or modifying reproductive traits. For instance, it mentions strategies involving gene drives to disrupt genes causing infertility, which would directly contribute to population control without the need for chemical pesticides. Additionally, the text discusses how gene drives can spread beneficial traits through populations, further supporting their potential in managing pests.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: Smart fabrics can monitor biometric data like heart rate and temperature. [SEP] Text: In the current study pre-treatment AF could be differentiated from post-treatment SR based upon RMSSD using a commercially available HRM. Investigation of different artifact filtering levels showed that, compared to no filtering, low levels of artifact correction improved sensitivity and specificity, especially during trotting exercise. However, sensitivity and specificity fell with higher levels of filtering. In this study RMSSD was chosen as the HRV parameter to distinguish AF from SR. RMSSD is a time domain HRV parameter and especially useful in assessing short term HRV [9, 24]. In a previous study, using 6 different HRV parameters for the differentiation between AF and SR in horses, RMSSD yielded the best results with cut off values with high sensitivity and specificity, identifying all cases of AF with only a small chance of false positives [20]. is a well-known and frequently used HRV parameter, available on a variety of software programs and mobile applications, which could make it a suitable tool for home monitoring of AF recurrence after treatment. However, if RMSSD calculations are not available, SDNN (the standard deviation of the RR intervals) and SD1 (nonlinear parameter, derived from Poincaré plot), other frequently used HRV parameters and inter-related with RMSSD, might also be useful to detect AF [20]. Correct QRS detection is important to obtain correct RR intervals but the algorithms used by devices is often unknown. Filtering of data is often used to eliminate erroneously detected artifacts from the dataset before RMSSD is calculated. Several methods to record RR intervals were used in this study. Automatic analysis followed by manual correction of identified QRS complexes of an ECG trace using adhesive electrodes and calculation of RMSSD by specialized software without filtering was used as gold standard. However, this requires specialized equipment, expertise for ECG interpretation and data handling (exporting, importing), which is time consuming and expensive. Automatic analysis of the ECG trace by dedicated software reduces analysis time, but also introduces error. HRMs are increasingly being used by both veterinarians and horse owners, because they are relatively cheap and easy to use. They automatically detect heart rate and some devices also generate HRV calculations, including RMSSD. Previous studies assessing precision and accuracy of HRMs both in horses and in other animals, however, reported variable results and many HRMs have not been thoroughly validated in horses [23, 25,26,27,28]. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by discussing the limitations and complexities associated with using heart rate monitors (HRMs) to assess biometric data such as heart rate variability (HRV). It highlights that while HRMs can detect heart rate and some generate HRV calculations, their precision and accuracy have produced variable results and many devices have not been thoroughly validated. This suggests that while technically feasible, the reliability of current HRMs as smart fabric technology for continuous biometric monitoring is questionable.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: The search for extraterrestrial life involves studying extremophiles on Earth. [SEP] Text: A 2021 paper in the leading scientific journal Nature, by the American physicist and his colleagues, began with the following sentence: ‘Our generation could realistically be the one to discover evidence of life beyond Earth. ’ Its authors clearly share my optimism in this respect. Of course, there’s a question-mark hanging over the meaning of ‘our generation’, as the six authors are varied in age, and their readers even more so. But that’s a small uncertainty in the grand scheme of things. The key point is that many scientists suspect that the first evidence of life beyond Earth will be forthcoming on a timescale of years to decades, not centuries. Even if it takes five decades to acquire the first conclusive evidence, a reasonable proportion of those alive today (regrettably not including me! ) will still be here to see it. In the previous paragraph, I used the phrase ‘many scientists’. But scientists of what type? Science is a broad endeavour, and some parts of it are more relevant to the search for life than others. However, that said, many scientific disciplines have a role to play. They include cosmology, astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, atmospheric science, geology, ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics, molecular biology, and organic chemistry – and that is far from being an exhaustive list. The principal discipline is astrobiology, which is a mix of some or all of the above, with the exact mix depending on the astrobiologist concerned. Astrobiologists of my generation weren’t trained as such, as there were no courses in the subject, so we’ve migrated towards it from various starting points – in my case evolutionary biology. But there’s a younger cohort of astrobiologists who have indeed been trained in this discipline. Importantly, the ‘many scientists’ who suspect that the first evidence of alien life will be found on the years-to-decades timescale include specialists in all of the disciplines mentioned above, and indeed others too. So this optimism isn’t a passing fad in one particular narrow branch of science. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text does not address the study of extremophiles specifically, nor does it directly discuss their relevance to the search for extraterrestrial life. Instead, it emphasizes the broad optimism in the scientific community regarding the discovery of life beyond Earth and mentions various scientific disciplines relevant to astrobiology without focus on extremophiles. Therefore, the text is irrelevant to the specific claim regarding studying extremophiles.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Gene drive technology has the potential to control pests and invasive species without the use of pesticides. [SEP] Text: , 2002), disrupting existing genes (Burt, 2003), or suppressing populations, RNA-guided gene drives will also be capable of replacing existing sequences with altered versions that have been recoded to remove the sites targeted by the drive (Figure 3). We hypothesize that the unique ability of RNA-guided gene drives to target any gene may allow them to control the effects of other gene drives or transgenes. Reversibility RNA-guided gene drives could reverse genome alterations that have already spread through populations. Suppose a given gene drive causes unexpected side-effects or is released without public consent. A ‘reversal’ drive released later could overwrite one or all genomic changes spread by the first drive (Figure 5A). The new sequence spread by the reversal drive must also be recoded relative to the original to keep the first drive from cutting it, but any amino acid changes introduced by the first drive could be undone. If necessary, a third drive could restore the exact wild-type sequence, leaving only the guide RNAs and the gene encoding Cas9 as signatures of past editing (Figure 5B). Figure 5 Download asset Open asset Methods of reversing, preventing, and controlling the spread and effects of gene drives. (A) Reversal drives could correct or reverse genomic alterations made by an earlier drive with unexpected side effects. They might also be used to reverse conventionally engineered or evolved changes. Immunization drives could prevent other gene drives from affecting a specific population or provide a population with resistance to DNA viruses. Precision drives could exclusively spread through a subpopulation with a unique gene or sequence. (B) Together, these can quickly halt an unwanted drive and eventually restore the sequence to the original wild-type save for the residual Cas9 and guide RNAs. (C) Any population with limited gene flow can be given a unique sequence by releasing drives A and B in quick succession. So long as drive A does not escape into other populations before it is completely replaced by drive B, subsequent precision drives can target population B without risking spread into other populations. The ability to update or reverse genomic alterations at the speed of a drive, not just a drive-resistant allele, represents an extremely important safety feature. Reversal drives could also remove conventionally inserted transgenes that entered wild populations by cross-breeding or natural mutations that spread in response to human-induced selective pressures. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing various gene drive technologies and their capabilities, including how RNA-guided gene drives can control populations by replacing genes, correcting unwanted effects, and preventing the spread of gene drives that have negative impacts. This aligns with the claim that gene drive technology could manage pests and invasive species without needing pesticides.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Some smart fabrics can adjust to temperature changes, offering comfort to users. [SEP] Text: According to the on (IPCC) report, global temperatures have increased considerably since 1951. (Alexander 2016; Cai et al. 2022). Several studies (Saboohi et al. 2012; et al. 2019; Sharafi and 2020) have identified an increasing trend in temperature in Iran over the last several decades, indicating the effects of climate change and global warming. Furthermore, under different emission concentration scenarios, Iran's future temperature will continue to rise (Fallah-Ghalhari et al. 2019; Zare et al). Surface relative humidity is a key element for weather and climate monitoring. However, surface relative humidity is not usually used in the study of climate change, and despite its significant impact on human societies, the spatial and temporal pattern of relative humidity has not been well studied in Iran. Reduced potential relative humidity, increased evaporation and increased evapotranspiration increase water scarcity (Xiao et al. 2020; Denson et al. 2021), thus how humidity changes are important to our understanding of future changes in precipitation and evaporation. Several studies have been conducted to monitor the temporal and spatial changes of humidity and temperature variables in different parts of the world. The report of the increasing trend of soil moisture in most parts of India in all seasons of the year and the decreasing trend in (Pangaluru et al. 2019), the increase of the minimum relative humidity in the spring, summer, and autumn seasons and the decrease of the average seasonal wind speed in the Yamula dam, central Turkey (Eymen and Köylü 2019), significant increasing trends in annual precipitation, extreme temperatures, relative humidity, and streamflow during 1979–2014 in central Vietnam (Phuong et al. 2020), and decreasing relative humidity in Iraq, India, and Australia (Muter et al. 2020; Denson et al. 2021; Ramachandra et al. 2022) are examples of these studies. Also, Shin et al. (2021) presented that a significant increasing and decreasing trend was observed in the annual average of relative humidity and air temperature in South Korea, and in general, the surface air was identified as drier in South Korea. Jain et al. (2022) investigated the impact of weather factors on the fire weather index in 1979–2020. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text is irrelevant to the claim as it discusses global temperature trends, climate change, and humidity without mentioning smart fabrics or their ability to adjust to temperature changes. Therefore, it does not provide any supporting or contrasting information regarding the claim.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: The search for extraterrestrial life involves studying extremophiles on Earth. [SEP] Text: Rather, it’s a reasoned assessment of the stage we have reached in the process of searching for life, and where we’re likely to get to with the new generation of space telescopes that are currently at various stages of planning, construction, or early operation, including the (alias JWST or simply ‘Webb’), more on which later. The paper in Nature that I mentioned above is focused on formulating a policy for reporting possible evidence of alien life. The authors highlight the complementary problems of false positives and false negatives. The former involve concluding that some observation is evidence for life when in fact it’s not; the latter involve failing to detect life on a planet when it’s actually there. They particularly stress their concern about the likely sensationalization in the popular media of results that turn out to be false positives, and I think they are right to do so. Their approach to avoiding – or at least reducing – such problems is to develop a scale of the quality of possible evidence of alien life, and to make clear where on this scale any particular finding falls. This way, a hint of possible life shouldn’t be mistaken for a certainty. In 1960. This was a search for radio signals from alien civilizations, conducted using the Astronomy Observatory, now the Observatory, in West Virginia. Of course, the search for alien intelligence is only one part of the search for life. Nevertheless, from the 1960s onwards, both astrobiology in general and SETI in particular have evolved side by side in a much more continuous way than did the search for life before the second half of the twentieth century. of Telescopes It’s a long way from Galileo’s tiny telescope of 1610 to today’s large ground-based instruments such as Chile’s VLT (Telescope), and their space-based counterparts such as Hubble and Webb. I’ll now look at a few selected milestones along this evolutionary journey. If you’d like a bit more detail than I can give in just a few pages on the functioning and/or history of telescopes, I can recommend CottrellCottrell’s 2016 book Telescopes: A Introduction. Before examining milestones in the evolution of telescopes, it’s worth reminding ourselves of why, from an astrobiological perspective, they are collectively important. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text discusses various aspects of the search for extraterrestrial life, including the role of space telescopes and the evolution of astrobiology. However, it does not mention extremophiles on Earth or any related studies, making it irrelevant to the claim.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Gene drive technology has the potential to control pests and invasive species without the use of pesticides. [SEP] Text: However, it is important to note that even if a reversal drive were to reach all members of the population, any ecological changes caused in the interim would not necessarily be reversed. Immunization RNA-guided gene drives could be used to block the spread of other gene drives. For example, an ‘immunizing’ drive could prevent a specific unwanted drive from being copied by recoding sequences targeted by the unwanted drive (Figure 5A). This could be done preemptively or reactively and would spread on a timescale comparable to that of the unwanted drive. A combined ‘immunizing reversal’ drive might spread through both wild-type individuals and those affected by an earlier gene drive, converting both types to a recoded version that could not be invaded by the unwanted drive (Figure 5B). This may represent the fastest method of neutralizing an already-released drive. As with a standard reversal drive, any ecological changes caused in the interim would not necessarily be reversed. Precisely targeting subpopulations RNA-guided gene drives might be confined to a single genetically distinct target species or even a subpopulation by targeting unique genes or sequence polymorphisms. Because these ‘precision drives’ will only cut the unique sequence, they will not be able to spread through non-target populations as long as that sequence is sufficiently distinct. We estimate that either the PAM or at least five base pairs of the spacer must differ within each target site in order to prevent the guide RNAs in the drive from evolving to recognize the equivalent non-target sequence (Fu et al. , 2013; Hsu et al. , 2013; Mali et al. , 2013a; Pattanayak et al. , 2013). Populations that are not genetically distinct but experience only intermittent gene flow, such as those on islands, might be given a unique sequence permitting them to be specifically targeted by precision drives later on. For example, releasing into the island population would recode a target gene, but exhibit no other effect (Figure 5A). B, a precision drive which would exclusively spread through but not the wild-type allele, would similarly replace with a unique sequence. So long as does not escape the island before being replaced, the unique sequence in the island population would allow it to be targeted with future precision drives that could not spread through mainland populations (Figure 5C). Limiting population suppression Population suppression may be one of the most powerful applications of gene drives. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing various applications of gene drives, including precision drives that can target specific populations with unique genetic sequences. It details methods like 'immunizing' and 'immunizing reversal' drives which aim to manage unwanted gene drives and suggests that gene drives can aid in the effective control of populations without resorting to traditional pesticides. The mention of population suppression as a powerful application reinforces the potential for gene drive technology in controlling pests and invasive species.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: Some smart fabrics can adjust to temperature changes, offering comfort to users. [SEP] Text: 2020), the temperature increase in Iran (Bazrafshan 2017; Alavinia and Zarei 2021; Usta et al. 2022) including the Caspian region (Attarod et al. 2018; Huang et al. 2021) identified in these reports. Also, the results of the study of Asadi and Karami (2022) in investigating the seasonal trend of the maximum and minimum relative humidity of 41 synoptic stations in Iran during 1960 to 2019 concluded that the seasonal minimum and maximum humidity in most stations has declined and the greatest reduction in humidity observed in the summer season. The study of Nazemosadat et al. (2022) on climate changes in the for the summer season identified that the air temperature (west wind and relative humidity) has increased (decreased) in the region, as well as recent developments in the southern (northern) circulations on the northwestern of (Caspian Sea) has brought negative effects of warming and aridity in some areas of Iran. Spatial zoning of THI changes The daily THI index was calculated for all stations and then spatial changes of monthly THI for hot months (June, July and August) and cold months (December, January and February) is identified in Fig. 6 for the early and late years of the given period of 1986 and 2016. The hot months of the year specified with the most heat stress and discomfort include June, July and August, but the cold months of the year identified with the most stress and cold discomfort include December, January and February. According to the Fig. 6, the THI values of hot and cold months in 2016 have increased compared to 1986. The increase in THI values is clearly detectable in June, for the northeastern, but in July and August, for the southwestern and northeastern regions. Also, in the cold month of December, an increasing change in THI values occurred in the west, while in February, an increase in THI was observed in all regions. In general, the zoning of THI values has shown a high thermal stresses in the northeastern regions and southern parts, which shown higher in June and July, but there were high cold stresses in the western half, consequently in December and January, more areas have been affected by cold stress. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text discusses climate changes, temperature indices, and relative humidity trends in Iran but does not mention smart fabrics or their ability to adjust to temperature changes. Therefore, it is irrelevant to the claim as it does not support, contrast, or provide any information pertaining to the smart fabrics referenced.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: The search for extraterrestrial life involves studying extremophiles on Earth. [SEP] Text: Telescopes of Galileo’s day were great for astronomy – especially when compared with the naked eye – but they weren’t much use for astrobiology. In contrast, today’s telescopes have the capability of addressing hypotheses about alien life. For example, we can now use telescopes to examine the atmospheres of distant exoplanets. We can search for signs of oxygen, which is regarded as a biosignature. In particular, it may be a signature of photosynthesis by microbes and plants. It’s true that oxygen may come to exist in planetary atmospheres by abiotic means. However, as we’ll see in 3. 7 centimetres, Newton’s (in 1668) 2. 5 centimetres. They’re not directly comparable because Galileo’s was a refractor (a telescope that uses lenses) while Newton’s was a reflector (a telescope that uses mirrors), but they were both tiny by current standards. Today’s large telescopes have mirrors with diameters measured in metres rather than centimetres. For example, the Canarias, situated on the Spanish island of La Palma, has an aperture of 10. 4 metres. The increase in telescope size has been continuous from the 1600s to the 2000s, though it has speeded up significantly since 1900. The largest telescope in the world at the end of the nineteenth century was the Leviathan of Parsonstown in County Offaly, Ireland, which had a diameter of 1. 83 metres. This size was exceeded in 1917 with the construction of the on in southern California, with a diameter of 2. 5 metres. So the last 100 years have seen the largest increase – more than 8 metres between the early twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. However, these measurements in metres don’t quite suffice to explain just how much more powerful modern telescopes are than their ancient forerunners. The light-collecting capability of a telescope scales not with the diameter of its primary mirror but with its surface area. So, in terms of functionality, a 10-metre mirror is not 10 times as good as a 1-metre mirror; rather it’s better by a factor of 100. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text does not address the claim directly or indirectly. It focuses on the evolution of telescopes and their capabilities in astronomy and astrobiology but does not mention extremophiles or their role in the search for extraterrestrial life.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Gene drive technology has the potential to control pests and invasive species without the use of pesticides. [SEP] Text: Resolutions are approximations only and will vary with the specific drive utilized in each class. Temporal approaches to controlling populations would deliberately limit the lifetime of a suppression drive by rendering its effects evolutionarily unstable (Figure 6). For example, a male-determining or female-specific sterility gene carried by a standard drive on an autosome would suppress the target population, but the effect would be short-lived because any drive that acquired a loss-of-function mutation in the cargo gene would be strongly favored by natural selection due to its ability to produce fertile female offspring. Notably, turning existing female-specific sterility lines (Fu et al. , 2010; Labbe et al. , 2012; Alphey, 2014) into unstable drives may increase their effectiveness. Periodically releasing organisms carrying new unstable drives that are capable of replacing earlier broken versions could extend the suppression effect. Genetic approaches to population control might initiate suppression only when two distinct ‘interacting drives’ encounter one another (Figure 6). For example, a cross between standard drives A and B might produce sterile females and fertile males that pass on the ‘sterile-daughter’ trait when crossed with females of any type. Scattering A- and B-carrying individuals throughout an existing population would produce many tiny pockets dominated by either A or B and very few organisms in between due to the infertility of AB females. Because each drive would spread from a small number of initially released individuals scattered over a wide area, this strategy may be capable of large-scale population suppression, but its effectiveness and resolution will depend on the average distance between released A and B individuals. Further suppressing the residual A and B populations could be accomplished by releasing only members of the opposite drive type. Modeling studies will be needed to determine whether this possibility is feasible for different species. Interestingly, the use of this drive type would effectively induce speciation in the affected population. Finally, immunizing drives might protect specific subpopulations from the effects of full-scale suppression drives released elsewhere (Figure 6). Assuming some degree of gene flow, the immunized population will eventually replace the suppressed population, though this might be delayed if crossing the two drives generates a sterile-daughter effect as described above. Due to the comparatively uncontrolled spread of both drive types through the wild-type population, this method would only be suited to large geographic areas or subpopulations with limited gene flow. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing various mechanisms of gene drive technology that can effectively suppress target populations, thereby indicating its potential as an alternative to pesticides. It explains how different types of drives can interact and lead to effective population control. For instance, the text mentions using 'male-determining or female-specific sterility genes' and how unstable drives could extend suppression effects, suggesting that gene drive technology may serve as a viable method for controlling pests and invasive species.


Input: Task: contrast the claim using the given text. Claim: All wearable tech is entirely waterproof and can be used in any environment. [SEP] Text: How wearable tech can combat Parkinson’s disease Published: April 2, 2024 Every time we move around, our body is performing a complex array of tasks to move us in the direction we intend to go and to keep us balanced as we do so. A number of diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, damage this process. At the Laboratory at & in the US, Horak is investigating how exercise regimes and wearable technologies can help people with Parkinson’s disease to regain mobility and autonomy. Talk like an neuroscientist Biofeedback — a technique that uses sensors on the body to provide live feedback on body functions, such as coordination of walking movements Closed head injury — a head injury that does not involve a break in the skull Dynamic balance — the ability to control the body’s centre of mass, retain balance and remain stable when moving Multiple sclerosis — a disease that involves nerve damage in the brain and spinal cord Neurological — related to disorders of the nervous system Neuropathy — a type of nerve damage that often affects sensation in the hands and feet, that can be caused by diabetes or cancer treatment Parkinson’s disease (PD) — a progressive neurological disorder that causes slow, stiff movements and difficulties with walking and balance Proprioceptors — sensory receptors in muscles that sense changes to the body’s position and motion Vestibular system — a sensor system in the inner ears that senses movement and position of the head Wearable technology — sensors worn on the body, for example, to measure movement Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a disorder of the brain and nervous system that tends to get progressively worse over time. Early symptoms may include hand tremors and slower movements; with time, it can severely affect balance and automatic movements like walking and speech. While there is no cure, it is often possible to improve balance and mobility in people with PD to improve their overall quality of life. Horak is for the Laboratory at the & Science University. She is investigating the role exercise regimes and wearable technologies can have in helping people with neurological diseases, such as PD, improve their balance and mobility. This research involves investigating how these diseases affect balance and movement, and how the body responds to interventions. Turning is complicated We perform turns so frequently that we are rarely aware when we do turn. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text contrasts the claim by not addressing the waterproof capabilities of wearable technology. It discusses how wearable technologies can support individuals with Parkinson's disease, focusing on the application and function of the technology rather than its environmental resilience. This suggests that there may be limitations to wearable tech that are not covered in the claim.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: The search for extraterrestrial life involves studying extremophiles on Earth. [SEP] Text: Given that Galileo’s tiny telescope allowed him to see the moons of Jupiter, and discern individual stars in the ‘milk’ of the Milky Way, the capabilities of today’s telescopes are truly amazing. But, for astrobiology, size is not enough. There are several other developments that we need to understand. First, so obvious that it hardly needs to be said, the advent of photography in the 1800s, and its later coming together with telescopes in the form of astrophotography. Second, Earth’s atmosphere is a major cause of distortion in the business of seeing clearly into space. As is well known, stars don’t twinkle – they only seem to do so because of atmospheric effects. The main exoplanet-detecting telescopes have been placed above the atmosphere so that this distortion is avoided. These are the Kepler and TESS space telescopes (more on which in 2021. Another will be a future space telescope, which, at the concept stage, was called an acronym of Large Ultra-Violet, Optical, and Infra-Red (telescope). This design survived NASA’s 2020 decadal survey, which produced its report in late 2021 due to the Covid pandemic. However, it was scaled down in size for reasons of cost. The primary mirror will be of a smaller diameter than was originally envisaged. When constructed, the diameter will be about 6 metres – still a considerable size for a space telescope. Its final name will probably be different. In the immediate aftermath of the decadal survey, some astronomers jokingly suggested simply losing the L (large) and calling it UVOIR, but a better name will almost certainly be found. The ability to see across the boundary between visible and infrared light that characterizes both and means that they will be ideally placed to see oxygen biosignatures. This point brings us to the other important development in telescopes that we need to examine: the use of a technique called spectroscopy. Here’s the basic idea behind this technique, as applied in space telescopes for astrobiological purposes. You look at light from a distant source – say a star that has an orbiting planet. In fact, you look at it twice, once when the planet is behind the star or a long way off to one side, and once when it is transiting – i. e. in front of its star from our perspective. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text does not address the study of extremophiles on Earth or its relevance to the search for extraterrestrial life. Instead, it focuses on advancements in telescopic technology and techniques such as spectroscopy that are used to observe distant stars and their planets, which does not relate to the claim about extremophiles.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Gene drive technology has the potential to control pests and invasive species without the use of pesticides. [SEP] Text: For example, immunization might be used to protect the native population of a species while suppressing or eradicating populations on other continents. Box 3 What types of genes can be edited using gene drives? Genes can be edited reliably if they are important to fitness. This is because NHEJ events that create drive-resistant alleles by deleting all the protospacer cut sites will only be harmful if they disrupt the function of important genes. NHEJ events in unimportant genes and sequences will produce drive-resistant alleles lacking the targeted sites. These will spread and interfere with propagation of the drive. As a result, unimportant genes can be reliably disrupted or deleted but not edited. Genes that are carried as cargo will not be evolutionarily stable unless they directly contribute to the efficient function of the drive. This limits opportunities to spread transgenes unrelated to drive function, although periodically releasing new drives that overwrite earlier broken versions could potentially maintain functional cargo genes in a large fraction of the population. Applications of RNA-guided gene drives RNA-guided gene drives have the potential to merge the fields of genomic and ecological engineering. They may enable us to address numerous problems in global health, agriculture, sustainability, ecological science, and many other areas (Figure 7). Of these opportunities, perhaps the most compelling involve curtailing the spread of vector-borne infectious diseases, controlling agricultural pests, and reducing populations of environmentally and economically destructive invasive species. Figure 7 with 1 supplement see all Download asset Open asset Potential applications of RNA-guided gene drives. Clockwise from left. Disease vectors such as malarial mosquitoes might be engineered to resist pathogen acquisition or eliminated with a suppression drive. Wild populations that serve as reservoirs for human viruses could be immunized using Cas9, RNAi machinery, or elite controller antibodies carried by a gene drive. Reversal and immunization drives could help ensure that all transgenes are safe and controlled. Drives might quickly spread protective genes through threatened or soon-to-be-threatened species such as amphibians facing the expansion of chytrid fungus (Rosenblum et al. , 2010). Invasive species might be locally controlled or eradicated without directly affecting others. Sensitizing drives could improve the sustainability and safety of pesticides and herbicides. Gene drives could test ecological hypotheses concerning gene flow, sex ratios, speciation, and evolution. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by detailing how RNA-guided gene drives can be used for controlling agricultural pests and eradicating invasive species, specifically highlighting that invasive species might be locally controlled or eradicated. It also discusses the potential of gene drives to address various ecological issues, thereby supporting the claim that they can function without relying on pesticides.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: All wearable tech is entirely waterproof and can be used in any environment. [SEP] Text: ” There is a good reason why turns typically start with the eyes and head: to give our vision and vestibular system time to adjust. As people with PD do not start turning from the top-down, they are more at risk of becoming unbalanced. Many people with PD ‘freeze’ when trying to turn, feeling like ‘their feet are glued to the floor’. “Freezing is a common reason for falls,” says Fay. “In fact, PD is responsible for more falls than any other chronic disease. ” Part of Fay’s work involves finding ways to measure abnormal balance and mobility so she can identify risk of falls for people with PD. Current pharmaceutical- or surgery-based treatments for PD do not improve balance and may even make it worse. This is why Fay believes in the importance of exercise and rehabilitation for a PD treatment regime. Together with Mancini and King, current directors of the Laboratory, Fay focuses on diseases that affect people’s balance, including PD. “Participants in our studies include people with a range of neurological conditions, including PD, closed head injuries, multiple sclerosis and neuropathy,” she says. “We also have participants of matching ages without these conditions as control groups. ” has an array of equipment to measure traits associated with balance and movement. “To measure precisely how participants walk and balance, we use body-worn sensors, reflective markers on joints, and electrodes that record muscle and brain activity,” explains Fay. “People also return home wearing sensors to record the quality of their walking and turning during daily life. ” A large proportion of the lab’s studies focus on finding ways to improve balance in people with neurological disorders. “Martina studies the effects of novel rehabilitation approaches using new technologies, such as vibration and visual biofeedback that give participants information about the quality of their movements,” says Fay. Instantaneous feedback can help patients to be aware of and consciously change any undesirable movement patterns. Often, these patients are supported by a harness suspended from the ceiling while practising dangerous movements like turning, so that they are at no risk of falling, which helps build confidence and eliminate fear of injury. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text provided is irrelevant to the claim because it discusses balance and movement measurement in patients with neurological disorders, without mentioning wearable tech or any details about waterproofing or environmental suitability. Therefore, it does not provide any support or contrast to the claim regarding wearable technology.


Input: Task: pass the claim using the given text. Claim: The search for extraterrestrial life involves studying extremophiles on Earth. [SEP] Text: You compare graphs of amount of light received versus wavelength for the two occasions (Figure 1. 1). Dips in the amount of light at particular wavelengths when the planet is in front of the star are interpreted as resulting from absorption of light by gases in the planet’s atmosphere. Since different gases have different characteristic patterns of absorption, you can identify them. Figure 1. 1 Detecting gases in exoplanet atmospheres. Left: amount of light received by a space telescope when the planet is ‘off to one side’ from our perspective. Right: amount of light received when the planet is in a direct line between its host star and the Earth. Note the dip in the amount of light received at a particular wavelength in the right-hand panel. If instead of looking at this graph you were looking at the light itself, after it had been split into its various colours by a prism, you would see a dark band at the wavelength (= colour) concerned. Such a dip (or band) is interpreted as the result of absorption by a particular gas in the planet’s atmosphere, and is known as an absorption band. Since different gases have different patterns of absorption centred on different wavelengths – in other words different ‘signatures’ – they can be identified. Some gases, notably oxygen, are regarded as biosignatures. As we will see later (in 2020. It gave its name to the famous Arecibo message broadcast by it into space in 1974. There are also large arrays of radio telescopes – for example ASKAP (Pathfinder), located about 700 kilometres north of the city of Perth, which started observing the sky in 2012. A of are about to feel the multidisciplinary nature of the search for extraterrestrial life that I mentioned at the outset, because we are about to move from the astronomical realm to its biological counterpart. In particular, we are going to move from the telescopes used in the search for habitable planets – and ultimately the life that’s on some of them – to the search for a workable definition of life. How can we search for life if we can’t define it? And yet the task of defining life is not an easy one – even in the restricted context of planet Earth (are viruses alive? ). It’s more difficult again to attempt a definition that will work in a cosmic context. But an imperfect definition is better than nothing – so here goes. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text does not directly address the claim regarding the search for extraterrestrial life and the study of extremophiles on Earth. It discusses the detection of gases in exoplanet atmospheres and the challenges of defining life in a cosmic context, which are relevant to astrobiology but do not specifically mention extremophiles or their significance in the search for extraterrestrial life.


Input: Task: corroborate the claim using the given text. Claim: Gene drive technology has the potential to control pests and invasive species without the use of pesticides. [SEP] Text: Technical requirements for these applications vary with the drive type required (Figure 7—figure supplement 1). Eradicating insect-borne diseases The human toll inflicted by infectious diseases spread by insects is staggering. Malaria alone kills over 650,000 people each year, most of them children, while afflicting 200 million more with debilitating fevers (WHO, 2013). Dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, Chagas, and Lyme disease are also spread by insects. These afflictions could potentially be controlled or even eradicated by altering vector species to block transmission. Several laboratories have identified candidate gene disruptions or transgenes that interfere with the transmission of malaria (Ito et al. , 2002; Dong et al. , 2011; Isaacs et al. , 2012) and other well-studied diseases (Franz et al. , 2006). Depending on their effectiveness, these alterations may or may not allow the disease to be eradicated before the pathogen evolves resistance. Alternatively, the relevant vector species might be suppressed or eliminated using RNA-guided gene drives, then potentially reintroduced from sheltered laboratory or island populations once disease eradication is complete. In the case of malaria, gene drive strategies may represent particularly effective solutions to the emerging problem of mosquito vectors with an evolved preference to bite and rest outdoors, traits that render them resistant to current control strategies based on indoor insecticide spraying and bednets. Agricultural safety and sustainability The evolution of resistance to pesticides and herbicides is a major problem for agriculture. It has been assumed that resistant populations will remain resistant unless the relevant alleles impose a substantial fitness cost in the absence of pesticide or herbicide. We propose that RNA-guided sensitizing drives might replace resistant alleles with their ancestral equivalents to restore vulnerability. For example, sensitizing drives could potentially reverse the mutations allowing the western corn rootworm to resist Bt toxins (Gassmann et al. , 2014) or horseweed and pigweed to resist the herbicide glyphosate (Gaines et al. , 2010; Ge, 2010), which is currently essential to more sustainable no-till agriculture. Because these three organisms undergo one generation per year, comparatively large numbers of drive-bearing individuals must be released to quickly exert an effect, but fewer than are already released to control pests using the sterile-insect technique (Gould and Schliekelman, 2004; Dyck et al. [SEP] Justify:

Output: The text corroborates the claim by discussing the application of gene drive technology to control pest populations and invasive species without reliance on traditional pesticide methods. Specifically, it mentions that RNA-guided gene drives can potentially suppress or eliminate vector species contributing to diseases and control pest resistance to pesticides. The text emphasizes the effectiveness of gene drive strategies as a solution to pests and disease transmission, supporting the idea that gene drives can be utilized as an alternative to chemical pest control.