⚡️ New tech gene-edits the perfect beer

Welcome, Tech enthusiasts.

Startups are using gene editing to custom-engineer yeast for tempting new beer flavors, aromas, and freshness.

But anti-GMO sentiment threatens to flatten beer's engineered future. Let’s dig in…

In today’s tech rundown:

• Is genetically modified yeast the future of beer?

• Robot speaks language of pests to protect crops

• New products

• 7 quick stories

Read time: 3 minutes

TODAY’S HEADLINES

FOOD & DRINK

 🍺 Is genetically modified yeast the future of beer?

The Rundown: Startups are genetically engineering yeast strains to produce tailored flavors, aromas, and other traits in beer — despite the controversial nature of using GMOs.

The details:

• Companies edit specific yeast genes linked to compounds that affect beer taste and quality using CRISPR gene editing.

• This allows the rapid introduction of new fruit flavors without ingredient supply variability or artificial additives.

• US craft brewers are rapidly adopting GM yeasts, but global regulations blocking GMOs prevent most overseas sales.

• Brewers believe GM yeast will eventually lead to brewers precisely controlling aspects like freshness, taste, consistency, etc.

The relevance: GM yeast's promise of the perfect pint that stays fresh forever is alluring — but the sentiment is tough to change as past GMO missteps still loom large for many consumers.

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AGRICULTURE TECH

🪳 Robot speaks language of pests to protect crops

The Rundown: Researchers just programmed a robot to mimic insect vibrational communication to lure pests away from crops, providing targeted pest control without harmful pesticides or toxins.

The details:

• The ‘Pied Piper’ device identifies pest mating calls — then generates disruptive vibrations to confuse them and prevent breeding.

• It uses a laser vibrometer to record and analyze the unique frequency patterns of each species' vibrational signals.

• In trials, the robot successfully detected the treehopper pest in vineyards by responding with fake mating calls that attracted them.

• The adaptive system could learn any crop pest's language, allowing customizable control without harming beneficial species.

Why it matters: Moving away from pesticides is a major win for agriculture and the environment — with robotics and AI helping to pave the way. Who knew that sound could act as an effective birth control for pests?

NEW PRODUCTS

🚉 The Platform- An investment hub for IT startups and VCs (link)

💎 Gems- Connect knowledge from Notion, Google, and Microsoft (link)

⚽ Chuck- A social networking app for sports fans (link)

📓 Jumble Journal- An ai-powered co-pilot for journaling and introspection (link)

⚙️ Bardeen- A no-code automation tool to enhance workflow productivity (link)

🕵️‍♂️ GPT Zero- Detect whether an essay is ChatGPT or human-written (link)

👩‍🏫 Guidde- Magically create stunning video documentation with AI (link)

📷 HeadshotPro- Professional Headshots with AI (link)

📝 Yarnit- Create engaging content at the speed of your thought (link)

🧠 Stack AI- The middle layer of AI (link)

Browse the most popular tools ever featured with our tool database.

SNIPPETS

YouTube confirmed it has expanded efforts to crack down on ad blockers globally, as the platform tries to push more users to its Premium subscription.

Subaru announced it will implement the Tesla-backed North American Charging Standard in its EVs starting in 2025, joining a lengthy list of automakers adopting the port design as holdouts like Volkswagen dwindle.

Apple discontinued its Siri-only Apple Music Voice Plan after nearly two years, shutting down the $5 per month option that only allowed voice requests.

Google Search launched new tools to help users visualize and solve problems in geometry, physics, trigonometry, calculus, and more by inputting equations or taking photos.

Nokia filed patent lawsuits against Amazon and HP, alleging unauthorized use of its video streaming inventions in Prime Video, Amazon devices, and HP products.

WeWork is reportedly planning to file for bankruptcy as early as next week, after the co-working giant’s valuation plummeted from $47 billion in 2019 to just $60 million currently.

Disney will pay over $8 billion to acquire Comcast's remaining 33% stake in Hulu, giving Disney full ownership.

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THAT’S A WRAP

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