Researchers Build First Complete Computer Model of an Entire Organism, Building Homes for Oysters in S.F. Bay- 7/20 KQED Science News Roundup

Researchers Build First Complete Computer Model of an Entire OrganismTo conduct experiments, researchers can change a variable in an organism and watch the results unfold. But life is messy, and it's difficult to understand the underlying processes that explain the data. Digitizing the process could help, and now we're starting small: researchers have successfully made a computer model of Mycoplasma genitalium, the world's tiniest free-living bacterium.

Severe Drought Expected to Worsen Across the NationThe latest outlook released by the National Weather Service on Thursday forecasts increasingly dry conditions over much of the nation's breadbasket, a development that could lead to higher food prices and shipping costs as well as reduced revenues in areas that count on summer tourism.

Bacterium used to target frog epidemicIn a push to save thousands of mountain frogs threatened by a deadly fungal epidemic, biologists are treating hundreds of High Sierra tadpoles with an experimental bacterium they hope will preserve the species.

Building homes for oysters in S.F. BayThe five-year restoration and research project will also measure the ability of the new oyster reefs to mediate the effects of a rising sea level expected to accompany global warming, said Marilyn Latta, project manager at the state Coastal Conservancy, which is leading the effort.

Battle over genetically engineered food heading to votersSACRAMENTO - A fight over genetically engineered foods has been heating up in the nation's grocery aisles. Now it's headed for the ballot box. Voters will soon decide whether to make California the first state in the country to require labels on products such as sweet corn whose genes have been altered to make them resistant to pests.