CiVL News: Apr 15, 2026, 6:05 AM PDT -- Old Thom Returns, AI Builds Protein Switches, and DNA Rides the Air
For Isley My Love by CiVL News
Episode notes
Here's your latest episode from the For Isley My Love CiVL News Roundup produced by CiVL.com.
This episode explores advanced scientific discoveries, from AI-driven protein engineering and environmental DNA detection to autonomous AI experimentation. It also features a rare killer whale sighting off Massachusetts.
• Old Thom, a 30-foot killer whale, was filmed off Massachusetts on April 13, 2026.• Old Thom has been sighted annually in the New England area since the mid-2000s.• Researchers at Queensland University of Technology used AI to build 47 protein sensors.• AI-designed proteins detected cortisol with 0.9 micromolar affinity and 17-OHP with 17 nanomolar affinity.• Professor Kirill Alexandrov stated AI greatly expands protein engineering capabilities.• University of Florida researchers identified species DNA from airborne sample ...