Reuters Science News Summary

Following is a summary of current science news briefs. Study shows how a potato-based ​diet changed the genetics of Andean people Indigenous people in ​the Andes domesticated the potato - a great source ‌of ​starch, vitamins, minerals and fiber - 6,000 to 10,000 years ago, making this tuber a central part of their diet.

Following is a summary of current science news briefs.

Study shows how a potato-based ​diet changed the genetics of Andean people

Indigenous people in ​the Andes domesticated the potato - a great source ‌of ​starch, vitamins, minerals and fiber - 6,000 to 10,000 years ago, making this tuber a central part of their diet. These people then experienced genetic adaptations beneficial for such a diet that ‌are still seen in their descendants living in Peru. New genomic research documents how these descendants - speakers of the Quechua language of the once-great Inca Empire - underwent fortification involving a gene called AMY1 that is involved in starch digestion, a function useful for people with a ‌potato-centric diet.

SpaceX to give Anthropic access to its massive AI supercomputer

Elon Musk's SpaceX said on Wednesday it has signed ‌a deal to give Anthropic access to Colossus 1, a massive AI supercomputer, bringing together two of the most prominent players in the artificial intelligence race. Anthropic plans to use the additional computing power to boost capacity for subscribers of its Claude Pro and Claude Max AI assistants, SpaceX said in a post on ⁠its ​website.

India's Skyroot becomes first $1 billion ⁠space-tech startup with GIC, Sherpalo, Blackrock backing

India's Skyroot Aerospace has became the first space-sector company in the country to hit a $1 billion dollar valuation after securing $60 million ⁠in fresh funding from Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC and Silicon Valley-based Sherpalo Ventures. Investment management company BlackRock also took part in the funding round, ​taking Skyroot's total capital raised to $160 million, the company said in a statement on Thursday.

David Attenborough, 'the voice for nature,' ⁠turns 100

Britain's David Attenborough, who has for decades been the world's most authoritative voice on the natural world and whose documentaries have been watched by ⁠hundreds ​of millions, will on Friday celebrate his 100th birthday. After more than 70 years of film-making, Attenborough's instantly recognisable voice is synonymous with the story of nature. He is still at the vanguard of efforts to protect the environment and has produced some ⁠of his most impactful work in recent years.

Anduril announces team for its Golden Dome space-based missile interceptor effort

Defense technology company Anduril ⁠Industries on Tuesday announced its ⁠consortium to develop space-based interceptors for the U.S. Space Force, as part of the Trump administration's Golden Dome for America missile defense initiative. Unlike existing ground-based systems, the Space-Based Interceptor (SBI) program deploys weapons in ‌orbit, enabling the ‌U.S. military to engage and destroy threats earlier in their flight ​path, intercepting missiles sooner after launch.