The Know Daily - Tuesday 16 July 2024

_{Read in 5m 26s ∙ Listening to Clairo ∙}

👮 Prison population | 🎾 Rise of racquet sports | 🇪🇺 Resetting relations

In the 1920s, plant scientist Arthur Watkins collected 827 types of wheat from around the world – a collection described today as a “goldmine” that could reduce food scarcity 🌾 A UK-Chinese project recently sequenced the DNA of all the samples, identifying previously unknown genes that are now being used to create varieties with improved yields. “This is going to make an enormous difference to our ability to feed the world,” said one of project’s leaders. 

👮 Prison population

Thousands of low-risk prisoners in England and Wales are set to be released early in a bid to tackle chronic overcrowding.