Genetics
Shrews shrink their brains and bodies to get through winter
Shrews shrink their brains and bodies to get through winter Two new studies have shed light on how shrews adapt to winter by shrinking their brains and bodies through a process called Dehnel’s phenomenon. The research, conducted by Stony Brook University researchers, reveals genetic and biological changes that occur in shrews during this process, including […]
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RNA is key to the dark matter of the genome − scientists are sequencing it to illuminate human health and disease
RNA is key to the dark matter of the genome − scientists are sequencing it to illuminate human health and disease RNA plays a crucial role in regulating the genome and generating cell diversity, making it a key player in human health and disease. The majority of DNA (about 98%) does not code for proteins, […]
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‘Supergene’ helps butterflies mimic wing patterns to stay safe
‘Supergene’ helps butterflies mimic wing patterns to stay safe Researchers have discovered how a single genetic switch, called doublesex, helps butterflies mimic wing patterns to protect themselves from predators. The study found that this supergene, which controls complex traits like color patterns and mating behaviors, gained its ability to control wing patterns by becoming linked […]
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Team finds gene that calms the mind and boosts attention in mice
Team finds gene that calms the mind and boosts attention in mice Researchers at Rockefeller University have identified a gene called Homer1 that calms the mind and improves attention in mice. The study found that mice with lower levels of two specific versions of the Homer1 gene had quieter brain activity and improved ability to […]
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Songbirds swap colorful plumage genes across species lines among their evolutionary neighbors
Songbirds swap colorful plumage genes across species lines among their evolutionary neighbors Scientists have discovered that songbirds can swap colorful plumage genes across species lines among their evolutionary neighbors, challenging the traditional view of evolution as a linear process. The study, led by evolutionary biologist David Toews, analyzed the genomes of over 2 trillion base […]
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Thousands of genomes reveal the wild wolf genes in most dogs’ DNA
Thousands of genomes reveal the wild wolf genes in most dogs’ DNA Dogs were domesticated from gray wolves between 20,000 to 22,000 years ago, and their genomes still contain wild wolf genes. A study analyzing 2,693 dog and wolf genomes found that most dogs have detectable wolf DNA, even in small amounts, with some breeds […]
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1 gene, 1 disease no more – acknowledging the full complexity of genetics could improve and personalize medicine
1 gene, 1 disease no more – acknowledging the full complexity of genetics could improve and personalize medicine Genetic inheritance is more complex than previously thought, with millions of genetic variants influencing traits and diseases. The study of a single gene or mutation can be misleading, as multiple genetic variants interact to determine disease development […]
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New and old cell mutations interact to shape cancer risk
New and old cell mutations interact to shape cancer risk New research reveals that newly acquired cell mutations interact with inherited mutations to shape cancer risk, particularly for blood cancers like acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The study found that individuals with clonal hematopoiesis, a condition where mutated stem cells multiply and increase the risk of […]
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Team figures out how cavefish lost their eyes
Team figures out how cavefish lost their eyes Researchers have discovered how cavefish lost their eyes, which provides a method for dating cave systems. The study found that different species of amblyopsid cavefish colonized caves independently and evolved similar traits, such as eye loss and reduced pigment, to adapt to dark environments. The researchers developed […]
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Is it ethical to eradicate certain harmful species?
Is it ethical to eradicate certain harmful species? Researchers argue that deliberate full extinction of harmful species is acceptable, but only rarely, using screwworms, mosquitoes, and invasive rodents as case studies. The team suggests that eradication through genome modification should be approached with caution and guided by robust ethical safeguards and inclusive decision-making frameworks. Conditions […]
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