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Texas Tech biologist leads group that mapped crocodilian genomes

A Texas Tech University biologist led a team of over 50 scientists in mapping the genomes of three crocodilians, including a crocodile, alligator, and gharial. The research reveals that crocodilian genomes change very slowly compared to birds, with an estimated 93% identical DNA across their genomes.

SourceTexas Tech University·JournalScience·DateDec 11, 2014

Study: No known hominin is ancestor of Neanderthals and modern humans

A recent study using dental fossils suggests that the common ancestor of Neanderthals and modern humans diverged nearly 1 million years ago, contradicting previous molecular evidence. The researchers found no known hominin species matches the expected dental morphology of the last common ancestor.

SourceIndiana University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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This week in Molecular Biology and Evolution

A recent molecular biology study suggests a significant reduction in population sizes of common ancestors of humans and chimpanzees, from 1.2 million to 30,000, coinciding with a great ape ancestral migration event from Eurasia to Africa.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateOct 15, 2013

The when and where of the Y: Research on Y chromosomes finds new clues about human ancestry

A new study using Y chromosome DNA sequencing sheds light on human ancestry by tracing the male lineage back to a common ancestor between 120,000 and 156,000 years ago. This timeframe agrees with previous findings on the female most recent common ancestor, providing significant insights into human history and migration patterns.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalScience·DateAug 1, 2013

Where we split from sharks: Common ancestor comes into focus

The study of Acanthodes bronni, a 290-million-year-old fossil fish, sheds light on the evolution of early jawed vertebrates. The researchers found that the common ancestor of all jawed vertebrates resembled a shark, with features such as cartilaginous jaws and primitive sensory organs.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalNature·DateJun 13, 2012

I know something you don't know -- and I will tell you!

Researchers found that wild chimpanzees were more likely to alarm call to a snake when group members were unaware, indicating they recognize knowledge states. This study suggests that sharing new information with others is a fundamental aspect of language evolution, present in our common ancestor with chimps.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCurrent Biology·DateDec 29, 2011
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

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Identifying the origin of the fly

The study identifies three periods of rapid evolution in the fly family tree, with mosquito, March fly, and common house fly branches emerging around 220, 175, and 50 million years ago. This research provides a framework for future comparative work on species critical to society and science.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 31, 2011

Unknown animals nearly invisible but yet there

A new DNA study by University of Gothenburg researchers has uncovered over 120 previously unknown bryozoan species in Swedish waters, including a completely new species. The findings shed light on the evolution and relationships of these nearly invisible animals, which are found in marine and freshwater environments.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalMolecular Phylogenetics and Evolution·DateMar 21, 2011
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Fish out of water

A new species of fish from tropical South America has been discovered, confirming suspected roots to the loricariid catfish family tree. The species, Lithogenes wahari, shares traits with both the Loricariidae and Astroblepidae families, including bony armor and a grasping pelvic fin.

SourceAmerican Museum of Natural History·JournalAmerican Museum Novitates·DateJan 20, 2009

Earth's original ancestor was LUCA, not Adam nor Eve

A recent study published in Nature reveals that the common ancestor of all life on earth, LUCA, was not a heat-loving organism as previously thought. Instead, it thrived in a cooler microclimate, resolving a paradox about the origins of life on Earth.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalNature·DateDec 17, 2008

Carnegie Mellon scientists unveil new tool to understand evolution of multi-domain genes

Researchers have discovered a critical flaw in the standard method for analyzing gene evolution, particularly for genes encoding multi-domain proteins. A new tool called Neighborhood Correlation has been developed to correctly identify gene ancestry, which is essential for understanding gene function and regulatory circuitry. The tool ...

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateMay 15, 2008

The origin of the brain lies in a worm

The study reveals surprising similarities in the developing CNS of Platynereis embryos and vertebrates, suggesting that the vertebrate nervous system is probably much older than expected. This finding provides strong evidence for a theory that vertebrates and annelid CNS are of common descent.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalCell·DateApr 20, 2007

The chimpanzee stone age

Researchers discovered evidence that chimpanzees used stone tools to crack nuts around 4300 years ago, pushing back the origin of this behavior by thousands of years. The study found similarities between chimpanzee and human ancestors' cultural attributes, suggesting a possible common ancestor for these behaviors.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2007
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

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Evolution mystery: Spider venom and bacteria share same toxin

Researchers discovered a unique toxin shared by spider venom and certain bacteria, suggesting lateral gene transfer between the two. The study's findings may lead to developing treatments for brown recluse bites and corynebacterial toxins.

SourceLewis & Clark College·JournalBioinformatics·DateFeb 1, 2006

Iron Age burial sites provide evidence of social changes

In the Iron Age, local identity was centered around ancestral burial sites, but shifted to family and settlement ties as people began to settle and cultivate land. This change had significant implications for community cohesion and collective identity.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateNov 26, 2001
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