Articles tagged with Evolutionary Developmental Biology
New research found that orangutans acquire vast cultural heritage from their mothers, with social and individual learning working together to shape their ecological competence. The study shows that young orangutans acquire 5-6 times more knowledge from their mothers and others than their own independent explorations.
Researchers at the Stowers Institute used AlphaFold2 and evolutionary data to predict protein structures in aphids, which were previously inaccessible to AI. The study reveals a common architectural plan among 2,400 BICYCLE proteins, showcasing the evolution's role in helping AI predict protein structures.
Researchers found that most larval cells in acorn worms were reprogrammed to take on new roles in the adult organism, including neurons and skin cells. This challenges the long-held assumption that cells become increasingly restricted in their function as they develop.
Dr. Sophie de Vries receives funding to study how plants balance immunity with cooperation, while Dr. Tristan Stöber works on developing AI systems that can build accurate internal models of the world. Professor Elisa Oberbeckmann investigates gene regulation mechanisms.
Scientists have discovered 10 new species of branching marine worms, shedding light on their evolution and diversity. The study, published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, used DNA sequencing and anatomical analyses to solve a long-standing puzzle and provide new insights into the evolution of complex body forms.
Researchers compared Neandertal and modern human pelvises, finding that the male pelvis evolved a unique biomechanical shock-absorbing mechanism that stores energy and facilitates long-distance walking. This innovation likely arose from the need to cushion the impact of each step and release energy with every stride.
A recent study with 100 pairs of mice found that elite athleticism does not shorten lifespan or limit reproductive success. The researchers observed that high runner mice bred for extraordinary distance running had no reduced reproductive success or lifespan compared to regular mice.
Researchers discovered that moth flies use a different genetic pathway than fruit flies to establish the head-to-tail axis. The odd-paired gene ensures correct body segment formation, but its expression is earlier and localized to the egg's prospective head region in moth flies.
Researchers used an AI tool to demonstrate that birds in Passeriformes evolved in rapid bursts and coincided with climate shifts throughout Earth's history. The findings suggest that environmental variation may be an important cause of changes in body shape.
A new Yale study contradicts the long-held theory that an asteroid strike drove the rapid evolution of tunas and other large predators after the K-Pg extinction. Instead, the research reveals that these animals' body plans evolved over tens of millions of years, with increases in size occurring sporadically throughout their lineage.
Researchers at the University of Michigan found that pollinators are driving plant adaptation in morning glories, leading to a steep decline in their ability to adapt to changing climate conditions. The study suggests that human activities such as pesticide use and habitat destruction have contributed to this decline.
Hawaii's songless crickets have rapidly evolved to overcome reproductive challenges caused by lack of courtship songs. Non-singing males develop faster than wild-type males, allowing them to seek out female mates using alternative methods.
A UMD-led study reveals that wild bats balance different types of immune defenses based on sex, age, and competition for mates. The researchers found that male bats rely more on rapid-response immune defenses, while females invest in targeted responses to pathogens.
Researchers discover fossilized baby early tetrapods, which skipped the tadpole metamorphosis previously thought. This finding upends scientists' understanding of how animals conquered the land, suggesting that early tetrapods were more like fish and birds than modern amphibians.
A study by the University of Florida reveals that young frogs invest heavily in early growth and delay stronger immune responses until infection levels become dangerous. This strategy helps them survive and reproduce in environments with fluctuating food availability and infection risk.
Extraordinary fossils from China confirm that bryozoans were active participants in the Cambrian explosion. The fossils, preserved in three dimensions with soft tissues intact, provide definitive evidence of a bryozoan affinity and rewrite the timeline for the origin of this phylum.
Researchers identify previously unknown protein RAK1, crucial for three-dimensional growth and division in moss, a step towards understanding plant colonization of land. The study provides new insight into fundamental mechanisms underlying plant growth and evolution.
A new study identifies vgll3 as a key gene promoting rapid growth and early reproduction in vertebrates, yet increasing the risk of aging and cancer later in life. The findings provide rare experimental evidence for the theory that evolution favors early-life advantages even at the expense of long-term health.
The study reveals that rats have a larger deep layer in their brains due to the prolonged expression of Wnt signaling genes, resulting in extended deep layer neuron production. This finding suggests that 'heterochrony' in neurogenesis is responsible for the interspecific diversity in the neuronal composition of the mammalian cortex.
Researchers at Kyushu University identified a molecular mechanism behind keel formation, revealing that a developmental
A new study reveals that four specific genes are crucial for the Atlantic herring's adaptation to low salinity in the Baltic Sea. The genes, expressed in sperm, eggs, and early embryos, enable the fish to reproduce successfully in brackish water.
Gerald Joyce's election to the American Philosophical Society honors his pioneering work in directed evolution and foundational questions about life and molecules. He has made significant contributions to cancer, asthma, and skin diseases through his research on DNA enzymes.
A massive study of ancient DNA from nearly 16,000 people across over 10,000 years in West Eurasia reveals that natural selection has shaped modern human genomes more than previously thought. Many gene variants linked to health and complex traits have been selected since farming began.
The discovery of an ancient egg containing the embryo of Lystrosaurus reveals that its ancestors laid eggs, and offers insights into their reproductive strategy. The large eggs suggest that Lystrosaurus did not produce milk for its young, and its precocial hatchlings were capable of feeding themselves.
A new study from Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) identifies the 'long fuse' that led to the diversification of modern squid and cuttlefish. The research suggests that these animals originated in the deep ocean around 100 million years ago, sparking rapid evolution after a mass extinction event.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have created a detailed cellular roadmap of human brain development, utilizing data from nearly 200 studies and 30 million cells. The atlas provides insight into genetic links and pathways involved in conditions like autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease.
A new study from EMBL researchers has identified 'mechanotypes' as the physical links between genes and body shapes in animals like corals and sea anemones. The study shows how mechanical tissue properties determine shape diversity, providing a framework for understanding how diverse forms arise in animals.
In a breakthrough study, researchers successfully integrated neuronal precursor cells into biobots, resulting in the formation of functional nervous systems. This development has significant implications for neuroscience, bioengineering, and regenerative medicine, enabling the investigation of fundamental questions about the origin of ...
A new study has identified ~2.3 million conserved non-coding DNA sequences across 284 plant species, revealing deep principles of plant genome evolution. These ancient regulatory sequences can be maintained despite repeated genome duplications, opening the door to precise engineering of plant traits.
Researchers discovered a simple strategy for snakes to stand upright without limbs, concentrating bending and muscle activity into a short boundary layer near their base. This approach reduces energy required while maintaining balance, offering design principles for soft robots and medical devices.
A new study reveals that the presence of older fish accelerates bar loss in young tomato anemonefish, a process linked to social hierarchy and environmental adaptability. The researchers suggest this may be an insurance policy against invasion, with younger fish losing their bars as they are accepted into the group.
A study of 225 newborns found that high prenatal oestrogen levels, indicated by long index fingers, are associated with large head circumference and increased brain size in boys. This could provide evidence for the positive influence of prenatal oestrogen on human brain evolution
A newly excavated archaeological site in central China has uncovered evidence of advanced stone tool technologies, dating back 160,000-72,000 years ago, challenging long-held assumptions about early hominin behaviour in Eastern Asia. The findings suggest that hominins in this region were more inventive and adaptable than previously bel...
A large-scale population genomic study has shed new light on the evolutionary history of the button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), one of the most widely cultivated edible fungi in the world. Climate dynamics and a key gene for adaptive evolution and domestication jointly shaped the mushroom's diversity.
A groundbreaking new study sheds light on the conditions needed for early organisms to evolve and challenges long-standing scientific theories. The research indicates that complex organisms evolved around 2.9 billion years ago, significantly earlier than previously believed.
Researchers used CT scans to study brain cavities in ancient reptiles and found that pterosaurs had relatively small brains compared to birds. The study suggests that flight evolved independently in these groups without requiring significant brain changes.
Scientists found a cluster of non-visual, light-sensitive neurons in sea urchin larvae, similar to the vertebrate brain, and discovered that disrupting these neurons impairs light-dependent swimming behavior.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have found evidence of abiotic nitrogen reduction, a reaction driven by minerals as catalyst, which likely produced necessary nutrients for life. This discovery sheds light on the faint young sun paradox and provides a key piece to understanding how life may have emerged on Earth.
A German-Swiss research team found that spatial data can remarkably predict biodiversity changes over time, identifying areas under pressure. The study used unique data from 150 meadows and shows that land use intensification leads to declining biodiversity.
Researchers uncover genetic and cellular mechanisms behind seahorse male pregnancy, revealing the role of androgens and unusual immune tolerance strategies. The brood pouch provides a structure similar to a mammalian placenta, supporting embryonic development without typical female hormones.
A study led by Göttingen University found that a group of algae, Coleochaetophyceae, gained complex body structures around 65 million years ago. The team analyzed genetic evolution and fossil evidence, revealing that plant-like complexity is an ancient potential that emerged multiple times.
The study found that genes involved in facial development are largely conserved across species but their regulatory elements vary significantly. Marsupials have unique dunnart-specific regulatory elements near highly-expressed genes related to skin, muscle, and sensory system development.
Scientists at NUS discovered a simple DNA switch that enables tropical butterflies to change the size of their wing eyespots in response to seasonal temperatures. This genetic element, called Antennapedia, is controlled by a previously unknown promoter that triggers its activation.
A recent study analyzed 390 parent-offspring trios to identify gene mutations that occur in the sperm or ovum, leading to de novo mutations. The results show a clear correlation between parental age and the number of new mutations in puppies, with higher paternal age increasing the risk.
New research from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research reveals planarian stem cells ignore their nearest neighbors and respond to signals further away in the body. This discovery may help explain the flatworm's extraordinary ability to regenerate and offer clues for developing new ways to replace or repair tissues in humans.
A recent study published in Integrative and Comparative Biology found that bonnethead sharks' skin undergoes significant changes as they mature, with younger sharks having fewer ridges on their denticles. These changes likely improve swimming performance and protect the skin from predators or injuries.
Researchers found vole teeth evolved from simple changes in tooth growth over six million years, making them excellent grass-eaters during ice ages. This discovery sheds light on how development steers species adaptation and informs conservation efforts.
A global study across six continents found that context is critical in determining the effectiveness of anti-predator strategies used by insects. The research revealed that predators had a significant influence on which colour strategy was most successful for prey, with camouflage working best in areas with intense predation.
A study by Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology found that women generally outlive men, with females living 12% longer on average in most mammals. This gap is attributed to genetic differences, reproductive strategies, and parental investment, which provide a survival advantage to females.
David Stern, a Senior Group Leader at Janelia Research Campus, joins Stowers Institute to uncover new avenues of biology with enormous implications. His lab discovered 'bicycle proteins' that trick plants into growing protective homes for aphids, shedding light on the battle between plants and insects.
Icefish reorganized their skulls in ways that unlocked new feeding strategies and ecological opportunities. The team found that during times of climate instability, correlations among bones broke down, freeing key elements to evolve more rapidly.
Scientists at Umea University have observed programmed cell death in microalgae, similar to humans, revealing a more ancient and widespread pathway. This discovery challenges the evolutionary origin of programmed cell death (PCD) and has potential implications for managing harmful algal blooms and improving biotechnology.
The study proposes a clear, four-stage sequence showing how chewing and hearing functions were gradually split between jaw and ear. The discoveries of unique jaw joints in fossil specimens reveal multiple independent origins for jaw joint types and expand our understanding of mammalian evolution.
Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research have identified the precise location where human chromosomes break and recombine to form Robertsonian chromosomes. The study reveals that repetitive DNA sequences play a central role in genome organization and evolution, explaining how these rearrangements form and remain stable.
A study of 1,620 participants aged 6-80 found that motor skills develop rapidly in children up to age 10, with adults reaching peak performance between 20-35 years old. Fine motor skills remain stable into old age, while gross motor and strength decline faster with age.
Scientists have discovered how to potentially control harmful insect populations by studying a 'selfish gene' that manipulates inheritance. By understanding the molecular basis of this genetic mechanism, researchers believe they can identify novel methods to control certain insects that are globally significant pests and disease carriers.
Two studies published by the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona team reveal how extreme temperatures impact the reproductive process in reptiles and fish. The research found that changes in temperature can increase DNA fragmentation and alter chromosomal structures, leading to increased genetic diversity and adaptation to climate change.
New research suggests that rapid brain growth in marmoset infants, similar to human babies, enables them to learn language through feedback from caregivers. This learning strategy makes humans an oddity within the animal kingdom.
Research reveals that day-flying moths have larger hearing organs than their night-flying counterparts despite facing less threat from echolocating bats. This counterintuitive finding suggests a possible new function for tympanal organs in detecting lower-frequency sounds produced by birds or reptiles.
Researchers found that brown anole lizards can withstand extreme lead levels without impairment. Transcriptomic analyses revealed minor effects on brain and liver tissue, with altered genes linked to metal ion regulation.