Articles tagged with Evolutionary Developmental Biology
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
Researchers have uncovered the evolutionary past of psychedelic mushrooms by studying their molecular and morphological traits. The study classifies 'magic' mushrooms into different families based on shared secondary metabolites, indicating a complex history of evolution and adaptation.
Six new papers in Geosphere explore the geology of North America, focusing on the Colorado River sediment budget and its link to uplift and erosion. The papers also examine the magmatism, ash-flow tuffs, and calderas of the western Nevada volcanic field, shedding light on ignimbrite chronology and caldera formation.
Researchers discovered that birds have normally developing penises in early embryos but lose them through a genetic program, suggesting possible benefits for reproductive control. The study highlights the importance of programmed cell death in developmental processes and may provide insights into medical questions.
A recent study by a team of researchers from Texas A&M University and Binghamton University has found that prehistoric ear bones could provide clues about human evolution. The discovery sheds new light on the development of modern humans and highlights the importance of studying ancient fossils.
A study by North Carolina State University scientists has found that a cannibalistic tadpole's digestive organs can be transformed into those of a carnivorous frog using small molecules, revealing insights into the evolution and development of gut morphology. The research may also lead to better diagnosis and prevention of intestinal b...
A team of researchers developed a 3D simulation to study the evolution of complex organs, revealing that not all aspects of form are fine-tuned by evolution. The study highlights the complexity of genetic interactions and how natural selection influences body form.
Researchers sequenced soft-shell turtle and green sea turtle genomes to study evolutionary history and development of unique anatomical features. They found evidence that turtles diverged from archosaurians around 267.9-248.3 million years ago and developed superior olfaction ability.
A 370-million-year-old fossil fish with paired anal fins has been found, providing a unique window into the evolution of vertebrates. The discovery sheds light on the developmental experimentation that led to the formation of paired appendages in early vertebrates.
Stuart A. Newman's alternative model suggests that the origination of animal form motifs was predictable and sudden, with abrupt morphological transformations favored during early evolution. This perspective resolves puzzling aspects of animal evolution, including the rapid rise of complex body forms.
Researchers have identified a conserved class of genes responsible for the development of double flowers in plants like Thalictrum thalictroides. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of flowering plants and their ability to coevolve with pollinators.
The Botanical Society of America (BSA) has launched an open-access journal, Applications in Plant Sciences (APPS), to promote the rapid dissemination of new tools and protocols. APPS will be part of BioOne's Open Access Collection, fostering communication within the botanical community to advance plant sciences.
Researchers found that modern birds are living dinosaurs with skulls similar to those of their juvenile ancestors. By analyzing fossil evidence and CT scans, they discovered that a change in developmental timing led to the evolution of birds, enabling them to retain physical characteristics of baby dinosaurs into adulthood.
New research in epigenetics explores the impact of environmental factors on gene expression, shedding light on the relationship between diet, lifestyle, and disease. The study suggests that environmentally induced epigenetic changes may not persist across generations, challenging the idea of an 'epigenetic designer baby'.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that most vertebrates, including humans and fish, share a common electroreceptive system. The researchers found that the sensory organs develop in the same pattern from the same embryonic tissue, confirming their evolutionary heritage.
Researchers led by Robert Linhardt of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have sequenced the first complex carbohydrate biopolymer, bikunin. The discovery provides a fundamental new view of these vital biomolecules, which play roles in cell structure and development, disease pathology, and blood clotting.
A recent study tracking chimpanzee brain development found that both humans and chimps have immature forebrains at birth. The study's findings suggest that this developmental delay may provide an extended period of plasticity, enabling both species to develop complex social skills.
A comparative study of nematode species reveals that changes in a short protein domain can alter signaling networks involved in organ development. The modular structure of proteins allows for the conservation of important parts while enabling opportunities for short domains to change, facilitating evolutionary development.
Research by Jennifer Schmidt and Lennart Olsson reveals that the gene FOXN3 influences the development of cranial cartilages and muscles in frogs, contributing to their evolutionary success. The study found that tadpoles without intact FOXN3 genes develop more slowly and experience deformations and loss of functions.
A Springer journal article has won the prestigious George A. Miller Award for its innovative study on the impact of environmental factors on human behavior. The award recognizes outstanding recent articles on general psychology and highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research in understanding human behavior.
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology have discovered a control mechanism behind the development of Pristionchus' mouthparts. The organism's mouth dimorphism is triggered by environmental factors such as food scarcity and high population density, resulting in the development of strong teeth-like denticles.
The American Institute of Biological Sciences recognizes scientists, educators, and organizations for their leadership and contributions to science. The LTER Network receives the Distinguished Scientist Award, while Duke University Professor Kathleen K. Smith receives the Outstanding Service Award for her work at NESCent.
Researchers have discovered that Darwin's work on heterostylous flowers, a complex breeding system found in flowering plants, has significant economic implications. The study highlights the unique characteristics of heterostyly, which affects plant morphology, ecology, and evolution.
A team of researchers has developed a computer model reproducing population-level variation in complex structures like teeth and organs. The model shows that regulation of tooth development is already well known, with a simple basic formula behind the complex gene puzzle resulting in tooth formations.
Archaeologists at Tel Aviv University have uncovered clues about the development of communal meat-cutting habits in early humans. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveals that our ancestors shared meat differently than later periods.
The SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics awarded Lukas Burger for his innovative Bayesian network methodology for predicting protein sequences. Julien Roux won the award for his paper on vertebrate genome evolution, which challenged the traditional 'hourglass' model by revealing a strong effect of constraints in early development.
Martin Cohn, a UF developmental biologist, has been named an HHMI Early Career Scientist for his groundbreaking work on limb development and evolution. His research has led to new insights into the formation of human problems such as birth defects.
The AAAS plenary lecture explores the origins of evolutionary thought through the adventures of intrepid scientists Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace, and Henry W. Bates. The talk will be presented by Sean Carroll, a leading evolutionary biologist and author, who will share the stories of these pioneers who changed our view of life.
Researchers at Caltech have discovered intricate gene regulatory networks in various organisms, including fruit flies, nematodes, sea urchins, lampreys, and mice. These networks play a crucial role in directing developmental processes, with subtle balances of regulatory signals being essential for proper cell differentiation.
The National Inventors Hall of Fame welcomes its 36th class of inductees for 2008, recognizing inventors who developed groundbreaking technologies such as Bose audio innovations and wrinkle-free cotton. The induction ceremony honors both living and deceased inventors, showcasing their contributions to society.
A new study reveals similarities between DNA that determine mating types in fungi and those that determine sex in plants and animals. This makes fungi an interesting model organism for studying the evolutionary development of sex chromosomes.
A new study reveals that harvester ant mothers have a significant impact on their daughters' fate, with eggs predetermined to become workers or queens from the moment they are laid. The researchers found that only eggs laid by mature queens exposed to cold conditions develop into new queens.
Researchers found significant developmental variation in vulva development across nearly 50 species of roundworms. The results show that evolutionary changes are unidirectional and orderly, contradicting the idea of random evolution.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki discovered that a weak inhibitory cascade in mouse molars may cause the last molar to develop in humans. They developed a mathematical model predicting tooth proportions and numbers across various species, including humans.
The discovery provides new insights into the evolutionary process, suggesting that the coelacanth's fin pattern is similar to that of paddlefishes, sturgeons, and sharks. The fossil sheds light on the developmental evolution of limbs in tetrapods, challenging the conventional understanding of primitive fish models.
The study reveals that flowers' anthers play a crucial role in facilitating pollen collection by bees. The researchers found that the size, shape, placement, and timing of anthers can be controlled by genetic networks and non-coding sequences.
The sizes and positions of floral anthers facilitate pollen collection by buzz-pollinating bees, according to Dr. Endress's work. Slight genetic changes can affect flower morphology and pollinator compatibility, highlighting the importance of understanding these interactions.
Alain Cribier will describe the development and evolution of percutaneous aortic valve replacement, a breakthrough procedure for treating aortic stenosis. The Cribier-Edwards heart valve has been tested in clinical trials, with another device, CoreValve, also undergoing testing.
Evo-devo researchers are urging scientists to select new model organisms based on their ability to shed light on specific evolutionary themes, rather than just phylogenetic position. The current choice of model organisms has been criticized for being too narrow and not representative of the diversity of life on Earth.
Researchers detail transcription network driving muscle development in C. elegans and propose evolutionary conserved program across animals. Three transcription factors redundantly control body wall muscle development in worms, with corresponding vertebrate factors playing key roles in myogenesis.
Researchers discovered that Onthophagus horned beetles use their young horns to bust out of thick larval shells, a function previously unknown. The finding suggests that the evolution of adult horn shape may have occurred secondarily, with the initial function being for larval molting.
A study by Losey and Vaughan estimates the economic value of ecological services provided by insects at $57 billion annually in the United States. The services include natural control of crop pests, pollination, and wildlife nutrition, valued at $4.5 billion, $3 billion, and $50 billion respectively.
A study published in BMC Biology found that Oklahoma salamanders metamorphose into more terrestrial adult forms in fine, tightly packed gravel streambeds and retain juvenile forms in large, loosely packed particles. The researchers discovered a strong negative correlation between small streambed sediments and paedomorphosis.
Researchers found a novel gene critical for regulating Hh signaling in mammals, revealing the first clear difference in conserved signaling pathway function between species. The discovery suggests that multi-component pathways evolve by inserting new proteins into existing pathways.
Researchers discovered that changing an embryo's genetic elements can alter its adult fish jaw structure and function. The study revealed a complex link between embryonic development and biomechanical systems, with specific genes controlling different aspects of the lower jaw.
Researchers suggest that modern human expansion in South Asia was a complex process, with evidence indicating diversity of behavioral responses and competition driving the demise of indigenous archaic hominids. The study challenges the idea of a sudden 'revolution' in modern human behavior 50,000 years ago.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Helsinki has identified a key gene called ectodin that regulates tooth shape formation. The team found that mice lacking functional ectodin have abnormal teeth with broader cusps and extra teeth, highlighting the importance of ectodin in maintaining tooth development.
Researchers at Yale University have found that varying oxygen concentrations in alligator eggs alter growth patterns and affect bone development, suggesting a link to fossil records of prehistoric atmospheric oxygen levels. The study provides new insights into the complex interaction between vertebrate development and oxygen levels.
Researchers have uncovered a new hypothesis on the origins of cyanobacteria, which gave rise to chloroplasts in plant cells. The study suggests these bacteria first emerged in freshwater systems and gradually adapted to brackish and marine environments over time.
Azevedo's research reveals surprisingly simple cell lineages in small invertebrates, contradicting long-held assumptions about developmental complexity. The findings suggest a more universal approach to analyzing organism development using computer programs.
Researchers explore the role of genetics, social organization, and sexual selection in shaping family structures and behaviors in various species. From pathogens to genes, scientists uncover the intricate mechanisms driving the evolution of complex social systems.
Researchers found a series of genes defining a two-segment periodicity in centipede embryos, resulting in single segments that later develop legs. This mechanism limits the number of leg-bearing segments to odd numbers, with additional non-leg bearing segments also formed.
Researchers have found that hindbrain neural identities in lampreys are governed by independent mechanisms, contradicting a prevailing model. The findings suggest a convergent process where originally independent mechanisms became linked during gnathostome evolution.
Evo-devo biologists led by Raff will use mechanistic tools to address major historical questions about multicellular animals, the Cambrian radiation, and animal larvae. The approach may reveal complex features in animal development evolved more quickly than expected.
Research integrating genetics and paleontology aims to resolve human evolution debates by combining fossil records with genetic data. A recent study on baboon teeth shows that enamel thickness can vary widely within a population, challenging long-held assumptions.
A researcher has found a key genetic change that separates the spineless from the backboned, revealing how an old gene gave birth to new ones. The study sheds light on the evolution of developmental programs in animals, including the adaptation of T-box genes in humans and other species.
Scientists have discovered two significant fossil finds in Europe, shedding light on the early evolution of humans. The oldest relative of all living great apes was found in Germany, while a nearly complete skull of Dryopithecus was uncovered in Hungary.
A study published in Nature found that hummingbirds, parrots, and songbirds have evolved similar brain structures to learn and mimic songs. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of language in humans and raises questions about whether birds developed this ability independently or from a common ancestor.
Researchers found a species of frog in Puerto Rico that develops directly from eggs into fully formed adults, retaining the need for thyroid hormone despite bypassing the tadpole phase. This discovery showcases a classic case of evolutionary change in development, where the species adapted to evade predators by losing the tadpole stage.
Butterflies have developed ultrasound-sensitive ears on their wings to detect bat calls and exhibit evasive flight manoeuvres. The study found that rare nocturnal butterfly species in Panama possess this unique adaptation, protecting them from bat predators.
Researchers compare gene order on X and Y chromosomes of humans, cats, and mice, finding that cats and humans have similar gene orders on both chromosomes. A small block of genes with preserved order and spacing was discovered in mouse, cat, and human, suggesting an important function in male reproductive fitness.