Researchers have found a new lineage of giant pandas in ancient DNA from a 22,000-year-old specimen. The findings suggest that the ancient panda separated from present-day pandas 144,000 to 227,000 years ago, indicating a distinct group not found today.
Researchers have developed a new analytic method, Time Population Structure (TPS), to date ancient DNA by predicting time based on DNA mutations. TPS has shown results similar to traditional radiocarbon dating, with an average difference of 800 years in age predictions for samples up to 45,000 years old.
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A study by deCODE Genetics reveals that most Icelanders have unmixed Norse or Gaelic ancestry, with a shift towards Norse dominance over time. The research also shows genetic divergence from ancestral populations in Scandinavia and the British-Irish Isles.
The Earth BioGenome Project aims to sequence genomes of every eukaryotic species on Earth, filling the huge knowledge gap in biodiversity research. With a cost estimate of approximately US$4.7 billion, the project will lay the scientific foundation for a new bioeconomy and bring innovative solutions to global problems.
A new tool uses high-throughput DNA sequencing to accurately predict which early-stage Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma (CTCL) patients are at risk of developing an aggressive form of the disease. The tool, which analyzes specific genes, has shown promise in improving treatment outcomes for these patients.
Researchers at Arizona State University have created a DNA walker that can rapidly traverse a track, significantly increasing speed and paving the way for new innovations in DNA nanotechnology. By optimizing DNA strand length and sequences, the device can cover ground up to 100 times faster than previous devices.
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MIT researchers have discovered the factors that determine whether a DNA knot moves along the strand or jams in place. By manipulating the electric field strength, they can induce knots to move towards one end of the molecule, potentially enabling more accurate genome sequencing and knot removal methods.
The project seeks to understand the evolution and organization of life by sequencing and functionally annotating the genomes of 1.5 million eukaryotic species, including plants, animals, fungi, and single-cell organisms. This initiative aims to reveal unknown species and provide a freely available resource for scientific discovery.
A new study by Dr. Maria Kuzmina provides a vast DNA barcode library for the Canadian flora, covering 98% of vascular plant species, using herbarium specimens. The scale of sampling and quality of curation lend the library taxonomic authority, offering a valuable resource for modern plant sciences.
Researchers have developed a new method, DropSynth, to synthesize thousands of genes at once, reducing the cost from $50-$100 to $2 per gene. This breakthrough enables scientists to test hypotheses and analyze large numbers of cells with ease.
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The Renown Institute for Health Innovation is partnering with Helix to offer DNA sequencing to an additional 40,000 Nevadans through the Healthy Nevada Project. This phase will utilize Helix's proprietary Next Generation Sequencing technology to provide unparalleled access to genetic data.
A study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution reveals that G+C composition is generally strongly favored across different species, regardless of genome size or location. The researchers used large-scale DNA sequencing data to demonstrate a correlation between G+C content and the expectations based on neutral mutations.
Researchers Ryosuke Omori and Jianhong Wu develop an inductive algorithm to study site-specific nucleotide frequencies using a multi-strain SIR model. The algorithm calculates Tajima's D, a statistical test that measures natural selection at a specific site.
The Genes in Space-3 team achieved the first-ever sample-to-sequence process entirely aboard the International Space Station, identifying two previously unknown microorganisms. The breakthrough could aid in diagnosing astronaut ailments, identifying DNA-based life on other planets, and benefiting other experiments.
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The study reveals that the Sumatran rhinoceros population declined significantly around the middle of the Pleistocene, approximately one million years ago, due to climate change and habitat loss. The effective population size was reduced from an estimated 57,800 individuals to just 700 by 9,000 years ago.
Researchers found significant disparities in liquid biopsy results from Guardant360 and Personal Genome Diagnostics for patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Inconsistencies were found even when analyzing DNA from the same blood sample, highlighting the need for improved certification and quality control.
Researchers develop a model explaining how DNA sequences affect nucleosome accessibility for gene expression, bridging the gap between mechanical and chemical information in DNA molecules. The study reveals specific base pair sequences that enable packaged DNA to unwind and 'breathe', allowing genes to be read.
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A new study from Columbia University Medical Center suggests that DNA sequencing may offer real clinical value in diagnosing and managing patients with chronic kidney disease. The researchers analyzed 92 adults with kidney disease, yielding a diagnosis in 22 participants, including 13 individuals whose cause of kidney failure was unknown.
A new nanomapping technology combines high-speed atomic force microscopy with a CRISPR-based chemical barcoding technique to map DNA nearly as accurately as DNA sequencing. The technology can process large sections of the genome at a much faster rate, using parts found in DVD players.
Researchers have developed an accurate approach for monitoring cancer DNA from blood samples, validating the use of blood samples for studying patients' cancer genomes. Nearly 90 percent of a tumor's genetic features can be detected in blood samples using whole-exome sequencing.
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The new study reveals that the Guanches carried a mixture of genetic ancestry, with a significant proportion derived from modern North Africans and European Stone Age farmers. The findings provide conclusive evidence on the origins of the Guanches and shed light on their cultural and genetic legacy.
A newly described species of brown-and-white Philippine butterflyfish was found 360 feet beneath the ocean's surface. The discovery was made after a live specimen traveled from the deep reefs to an aquarium in San Francisco, where it was noticed by biologists due to its unique fin spine.
Researchers have developed a new method to detect and identify the many species involved in these ecologically vital communities, revealing one of the highest levels of species richness recorded to date. The study found that the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities were dominated by a small number of very common fungi.
Researchers at Uppsala University discovered how CRISPR-Cas9 finds its target sequence in the genome, taking around six hours to search a bacterium's four million base pairs. To improve speed and reliability, they found that sacrificing Cas9's flexibility can lead to faster, but still versatile genetic scissors.
A large-scale study of ancient human DNA from sub-Saharan Africa has shed light on the identity of prehistoric populations, their movements and genetic adaptations. The research found evidence of a population replacement in Malawi and identified a mysterious group that spanned from southern Africa to the equator.
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Recent study identifies genetic themes of cold adaptation in Nganasan and Yakut populations, showing adaptation to high-fat animal diets. This led to higher basal metabolic rates and lower blood lipid levels in Siberians.
A Northeastern research team has developed a method for loading DNA into sequencing wells, increasing efficiency by orders of magnitude. The technology uses nanopores to attract larger DNA segments, enabling the sequencing of longer molecules.
Washington University engineer Jr-Shin Li has developed a mathematical formula to design broadband pulse sequences, leading to enhanced signal sensitivity in various quantum experiments. The formula, published in Nature Communications, is the first to use analytical methods, resolving challenges associated with numerical optimization.
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A comprehensive study has identified 33 million genetic variants in 1,000 Swedish individuals, with 10 million being novel. The data will aid researchers and clinicians in understanding the association between genetic variants and diseases.
Researchers at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew detail for the first time the opportunities for plant sciences with portable real-time DNA sequencing. By sequencing random pieces of the genome in the field, accurate species identification is possible within a few hours of collecting a specimen.
Researchers found security gaps in open-source DNA processing programs, allowing unauthorized access to computer systems and potentially manipulated DNA results. They recommend strengthening computer security and privacy protections through best practices, adversarial thinking, and monitoring.
A new study suggests a European stockfish trade existed for 1,000 years, with cod bones from Haithabu providing evidence of fish caught in northern Norway being consumed on mainland Europe. The findings support the idea that traded fish played a significant role in knitting the European continent together economically.
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A new method for monitoring organ transplant patients has been developed using a combination of DNA sequencing and computer science techniques. The method, which detects cell-free DNA in the bloodstream, can predict organ rejection with accuracy similar to that of biopsies.
Researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute used carrion flies to survey tropical forest mammals, detecting 20 species that were not found by traditional methods. The method was more effective than camera traps and transect counts, but had limitations, such as failing to detect certain species that produce small droppings.
Ancient DNA sequencing of 4,000-year-old Canaanite individuals and present-day Lebanese reveals that more than 90% of Lebanese ancestry is likely to be from the Canaanites. The study also discovered a mixture of local people and eastern migrants in the ancient Canaanite population.
Researchers studying coral connectivity patterns in the Gulf of Mexico aim to restore marine ecosystems damaged by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. By analyzing genetic diversity and dispersal rates, scientists hope to identify critical areas for protection.
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Researchers have created a whole-genome sequenced rice mutant resource to accelerate functional genetic research in plants. The new collection, KitBase, contains 1,504 lines with 45-fold coverage and identified 91,513 mutations affecting 32,307 genes.
Researchers at Rutgers University have invented a technology to clone thousands of genes simultaneously, creating massive libraries of proteins from DNA samples. This innovation could lead to rapid discovery of new medicines and biomarkers, revolutionizing the field of functional genomics.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine used long-read genome sequencing to secure a diagnosis for patient Ricky Ramon, who had undiagnosed Carney complex. The technique identified a deletion of about 2,200 base-pairs and confirmed the diagnosis.
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Researchers have identified the KMT2A gene translocations as a common underlying cause of infant and treatment-related leukemias. The Penn/CHOP team has also found that topoisomerase II cleavage clusters in specific regions of the genome, which may play a role in DNA damage repair and cancer development.
Researchers at TUM and Helmholtz Zentrum München developed a method that significantly increases the chances of identifying genetic triggers in rare hereditary disorders. By sequencing both DNA and RNA, they were able to narrow down gene candidates in 10% of cases, while reducing false positives.
Scientists at UNC discovered a cascade of molecular signals that program gene activity to drive fruit fly maturation, involving alterations to DNA packaging and chromatin accessibility. This basic biology finding may hold significance for understanding how cancers arise in humans.
The genome of Botryococcus braunii has been sequenced, revealing 18,500 genes and potential biosynthetic pathways for hydrocarbon production. The findings could enable the use of algae as a renewable fuel source without modifying existing infrastructure.
Researchers have discovered a new butterfly species, Acentria's fritillary, in northern Israel, with a unique molecular signature different from other fritillary species. The species is likely to be endemic to the region, highlighting its evolutionary history and possible hybridization between two other species.
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Scientists found 832 disease-causing genes with systematically low coverage across multiple sequencing platforms, highlighting limitations of whole-exome sequencing. Whole-genome sequencing may be more accurate but remains expensive.
A team of researchers used computational modeling to understand DNA knotting in nanochannels, a challenge in genome mapping. They found that experimental results are not consistent with simulations, but the data may come from other sources.
The next generation TimeTree web combines molecular sequencing data with geological timelines and environmental information. Users can now explore the history of life on Earth in detail, tracing species evolution through time and comparing divergence times between species.
Researchers at MIT have developed a way to detect aflatoxin exposure by sequencing DNA of liver cells, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment. The technique can identify rare mutations caused by aflatoxin long before tumors form.
A new database of genetic information, developed by researchers at Emory University, has improved the accuracy of plant identification using DNA sequencing technologies. The new library uses the rbcL gene, a popular barcode in plants, to identify species from tiny amounts of material, enabling faster and more accurate analysis.
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Nanopore sequencing is a modern and promising technique that benefits from the potential advantages of label-free sequencing and long reads. This method analyzes DNA directly taken from cells, enhancing sequencing accuracy. Recent advances in solid-state nanopore sequencing are investigated in a review published in Recent Patents on Na...
A new study reveals a massive decline in genetic diversity among living and extinct black rhinoceros populations. The research found that hunting and habitat loss have reduced the species' evolutionary potential dramatically over the last 200 years.
Researchers at Queen Mary University London have discovered a genetic defect causing kidney and adrenal disease in patients from around the world. The study found that defects in the SGPL1 gene can lead to progressive diseases with neurological involvement.
Researchers at Louisiana State University have discovered a way to sequence the DNA of rare and extinct animals preserved in natural history museum collections. This breakthrough enables scientists to analyze the genetic relationships among species, including those that were thought to be lost to science.
Scientists at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences successfully imprint a sequence of a single-stranded DNA in a polymer matrix. The resulting negative polymer is chemically active and selectively binds nucleobases, reproducing the genetic code.
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Researchers have developed a new way to sequence and analyze plant DNA to identify genes that confer disease resistance. By using longer DNA molecules and a specialized sequencing method, they can accurately identify the exact genes responsible for plant defense mechanisms. This breakthrough has significant implications for breeding mo...
A study published in PLOS ONE found that environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling correlates closely with trawl catches of subarctic, deepwater fish species in Greenland. This non-invasive method detected a higher abundance of the Greenland Shark and identified 26 families of fish, including rays and halibut.
Researchers developed a DNA sequencing technique that can accurately identify lymphoma subtype, mutations, and predict prognosis. The method allows for real-time monitoring of tumor evolution and early warning systems, enabling personalized cancer treatment.
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A new research effort is underway in the Solomon Islands and surrounding nations to catalog biodiversity and study evolution. The project aims to fill gaps in data and test hypotheses using modern methods.
The Amur leopard genome sequence reveals that a meat-only diet leads to physiological, biochemical, and morphological adaptations. This finding has implications for the species' conservation status, as specialized diets result in low genetic diversity and small population sizes among cat family members.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute developed a new electronic DNA sequencing platform using biologically engineered nanopores, enabling highly scalable, accurate single-molecule DNA sequencing. The method can transform precision medicine by dramatically lowering the cost of sequencing while increasing accuracy.