Articles tagged with Evolutionary Genetics
Researchers identified 15 instances of mucinization, where new mucins emerged from non-mucin proteins by adding repeating sequences. This process transformed the proteins into mucins with gooey consistency, contributing to their various biological functions.
A new study sheds light on the ancestry of manatees, tracing their evolution back 47 million years to northern Africa. The research suggests that modern manatees migrated from South America to the Caribbean and North America around 34 million years ago, with some species thriving in communities for millions of years.
Researchers successfully produced mice with novel and sustainable karyotypes, mimicking evolutionary changes on a million-year scale. Chromosome-level engineering enables insight into how rearrangements influence evolution and potentially correct misaligned chromosomes.
A new DNA extraction technique has enabled researchers to analyze genetically diverse mollusc species from museum collections, shedding light on their evolutionary history and informing conservation management. The method's success opens up novel research avenues, particularly for endangered or never-before-seen-alive molluscs.
A new study at the University of Helsinki reveals how the actin cytoskeleton in cells is controlled in an evolutionarily distant Leishmania parasite. The findings provide tools to combat leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis by exploiting structural differences between parasite and human actins.
Scientists reconstruct evolution of complex multicellular organisms using genomic data and computational models, revealing gradual changes that began early in evolution. The research reveals distinct paths taken by animal and fungal lineages, shedding light on their shared eukaryotic supergroup.
Researchers found that genetic makeup of mice affects bacteria in their gut, with heritable species and co-evolution observed. The study's findings could provide new insights into treating human gut-related conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
The University of Guam is conducting a four-person research team's study on the genetics of corals from the Northern Mariana Islands to understand coral population connections, diversity, and adaptations. The study aims to identify potential reserves for declining reefs and assess the impact of warming waters.
Bacteria in the Neisseriaceae family evolved to divide along their longitudinal axis without separating, forming caterpillar-like filaments that aid in attachment and cooperation. This unique strategy helps them survive in the oral cavity, where competition is high.
A team of researchers developed a deep learning pipeline to analyze vascular system images of plants with high accuracy. The pipeline can detect vascular bundles, identify specific zones, and perform statistical analysis of traits in different stem internodes. This study has the potential to improve crop resilience and food security.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a precision-guided sterile insect technique (pgSIT) to control invasive fruit fly populations. The technology uses CRISPR editing to target key genes in female viability and male fertility, resulting in a fertility dead end for the species.
The winning image depicts a parasitic fungus infecting a fly, while other images showcase the relationships between species, biodiversity under threat, and research in action. The competition highlights the intersection of art and science, celebrating ecologists' creativity to protect the natural world.
A new paper in The Quarterly Review of Biology reviews studies on workload distribution and division of labor to better understand individual differences in cooperation. The authors argue that integrating collective action and offspring care literatures could lead to a deeper understanding of these factors.
A new study reveals that four living amphibian clades, including the dominant Plethodontidae family of lungless salamanders, develop lungs as embryos but lose them as adults. This finding sheds light on the evolution of lung loss over millions of years and suggests that losing lungs may have enabled their remarkable evolutionary success.
A Texas A&M AgriLife Research project investigates the ages-long interaction between parasitic lice and mammal species, including humans. The researchers aim to answer why various louse species parasitize specific hosts and what makes these species good hosts.
A new study found that 'gaps' within DNA protein and sequence alignments can provide valuable information about nucleotide and amino acid substitutions. The finding is particularly relevant for studying distantly related species.
A newly identified species of Liberibacter, a family of bacteria known for causing citrus greening disease, is rapidly evolving its ability to infect insect hosts. The research team found 21 genes associated with infectious qualities and identified mutations affecting pilus proteins that allow the bacteria to move into host insects.
Scientists have gained insight into how evolution takes place and how several species evolved from a single one by studying trees found in the Galapagos Islands. The research revealed genetic variations associated with vascular development, growth, adaptation to salinity, and flowering time.
Researchers found 87 genes affected by deletions or short insertions in the woolly mammoth genome, potentially impacting its adaptability to cold environments. These changes may have contributed to unique traits such as fur growth and hair shape.
A self-pollinating monkeyflower plant lost 13-24% of its genetic variation within nine generations when isolated from bumble bees. This rapid loss of genetic variation could have devastating impacts on the plant's ability to adapt to changing environments, highlighting the importance of pollinators for plant survival.
A new study found that ageing desexualizes the Drosophila brain transcriptome, causing both males and females to exhibit reduced gene expression differences. This effect is larger in males than females, indicating a weaker investment in sexual behaviors as they age.
A recent study has revealed that the great current diversity of eukaryotes is largely due to the large number of habitat transitions between sea and land over millions of years. Microbial eukaryotes have made hundreds of leaps from one habitat to another, allowing them to occupy vacant ecological niches.
A study of wild baboons in southern Kenya found that most carry traces of hybridization in their DNA, with about a third of their genetic makeup coming from another species. However, new genetic evidence reveals that some borrowed genes came at a cost, affecting the hybrids' survival and reproduction.
Researchers observed a decline in blue and yellow colouration among two blue tit populations over 15 years due to rising temperatures and falling rainfall. This change may affect mating patterns as traits like coloration serve as signals to indicate quality.
A research team uncovered the secret of powdery mildew's success by comparing genetic compositions of 172 strains from 13 countries on five continents. The pathogen was introduced to new regions through human migration and trade, undergoing hybridization with local species to form better-adapted hybrids.
Researchers investigate how foraging adaptations affect Arctic charr resilience to climate change. The team aims to develop a framework linking genetic and malleable components of feeding trait diversity to population demography, habitat, and eco-evolutionary potential.
Researchers uncover the 'cortex' gene responsible for leaf mimicry in Kallima butterflies, revealing a complex interplay between genetics and environmental pressures. The study provides insights into the evolution of this remarkable adaptation and its potential applications in understanding biodiversity.
Scientists discovered that ancient eelgrass migration and Pleistocene ice ages left lasting signatures in their DNA, impacting size, structure, and community composition. Genetic legacy played a stronger role than the present-day environment in determining these traits.
Researchers at MPI-CBG found that modern human variants cause longer metaphase and fewer chromosome segregation errors in neural stem cells, leading to more efficient brain development. This suggests that some aspects of modern human brain evolution may be independent of brain size.
Scientists uncover ancient herpes DNA, revealing the virus's prehistoric origins around 5,000 years ago. The discovery suggests a link between the emergence of facial herpes and cultural practices like romantic and sexual kissing in Europe during the Bronze Age.
Researchers found that domesticated rye has smaller recombining regions, making it less resistant to climate change. In contrast, wild rye has a more diverse genetic makeup and can freely recombine its genetic material.
A study found that healthcare workers in non-COVID-19 wards during outbreaks transmitted new infections, highlighting gaps in infection control practices between different acute care wards. In contrast, those working in COVID-19 isolation wards had lower transmission rates.
Researchers found that domesticated maize recruits different microbes from soil than its wild ancestors, including those involved in nitrogen cycling. This shift may be driving the need for synthetic fertilizers, but understanding the ancestral microbiome could help breed crops more sustainably.
Researchers used C. elegans to investigate inter-individual variation in metabolism and found genetic variants that affect metabolic differences between individuals. They discovered unique metabolites in different strains of the worm, which could help tailor biomedical recommendations to individual metabolism.
A study reveals that over 1,400 genes in 218 insect species originated from bacteria, viruses, fungi, and plants through horizontal gene transfer. This discovery suggests that these genes contributed to beneficial traits such as mating behavior, nutrition, and adaptation to environmental changes.
A new study suggests that a unique gene variant supporting cognitive health in older humans may have first emerged to protect against infectious pathogens like gonorrhea. This variant, linked to CD33, allows brain immune cells to break down damaged brain cells and amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease.
A tiny marine animal, copepod Eurytemora affinis, has evolved rapidly in response to declining ocean salinity due to climate change. The study found that certain genetic combinations of ion transporters were more likely to survive and thrive in freshwater environments.
Researchers discovered a molecular switch in flavivirus that controls virus assembly, maturation, and entry into new cells. This switch is triggered by pH-dependent conformational changes in viral envelope proteins.
Researchers track changes in fitness landscapes as viruses and hosts undergo ongoing survival competition. The study reveals that coevolution propels adaptations, with viruses innovating to overcome host resistance. This new understanding provides a quantitative framework for predicting evolution in coevolving ecological communities.
Hexaploid gibel carp exhibit high genetic diversity and strong environmental adaptation, defying predicted extinction. Comparative genomics reveals expanded meiotic cell cycle-related genes and oocyte-specific histone variants facilitating purging deleterious mutations.
Researchers have identified over 1,500 genetic differences between migratory and non-migratory hoverflies, shedding light on the genetic pathways involved in migration. The study reveals suites of genes being activated in concert, including insulin signalling for longevity and pathways for immunity.
A recent letter to Science warns that a drastic reduction of Swedish wolf population could exacerbate inbreeding and genetic erosion. The authors advocate for increasing population size and securing connectivity with neighboring populations to improve conservation.
A new study published in Behavior Genetics found that natural selection favors characteristics associated with lower earnings and poorer education, such as having more children. The research, led by UEA, analyzed data from over 300,000 people in the UK and suggests that this may be contributing to increasing income inequality.
Researchers have discovered a selfish genetic element, known as Segregation Distorter (SD), that skews genetic inheritance. SD has caused dramatic changes in chromosome organization and genetic diversity, leading to the accumulation of deleterious mutations.
Scientists from OIST and colleagues reveal that Kamptozoa and Bryozoa belong together, contrary to previous studies. Using high-quality sequencing technology, they found the two phyla split from mollusks and worms earlier than thought, forming a distinct group.
A new study uses gene expression patterns to reconstruct the evolution of the placenta and predict its characteristics in early mammals. The research suggests that the placenta was invasive in the last common ancestor of eutherian mammals, with non-invasive placentas evolving multiple times among mammals.
Genetic analysis of ancient individuals from remote Pacific islands yields findings on family structure, social customs, and ancestral populations. The study suggests that matrilocal population structures were the rule among the world's earliest seafarers, with women often remaining in their communities after marriage.
Researchers at the Field Museum used innovative techniques to extract usable DNA from centuries-old specimens, including a two-foot-long greenish-brown snake from Borneo. The study successfully determined the snake's family affiliation, providing insights into biogeography and evolutionary history.
Researchers found that different lineages of Cryptosporidium parvum are increasingly exchanging their DNA, which helps the parasite evolve faster and potentially result in more virulent strains. The study suggests that globalization and close contact with animals increase the rate of genetic exchange.
Scientists studied embryonic development in fish and cartilaginous fish, revealing that the jaw shares a common developmental origin with the gill. The findings support the theory that the jaw evolved by modification of an ancestral gill, which was previously considered controversial.
Researchers discovered new viruses infecting Asgard archaea, which may hold clues to the origin of complex life. The viruses share features with both prokaryotic and eukaryotic viruses, offering a new perspective on viral eukaryogenesis.
Male scorpionflies from two locations in Japan use varying mating tactics, with those from Okayama employing 'sneaking' to successfully mate. The study suggests that environmental factors and genetic components influence alternative mating habits.
A new study reveals that over half of human populations worldwide have experienced sharp dips in population size due to founder events, associated with geographic isolation, hunter-gatherer lifestyle, or cultural practices. This analysis technique, ASCEND, will help identify groups at high risk of genetic diseases.
A new analysis of ancient and contemporary genomes shows that more than half of historical groups experienced founder events, leading to reduced genetic diversity. This research has significant implications for scientists studying human genetic variation and the discovery of disease-causing mutations.
Researchers at Nagoya University discovered a tubulin homolog protein in the archaeon Odinarchaeota, which forms microtubules critical to cell organization. The study reveals an intermediate structure between bacterial and eukaryotic cells, shedding light on the evolution of complex cellular features.
Researchers discovered how Mycobacterium tuberculosis can evolve efficiently by forming complex biofilms due to genetic mutations. The study sheds light on the bacterium's robustness and identifies potential vulnerabilities for developing more effective treatments.
Researchers analyzed DNA of Demodex folliculorum mites living in human hair follicles, finding unusual body features and behaviors due to their isolated existence. The study suggests these mites may transition from external parasites to internal symbionts as they shed unnecessary genes and cells.
Researchers discuss Hepatitis D's life cycle and interactions with its host, exploring strategies for further research to combat this overlooked virus. HDV coinfects people with hepatitis B, rapidly progressing to liver cirrhosis and cancer if left untreated, with a review published in the Chinese Medical Journal.
Ancient DNA analysis reveals that an epidemic devastated a local community in Kyrgyzstan in 1338 and 1339, linked to the Black Death. The study suggests that the Black Death's ancestor originated in Central Asia, close to Lake Issyk Kul.
Scientists have identified the DOMINANT AWN INHIBITOR (DAI) gene in sorghum, which regulates the absence and shortening of awns. The gene encodes a protein that negatively regulates awn formation as a transcription factor, with implications for breeding modern awnless cultivars.