Articles tagged with Evolutionary Genetics
A new study by SF State biologists reveals that the distinctive 'horn-like' cephalic lobes of manta rays are actually modified fins, developed through a simple genetic tweak. The researchers found that the same Hox genes guiding fin development in related species also shape the horns in manta rays.
A study analyzing over 50,000 genomes identified 12 specific DNA fragments related to ADHD vulnerability, highlighting a polygenic hereditary basis and functional relevance. The research also reveals genetic overlaps with major depression, obesity, and other conditions.
Archaeologists and scientists studied ancient Maya shells and tissue samples, leading to the first molecular study of freshwater mussels in Mexico and Central America. The study provided crucial insight into North American freshwater mussel evolution and revealed that some species were overestimated due to lack of DNA data.
A recent study by Earlham Institute sheds light on the genetic orchestra conductors behind domestication of dogs, cows, horses, pigs, and rabbits. By analyzing microRNAs in their brains, testicles, hearts, and kidneys, researchers discovered that some miRNAs have evolved more recently, playing a crucial role in emerging novel traits.
Bridgett vonHoldt and Tom Smith used Mendelian genetics to identify the gene IGF-1 associated with bill size in black-bellied seedcrackers. The study found a 3:1 pattern of inheritance, where large beaks were dominant over small beaks.
A new computer model flags areas ripe for preservation of California's native species, focusing on biodiversity hotspots and evolutionary uniqueness. The model aims to prioritize conservation efforts with limited funds.
Research reveals that variation in opsin gene expression affects guppy females' preferences for male orange colors, highlighting the interplay between visual properties and mate choice. Genetic polymorphisms and environmental factors contribute to differing light sensitivity, driving the evolution of diverse male sexual colors.
A study of salmon in Northern Finland found that the gene version urging them to mature earlier has become more prevalent, while the version for larger growth is rarer. This suggests that evolution is at play as salmon adapt to their environment.
Researchers have developed a new technique that accelerates and simplifies the directed evolution bioengineering method, allowing for rapid mutation and evolution of genes in yeast cells. This breakthrough enables scientists to perform multiple evolutionary cycles continuously, leading to faster discovery of new proteins and enzymes.
Scientists have found an optimal mating distance that maximizes genetic fitness in model organisms, including baker's yeast, Arabidopsis plants, and mice. This discovery has implications for animal and plant breeding as well as conservation.
Researchers discovered that even tiny genetic variations between plants can significantly improve their combined yield when grown together in mixed communities. By analyzing the genetic makeup of different plant crosses, they identified key genes responsible for enhancing team performance.
A genetic scan of 4,578 TB samples from China revealed just two dominant strains account for 99.4% of cases, with strain L2 spreading widely due to internal movement allowing its spread. The study also found that strain Lineage 4 was introduced via the silk trade between 1084 and 1336 A.D.
Researchers have found that the unique bird species on Inaccessible Island has its origins in South America, rather than Africa or Asia. The birds likely arrived on the island via debris or flying, and over time evolved into a flightless species due to abundant food sources and predator-free habitats.
Traces of cocoa dating back 5,300 years have been discovered in the Santa Ana-La Florida archaeological site in Ecuador. The study suggests that the Mayo Chinchipe civilization consumed cocoa almost continuously from 5,300 to 2100 years before present.
The California Academy of Sciences has described 17 new species of sea slugs, shedding light on the evolution of color patterns and their significance in coral reefs. The discovery highlights the importance of nudibranchs as indicators of ocean health and reveals diverse ecosystems across the Indo-Pacific region.
Researchers confirm six genetically distinct tiger subspecies through genome-wide analysis of 32 tiger specimens, revealing unique features and evolutionary histories for each group. The findings provide robust evidence for subspecies delineation in tigers.
A team of evolutionary biologists discovered the genetic basis for the repeated evolution of color patterns, specifically horizontal stripes, in East-African cichlid fishes. The study found that a specific gene, agrp2, is responsible for the emergence and loss of stripes, making repeated evolution possible within a short period.
Research suggests giant tortoise sizes evolved independently on multiple continents, contradicting the island rule theory. Fossil records reveal extinct mainland giants in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, which went extinct during the Pleistocene ice age.
A study on Darwin's finches reveals two pathways of species generation and diversification driven by selective mating based on body and beak size. The authors note that hybridization between similar lineages can drive speciation, highlighting the importance of conservation of diverse environmental conditions.
MSU researchers developed a new course 'Integrative Biology: From DNA to Populations' featuring Avida-ED, a digital evolution software program. This approach allows students to engage with biological concepts in a familiar and interesting context, resulting in increased understanding of evolution-influenced topics.
A new study suggests that changing how microbes are classified can reveal clearer patterns of similarity between closely related mammals in terms of their gut microbiomes. The researchers propose an alternative approach to classification based on evolutionary history, which helps uncover meaningful units among microbes.
Researchers created flies with ancient genes to understand how mutations drove major evolutionary changes in embryonic development. The study found that two chance mutations were the major causes of a profound change in the animal's developmental processes, resulting in present-day descendants exhibiting new developmental functions.
A newly identified gene, ancV1R, is found to be conserved across fish and mammals, suggesting an ancient origin for pheromone sensing. The discovery opens new avenues of research into the evolution and function of pheromone signaling in vertebrates.
Scientists and legal scholars warn that DARPA's Insect Allies program could be misused for biological warfare due to the ease of dispersing genetically edited viruses into fields. The technology has the potential to rapidly alter crop properties, raising concerns about its peaceful use.
Researchers found that a gene variant, 5-HTTLPR, reduces the risk of depression associated with friendship and relationships stresses when young, but increases the risk following financial stress. This discovery may offer new insights into the evolution of depression.
Scientists from Shinshu University have analyzed the genetic DNA of Stenopsyche caddisflies, a common Japanese insect delicacy. The study reveals that these insects originated in southern Asia and dispersed globally over millions of years.
Cell biologist Needhi Bhalla's research reveals a complex chromosomal monitoring system that prevents errors during meiosis, a type of cell division. The system involves checkpoints and molecular mechanisms to ensure proper progression of recombination.
A study on scarab beetles found that horns developed from the same head regions, with common genes controlling their formation. The research suggests deep parallels in horn evolution between distant species.
Researchers found that many genes inherited from Neanderthals interact with modern-day viruses like HIV and influenza A, suggesting they provided protection against ancient RNA viruses. The study suggests a 'poison-antidote' model of gene swapping between species, where Neanderthals bequeathed genetic tools to combat invaders.
Researchers found a new dynamic between mother's genome and their offspring's genome influencing development and adaptation to ecological conditions. Genetic mismatches can hinder adaptation in some species.
A study on Asian ladybird beetles reveals a single gene, pannier, that regulates diverse color patterns. The gene's expression affects black and red pigmentation in the forewing, driving morphological evolution.
Researchers have confirmed that genome duplication drives the evolution of polyploid plant species, such as Arabidopsis kamchatica. The study found that the double genome allows for advantageous genetic mutations and increased adaptability to environmental conditions.
A new USC Dornsife study finds that genes can help an organism survive, rather than just being a negative trait associated with aging. This challenges the long-held hypothesis of 'antagonistic pleiotropy', which suggests that genes that enhance reproduction contribute to aging.
A study led by Prof. Erich Bornberg-Bauer revealed that de novo genes constantly emerge in non-coding DNA regions and can occasionally acquire functions in organisms over longer periods of time.
Researchers discovered that mice lacking a key gene, CMAH, can run stronger and longer with less fatigue. This gene loss may have contributed to humanity's ability to run long distances relatively tirelessly.
A UTA doctoral student has received a Graduate Research Fellowship Program grant to fund her research on genetic variation in whiptail lizards and its impact on the microbiome. The award will support her three-year research project using both sexually and asexually reproducing species living in sympatry.
Researchers have identified key genetic changes that occur during colorectal cancer development, including 'chromosomal catastrophes' that lead to tumour growth and diversity
Researchers at University of Colorado Boulder develop Controlled Hindrance of Adaptation of OrganismS (CHAOS) approach to disrupt gene expressions in bacteria, effectively stunting their ability to evolve defenses. The method offers a sustainable long-term solution to combat antibiotic-resistant superbugs that infect nearly 2 million p...
Scott Juntti, UMD professor, develops genomic tools for testing genes' impact on organism traits in cichlid fish. The goal is to predict an organism's phenotype by understanding the sets of rules that govern genetic variation.
Researchers are studying the genetic basis of carnivorous plant evolution, seeking to understand how similar traits emerge in different orders. Dr. Kenji Fukushima's work aims to develop new molecular tools for analyzing specific genes in carnivorous plants.
Research by an international team from the University of Vienna reveals that remote islands have higher numbers of non-native species, which can lead to extinction events and threaten unique island species. The study found that isolation from the mainland increases the number of non-native species, while native species decline.
A newly-discovered fossil turtle, Eorhynchochelys sinensis, lived 228 million years ago with a beak but no shell. This find sheds light on the evolution of turtles and challenges traditional theories, supporting mosaic evolution and shedding new light on turtle ancestry.
New research reveals that female mosquitoes rapidly evolve more selective mating behavior when faced with existential threats from other invasive mosquito species. This adaptation is driven by genetic changes in specific gene regions and enables them to avoid sterility caused by interbreeding with male males of a different species.
A study found that long, noncoding stretches of DNA in a calcium transport gene may predispose individuals to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These 'hidden variants' could help identify patients at risk and tailor treatments.
Researchers found that periwinkles have developed a genetic toolkit with specific genes clustered on three chromosomes to help them adapt to environments threatened by crabs and waves. This rapid adaptation is thought to have occurred within 5,000 generations, enabling the snails to survive in rapidly changing coastal habitats.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have developed a statistical method to analyze millions of RNA structures, enabling them to predict functional interactions. This breakthrough aims to prevent toxic relationships between molecules that lead to disease, and potentially improve human health.
The study of Flores pygmy humans shows they have Neanderthal and Denisovan ancestry, but no direct link to Homo floresiensis. The short-statured phenotype is a result of recent polygenic selection on standing genetic variation.
Researchers found that modern pygmy genomes showed no evidence of gene flow from the extinct 'hobbit' species, contradicting previous expectations. However, they did find genetic variants associated with short stature and dietary adaptations in genes involved in fatty acid metabolism.
Rice University's Luay Nakhleh has received $1.5 million in grants from the NSF to develop algorithms that can infer evolutionary histories of tumor cells, helping researchers understand why some cancer cells spread and mutate differently.
Researchers identified 27 unique amino acid replacements in 27 different proteins of hot-spring snakes, which were associated with functions like immunity and DNA repair. These mutations enable the snakes to thrive under extreme conditions such as intense radiation and hypoxia.
A team of researchers has discovered a new species of Placozoa, a phylum of simple multicellular animals, by analyzing its genetic makeup. The study, published in PLOS Biology, used taxogenomics to describe the new species, which was previously thought to be a single species, Trichoplax adhaerens.
A new species of round fungus beetle was discovered in Malaysian Borneo with remarkably long genitalia. The species was named after actress and biologist Isabella Rossellini due to its unique reproductive characteristics, showcasing an evolutionary 'sexual arms race' between males and females.
Researchers found that different types of efflux pump proteins, key to antibiotic resistance, may not have evolved from a common ancestor. Instead, they may have developed independently through convergent evolution, offering new insights into fighting drug-resistant superbugs.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that unisexual salamanders rarely borrow DNA from other species, despite persisting for millions of years. The study suggests that their unique reproductive strategy may be linked to environmental changes or specific interactions with other species.
A study found that bats have preserved a viral gene from an ancient Ebola-like virus for millions of years. The VP35 gene helps regulate the immune system and may play a role in preventing disease in bats.
A study found that variations of a single gene in pigeons are associated with diverse feather patterns and unexpected links to human vision defects. The gene, Norrie Disease Protein, is well-studied in humans but has different effects on pigs, causing only pigmentation changes.
A new AI framework, ExPecto, predicts the effects of genetic mutations in the 'dark matter' regions of the human genome. The framework pinpointed mutations potentially responsible for increasing the risk of several immune-related diseases, including chronic hepatitis B virus infection and Crohn's disease.
Scientists discovered that polyps of the marine hydrozoan Ectopleura larynx allow genetically unrelated individuals to fuse their bodies and share skin and stomachs. This unique behavior provides survival advantages in a competitive ocean environment.
Human ancestors were scattered across Africa, with diverse habitats and shifting environmental boundaries leading to a staggering diversity of human forms. The mixing of these populations ultimately shaped our species.
Researchers decipher how plants evolve recognition systems to prevent self-fertilization, leading to genetic diversity in nature. The study found that new mating types can evolve through different pathways and are influenced by population demographics and mutation rates.