Articles tagged with Evolutionary Genetics
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that men infected with one type of HPV are 20 times more likely to be reinfected within a year. Vaccination before sexual contact is crucial in preventing initial infection, while vaccinating previously infected men could also reduce reinfection risk.
A new study by Voskarides suggests that genetic variants beneficial for survival at extreme temperatures can predispose individuals to cancer. The study analyzes the relationship between cancer risk and local average annual temperatures, concluding that extremely cold environments contribute to cancer risk.
Researchers analyzed vervet monkey genes to understand their interaction with SIV, a close relative of HIV. The study revealed the monkeys' ability to live with the virus has evolved over time, offering valuable data for humans to develop more effective treatments.
An international team of researchers discovered a previously unrecognized genus of extinct horses in North America, diverging from the main trunk of the Equus family tree around 4-6 million years ago. The new species, Haringtonhippus francisci, was a widespread and successful species that survived until roughly 17,000 years ago.
Researchers at Georgia Tech found that physical stress drove the evolution of multicellular bodies in yeast cells, allowing them to grow larger and more robust. This process was mainly driven by forces within the cells' physical structures, which pushed the snowflakes to evolve towards bigger, tougher bodies.
Researchers identified key genes involved in scale and feather development, demonstrating their ability to convert scales into feathers by turning on specific molecular circuits. The study reveals five morpho-regulatory modules essential for modern feather formation and potentially explains how early birds evolved flight.
A study found that mirror-image Japanese land snails can overcome their physical barrier to mate in a face-to-face position. The researchers also discovered genetic similarities between the two types, suggesting they should be considered a single species.
A study of snapdragons has yielded a clue about how nature controls fundamental evolutionary change in all species. A new genetic mechanism, known as a hairpin, has been identified that favours colour schemes which signpost a flower's entry point most clearly to pollinating bees.
A newly discovered fossil, Jablonskipora kidwellae, fills the missing evolutionary link in the history of bryozoans. The tiny marine creature lived 105 million years ago and evolved a unique structure to tap into flowing water, giving it a competitive advantage over other species.
Researchers successfully created a fully functional extra eye in the center of a beetle's head using a simple genetic tool. The study provides new insights into how developmental processes reorganize to create novel complex traits, and could help address fundamental questions in development, evolution, and medicine.
Researchers at Osaka University have found a key gene responsible for the development of male and female traits in an ancient crustacean. The study reveals how this gene, doublesex1, is expressed differently in males and females, leading to distinct sex-specific characteristics.
A genetic inversion led to the development of mimicry in Asian swallowtail butterflies, with some species maintaining multiple forms of disguise to evade predators. The researchers found that the genetic change carried unrelated material, potentially introducing long-term disadvantages.
Researchers at Kyoto University used a chimpanzee parent-offspring trio to estimate direct mutation rates, finding higher rates than in humans. The study also revealed a strong male-biased mutation spectrum and new structural alterations.
A study on guppy fish reveals how their immune genes evolve to resist parasites while maintaining critical function over millions of years. The research sheds light on the evolutionary dynamics of the immune system and its ability to adapt to new threats.
A new NSF-funded project at UNC-Chapel Hill aims to make expertise in comparing anatomical or physiological knowledge about different organisms accessible to computers. The project will develop tools for semantic ancestral character reconstruction and enrichment, enabling researchers to study how phenotypes evolve along the tree of life.
Researchers from the University of Zurich have identified a distinct third species of orangutans, Pongo tapanuliensis, through genomic and morphological analysis. The Tapanuli population is believed to be direct descendants of the first Sumatran population and has been isolated for at least 10,000 years.
Researchers found that prehistoric migration rates increased in three distinct pulses, coinciding with the spread of agriculture, Bronze Age advancements, and Iron Age population growth. This suggests a strong link between technological innovation and human mobility.
A genetic study of dingoes found the species likely migrated to Australia in two separate waves via a former land bridge with Papua New Guinea. The study recommends treating genetically distinct populations as different groups for management and conservation purposes.
A recent study by TGen-USC reveals that Precision Medicine in oncology is less precise for individuals with Latin American, African and Asian ancestry. A new genomic tool called LumosVar has been developed to help identify genetic variants, but more research is needed to overcome population differences.
A new flu forecasting tool combines data on virus spread with evolutionary analysis to predict the severity of upcoming seasons. By factoring in how much the virus has changed compared to recent years, the model can generate disease forecasts before the season begins, significantly earlier than existing tools.
Scientists have developed a new theory of molecular evolution that explains how genes function and why proteins evolve. The theory applies statistical mechanics to understand protein evolution at a basic level, revealing the importance of amino acid interactions and sequence entropy of folding.
Researchers have discovered two new genes responsible for the formation of fan-like structures on the legs of a specific water strider species. The findings suggest that genetic mutations can lead to the emergence of new structures that affect an organism's lifestyle and access to ecological niches.
Researchers identified two genes, geisha and mother-of-geisha, controlling water strider fan development in new environments. The discovery highlights the role of taxon-restricted genes in adaptation to fast-flowing stream environments.
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered a new concept called 'drift robustness', where small populations evolve to protect themselves from harmful mutations. This adaptation allows them to survive and thrive in environments where larger populations would struggle.
A mutated Hoxd3 gene affects intestinal development and absorption, contributing to certain types of intestinal insufficiency in premature infants. The discovery provides a potential diagnostic tool for this disease, which remains unknown until now.
Scientists sequenced genomes of 2,092 Africans to uncover genetic basis of skin pigmentation, finding a light pigmentation variant introduced by gene flow from non-Africans. The study also identified the MFSD12 region as crucial for melanogenesis, a process in which skin produces pigment.
A new study by UC Santa Cruz researchers rules out pre-European contact between Easter Island inhabitants and South Americans, leaving many questions unanswered about the island's population dynamics. The analysis of ancient DNA from skeletal remains found no evidence of gene flow between the two groups.
A global assessment reveals that genetically engineered crops producing insect-killing proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis have led to a fivefold increase in pest resistance cases over the past decade. However, some pests remain suppressed due to factors such as recessive inheritance of resistance and abundant refuges.
A recent genetic study found that men's ability to father children later in life has no link to their longevity, and women's survival past 50 is not favoured by evolution. The research suggests that genes beneficial for both early and late life are the key to understanding why people live beyond 50.
A study published in PLOS Genetics found that lethal genetic disorders are more common than expected due to factors such as balancing selection, disease severity, and errors in estimates. This research may help identify overlooked mutations causing these disorders.
Researchers identified a single genetic change, S139N, that enabled the Zika virus to cause microcephaly in mouse models of fetal infection. This mutation made the virus more lethal to human neuron precursor cells and substantially more severe in cases of microcephaly.
Asteroid impact led to rapid genetic evolution in surviving birds, potentially influencing modern bird diversity. Human activities may accelerate similar 'Lilliput Effect', impacting evolution across species.
Researchers aim to identify parasite genes underlying resistance, monitor spread, and design treatment strategies. They will use innovative genetic crosses in a 'humanized' mouse strain to better understand drug resistance evolution.
Scientists discover cryptic species in Elymnias genus due to mimicry, not interbreeding. Multiple species on different islands evolved to resemble a single model species, confounding classification.
Researchers used CRISPR to study the WntA gene's role in butterfly wing patterns. The results showed how this gene has orchestrated the evolution of diverse wing patterns across multiple species. This discovery sheds light on biodiversity and could have implications for understanding human anatomy.
Researchers have identified genes promoting health and fitness in young worms but driving aging later in life. This discovery may have implications for treating neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
A large-scale genetic study of Papuan New Guinean people found strong genetic differences between groups, reflecting linguistic and cultural diversity. The study suggests that the country's isolated highlands region has remained genetically independent for thousands of years.
Researchers discovered over 800 alternative ways evolution could have led to the protein's new function, highlighting chance mutations' role. The study reveals how idiosyncratic evolution unfolded, with many possible mutations occurring before reaching the historical solution.
Researchers found that stingless bees control worker reproduction through pheromones, allowing workers to care for the queen's offspring instead of their own. This adaptation creates a conflict between the queen and workers over reproductive interests.
New study highlights challenges in predicting evolutionary fate of new traits, citing factors such as environmental change, social life of alleles, and genetic interactions. This complexity can lead to the emergence of drug resistance and disease outbreaks, emphasizing the need for improved predictive models.
Researchers analyzed the genomes of 210,000 people to find a drop in some genetic mutations linked to Alzheimer's disease and heavy smoking in those who lived longer. Additionally, sets of mutations predisposing people to heart disease and obesity appeared less often in longer-lived individuals.
A team of researchers has discovered a network of genes and genetic regulatory elements in the lining of the intestines that remains remarkably consistent across 420 million years of evolution. This conserved genetic signature is linked to various human diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases, diabetes, and obesity.
Researchers found that urbanization led to significant epigenetic differences in Darwin's finches, which may be a heritable component of adaptation. The study suggests that diet and methylation patterns played a key role in the rapid adaptation of these species to changing environments.
A recent study by Georgia Institute of Technology reveals that genetic risks to health, such as cardiovascular disease, may be rising in modern humans. This contradicts the long-term trend of decreased genetic risk found in ancient ancestors.
A study found a dramatic genetic rift between bat populations on either side of the Northwest and Northeast Providence Channels in the Bahamas. The researchers suggest that bats from Florida colonized the northern islands while those from other parts of the Caribbean likely colonized the southern Bahamas.
Researchers sequenced and compared apple genomes to reveal a two-way journey for domesticated apples along the Silk Road. The study pinpointed the origin of domesticated apples in Kazakhstan and discovered that they hybridized with local wild apples, yielding modern dessert apples.
A new study by Florida State University researcher David Houle found that small mutations in fruit flies can predict up to 40 million years of evolution for this common household pest. The research suggests a tight relationship between mutation effects and evolutionary changes.
Researchers used a portable DNA sequencer to track the movement of the Zika virus, understanding its evolution and predicting future outbreaks. The study analyzed 254 whole genomes of the pathogen, revealing that Zika circulated silently in all regions of the Americas at least a year before the first confirmed cases.
Researchers at the University of Chicago have created a new classification system for common diseases based on genetic and environmental correlations. The study analyzed health insurance claims data from nearly half a million people and found surprising relationships among diseases such as migraine and irritable bowel syndrome.
Researchers at Penn State have received a grant to develop the first new taxonomy for species of the genus Fusarium in 30 years, aiming to improve identification and classification of the genus. The project will produce a comprehensive monograph with digital connectivity and access to DNA sequence data.
Researchers at the California Academy of Sciences used genetic information gathered from their vast mammal collection to elevate a subspecies of giant sengi to full species status. The team discovered that a white-tailed subspecies was genetically distinct enough to be recognized as a separate species.
A new study reconstructs the evolution of flowers and sheds light on what the earliest flowers might have looked like. The ancestral flower was bisexual, with both female and male parts, and multiple whorls of petal-like organs. This new model offers a plausible scenario to explain the spectacular diversity of floral forms.
Scientists use nonlinear reaction-diffusion equations to model gene movement and develop 'switches' that initiate and terminate gene drives, balancing genetic traits with embedded weaknesses. They also find that intense release in specific regions can trigger spreading, but can be stopped by barriers like pesticides.
Researchers at the University of Zurich discovered that malaria was already widespread on Sardinia in the Roman period, contradicting previous assumptions. Genetic adaptations, such as thalassemias, played a crucial role in protecting against malaria, with some individuals leading healthy lives while being immune to infections.
Researchers found that mutations giving rise to resistant genetic sequences formed frequently in fruit flies, hindering the efficiency of gene drives. This development may necessitate new approaches to overcome resistance in genetically diverse populations, making gene drive technology less reliable.
Research suggests that cognitive abilities in grandmothers may have contributed to the emergence and evolution of menopause. Computer simulations found that caring for existing children and grandchildren provided an evolutionary advantage, increasing fertility and survival rates.
A new study reveals that domesticated dogs and humans share a common genetic basis for social behavior, with unique genetic insertions associated with human-directed social behaviors in dogs. This finding challenges the conventional view of dog domestication and highlights the evolutionary conservation of sociability across species.
Researchers found that hairless dogs lack specific lingual cusps on their molars and premolars due to FOXI3 gene variation. The study suggests the gene may also play a role in human tooth morphology.
Researchers used 3-D genetic sequencing data to study the evolution of wheat from wild tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum) to domesticated wheat. They found two gene clusters that lost their function, leading to changes in spike morphology and grain development.
A study by Harvard University found a genetic 'switch' that controls the activity of a key skeletal gene related to height, which is also linked to an increased risk of osteoarthritis. The variant, more prevalent in Eurasian populations, favors shortness and is associated with lower GDF5 activity in growth plates.