Articles tagged with Evolutionary Genetics
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have mapped the binding sites and cellular expression patterns of regulatory factors in fruit flies, roundworms, and humans. The study identifies shared and distinct patterns across species, shedding light on how genes are turned on and off.
A newly discovered species of ant, Mycocepurus castrator, has been found to support the theory of sympatric speciation, where a new species develops within a single colony. The research team found that the parasitic ants were genetically close to their host, but no longer reproductively compatible and had stopped reproducing together 3...
Researchers discovered a subset of microRNAs that regulate sex differences in fruit flies, with implications for understanding human developmental defects and disease. The study found that these small RNA molecules orchestrate complex genetic programs that shape the structures distinguishing males and females.
A University of Utah-led study identifies a genetic variation in Tibetans that contributes to their adaptation to high altitudes. The EGLN1 gene change protects Tibetans from complications caused by low oxygen levels, allowing them to thrive in thin air.
Studies on Fukushima radiation impact birds, monkeys, butterflies, and plants with population declines, genetic damage, and stress responses observed. Chronic low-dose radiation exposure results in genetic damage and mutation rates in reproductive cells.
A team of scientists has found that genetic changes in a bacterial pathogen may be caused by chance environmental events rather than genetic mutations. The study, published in PNAS, analyzed 149 genomes of Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi A and found that the pathogen had not changed dramatically over its 450-year history.
Researchers found that prestin, a key hearing gene, has evolved independently to play a critical role in echolocation of bats and dolphins. The protein enables these animals to navigate through murky waters or find food in the dark using high-frequency sound waves.
Sean Curran, a USC researcher, has been awarded the GSA's 2014 Nathan Shock New Investigator Award for his contributions to understanding the vital roles of metabolism in aging. His work aims to identify evolutionarily conserved mechanisms that regulate cellular and organism survival and longevity.
A comprehensive genetic survey of captive giant pandas reveals high levels of diversity and low inbreeding rates, indicating a healthy population. The study's findings suggest that captive breeding centers can successfully release pandas into the wild with proper selection criteria.
A groundbreaking study by Harvard University researchers shows that orb-weaver spiders do not share a single origin, contrary to long-held popular opinion. The study's findings suggest that the orb web evolved independently in two groups of spiders, with distinct behaviors and silk characteristics.
A team of researchers from Kansas State University has completed a chromosome-based draft of the wheat genome, providing a valuable resource for plant science researchers and breeders. The genetic blueprint will enable the rapid location of specific genes controlling complex traits such as yield, grain quality, and disease resistance.
Scientists have discovered that ancient protein-building enzymes have acquired new functions in humans, including producing variants with diverse biological activities. These variants are produced only in specific cell types and appear during certain stages of development, highlighting a previously unrecognized layer of biology.
Rapidly accumulating molecular sequence data is changing our understanding of major animal groups' evolution. Organismal biologists are needed to ensure their scenarios remain consistent with new information and evaluate alternative perspectives.
A genome-wide analysis reveals that friends are genetically similar to each other, with an average of 1% DNA in common. The study suggests that social relationships can drive evolutionary advantages, such as increased immunity against diseases.
Researchers have found that viral protein sequences matching a consensus sequence are more likely to be transmitted than those that deviate from the consensus. This 'fitness bottleneck' effect allows for a window of opportunity to prevent or limit infection using drugs or vaccines. The study suggests that targeting infected cells for k...
A new study found that about half of the variation in chimpanzee intelligence can be attributed to genetic factors, shedding light on the cognitive abilities of primates. The research suggests that differences in cognition may have arisen around 5 million years ago in the common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees.
A team of scientists has identified a master regulatory gene for sex determination in the green alga Volvox carteri, which shows how it evolved from a more primitive mating system in a close relative. The discovery may provide a possible blueprint for the origin of sexes in other multicellular organisms.
Researchers discovered a significant difference in the contents and distribution of mobile DNA elements between fruit fly populations on opposite sides of Evolution Canyon. The study found that these repetitive sequences are increasingly recognized as agents of adaptive change, influencing stress resistance and mating.
A new biosensor at the University of British Columbia helps optimize bio-refining processes by sniffing out bacterial networks that break down wood polymer. The discovery could lead to more tunable industrial processes and unlock the potential of lignin, a promising feedstock.
The discovery of the electric eel genome sequence sheds light on the genetic blueprint used to evolve complex, novel organs. Researchers found that fishes with electric organs have evolved six times in history to produce electricity outside their bodies.
Researchers have identified a crucial component of human language development in fruit flies, revealing the biological basis of operant learning. The study found that flies with a compromised FoxP gene failed to learn tasks, similar to human patients with FoxP mutations.
A Boston University School of Medicine study found that women who had their last child after age 33 had twice the odds of living to 95 years or older compared to those who had their last child before age 29. This suggests that women may be driving the evolution of genetic variants that slow aging and increase longevity.
Researchers used experimental evolution to study E. coli populations under strong and mild antibiotic selection conditions. They found higher cross-resistance in strongly selected strains with increased pathway-specific mutations.
Scientists have identified a 'weakness' in the clover genome that biases species to evolve the same trait. In six related clover species, genetic deletions led to the development of a cyanide-less trait, suggesting constrained evolution.
A study published in Science found that crows select mates with similar plumage colors due to genetic factors. The researchers identified a specific genomic region responsible for coloration and visual perception, suggesting a possible evolutionary mechanism behind species separation.
Researchers resurrected an ancient ancestor of a human protein and created millions of alternative histories to test the role of chance events in evolution. They found that two extremely unlikely mutations were necessary for the protein's modern-day function to evolve.
Scientists identified a gene regulatory switch in cattle embryos that led to the reduction of toes and transformation into cloven hooves. The discovery provides insights into the molecular history of evolution in even-toed ungulates, shedding light on their unique adaptations.
Research on genetics of sex determination explores the evolutionary loss of Y-chromosomes and mechanisms preventing self-fertilization. The collection includes studies on yeast, nematodes, maize, and Brassicaceae, shedding light on the biological processes behind sex differences.
A team of computer theorists and evolutionary biologists identified an algorithm to describe the strategy used by genes during sexual recombination, addressing a long-standing paradox in evolution. The multiplicative weight update algorithm helps explain how natural selection and diversity interact.
A gene study has identified the genetic differences that distinguish sheep from other animals, including humans, cattle, and pigs. The findings could aid in developing DNA testing to improve livestock breeding programs.
Researchers at Virginia Tech Carilion Institute create EvoCor, a search engine that quickly identifies genes functionally linked to specific biological processes. This breakthrough tool aids in discovering complex molecular mechanisms and may lead to new therapeutic targets for diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's.
Researchers report that Hawaiian crickets have lost their songs due to a natural defense mechanism against parasitoid flies. The silent crickets avoid the deadly flies and still mate by positioning themselves near singing males, showcasing convergent evolution in action.
Recent research emphasizes the significance of gene flow in plant populations, counteracting forces of mutation, genetic drift, and selection. Gene flow between populations can be surprisingly far-reaching, even among stationary individuals, with some studies detecting alleles from hundreds to thousands of meters away.
Researchers mapped the epic evolution of a 'ring species' using genomic analysis, revealing complex divergence and hybridization. The Greenish Warbler's range expansion involved periods of geographic separation and interbreeding.
Researchers at KU Leuven found that the Pyrenean rocket, a plant from southern Europe, genetically adapted rapidly to its new environment in Belgium, allowing it to spread quickly. This study provides evidence that rapid evolution can aid the spread of non-native plant species.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that having somatic cells do the organism's dirty work helps explain the beneficial evolution of separating germ cells. This separation allows organisms to flourish while protecting their genetic material from damage.
A research team analyzed centipede venom protein and peptide sequences to catalog, categorize, and reconstruct their evolutionary histories. They identified 60 unique venom protein and peptide families from just five species investigated, including 11 new protein families showcasing novel centipede venom ways.
Scientists studied plant species Rumex hastatulus to understand the earliest stages of Y-chromosome degeneration. They found genes had already started to undergo genetic degeneration despite their recent origin, with degeneration depending on how long ago genes stopped recombining with each other.
A new framework increases the ability to detect genetic associations and interactions by utilizing data from existing genomic studies. The approach improves performance over standard methods and identifies promising candidates for genetic interactions affecting various diseases.
Recent 'rock snot' blooms are caused by native Didymosphenia geminata responding to changing conditions, not human introductions or new genetic strain. Climate change and environmental factors trigger the blooms.
Indiana University biologists will advance research on bacterial evolution using $6.2 million in funding from the US Army Research Office. The team will investigate how bacteria evolve in response to internal and external environments, with practical applications in human health, energy, and food production.
A Dartmouth-led study suggests that turtles share a more recent common ancestor with birds and crocodilians than with lizards and snakes. The research resolves a long-standing evolutionary debate, providing new insights into the relationships among reptile groups.
Researchers found that filling of ecological niches slows the diversification of Himalayan songbirds. The study, which analyzed genetic relationships between 461 songbird species, discovered that eastern Himalayan species are separated from each other by six to seven million years, suggesting a slowing of evolution.
Researchers identified 24 functional categories of genes with strong positive selection in ant lineages, including those related to nervous system development and immunity. Ant-specific signals on mitochondrial activity genes may be responsible for increased queen lifespan up to 30 years.
Electric fish have evolved sophisticated communication systems using modified muscle cells, allowing them to bypass predators in the dark. A gene duplication event led to the specialized Scn4aa sodium channel gene, which may have driven quicker evolution and adaptation in electric fish.
A new study identifies how a genetic variant in the SPG7 gene contributes to cardiovascular health by promoting chronic inflammation and cell division. The researchers found that the variant can activate itself in certain circumstances, leading to increased production of free radicals and more rapid cell division.
Genetic evidence reveals that dwarf birch was once common in England and Wales, with genes found across Britain. The study suggests global warming, deer grazing, and hybridisation are threats to the dwindling population.
Researchers have identified two independent sex-determining genes, SRY and AMHY, that emerged around 180 million years ago in the common ancestor of mammals. These genes are responsible for testicular development and determine an individual's sex.
The study found that genes on the Y chromosome are widely expressed across the body and contribute to differences in disease susceptibility between men and women. These genes are crucial for survival and have been selected over time, suggesting a new era in Y chromosome biology.
Researchers have sequenced the rainbow trout genome, revealing that roughly half of protein coding genes have been deleted since a genetic doubling event 100 million years ago. The study also shows retention of microRNA genes and original genes involved in embryonic development.
Researchers identified genes whose activity changed uniquely in modern humans during evolution, including those linked to Alzheimer's disease, autism, and schizophrenia. Epigenetic changes in the brain and immune systems distinguished us from Neanderthals and Denisovans.
An international team of researchers, led by a plant scientist at the University of California, Davis, reports that the domesticated chili pepper originated in central-east Mexico. The region, extending from southern Puebla and northern Oaxaca to southeastern Veracruz, was previously thought to be less suitable for the crop's origins.
Recent research suggests that domestication may be more complex than previously thought, with many species being domesticated less than expected. Studies on animal and plant domestication highlight the limitations of human agency in shaping organisms through selective breeding.
Researchers have found a genetic connection between chickens and chili peppers, suggesting that the latter were domesticated around the same time as humans. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used DNA analysis to reveal that yellow-skinned chickens became common only about 500 years ago.
Researchers have fully sequenced the Cryptococcus neoformans genome, providing a playbook to understand its pathogenesis and develop methods to combat its evolution into deadlier strains. The study reveals genetic changes that occur after laboratory handling, making the fungus more susceptible to stress and less virulent.
A recent genetic study suggests that insensitive genes, rather than complex interactions, may be responsible for the slow pace of plant domestication. This finding could help explain the lag in the archeological record and provide insights into the early stages of domestication.
A new study by Stanford scholars highlights the importance of increasing genetic diversity among tiger populations to ensure their survival. The research found that maintaining about 90% of genetic diversity is necessary for the species' survival and recommends focusing conservation efforts on creating wildlife corridors and crossbreed...
A study published in Nature Genetics identified a large number of heritable genes associated with disease risk, providing a new resource for understanding the genetic control of transcription. The researchers analyzed blood sample data from twins and found that heritable genes are more likely to be associated with disease.
The study identifies the world's top 50 most evolutionarily distinct bird species, including the South American oilbird and the Christmas Island frigatebird. These species have unique genetic characteristics that make them crucial for preserving the tree of life.
A Yale-led research team developed a new approach to species conservation that prioritizes genetic and geographic rarity. The method was applied to all 9,993 known bird species, revealing areas where maximum conservation of bird diversity can be achieved with minimal investment.