Articles tagged with Evolutionary Genetics
Research published in Psychological Science found that procrastination and impulsivity are genetically linked, with a complete genetic overlap between the two traits. This suggests that procrastination may be an evolutionary byproduct of impulsivity, manifesting itself more in modern times.
Researchers have identified a genetic association with facial asymmetry in an ancient cavefish, which may help solve mysteries surrounding cleft palate and hemifacial microsomia. The study used high-tech imaging techniques to compare the craniofacial features of cavefish with those of surface-dwelling fish.
Researchers discovered that Homo's teeth decreased in size as its brain size increased over 2.5 million years, defying evolutionary expectations. The study attributes this phenomenon to a shift towards a higher animal-based diet, which provided essential nutrients for brain development and social advancements.
Scientists from Museum für Naturkunde Berlin use genetic data and sound analysis to determine the taxonomic status of two West African treefrog species. They found that two previously considered a single species actually belong to two distinct species, one large and one small, with different call characteristics.
Researchers identified a new mechanism linking genetic variation to heart disease risk by disrupting the interaction between a developmental gene and a specialized type of RNA. This discovery expands understanding of complex disease risk and potential drug targets for cardiovascular disease.
Researchers found that male and female owl monkeys were genetically monogamous, with no cases of extra-pair paternity. The team discovered a strong connection between a species' faithfulness and significant involvement of males in caring for their young.
Researchers at MIT discovered that tiny pores in the inner ear membrane filter sound frequencies, allowing humans to differentiate between competing sounds. The optimal pore size determines hearing sensitivity, with smaller or larger pores impairing hearing.
A recent study identified genetic factors associated with lactase persistence in African populations, which became more prevalent after cattle domestication in Africa. Individuals retaining high levels of lactase enzyme allow them to digest milk sugars in adulthood.
Researchers found strong evidence of recent positive selection for lactase persistence in African populations, likely due to pastoralism. Three new genetic variants associated with the trait were identified, as well as two previously known SNPs, suggesting a link between cattle domestication and milk consumption.
A recent study found that competition between fish species in Lake Tanganyika drives the formation of new species. Two genetically distinct ecomorphs of a species have been identified, with large and small individuals occupying different habitats.
Researchers found that birds' choice of group size may be influenced by experimental design, rather than genetics. The study's conclusions are challenged due to errors such as regression to the mean and spatial fallacy.
Two NYU faculty members, Roozbeh Kiani and Nicholas Stavropoulos, have been awarded Sloan Foundation fellowships for their innovative research in neuroscience and sleep. Their work has the potential to lead to new medical interventions for mental and cognitive disorders and improve understanding of human sleep and its regulation.
Researchers discovered a new gene called RCO that inhibits cell proliferation and growth between leaflets, allowing dissected leaves to form. The loss of this gene in Arabidopsis thaliana results in simple, entire leaves.
UCLA researchers analyzed dozens of studies to find that ovulating women prefer mates with sexy traits like masculine body type and facial features, dominant behavior, and certain scents. These preferences shift as the woman's cycle progresses and are thought to have been markers of high genetic quality in male ancestors.
Researchers created a global map detailing the genetic histories of 95 populations across Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. The study found evidence of previously unrecorded genetic mixing, including European DNA in modern-day China and Mongol DNA in Pakistan.
Researchers found that changes in a receptor protein called AHR2 may explain how killifish evolved genetic resistance to PCBs. The study suggests that evolution of resistance converges on the same target gene across independent populations.
A study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution found that Tibetan Mastiffs have undergone genetic adaptations to survive at high altitudes. The research identified 16 genes involved in energy production critical for high-altitude survival, suggesting convergent evolution between dogs and humans.
A University of Texas at Arlington team has uncovered that mutations and interactions among three genes create a wide variety of color variations in domestic pigeons. The study found two independent deletions near the Sox10 gene produce recessive red pigmentation, hinting at a slippery gene.
Researchers decoded the flatfish genome, providing insights into ZW sex chromosome evolution and benthic adaptation. The study also uncovered epigenetic mechanisms underlying temperature-dependent sexual reversal and trans-generational inheritance of such phenomena.
Researchers propose that fins and limbs develop from the area surrounding the belly due to the interaction of ectodermal tissues with mesoderm layers. This model, published in Evolution & Development, suggests that epigenetic factors play a crucial role in shaping embryonic development and ultimately giving rise to paired appendages.
Researchers at Oxford University found that flies living with their brothers cause less harm to females during courting than those living with unrelated flies. This is because related flies are more relaxed in their mating approach and spend less time harassing females, resulting in fewer fights and reduced fecundity for females.
Researchers discovered similar DNA organization in fish and mice, indicating a shared genetic mechanism for limb formation. The study suggests that digits evolved by modernizing an existing regulatory mechanism in fish, rather than through a radical change.
Researchers discovered similar 3D DNA organization in fish and mouse clusters, indicating the main mechanism for patterning tetrapod limbs was present in fish. The study suggests that digits evolved by modernizing an ancestral regulatory mechanism.
A unique study of white-throated sparrows found a genetic pathway connecting aggression and parenting behaviors to specific genes, specifically the estrogen receptor alpha (ER-alpha) gene. The research showed that variation in ER-alpha expression predicted behavior in territorial aggression and parenting.
Researchers analyzed α-KTx family sequences to identify conserved amino acid sites associated with neurotoxin structure and function. A single genetic deletion event can convert an STS-containing insect defensin into a scorpion-like neurotoxin.
A Russian research team studied the link between genetic shifts and antigenic drift in influenza viruses. They found that reassortments lead to increased rates of point mutations, which can result in highly virulent strains. This study may aid in predicting future flu outbreaks.
A recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that some Indigenous people have limited immunity response to flu effects. The research suggests ethnic differences in immune responses to the H7N9 virus, which can lead to severe outcomes.
A new study compares the relative rate of molecular evolution between humans and chimps with that of their lice. The researchers found that the lice are winning the molecular evolutionary race, with almost 15 times more changes in gene sequence.
Research reveals that five amino acid differences control allelic variations in the csd gene, determining femaleness in honeybees. The study found an evolutionary intermediate with only three amino acid differences between lethality and induced femaleness, supporting incomplete penetrance as a mechanism for gradual molecular evolution.
A new study found that bird species living together are more similar than different, challenging a widely-held theory on species evolution. The research suggests that competition may not be the driving force behind species differences, instead promoting the evolution of similar traits.
Research by Thanh-Lan Gluckman reveals that plumage patterning is labile in both males and females, with changes driven by environmental factors and signalling functions. The study challenges traditional views on sexual dimorphism, suggesting multiple types of dimorphism and adaptations to social and environmental conditions.
A University of Iowa researcher studied the evolution of dihydrofolate reductase enzyme from bacteria to humans. Key findings include the preservation of protein dynamics and catalysis across millions of years of evolution.
Studies show that environmental factors significantly impact the genetic makeup of fruit flies living in 'Evolution Canyon', a unique natural environment with contrasting climates. The research confirms natural selection as a powerful influence in shaping the population's gene pool.
Researchers found that environmental change activates the heat shock protein HSP90, silencing genetic variation and allowing for rapid adaptation in cavefish. This discovery validates the role of HSP90 in driving evolutionary change in vertebrates, enabling the emergence of novel traits.
A recent study has found that great white sharks have more similar proteins to humans than zebrafish, which challenges current understanding of their evolution. This discovery opens up new avenues for studying shark metabolism and biochemistry, potentially revealing insights into the biology of mammals as well.
Female lemon sharks born in Bimini returned to give birth on the same island 15 years later, confirming natal philopatry. Local and international conservation efforts can make a significant impact in recovering coastal shark populations.
A new study has identified five distinct humpback whale populations in the North Pacific Ocean, which could impact conservation efforts. The research used genetic analysis to determine population differences and migratory patterns.
Researchers discovered that bacteria that complement each other's nutritional needs grow faster and are more fit than solo individuals. This finding supports the widespread model of cooperation in nature.
Biologists at Ruhr-University Bochum have developed a DNA barcode for Podocarpaceae, the second-largest conifer family, to facilitate species identification. The project helps protect endangered populations by assigning unknown individuals to their respective species, promoting conservation efforts.
Researchers describe four new species formerly grouped under the collared treerunner, highlighting genetic and morphological differences among populations. The discovery underscores the importance of biodiversity conservation efforts in addressing species extinctions.
Despite a quarter century of evolution, bacteria in Richard Lenski's lab continue to adapt and become more fit. Researchers used a 'frozen fossil record' of bacteria samples from different generations to measure their trajectory, finding that they never reach a fitness peak but instead follow a power law function.
A new study reveals a genetic mutation that makes certain people sensitive to bitter compounds appeared advantageous for African populations, with potential roles in immune response and metabolism. The research found strong correlations between specific gene variants and increased bitterness sensitivity in East Africans.
Biologists at the University of South Carolina have discovered a rare shark species, Sphyrna gilberti, which has a distinct genetic signature and is found only in the Santee and Pee Dee river systems. The discovery highlights the fragility of shark diversity and underscores the importance of studying evolutionary history.
A new study reveals that the honey bee sex determiner gene has 87-145 alleles, a significant increase in genetic diversity compared to previous estimates of 20 alleles. This discovery is crucial for apiculture, as it helps minimize the risk of inbreeding and produces diploid drones.
Scientists have found that only a few genetic changes are necessary to spur the evolution of new species, even in populations still in contact and exchanging genes. The study reveals key genetic areas affected by natural selection and differing in just 12 small regions of the genome.
A CU-Boulder study finds that poorly camouflaged insects can affect their broader ecological community when the appearance of the bug is mismatched with the plant it's living on. This can lead to a cascade of ecological impacts, including increased predation by birds and a subsequent decrease in arthropod populations.
Researchers studied bird's eye primrose populations in alvar grasslands on Öland Island to investigate how grazing and pollinators impact plant characteristics. Grazing pressure and pollination intensity determine the reproductive success of short vs. tall morphs, leading to changes in genetic composition over time.
Researchers have uncovered tiny changes in plants' physiology that enable advanced photosynthesis, allowing for increased growth rate and water efficiency. This knowledge could be used to breed faster-growing, drought-resistant crops like rice.
A recent molecular biology study suggests a significant reduction in population sizes of common ancestors of humans and chimpanzees, from 1.2 million to 30,000, coinciding with a great ape ancestral migration event from Eurasia to Africa.
Researchers at CNIO have sequenced the exome of 17 patients with non-infiltrating bladder cancer, revealing new genetic pathways and genes involved in the disease. These findings provide a first step towards understanding the biology of bladder cancer and improving patient management.
A recent study reconstructed the first detailed genetic history of modern-day Europeans using ancient DNA from 364 prehistoric skeletons. The research found dramatic population changes with waves of migration from Western and Eastern Europe, contradicting previous assumptions about the Near East's role in shaping European genetics.
Scientists used state-of-the-art genome sequencing and bioinformatics to resolve the long-standing question of ants' evolutionary relationships. The study found that ants are more closely related to bees than to most wasps, with ants forming a sister group to the Apoidea family within Hymenoptera.
Researchers from five institutions will investigate biological mechanisms driving biodiversity in American Limenitidini butterflies. The project aims to reveal if diversification can be explained by biotic interactions, accelerating adaptation and species evolution.
Researchers from Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona found that over half of the European population exhibits heteroplasmy, a condition where multiple types of mitochondrial DNA coexist. The study sheds light on mutation patterns and selection forces acting on mitochondrial DNA in mammals.
A genetic and demographic analysis of river herring populations along the U.S. east coast has identified distinct genetic stocks, providing crucial guidance for efforts to manage their declining populations. The most severe declines have occurred in the Southern New England stocks and the Mid-Atlantic stocks, highlighting the need for ...
Researchers found that as European songbirds colonized islands, their songs became less structured. The study suggests a genetic component to the loss of syntax, and may be due to the effects of small population sizes on cultural transmission.
Researchers found that Audubon's warblers share mitochondrial DNA with myrtle warblers, a different species that migrates annually. The study suggests that the songbird may have co-opted the myrtle's mitochondria to better power its travels.
Researchers developed a high-throughput assay to track cell growth at low nutrient concentrations, revealing metabolic differences among cells of the same strain in the same environment. The study also found significant genetic variation in Sherpa populations' mitochondrial genomes, suggesting an adaptation for low oxygen environments.
A study resolves Darwin's dilemma by explaining the Cambrian explosion as a result of 5x faster evolutionary rates. This suggests that natural selection can produce rapid changes in animal body plans and habits.
Researchers measured evolution rates during the Cambrian explosion, resolving 'Darwin's dilemma' and explaining the sudden appearance of modern animal groups. The study found that moderately accelerated evolution was sufficient to explain the emergence of arthropods.