Articles tagged with Evolutionary Genetics
Researchers found that positive selection often act on residues adjacent to critical active sites, allowing for the acquisition of new functions without disrupting native folding structure. This mechanism may be a general pathway for functional diversification of enzyme families.
A multidisciplinary team will investigate production of social behavior in the brain using honey bees, mice, and stickleback fish. The study aims to identify shared gene actions guiding social behavior across species.
Researchers found nearly 200 genomic regions with similar genes in bats and dolphins, indicating convergent evolution of echolocation. The study used a massive genome-wide survey to identify genetic signatures consistent with convergence in 'hearing genes',
A University of Michigan biologist and colleague challenge the notion that genetic reproductive barriers are a driving force behind speciation. Their study found no evidence that genetic barriers to reproduction predict the rate at which new species form in nature.
A new study from Case Western Reserve University reveals the SRY gene master switch is vulnerable to change, allowing for variability in male development. This could explain why human males develop near the edge of sexual ambiguity, making them more prone to dramatic changes in fetal development.
A study published in Botany reveals that the genetic diversity of the Branched Bartonia plant in Ontario is greater than initially thought. The research found that the Muskoka population is genetically distinct from a core population in New York State, highlighting the importance of considering genetic novelty in conservation policies.
Researchers at UC Riverside have discovered a transposon that benefits its host organisms by enhancing the immunity of plants against a pathogenic microorganism. The COPIA-R7 transposon interferes with the epigenetic code of the RPP7 gene, promoting activity and adjusting the plant's immune response.
A team of researchers studied anomodonts, ancient relatives of mammals, to understand their response to the largest mass extinction in Earth history. Despite ecological opportunities arising from species loss, anomodonts remained anatomically conservative and did not evolve new features.
A study of gene expression in five closely related mouse species reveals the first steps of evolution in gene regulation. The research found that transcription-factor binding variation is an important indicator of gene-regulation activity.
Researchers found that selfish behavior is punished by evolution, contradicting a popular theory from 2012. Game theory simulations revealed that zero-determinant strategies, which offer advantages against non-selfish opponents, cannot be the product of evolution.
A study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics found new genetic variants that protect against human African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, also increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. These variants were most common in Fulani pastoralist groups living in western and central Africa.
Researchers found a genetic process among rodents that challenges assumptions about sex determination and the pace of evolution. A novel protein domain added to the Sry gene acts as a genetic capacitor, providing protection against mutations but also allowing for rapid evolutionary change.
Researchers at Princeton University discovered that evolution is driven by a group of beneficial mutations, including genetic hitchhikers. About five to seven specific mutations are needed for an organism to succeed, rather than just one mutation.
A team of Harvard scientists has identified genetic areas in the genome that may help protect against cholera by regulating immune system functions and fluid loss. The study's findings suggest a new approach to understanding host immunity and developing vaccines and therapies for this deadly disease.
Researchers are studying the evolution and biology of human pregnancy, genetic factors contributing to preterm birth, and racial disparities in preterm birth rates. The study aims to identify potential targets for further research and address environmental factors such as drinking or smoking.
Seven graduate students and one undergraduate received prestigious poster awards for their research on Caenorhabditis elegans, a model organism used to study human biology and disease. The winners will receive cash prizes, certificates, and a complimentary one-year extension to their GSA membership.
A newly discovered threadworm, Pristionchus maxplancki, has been named after physicist Max Planck in recognition of his contributions to the fields of evolution, genetics, and ecology. The worm was discovered on a stag beetle in Japan and is now being studied by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology.
Researchers found regions of genome associated with cholera susceptibility, including pathways regulating water loss and innate immune system responses. The findings suggest a potential fingerprint for cholera's genetic impact, such as the relative rarity of blood type O, which may confer increased risk of severe symptoms.
A comprehensive catalog of great ape genetic diversity has been created, elucidating the evolution and population histories of six great ape species. The resource will aid in current and future conservation efforts by preserving natural genetic diversity.
Researchers discovered two key mutations that sparked a hormonal revolution 500 million years ago, leading to modern human reproduction, development, immunity, and cancer. These findings show how evolutionary analysis of proteins' histories can advance drug design and predict disease effects.
A new study reveals that females tend to prefer traits linked to fitness, influencing mate choice and population divergence. This finding settles a long debate about magic traits and predicts their commonality in nature.
Researchers at Michigan State University developed comprehensive evolutionary case studies to improve student understanding of evolution. Students who grasped integrated scenarios performed better on tests about evolution in general, suggesting that this approach enhances overall knowledge.
A recent study by Jay Storz and colleagues at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that the effects of individual mutations depend on the context in which they occur. The researchers used protein engineering to synthesize hemoglobin proteins with each naturally occurring mutation in all possible multi-site combinations, revealing t...
Researchers from CNIO describe how a genetic duplication 500 million years ago led to the evolution of the ASF1b gene, essential for proper cell division and related to breast cancer. The study's findings highlight the importance of studying molecular history to understand gene adaptation in cancer.
Researchers mapped a young gene's journey to becoming essential in fruit flies, challenging the paradigm that only ancient genes are important. The study found that young and rapidly evolving genes can be indispensable too.
Researchers found that Drosophila subobscura flies acquired genetic variants tolerant to heatwaves, leading to high reproductive success for resistant genotypes. The study provides evidence of genome adaptation to temperature changes and highlights the resilience of certain organisms to environmental disturbances.
Researchers found that giant viruses share genes with tiny virophages and transposable elements, suggesting they evolved from each other on multiple occasions. The study's complex network of evolutionary relationships challenges previous understanding of viral evolution.
Researchers analyze over 1,000 genes from 23 yeast species to identify reasons for conflicting phylogenetic trees and propose new methods to improve accuracy. They find that genetic data is less reliable during periods of rapid radiation and that the value of DNA data may have a similar limit.
A team of scientists has sequenced the genome of the sacred lotus, revealing its powerful genetic system that repairs genetic defects and may hold secrets about aging. The research could lead to a better understanding of anti-aging mechanisms and potential applications for human health.
Harmit Malik, an evolutionary geneticist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, has been selected as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator to study genetic conflict and its role in driving evolutionary change. His research focuses on understanding the competition between genes and proteins with opposing functions.
A new study published in PLOS Biology found that Europeans are closely related, sharing nearly the same set of ancestors within a thousand years. The researchers used DNA data from over 2,000 individuals to detect subtle local trends and historic migrations, revealing patterns of demographic shifts and cultural influences.
Fibromyalgia can be diagnosed by relying on the art of medicine, as physical findings or laboratory tests are often absent. Primary care physicians are best positioned to manage this condition due to its prevalence rate, with a combination of nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies being the most appropriate management strategy.
A team of researchers developed a 3D simulation to study the evolution of complex organs, revealing that not all aspects of form are fine-tuned by evolution. The study highlights the complexity of genetic interactions and how natural selection influences body form.
A study by University of Maryland biologist Daphne Soares reveals that guppies jump up to eight times their body length at speeds of over four feet per second. The biologists hypothesize that this behavior allows guppies to disperse and reach all available habitat, minimizing competition and maintaining genetic variability.
A research team at Cornell University developed an algorithm that enables virtual creatures to evolve and learn to walk. The creatures' squishy, muscle-like features adapt through generations of evolution, creating counterintuitive designs that surpass human-engineered robots.
Researchers reconstructed modern Europe's genetic history using ancient DNA from skeletons in central Germany, revealing dramatic migrations and a mysterious genetic turnover around 4000-5000 years ago. The study provides a high-resolution record of human DNA evolution over 4000 years, shedding light on the demographic history of Europe.
Researchers discovered three unique genetic variations that influence body size and obesity in men and women of African ancestry. These gene variants, studied in a large-scale analysis of over 30,000 individuals, suggest a greater role for genes in causing increased BMI in African-Americans compared to Caucasians.
A new study reveals that microRNAs regulate the size of bald patches on fruit fly legs, driving natural variation in morphology. The findings suggest a novel mechanism for evolutionary adaptation involving small RNA molecules.
A new 'tree of life' for fishes has been recharted with the help of genetic and physical information, revealing significant changes to existing ideas on fish relationships. The research improves scientists' ability to predict how closely related species might react to environmental factors like climate change.
The coelacanth genome provides valuable clues for biologists studying the evolution of vertebrates, with key genes involved in immunity, nitrogen excretion, and limb development implicated in evolutionary transitions. The study offers a comprehensive look at the coelacanth's place in our evolutionary history.
The study reveals that varying genetic information copies affect cell tolerance to cancer medication and antibiotics. This discovery may help explain differences in organism responses to environmental changes and certain medications' side effects on sperm and eggs.
Researchers found rapid genetic changes in laboratory soil mites leading to population growth and increased fertility, rescuing populations from extinction. The study demonstrates the intertwined nature of ecology and evolution.
Researchers discovered that different wasp genotypes influence aphid behavior, including whether they die on the plant or elsewhere. The study sheds light on how genetic variation can manipulate host species.
A University of Leeds-led study found significant genetic changes in soil mites after just 15 generations, leading to doubling of age at adulthood and large population size changes. This research demonstrates the interconnectedness of ecology and evolution, with major implications for conservation and fisheries management.
Research in African malaria mosquitoes reveals a more complex range of forms due to frequent inter-mating, leading to implications for controlling the disease. The resulting hybrids may have effects on insecticide resistance and malaria parasite infectivity.
This April issue of the Genetics Society of America's journal features research on genotyping-by-sequencing, a novel gene silencing system in fungi, and the role of protein chaperone HSP90 in facilitating gene duplicate divergence. Additionally, studies explore genome integrity and RNA editing in mice.
A study published in Frontiers in Zoology found that female great tits' appearance signals healthy attributes in their offspring, with black stripe correlating to chick weight at two weeks and white cheek patches to immune strength. The research suggests a balance between genetic and environmental factors in determining offspring health.
Researchers have found that nine separate mutations within a single gene in deer mice result in changes to their camouflage, illustrating the power of small genetic changes. The study suggests that natural selection acts on many small genetic changes to produce rapid and dramatic adaptations.
A new genetic study has overturned previous ideas about the evolutionary history of polar bears and brown bears. The research found that a population of brown bears on Alaskan islands had a remarkable history of hybridization with polar bears, resulting in striking genetic similarities between the two species.
A 505-million-year-old fossil, Spartobranchus tenuis, provides a crucial missing link in the evolutionary history of hemichordates. The finding pushes back the fossil record of enteropneusts by 200 million years.
Evolutionary biologists combine traditional methods with genetic techniques to identify new species, revealing cryptic species that show little visible difference. The study uses scale insects as a model organism, analyzing over 400 samples to discover four new species.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered the genetic mechanism that led to the development of wings in fruit flies, a key to their survival. By analyzing 20 cells present in the larval stage, they found that a specific gene, Dpp, triggers the growth of wings by activating another gene, vn.
A recent genetic study of house dust mites demonstrates reversible evolution, contradicting Dollo's law. The research found that these tiny creatures evolved from parasites, but then returned to a free-living lifestyle, speciating in various habitats, including human habitations.
The March 2013 issue of Genetics journal highlights several key findings, including a study on oocyte-expressed genes that support early cloned embryo development and the role of cytoskeletal proteins in controlling clone quality. Additionally, research on self-incompatibility genes in Arabidopsis thaliana reveals the structural and fu...
Researchers discover that defective viruses, once thought useless, increase the spread of disease by 'hitchhiking' with functional viruses. The presence of a defective DENV-1 virus may have led to large increases in dengue fever cases in Myanmar in 2001 and 2002.
Påebo is being honored with the prestigious award for his groundbreaking work on extracting DNA from ancient human remains and sequencing Neandertal's nuclear DNA. The prize recognizes his discovery that Neandertals contributed up to 4% of modern humans' genetic material.
Anthropologist Robert W. Sussman explores the dangers of eugenics and the importance of cultural understanding in addressing human behavior. He argues that most individual variances result from social, environmental, and cultural exposure rather than genetics.
Research by Brown University professor Rose McDermott suggests a significant genetic component in shaping political preferences, particularly along the conservative-liberal spectrum. This finding could have implications for policy decisions and targeted interventions.
Research suggests that major life events can alter gene expression, leading to trans-generational effects on children's brain functions. This discovery has significant implications for understanding the causes of mood disorders and addiction.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute used next-generation gene-sequencing technology to chart changes in CLL tissue samples from 149 patients. The study provides a strobe-like look at the genetic past, present, and future of CLL tumors, shedding light on why CLL often recurs after treatment.