Articles tagged with Evolutionary Genetics
The fisheries industry's pursuit of consumer-friendly fish products is impacting fish populations worldwide. Scientists have found that repeated selective harvesting is causing changes in fish morphology, development, and behavior.
A new bioinformatics study evaluates the reliability of computer models predicting DNA mutation effects on human health. The research team identified regions of the genome where benign mutations tend to occur, allowing for more accurate predictions.
A new study found that species living in restricted environments, like the tropics, lack genetic variation and can't adapt to climate change. This limitation affects many species, including insects, mammals, and fish, making conservation efforts more challenging.
Gladstone scientists have found the first genetic link between reptile and human heart evolution, linking protein Tbx5 to the development of four-chambered hearts in turtles and humans. The study sheds light on the evolution of warm-bloodedness and provides insights into congenital heart disease.
Deer mice living in Nebraska's Sand Hills rapidly adapted to their environment by evolving lighter coloration, providing better camouflage against visual predators. This genetic change arose from a single mutation in the Agouti gene, driven by natural selection favoring pale coloration.
A team of Texas and Brazilian researchers confirms that the fungus-gardening ant Mycocepurus smithii reproduces without males, with no evidence of male production or sperm storage organs. This makes the species one of the rarest examples of complete asexuality in the animal kingdom.
A new study found that a vitamin D-regulated anti-bactericidal protein has been conserved in humans and primates for 60 million years. This suggests its critical role in their survival and highlights the importance of maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D.
Scientists at the University of Toronto's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology discovered a novel gene, Ultrabithorax, responsible for water striders' unique body form. The gene lengthens mid-legs while shortening hind-legs, allowing water striders to glide on water.
A study found that human populations began to expand in size in Africa around 40,000 years ago, supporting the hypothesis that population growth played a significant role in the evolution of human cultures. The research used genetic evidence and computational approaches to simulate the evolution of genetic lineages over time.
A team of researchers has developed a new cell programming method called MAGE, which enables rapid refinement of bacterial genomes. By editing multiple genes in parallel, the researchers transformed E. coli cells into efficient factories that produce a desired compound in just three days.
A global team of researchers has developed tools to analyze the genetic diversity of rice, a crucial step towards improving crop yields and securing global food supplies. The comprehensive SNP information will enable exploration of rice diversity for understanding gene function and improving important traits.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that California's horned lizard diverged into at least three new species when it moved north from Baja California. The findings provide clarity for conservation actions to follow, highlighting the importance of integrating genetic, anatomical and ecological in...
A new UCF study is using population genetics to aid in the conservation of the Lower Keys marsh rabbits (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri), which are estimated to have less than 300 individuals remaining. The research aims to identify genetically diverse populations and relocate them to create a new habitat.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have identified genes that regulate flower color change, revealing a predictable pattern of evolution. The study found that hawkmoths prefer white or yellow flowers over red ones, driving natural selection to shift flower colors.
The Ecological Society of America presents the Eminent Ecologist Award to Steven Hubbell for his neutral theory of biodiversity and biogeography, while Jerry Jenkins, Glenn Motzkin, and Kirsten Ward receive the Cooper Award for their work on plant succession. The Mercer Award is given to Richard Lankau and Sharon Strauss for their pape...
Researchers found that most pairs of black-legged kittiwakes avoid inbreeding more often than chance, suggesting they can detect relatives in large populations. Inbred pairs produced fewer hatching eggs and chicks with lower survival rates.
Pitt researchers describe the 90-year evolution of H1N1 swine flu, tracing its genetic roots back to a 1918 respiratory illness in pigs. The current strain shares common ancestry with older flu strains, potentially offering partial immunity to new pandemic viruses.
A new study on seed beetles reveals that low genetic quality males are more successful in fertilizing eggs, contrary to predictions. Females' multiple mating does not guarantee the sperm of the highest genetic male.
Researchers have identified a crucial role of the Foxp2 gene in human language development using a mouse model. The study found that alterations in this gene are closely linked to speech and language ability, and that it plays a significant role in various organ systems.
A new algorithm developed by Carnegie Mellon University has revealed how genetic networks in fruit flies evolve during their life cycle. The Tesla algorithm uses machine learning techniques to analyze the rewiring of these networks over time, providing insights into how they respond to stimuli and become dysfunctional.
A new computing method called SATé can determine the relatedness of living things much faster and accurately analyze DNA sequences that are rapidly evolving. It creates detailed, accurate evolutionary trees that reveal the relationships among plants, animals, and other organisms.
Researchers found that certain microorganisms like E. coli and wine yeast have genetic networks that allow them to 'foresee' upcoming events and respond accordingly. This adaptation increases their chances of survival, similar to how Ivan Pavlov's dogs learned to salivate in response to a stimulus.
Dr. Michael J. Wade, a renowned evolutionary biologist, will receive the 2009 Sewell Wright Award for his seminal contributions to multi-level selection and the study of evolution. His work has been cited over 5500 times and has formed a significant part of the conceptual landscape for the 'levels of selection' discussion.
Researchers identified genetic regions responsible for animal tameness in a rat model of domestication. The study provides insight into the genetics and biology of tameness, potentially leading to more precise breeding strategies for tame animals.
A new study suggests that genetic variations in humans are more closely tied to geographical and historical factors than previously thought. The research found that gene variants tend to be distributed throughout the world in patterns reflecting ancient population movements and other aspects of population history.
A new study suggests that high population density catalyzed the emergence of modern human behavior, driven by increased exchange of ideas and skills. This skill maintenance, combined with a greater probability of useful innovations, led to the appearance of modern human behavior at different times in different regions.
Scientists have identified distinct genes responsible for the evolution of pelvis and body armor loss in two species of stickleback fish. The study, published in Current Biology, shows that different genes can have similar effects on evolutionary change, contradicting earlier research.
A study on stickleback fish found that two related species evolved to lose their pelvises using different genes, contradicting earlier research. This discovery sheds new light on the mechanisms of evolutionary diversity and limb loss in nature.
A study analyzing tickle-induced vocalizations in infant and juvenile great apes, as well as human infants, found a common evolutionary origin for laughter. The researchers discovered that laughter evolved gradually over the last 10-16 million years of primate evolution, with humans exhibiting acoustically distinct features.
Joseph Felsenstein and Louis J. Gross, both Central High graduates, received the 2009 and 2006 AIBS Distinguished Scientist Awards for their significant scientific contributions to integrative and organismal biology.
Researchers found that unstable junk DNA helps tune gene activity, allowing organisms to rapidly adapt to changes. This discovery suggests that 'junk' DNA has a functional role in the evolution of our genome.
Researchers Ulrich Gerland and Terence Hwa discovered two opposing principles guiding gene regulation in microbes: 'use-it-or-lose-it' and 'wear-and-tear'. These mechanisms adapt to environmental changes, with the latter mitigating detrimental effects of constant use.
A University of Michigan study found that snails' venoms evolved to target a broader array of prey when they experienced ecological release, allowing them to expand their diet and habitat. The research provides insight into the genetic basis of this phenomenon and its implications for our understanding of adaptation and evolution.
The study compares genetic structures of Arabidopsis thaliana and Persea americana to understand how the first flowering plants evolved from non-flowering plants. Researchers found significant overlap among organ types, suggesting a genetic 'fossil' that allowed for flower transformation.
A team of biologists at the University of Texas at Austin has created a nearly complete collection of genes for a species of reef-building coral, revealing approximately 11,000 different genes. This genetic database will enable researchers to study natural variations in corals and their responses to stress, facilitating an explosion in...
Two ancient genes in beetles were found to be co-opted for a new trait, challenging the idea that fundamental genes cannot acquire new functions. The study also suggests that developmental genes are candidates for recruitment and may not be as constraining as previously thought.
A study by CSHL and CCNY found that zebra finches raised in isolation develop a song culture after introducing improvisations from their tutors, eventually resembling wild-type songs. The results provide insights into the evolutionary process of language.
A new approach has been developed to reconcile the conflict between fossil and molecular data in evolutionary studies. A recent study found a strong match between the two methods, with lineages defined by their physical appearance showing an imperfect but very good fit to molecular data.
Breakpoint regions on chromosomes contain a higher density of genes and are more susceptible to breakage, leading to genetic variation. The study found that rearrangements in these regions can lead to new sources of variation, potentially subject to natural selection.
A comprehensive study resolves decades-long debates on early animal relationships, revealing that sponges and comb jellies share a common group with bilaterians. The research also sheds light on the evolution of nervous systems, suggesting they developed only once in animal history.
A groundbreaking study at Brandeis University has shed light on a crucial step in the complex process of genetic encoding for the first time. The researchers report that they were able to crystallize a large complex of a macromolecular machine in the human cell and determine its structure, zeroing in on the process of RNA splicing.
Researchers have developed a new type of DNA with 12 chemical letters, enabling highly parallel amplification of DNA and diagnosis of human diseases. This breakthrough may shed light on the origins of life and personalization of medicine for millions of patients with HIV, hepatitis, and other diseases.
A study published in PNAS found that the genetic toolkit for fin and limb development is linked to gill skeleton formation in sharks. This discovery provides evidence for an evolutionary connection between fins, limbs, and gills., The research suggests that common developmental programs patterned different anatomical structures.
A Rice University study has confirmed a world-record colony of amoebae clones measuring at least 12 meters across in a Texas cattle pasture. The discovery provides insights into the evolution of cooperative behavior in microorganisms like Dictyostelium discoideum.
Researchers have rediscovered a dormant human gene, IRGM, which was thought to be extinct for millions of years. The study, published in PLOS Genetics, reveals that the gene was resurrected through a complex series of structural events, suggesting its potential importance in fighting new or resistant infectious agents.
Researchers demonstrate that fish can return to normal size after size-selective fishing is eased, reversing detrimental evolution. The study suggests a slow recovery process, with full recovery estimated to take many decades for commercially harvested species.
A study by Jean-Marc Lassance and Christer Löfstedt found that female moths can distinguish between males of different ancestries and reproductive fitness based on their pheromone composition. This ability allows females to select mates that are more likely to produce offspring with the same genetic makeup, driving species formation.
Researchers used genetic markers to study coral groupings and found that skeletal shape is not a reliable way to differentiate species. This discovery highlights the need for accurate understanding of coral biodiversity to conserve coral reefs.
Researchers discovered that ancestors of Volvox algae transitioned to multicellularity at least 200 million years ago. This finding provides insights into the evolution of complex life forms, highlighting the importance of cooperation among cells in overcoming conflicts that hinder collective growth and reproduction.
A study using African Americans with West African and European ancestry found a strong statistical correlation between genetic admixture and facial traits. The researchers measured distances between specific face landmarks to compare genetically determined admixture with facial feature differences.
A new study published in Nature reveals significant genetic differences between individual yeast organisms, with variations of up to 4% compared to 1% between humans and chimpanzees. The findings suggest that human activities, such as wine and beer production, have influenced the evolution of yeast strains.
The AAAS plenary lecture explores the origins of evolutionary thought through the adventures of intrepid scientists Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace, and Henry W. Bates. The talk will be presented by Sean Carroll, a leading evolutionary biologist and author, who will share the stories of these pioneers who changed our view of life.
Researchers found that men with rare surnames share similar Y chromosomes, indicating a common ancestor within the past 700 years. This challenges the 'one in ten' figure for children born through infidelity, which may be an exaggeration.
A new University of Florida study analyzing DNA from living flowering plants shows that the ancestors of modern trees diversified rapidly 90 million years ago. This event led to the formation of forests that supported similar evolutionary bursts in animals and other plants.
Researchers have identified a network of genes that control tooth number and patterning in cichlids, shedding light on the evolutionary origins of teeth. This discovery has significant implications for understanding tooth development and regeneration, potentially leading to new treatments for dental diseases.
Researchers found that a novel mutated variant of a gene in dogs is responsible for the black coat color in wolves, transferred through matings. The discovery suggests that natural selection has increased the frequency of black coat color in wolf populations across North America.
A Stanford study finds that dogs that bred with wolves thousands of years ago passed on a genetic mutation for dark coat color to their wild ancestors. This mutation is now found in nearly exclusive in North America's black wolf population, which has a selective advantage over lighter-colored wolves in forested areas.
A rapidly evolving gene contributes to the origin of new species by driving an evolutionary arms race inside cells. The Nup160 and Nup96 genes, which code for gatekeepers of a cell's nucleus, have become incompatible between closely related fruit fly species.
The study found that popularity and likelihood of friends knowing one another are heritable, while location within the network is also genetically linked. This suggests that genes may play a significant role in determining our social connections and behavior.
Researchers modelled gene evolution alongside language development, concluding that genetic adaptation to language is unlikely due to rapid cultural change. The study suggests that human language has evolved primarily through cultural conventions rather than biological adaptation.