Articles tagged with Evolutionary Genetics
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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...
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.
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.
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 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.
A Brown University-led research team has created a genetic model that charts the internal and external signals guiding plant flowering across its native climate range. The model accurately predicts how plants will respond to environmental cues and can be used to understand how plants will adapt to future climate conditions.
A study of ancient DNA from 68 skeletal remains reveals a rapid evolution in the Icelandic mtDNA pool over the past thousand years. The original female settlers appear to be genetically less closely related to present-day Icelanders than previously thought.
Scientists have proposed a novel explanation for a long-standing floral genetic mystery in plants, revealing a complex mechanism that provides a clear selective advantage. The study used computational modeling to investigate potential explanations for the existence of interdependent genes that regulate flower development.
Researchers explore genetic mechanisms of skin color in zebrafish, a model organism for understanding human skin color and race. The studies shed light on the evolution of skin pigmentation and its relationship to environmental factors.
A study of the MSX gene family over 600 million years reveals duplication and diversification of protein regions as key to understanding certain birth disorders. The research provides a molecular explanation for disease patterns associated with cleft lip and palate.
Researchers recreated natural selection in real-time, demonstrating the first quantitative evidence for natural selection on standing genetic variation. The study found that only half of gene frequencies reverted to ancestral levels, highlighting the contingent nature of evolution.
Researchers document increasing resistance to adamantane-based antiviral drugs in over 30% of H5N1 samples. The study provides a framework for monitoring global evolution of drug resistance using molecular evolution tests and geographic visualization techniques.
This year marks the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his theory. Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News is celebrating this milestone by interviewing leading researchers in evolutionary science, including experts on Darwin.
A recent study published in Nature reveals that the common ancestor of all life on earth, LUCA, was not a heat-loving organism as previously thought. Instead, it thrived in a cooler microclimate, resolving a paradox about the origins of life on Earth.
Researchers at the University of Georgia discovered that natural selection on gene function is driving the evolution of LTR retrotransposons in plant genomes. The study found strong purifying selection across all gene regions, but rare episodes of positive selection and adaptation to host genomes.
Researchers found that genetically similar strains of Dictyostelium discoideum mix and cooperate during colony formation, contradicting earlier assumptions. The study's findings suggest specific genes produce sticky adhesives to secure partner connections.
In a breakthrough study, researchers discovered that social amoebas form multi-cellular organisms with genetically similar 'kin' to ensure survival. By aggregating based on genetic similarity rather than true kinship, cells can increase their chances of reproducing and passing on their genes.
A new theory in evolutionary biology proposes that sex promotes genes' ability to perform well with many partners rather than just one specific set of genes. This idea, called genetic mixability, finds that sexual reproduction favors genes that work well across multiple variations.
In response to environmental stress, yeast cells trigger a protein-misfolding mechanism that reveals hidden genetic variation, allowing them to adapt and evolve rapidly. This 'prion switching' enables cells to digest previously inaccessible materials, such as certain nutrients and antibiotics, without prior genetic mutation.
Researchers found that social amoebae, such as Dictyostelium discoideum, aggregate based on genetic similarity to minimize conflict and increase chances of gene reproduction. This self/non-self mechanism is similar to immune systems in higher organisms.
Females may mate with multiple partners to avoid passing on sperm-damaging genes, boosting offspring health and sex ratio. This adaptive strategy could explain why many species have polyandrous females.
A virus causing human-like symptoms may have emerged from a bird virus 200 years ago, according to scientists studying the common cold. Human metapneumovirus has high evolutionary rates and is closely related to Avian metapneumovirus C, suggesting a potential species barrier crossing event.
A team of scientists discovered that novel genes are responsible for morphological differences between two closely related species of freshwater polyps called Hydra. The study found that a secreted protein encoded by one such gene controls the pattern in which the tentacles develop, leading to species-specific traits.
Researchers identify key gene transferred from Sicilian plant to British Groundsel weed, allowing for natural genetic exchanges and evolution. This discovery challenges traditional views of evolution as a one-way process.
A new study by Rice University bioengineers provides a comprehensive mathematical analysis of virus evolution, incorporating gene swaps and recombination. The results suggest that designing drugs that force viruses to mutate themselves out of existence may be possible, potentially eradicating disease.
Using genetically diverse seed sources can improve revegetation outcomes for native flora, as local seed may be inbred and lead to poor results. The review recommends focusing on capturing high-quality seed to ensure restored populations have ample genetic diversity.
Researchers at NYU's Center for Genomics and Systems Biology identified approximately 300 genes that break phenotypic robustness when knocked out, leading to physical differences in the species. These findings provide new understanding of how organisms develop and function reliably despite environmental changes.
A new study at the University of Melbourne discovered that rare insect clones are favored by evolution, leading to increased genetic variation. This phenomenon, known as frequency-dependent selection, allows rare clones to become more common and produce more offspring.
A team at Duke University Medical Center has identified microsporidia as a sexually reproducing fungus that causes chronic diarrhea in AIDS patients and other host animals. The findings could help develop effective treatments against these common global pathogens.
Researchers sequenced Öetzi's mtDNA genome, finding that he belonged to a rare or extinct lineage. The study provides an unprecedented look at ancient human ancestry and sheds light on the frequency of genetic lineages over time, revealing potential gaps in knowledge left by the extinction of certain variants.
A team of ASU researchers will investigate the ecology, evolution, and genetic mysteries behind malaria and retroviral diseases in humans and nonhuman primates. The studies aim to understand malaria drug resistance and host shifts in parasites.