Articles tagged with Evolutionary Genetics
A UC Riverside research project will focus on changes in the gene network that specify early intestinal precursor cells in nematodes like Pristionchus pacificus. Gene networks describe how genes turn each other on and off, and changes in these networks can lead to diseases such as cancer.
A large-scale ancient human gene bank analysis revealed that genetic variants increasing MS risk were introduced by sheep and cattle herders 5,000 years ago. This finding explains the North-South Gradient of MS prevalence in Europe.
Researchers discovered that fruit bats have a genetic system controlling blood sugar levels, allowing them to consume up to twice their body weight in sugary fruit daily. The study's findings may lead to the development of better insulin- or sugar-sensing therapies for people with diabetes.
Researchers have sequenced 52 Psilocybe specimens, including 39 species previously unsequenced, to understand the evolution of psychoactive psilocybin production. The study reveals two distinct gene orders within the psilocybin-producing gene cluster, suggesting an ancient split in the genus.
Researchers developed a new mathematical framework to analyze genetic interactions and identified key regulators in entire biological networks. The approach, which combines geometry and statistics, reveals how individual genes and species influence network dynamics.
A new study has found that evolution is influenced by a genome's evolutionary history, allowing scientists to predict gene interactions and tackle real-world issues like antibiotic resistance. This discovery opens the door to new possibilities in synthetic biology, medicine, and environmental science.
Researchers discovered 50 genetic changes underlying the switch from egg-laying to live-bearing in marine snails, which evolved within the past 100,000 years. The findings provide insights into the evolutionary process and potential benefits of live-bearing, including increased reproductive success in new habitats.
Researchers discovered a trio of protein segments guiding chromosomal interactions in nematodes, shedding light on the complex process. The study, published in PNAS, provides new insights into meiosis and infertility, with implications for human reproductive health.
Researchers at Uppsala University have identified nine distinct evolutionary lines among African lark species, revealing new species diversity. The study proposes splitting two known species into seven, while also confirming convergent evolution and diverging relationships among closely related species.
The study of 146 ancient Balkans reveals a diverse, cosmopolitan Roman Empire with African and Eastern European immigrants. The team identified three individuals of African origin and a large demographic influx from the Anatolian Peninsula during Roman rule.
A new study found that multiple members of the oxymonad lineage have lost their mitochondria, a crucial energy-producing organelle, approximately 100 million years ago. This discovery suggests that it's possible for eukaryotic organisms to thrive without mitochondria, paving the way for further research on their evolution and adaptations.
Genetic material from Neanderthal ancestors may have influenced the preference for waking up early in some people. Studies found that introgressed genetic variants from Neanderthals are associated with increased morningness and a shorter circadian period, which is beneficial at higher latitudes.
A team of researchers successfully synthesized a 1.5-million-year-old antibiotic called paleomycin, which displays potent properties against human pathogens. By tracing the evolutionary path of glycopeptide antibiotics, the team gained insights into the development of new drugs and uncovered a common precursor molecule.
A new genomic study sheds light on the evolutionary innovation behind carnivorous Asian pitcher plants, suggesting that duplicated genomes may have enabled specialized carnivory and separate-sexed plants.
Researchers found that ROP proteins evolved during the transition from unicellular to multicellular plant life. ROP proteins are highly conserved between land plants and streptophyte algae, excluding certain species. The study suggests that ROP signaling may have contributed to the evolution of multicellularity in plants.
Researchers discuss CRISPR's limitations in generating accurate cancer models, including variable mutations and indels. Despite these challenges, the technology holds promise for cancer research due to its potential for natural selection and Darwinian evolution.
Researchers at Lund University mapped extensive colour variation in female bluetail damselflies, finding a specific genomic region drove the emergence of male-like females. This genetic variation has been maintained through balanced natural selection over long evolutionary time periods.
A new study reveals a network of genes that evolve differently in long-lived and short-lived bivalves, associated with longevity in other animals. This shared molecular framework suggests a common genetic basis for extended longevity across diverse animal lineages.
Researchers discovered a bitter taste receptor in sharks, similar to the one found in humans. This finding provides insights into the evolution of bitter taste perception, dating back around 500 million years.
A new study analyzing lice genetic diversity found that head lice arrived in the Americas twice – once with early human migrants and again during European colonization. This discovery supports existing theories on human migration and provides insights into how lice have evolved alongside humans.
The German Research Foundation has renewed funding for the Research Training Group 'Gene Regulation in Evolution' at Mainz University, focusing on the role of gene regulation in adaptation and evolution. The program will recruit 13 new doctoral students and continue to support interdisciplinary research and personal development.
A new study has found that sex differences emerge gradually during organ development, increasing sharply around sexual maturity. The researchers discovered that different genes are 'sex-biased' across species, with only a few shared across all mammalian species.
The study has shed light on how cats evolved into different species and how genetic changes relate to survival abilities like smell detection. It also revealed that cat genomes tend to have fewer complex genetic variations than other mammal groups, such as primates.
Researchers compared sea stars to other deuterostomes to learn about their unique body plan, finding that genes controlling development of the ectoderm were correlated with arm patterning in echinoderms. This suggests echinoderms may have evolved by losing trunk region of bilateral ancestors.
Researchers deciphered when genes responsible for producing 2-methylhopanes were acquired by certain groups of organisms. They found that these genes were likely present in the last common ancestor of Cyanobacteria over two billion years ago.
Researchers found that increased homozygosity, indicating a shared ancestor, leads to negative effects on fertility in the Himba population. The study, which analyzed genetic data from 681 individuals, showed that higher levels of inbreeding resulted in lower reproductive success among post-reproductive women.
Researchers discovered that parasites like horsehair worms use stolen genes to control host behavior. They found over 3,000 genes expressed more in manipulated hosts, suggesting the parasite produces its own proteins for manipulating nervous systems.
Researchers found that certain combinations of gene mutations resulted in predictable effects on tomato size, while others yielded random outcomes. The study suggests the role of background mutations demands reassessment for genome editing applications. This new interpretation may help humanity adapt crops to meet evolving societal needs.
Researchers analyzed DNA from 200-year-old fruit flies collected in Europe, revealing their surprising genetic similarity to modern flies. The study identified key genes that helped the flies adapt to changing environments, including a gene resistant to DDT pesticide.
Researchers from NUS discovered that caterpillars' prolegs are derived from a genetic program that specifies lobes originally found in crustaceans. This novel trait is reactivated in the abdomen of caterpillars, enabling them to grasp and move on various surfaces.
Scientists discovered a key regulator that balances X chromosome genes between male and female mosquitoes, which could help develop new ways to prevent the spread of malaria. The finding sheds light on how mosquitoes compensate for having only one X chromosome, offering potential strategies to reduce blood-sucking female mosquitoes.
A mathematical model suggests females infer attractiveness by watching peers' choices, learning to prefer rare traits that distinguish successful males. This learning process helps maintain variation in male traits and female preferences over time.
A study from Oregon State University found that commercial whaling in the 20th century led to a loss of maternal DNA lineages among blue and humpback whales, potentially resulting in cultural memory loss. Whale populations near South Georgia Island have begun to recover, but the genetic diversity remains low.
Researchers found that genetic recycling enabled the emergence and adaptation of 500 cichlid species in Lake Victoria over just 16,000 years. The study identified unique ancient genes and hybridisation as key drivers of this unprecedented biodiversity explosion.
An international team sequenced nearly 4,000 Darwin's finches' genomes to understand evolutionary change in natural populations. The results showed that only a few genetic loci explain variation in the beak of the finch, with genes transferring between species contributing to adaptation.
A study published in PLOS Biology identifies key genetic loci that distinguish Penstemon species with flowers adapted to different pollinators. The research reveals surprisingly few genetic differences between species with different pollination syndromes, suggesting strong selection to maintain flower traits.
Despite high levels of inbreeding, the Svalbard reindeer population has developed adaptations to thrive in extreme Arctic conditions. Researchers found that inbreeding may help eliminate harmful mutations, leading to a viable and genetically resilient population.
Researchers from a Portuguese-Angolan TwinLab conducted fieldwork in the Angolan Namib desert, discovering groups thought to be extinct or uncontactable. The study reveals unique Pre-Bantu ancestry in modern populations from the Namib desert, divergent from other southern African ancestries.
A study in Current Biology reveals that Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) originally silenced transposable elements in eukaryotes, a function thought to have arisen to protect the genome from invasion. This ancestral role has since shifted to silencing protein-coding genes.
A new University of Kansas genomic investigation has rewritten the evolutionary history of the Homalopsidae, a group of unique mud snakes found in Southeast Asia. The study combined genetic analyses of older museum specimens with fresher field collections to reconstruct the family tree and shed light on their evolution.
A new study has found that bats' extraordinary ability to host and survive infections may be linked to their low cancer rates. Researchers sequenced the genomes of two bat species and compared them to other mammals, discovering genetic adaptations that allow bats to tolerate viral infections.
A new study provides a comprehensive genetic dataset of the black rhinoceros, shedding light on its evolutionary history and population structure. The research reveals six major historical populations and four subpopulations, highlighting the impact of tectonic rifts and human activity on the species' genetic diversity.
Researchers discovered that a small subpopulation of AIB1-expressing cells in breast cancer enables invasion and metastasis. The study suggests that these subpopulations play a crucial role in tumor growth and spreading to distant sites.
Researchers created a comprehensive molecular tree of camel spiders, revealing two main groups in the Americas and their relationships. The study also found that camel spiders began evolving around 250-300 million years ago during the Permian period.
Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered the mechanism by which breast cancer forms in mammalian epithelial cells. The team found that approximately 20 mutations accumulate annually in each cell until menopause, after which the rate decreases significantly.
A research team from the University of Göttingen investigated the molecular networks of a single-celled alga to understand plant terrestrialization. They identified 'hub genes' that play a central role in coordinating gene expression, revealing insights into long-term evolutionary patterns.
Tobin Hammer argues that some hosts have evolved a dependence on their microbiome, but the microbes do not provide any benefits in return. This phenomenon, known as evolutionary addiction, could have unique implications for understanding host-microbe interactions.
A breakthrough study on kākāpō population sequencing is helping New Zealand manage the health of this critically endangered species. The study reveals genetic characteristics crucial to survival and has massive implications for conservation genomics in other species.
Researchers found that white-tailed deer are virus reservoirs, promoting ongoing mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. At least 30 infections were introduced by humans, and an estimated 23.5% of deer had been infected at one time or another.
A team of researchers from Göttingen University has identified seven new species of leaf insects, showcasing their unique camouflage abilities. The discovery highlights the importance of protecting these distinct species from extinction.
Scientists at the Boyce Thompson Institute have constructed a comprehensive 'super-pangenome' for watermelon and its wild relatives, uncovering beneficial genes lost during domestication. This genetic toolkit can be used to develop varieties with enhanced yield, increased disease resistance, and improved adaptability.
The oldest and fastest evolving moss in the world, Takakia, may not survive climate change. Despite its rapid adaptation capabilities, the species is declining in population size due to warming temperatures and increasing UV radiation, threatening its very existence.
A recent study suggests that the common ancestors of bats were omnivorous, feeding on a mixture of fruits and insects. The researchers resurrected ancient proteins from six ancestral lineages and found that the sweet taste receptor was present in all extant bat species.
A KAUST-led team has compiled the first complete genome map of einkorn, an ancient grain that could help develop bread wheat varieties with enhanced disease resistance and improved hardiness. The study reveals a complex evolutionary history of wheat species, including gene flow between einkorn and wild cousins.
Researchers discovered a deep connection between the sums-of-digits function from number theory and phenotype mutational robustness in genetics. The maximum robustness is proportional to the logarithm of the fraction of all possible sequences that map to a phenotype, with a correction given by the sums of digits function s_k(n).
Researchers found that mutations in the Pro1 protein enable the rice blast fungus to thrive through increased conidia release. This finding suggests an adaptive advantage for the pathogen, potentially linked to its loss of female fertility.
A study reveals that specific bacteria drive the evolution of antimicrobial peptides in Drosophila, providing insights into how host immune systems adapt to new ecological niches. The findings also suggest a new model for AMP-microbiome evolution.
Researchers at Columbia University and the University of Texas uncovered the genomic regions responsible for skeletal changes in primates that led to upright walking. The study found genes associated with hip, knee, and back arthritis, offering insights into prevention and treatment.
Researchers identified 145 key genetic points controlling skeletal proportions using AI on tens of thousands of X-ray images and genetic sequences. This discovery opens a window into predicting patients' risks of developing conditions like back pain or arthritis.
Researchers analyzed full-body X-ray images and genomic data from 30,000 UK Biobank participants to understand the genetic architecture of the human skeletal form. They identified 145 independent genetic loci associated with skeletal proportions, linking them to musculoskeletal disease and evolution.