Articles tagged with Evolutionary Genetics
Researchers from Spain, Italy and Norway uncover a cluster of water channel genes in teleosts that allow eggs to float. The study reveals unique mechanisms for hydrating maturing eggs, which determines their buoyancy.
Genetic welding proposes using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to rapidly change evolutionary courses in animals or plants. Cutting argues that this method requires scientific and ethical scrutiny before its application.
Researchers found that a large genetic region responsible for immune responses showed rapid evolution and more Mesolithic hunter-gatherer ancestry, suggesting that genetic variants already present in Europe were passed down preferentially. This suggests that diversity in immune genes may be just as important as adaptation to lifestyle.
Researchers found that the Alba morph in female Colias butterflies evolved once near the last common ancestor over 1.2 million generations ago. The genetic basis of Alba was identified as a regulatory region in DNA, maintained through gene flow and balancing selection.
Researchers used demographic modeling to reconstruct wheat's evolutionary history during the Holocene, revealing its origins near the Caspian Sea and slow speciation process. The study also found that crop relatives are valuable for breeding resilient crops but face decline due to changes in human diets and climate change.
A genomic study of ancient humans on the Tibetan Plateau reveals a single origin for ancient humans, deriving from a northern East Asian population. The study also found distinct genetic patterns in different regions of the plateau, indicating three regional groups with unique historical patterns that began to merge after 2500 BP.
Researchers identify egg yolk proteins retained in viviparous sharks and rays, which may provide nutrition to developing embryos. The study suggests that these proteins have evolved a new function in cartilaginous fishes, potentially facilitating the transition from egg-laying to live birth.
Scientists create modified E. coli bacteria that cannot be infected by viruses while minimizing gene escape into the wild. This breakthrough technology has implications for reducing viral contamination in biotechnology production, such as insulin production and biofuel manufacturing.
The study of 356 prehistoric hunter-gatherers from across Eurasia sheds light on the movements and genetic replacements of ancient populations. Genetic analysis reveals that populations in western Europe took shelter during the Last Glacial Maximum, while those in central and southern Europe died out or replaced with new gene pools.
A new snake family, Micrelapidae, was identified through an international study led by Tel Aviv University researcher Prof. Shai Meiri. The family includes only three species, two in Africa and one in Israel, and diverged from the rest of the evolutionary tree about 50 million years ago.
Researchers analyzed ancient DNA from Cueva del Malalmuerzo in southern Spain, uncovering the oldest known human genome from this region. The study found a direct genetic link between the new genome and earlier populations in Belgium and beyond, shedding light on the Iberian Peninsula's role as an Ice Age refuge.
A new phylogenetic tree analysis by the University of Vienna has provided fresh insights into the evolutionary history of sharks and rays. The study found that the Late Jurassic shark Protospinax annectans was a highly evolved species, contrary to previous hypotheses about its position in the family tree.
Scientists have reconstructed the evolutionary history of flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs), a class of detoxifying enzymes present in all lifeforms. The study reveals that a single ancestral gene diverged into two distinct functions, with one gene triggering a different breakdown reaction.
Researchers estimate transcription error rates in human cells and identify genetic and epigenetic factors responsible for inaccuracies. Inaccurate transcription produces truncated or altered proteins, leading to disease.
New research on malaria-infected bonobos shows that the infection harms them, too, with symptoms including fever and increased mortality risk. The study also finds that bonobos have a protective variant of an immune gene similar to one found in humans, suggesting a selective advantage for those individuals.
A single gene controls a switch between two alternative cell fates in a species of sea anemone, enabling the transition from a piercing cell to a sticky cell. This finding suggests that the nematocyte cell may have evolved from a spirocyte thanks to the development of the NvSox2 gene.
Researchers found no relationship between growth rate and body size in theropod dinosaurs, with some giants growing slowly and smaller ones rapidly. This study opens the door to future investigations into how animals regulate their growth.
A recent study by the University at Buffalo has discovered that genetic variations affecting immunity and metabolism have been preserved in humans for millions of years. This finding supports the theory of balancing selection, which suggests that certain genetic traits can be beneficial or harmful depending on environmental conditions.
Researchers have created detailed genetic maps of green and leatherback sea turtle genomes, providing insights into their unique adaptations and evolutionary history. The study reveals that genetic differences between the two species are mainly found on microchromosomes, which may hold the key to each species' survival.
A new genomic study found signs of TB adaptation in ancient Andean populations, thousands of years before European contact. The study suggests that Indigenous people in present-day Ecuador developed an immune response to tuberculosis around 3,000 years ago, when agriculture began proliferating in the region.
Researchers have discovered thousands of new miniproteins in human organs, which challenge the assumption that they are insignificant and functionless. The proteins were found to interact with older proteins, suggesting a key role in cellular functions.
Researchers have discovered that fungi in orange lichens can transport toxic pigments out of their cells, creating a 'sunscreen effect'. This mechanism allows the lichens to reflect harmful radiation while still allowing some solar radiation to pass through for photosynthesis.
Researchers identified a new gene, glubschauge, regulating sex-specific eye morphology in honeybees. Switching this gene off in females and adding it to males resulted in the development of characteristic eye forms.
The cichlid fish species Lamprologous callipterus has a unique reproductive system where males are 12 times bigger than females, but also has a smaller male morph that is 60 times smaller. A new study found that the genetic mechanism underlying this size-determining sex chromosome is linked to the growth hormone regulator gene GHRHR.
A team of researchers at UConn has discovered the genetic basis for the emergence of a new species of monkeyflower, which lost its yellow pigment but gained pink and later red. The study reveals that unique genes are responsible for this phenomenon, contradicting previous theories on evolution.
Lichen-forming fungi have evolved unique gene clusters to produce orange 'sunscreen' pigments, allowing them to thrive in sunny environments. The discovery of a critical ABC transporter gene within the pigment gene cluster provides a potential hypothesis for toxicity avoidance in these organisms.
Conflicts between divergent goals can continue indefinitely through evolutionary time, causing devastating damage to complex organisms and social structures. Modular design is a crucial enabler of complex adaptation and transformative changes in social organisation.
An international team of researchers has created a detailed genetic map of two sea turtle species, revealing surprising similarities and differences. The study finds that green turtles have evolved more immune-related genes, while leatherbacks have historically lower population levels and reduced genetic diversity.
A study at Nagoya University found that specific neurons in fruit flies process and distinguish between different courtship songs, differing between species. The researchers used calcium imaging to determine how these neurons respond to different courtship songs, finding that the responses varied between species.
Researchers at Lund University identified two areas in the genome that decide whether a willow warbler migrates across the Iberian Peninsula or the Balkans. This discovery sheds light on the genetics behind songbirds' migratory behaviour and has implications for understanding how species adapt to climate change.
A study published in Genome Biology and Evolution found a core genetic toolkit for reproductive division of labor in rudimentary insect societies. The authors identified common genes associated with fundamental social divisions in bees and wasps, suggesting a universal molecular 'theme' for cooperation across species.
Researchers discovered a single protein called Gr8a that plays an inhibitory role in mating decision-making, helping flies avoid inter-breeding with the wrong partner. The findings provide insight into how signal production and perception are tied together, shedding light on pheromone communication.
A new study analyzes the microstructure of eggshells from living and extinct flightless birds, shedding light on their evolutionary history. The research finds that wedge-like microstructures in rhea eggs evolved from ancient ancestors, while prism-like structures in ostrich and tinamous eggs likely developed independently.
A new study by University of California, Berkeley researchers suggests that iconic desert plants came preadapted to stresses of arid living. The rock daisy study found these pioneers developed adaptations on dry, exposed rock outcrops within older areas, making it easier for them to thrive in expanding deserts.
A recent study published in Nature Climate Change has discovered that hybridization between species can help vulnerable populations adapt to climate change. Hybrid populations have been found to contain more genetic diversity, making them less susceptible to extinction due to environmental changes.
A study by UC San Francisco and Stanford Medicine found that removing the oxytocin receptor does not interfere with monogamy or giving birth. Prairie voles bred without receptors for oxytocin showed similar mating, attachment, and parenting behaviors as regular voles.
Researchers uncovered evidence of blue-green algae presence in a German lake dating back 11,000 years, with species diversity increasing significantly after Bronze Age burials. Climate change and industrial agriculture have since accelerated the growth of these toxic algae.
Researchers from McGill University found that changes in sea levels during the Ice Age affected crocodile gene flow, isolating Caribbean and Pacific populations with distinct genetic mutations. The study reveals the resilience of American crocodiles to climate swings and highlights the need for targeted conservation efforts in Panama.
Researchers uncover mechanism explaining how embryos form larvae or miniature adults, correlating gene activation timing with life cycle evolution.
Researchers studied cavefish metabolism to understand how humans might adapt over long periods of inactivity, finding genetic changes that enable muscle endurance and efficient energy storage. The study suggests potential implications for understanding and mitigating the negative effects of sedentary lifestyles on human health.
A study published in Evolution found that polygamous birds have higher efficiency of natural selection, leading to fewer harmful mutations and increased genetic diversity in small subsets of species with polygamous females.
A new study in Scientific Reports identifies four genes associated with whales' massive size, including GHSR, IGFBP7, NCAPG, and PLAG1. These genes promote large body sizes while mitigating potential drawbacks like increased cancer risk.
A study by Rockefeller University scientists found that older male fruit flies are more likely to pass mutations onto their offspring due to less efficient mutation repair mechanisms. This could have implications for inherited-disease risk in humans.
Researchers have discovered that ancient crocodilian hemoglobin required 21 interconnected mutations to develop its hyper-efficient oxygen-binding properties. This complexity, not found in other vertebrates, enabled crocodilians to exploit their onboard oxygen stores for extended periods underwater.
Deep-sea squat lobsters are reclassified after Harvard researchers discovered five new species, showing wider geographic distribution ranges and shallower genetic diversity. The discovery highlights the importance of molecular data in understanding evolutionary history.
Researchers have decoded the genetic composition of self-incompatibility in grasses, enabling new breeding strategies. The study found that two loci control self-incompatibility, allowing for more diverse populations to be bred.
A new study estimates that Madagascar's unique modern mammal species could take 23 million years to evolve if the endangered ones go extinct, highlighting the urgent need for conservation action. The island's biodiversity is threatened by habitat loss and human activities.
A new study reveals that smallpox originated more than 3,800 years ago, confirming historical sources and shedding light on the disease's history. The researchers used genetic analysis to trace the evolution of the virus, finding that different strains descended from a single common ancestor.
Researchers found parallel genomic signatures in urban Anolis cristatellus lizards, which also exhibit physical differences such as longer limbs and larger toe pads. These adaptations enable the lizards to thrive in cities.
Researchers found a novel gene-transfer mechanism in Prochlorococcus that enables the transmission of entire blocks of genes between organisms, even when widely separated. This mechanism, dubbed 'tycheposons,' involves sequences of DNA that can include several genes and are transported by membrane vesicles or hijacked virus particles.
Researchers at Indiana University found that the average age of human conception is around 26.9 years, with fathers averaging 30.7 years and mothers averaging 23.2 years over the past 250,000 years. The study also suggests that the age gap between fathers and mothers has narrowed in recent times.
Scientists have developed a novel metric to analyze the rate of convergent evolution in protein-coding DNA sequences. This approach can reveal which genetic changes are associated with phenotypic traits, shedding light on how species diversify over time.
Researchers compared genetic codes from 62 animals to uncover the story of human body hair loss. The study found that a set of genes and regulatory regions are essential for making hair, and suggests new ways to recover hair after balding or chemotherapy.
Researchers found that zebrafish lacking the baz1b gene exhibit increased sociability, reduced fear, and physical changes similar to those in domesticated species. The study suggests the gene impacts both morphological and behavioral characteristics associated with domestication syndrome.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki found that distinct hybrid wood ant populations evolved independently towards the same direction, indicating predictable outcomes. The study suggests that hybridization can help species cope with a warming climate by combining temperature ranges from both species.
Researchers discovered that radiation damage to paternal DNA is passed on to offspring through a highly error-prone repair mechanism. This leads to structural changes in the paternal chromosomes and causes developmental defects. Histone proteins play a crucial role in shielding damaged chromosomes from accurate repair.
A team of scientists identified 155 new genes that spontaneously arose from tiny sections of the human DNA, some associated with growth defects, muscular dystrophy, and other diseases. These 'microgenes' also play a role in maintaining healthy heart tissue.
A new study by the University of Bath suggests that diving birds like penguins and puffins are more prone to extinction than non-diving birds. The research found that diving evolved independently 14 times and led to a loss of evolutionary diversity in these species.
A new study reveals that certain types of lipids found in ancient fossils are produced by specific living bacteria. By identifying these microorganisms and understanding how they produce the lipids, scientists can create more accurate climate reconstructions. This discovery also sheds light on the early evolution of life on Earth.
The discovery of microRNAs in octopus species reveals a common role in advanced brain development and cognition, linking the evolution of intelligent life. MicroRNAs regulate protein expression, diversifying cell function and enabling complex organisms to perform specialized tasks.