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What do piranhas and goldfish have in common?

A recent study published in Systematic Biology reveals that piranhas and goldfish are more closely related to catfishes than previously thought. The researchers used ultraconserved elements to reconstruct a Tree of Life for Ostariophysi fishes, revealing surprising relationships among the Characiformes order.

SourceLouisiana State University·JournalSystematic Biology·DateNov 3, 2017

American oaks share a common northern ancestor

Researchers have solved the mystery of the geographic origins of American oaks by finding that red and white oaks diverged simultaneously from a single species 45 million years ago. This common ancestor gave rise to two distinct lineages, which then radiated into different ecological spaces across North America.

SourceThe Morton Arboretum·JournalNew Phytologist·DateSep 18, 2017

Genome sequence of a diabetes-prone rodent

The sand rat genome shows a highly divergent GC-rich genomic domain with several essential genes, including the insulin-regulating homeobox gene Pdx1. This region is subject to elevated mutation rates, which could influence evolution and the course of diabetes.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 4, 2017

Genes key to killer bee's success

Researchers sequenced Africanized bee genomes to understand their success. They identified a region linked to ovary size and foraging strategy, key traits for adaptation and dispersal. Hybridization between different populations led to the creation of new genetic variants, contributing to the bees' exceptional abilities.

SourceUppsala University·JournalMolecular Ecology·DateApr 5, 2017

Finding our way around DNA

A team at Salk Institute developed REPTILE algorithm to predict regulatory elements in noncoding regions of the genome. The method combines histone modification and methylation data for more accurate predictions, paving the way for targeted searches for disease-causing genetic variants.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 13, 2017

New tools identify key evolutionary advantages from ancient hominid interbreeding

Researchers have developed statistical tools to pinpoint genomic regions that confer benefits to modern humans, such as the EPAS1 gene, which helps Tibetans adapt to high altitudes. The study suggests these interbred regions may have enabled archaic humans to survive in Eurasia and were passed on to present-day populations.

Genome: It's all about architecture

Scientists are exploring the relationship between genome architecture and antigen variation in pathogens like Trypanosoma brucei. By analyzing the parasite's genomic structure, researchers aim to better understand how these pathogens evade the immune system and develop more effective vaccines.

Predictability of DNA markers for population-level study based on species-level variation

Researchers used cactus species to test whether regions variable across closely related species show predictable intraspecific variability. The study found that rate-heterogeneity poses a practical challenge for researchers, and screening steps are necessary to discover regions of the genome with sufficient variability.

SourceBotanical Society of America·JournalApplications in Plant Sciences·DateJan 15, 2016