Articles tagged with Human Genetics
A National Institutes of Health (NIH) study has found no evidence of transmissibility of chronic wasting disease in cynomolgus macaque monkeys. The research, published in the Journal of Virology, involved exposing 14 macaques to brain matter from CWD-infected deer and elk over a period of up to 13 years.
DNA analysis of ancient latrines reveals past diets, animal domestication, and hunting practices in Northern Europe and the Middle East from 500 B.C. to 1700 A.D., with parasite eggs reflecting raw or undercooked fish and pork consumption.
A team of City College-bred fruit flies and parasitic wasps are part of an International Space Station experiment to understand how the human immune system reacts to spaceflight conditions. The goal is to inform astronauts on potential infections during long-duration missions.
Scientists from Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed 3D mini-brains from human stem cells to investigate the effects of a specific gene mutation tied to major mental illnesses. The results show that the mutated mini-brains exhibit structural disruptions, suggesting a potential new target pathway for therapies.
Researchers discovered genetic and epigenetic changes in humans and chimpanzees that increase the fight-or-flight response, a trait more common in species with warfare history. These adaptations may have played a role in shaping human warfare.
A study published in Cell found that the Bajau people of Southeast Asia, who spend their lives at sea, have larger spleens than non-divers due to genetic adaptation. The research suggests that this adaptation is a rare example of natural selection in modern humans and could provide insights into managing acute hypoxia.
Researchers identified Histone Deacetylase 7 (HDAC7) as a potential target for new autoimmune disease treatments. The study found that altering HDAC7 function in mice can cause autoimmune diseases, while also improving symptoms when the gene is restored.
Researchers at University of Sydney establish method to identify individual extracellular vesicles (EVs) using resonance-enhanced atomic force microscope infrared spectroscopy. This allows for biomarkers for diverse diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular, kidney and liver disease, dementia, and multiple sclerosis.
A research team at Lund University has discovered a crucial mechanism regulating protein production in hematopoietic stem cells. The enzyme PUS7 and pseudouridine modification play a vital role in controlling protein synthesis machinery. This control ensures the correct amount of proteins is made, preventing unbalanced stem cell growth.
Researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg have identified a new molecular cause of aggressive infant leukemia in children. The study found that changes in genes in white blood cells disrupt cell growth control, leading to the production of abnormal proteins that facilitate leukaemia.
Researchers discovered mouse genes that enhance human T-cell power against liver cancer, offering new hope for patients. Engineered human T cells eradicated cancer without harming normal liver tissue.
Researchers analyzed inner ear structure in humans from diverse populations, finding variation within populations greater than between them. The shape of the labyrinth correlates with dispersal distance from Africa, providing insights into human migration history and population movements within continents.
Researchers analyzed 221 skeletal specimens to examine the correlation between inner ear morphology and genetic markers reflecting human dispersal from Africa. The study found that labyrinth morphology corresponds with dispersal patterns, offering a new avenue for individual-based genotype and phenotype comparisons.
Researchers at Texas A&M University found that early settlers in interior western Canada used the Pacific coastal route to reach temperate North America, contradicting traditional theories of migration. The fluted spear points provide evidence supporting new genetic models explaining how humans colonized the New World.
A new medicine that slows balding may also improve blood flow to vital organs by increasing arterial diameter and restoring elastin content. This could help reduce the risk of death, stroke, and other cardiovascular-related illnesses.
Researchers from CIRAD and Hong Kong University find MERS-CoV strains in African dromedaries differ from those in the Arabian Peninsula, explaining virus transmission. Genetic differences may account for disease not being transmitted to humans in West and North Africa.
Researchers discovered two distinct episodes of Denisovan genetic intermixing between modern humans and Denisovans. The genomes of modern Papuan individuals contain approximately 5% Denisovan ancestry, while East Asians have a second set of Denisovan ancestry not found in South Asians and Papuans.
Researchers found Neotropical fruit species in Central and South America have larger geographic ranges when linked to human diets, suggesting human impact on species distribution. Human use of these fruits may have driven the expansion of their ranges.
A study has identified a critical protein interaction that triggers the development of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), a rare neurodegenerative disease. The researchers found that polyQ-ATAXIN1 forms a complex with capicua, which disrupts gene expression and leads to neurodegeneration.
A new study provides some of the strongest evidence yet of speciation reversal, where two distinct lineages of Common Ravens have hybridized and merged into one. The research analyzed genomic data from hundreds of ravens across North America and found extensive intermixing between the California and Holarctic lineages.
A study identified 149 variants in 22 genes, classifying them as pathogenic or likely pathogenic, and found NPHS2 was the most common mutated gene. The researchers hope to understand the correlation between genotype and phenotype to improve diagnosis and treatment for patients with nephrotic syndrome.
Researchers used open-source software and genetic analysis to identify the male brown bear that killed a female and her two cubs in the Italian Alps. The study provides new insights into infanticide in small populations, highlighting its impact on species conservation.
Researchers at Princeton University have identified a drug that can extend egg viability in worms, which could theoretically increase women's reproductive lifespan. The study suggests that the drug could help slow age-related decline in egg quality and potentially extend fertility by three to six years.
Scientists have identified a key protein quality control mechanism in the brain that plays a crucial role in regulating appetite and weight. The discovery sheds light on how genetic mutations can lead to severe forms of childhood obesity.
A global genomic study has identified genes that influence complex trait of height in cattle, confirming findings with miniature cattle and ancient DNA. The study's collaborative approach also reveals a high degree of overlap with human and dog genomes, opening up new possibilities for research on traits like temperament and body fatness.
Researchers created an open-source data atlas of human kidney development, providing detailed molecular and cellular information. The dataset will accelerate stem cell-based technologies for kidney replacement and regeneration therapies.
The Scanpy software is a candidate for analyzing the Human Cell Atlas, enabling comprehensive analysis of large gene-expression datasets. It uses graph-based algorithms to characterize cells by identifying their closest neighbors, similar to social networks.
A study at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that far-UVC light can efficiently kill aerosolized influenza viruses in the air without harming human tissues. The use of overhead far-UVC light in hospitals, schools, and other public spaces could provide a powerful check on seasonal influenza epidemics.
A genetic study found that house dust mites replaced the traditional Piwi pathway with a new small RNA mechanism to control transposable elements, affecting up to 1.2 billion people worldwide. The discovery provides insights into the evolutionary history of these common indoor pests.
A jawbone dating to 177,000-194,000 years ago has revealed that modern humans were present in the Levant at least 50,000 years earlier than previously thought. The discovery suggests an earlier demographic replacement or genetic admixture with local populations.
Direct DNA sequencing is uncovering unexpected genetic connections between ancient and modern populations in Eurasia, suggesting early gene flow or population structure that led to Europeans and Asians. Genetic analyses also reveal Neanderthal ancestry and mixing events, providing new insights into human prehistory.
The study found that mitochondrial DNA mutation rates differ across various tissues, particularly in reproductive cells, which could lead to devastating diseases if passed to future offspring. Researchers used a novel method to isolate mitochondria from specific cells, shedding light on the mechanisms regulating gene mutations.
Researchers at Newcastle University found that a small adaptation in the protein p62 helps cells respond to stress and activate autophagy, a process that removes damaged components from cells. This discovery could help explain why humans have increased natural defenses and longer lifespans compared to other organisms.
Researchers discovered a complex system regulating the same genes in humans and mice, yet evolved independently. Noncoding RNAs with origins in DNA segments inserted by retrotransposons played a key role in this convergent evolution.
A recent study by USAMRIID and collaborators found that the monkeypox virus outbreak in Nigeria likely originated from a local source, with one of the earliest cases dating back to 1971. The findings highlight the importance of local surveillance for early detection of viral spillovers.
Research suggests that different bacterial strains can provoke varied immune responses in humans, contradicting previous studies that used a single strain. This variability is contributed by viruses infecting the bacteria, and may help predict disease outcomes and tailor treatment.
A recent study by Clayton Lamb and colleagues found that higher road density in British Columbia leads to lower grizzly bear density, compromising the species' recovery. Closing roads can reduce the negative impact of roads on habitats, allowing bears to recolonize and recover.
A single gene variant can have a significant impact on human facial features, according to a new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The research found three genetic variants tied to specific facial characteristics, including those related to steroid biosynthesis and mucolipidosis type IV.
Researchers discovered that zebrafish exhibit significant spatial memory impairment after a blow to the head, with slower reaction times to familiar environments. Genetic analysis identified key genes involved in brain cell proliferation and migration, offering new insights into potential human recovery strategies.
Researchers found that young male songbirds can overcome their genetic predisposition to sing like their fathers with enriched early experience. The study used Bengalese finches and found that exposure to a computerized tutor or live adult males reduced the genetic contribution to complex behaviors like birdsong.
Researchers found that human APOBEC3H strongly inhibited SIVcpz due to its resistance to Vif proteins. The study suggests that human APOBEC3H may protect against HIV-1 transmission from chimps, particularly in individuals with unstable forms of the protein.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University discovered a gene that helps zebrafish convert water motion into electrical impulses, similar to human hearing. The shared gene allows fish to sense water flow direction and may also inform future studies on human hair cell mechanotransduction.
Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to disrupt a genetic mutation causing deafness in mice, preserving some hearing. The treatment reversed hair cell damage and improved inner ear function.
Researchers developed a statistical model to study the origin of genetic diversity in Amazonian sardines, revealing interactions between geographical distance, waterfalls, and floodplain size. The approach could be used for conservation strategies, helping to assess human impact on biodiversity in various ecosystems.
Recent study reveals directional selection on height, age at first birth, and body mass index in males, while stabilizing selection is detected for several traits in older adults. The findings shed light on the ongoing forces shaping human evolution.
A genetic analysis of 33 Candida glabrata strains found that they can reproduce sexually, exchanging genes that may lead to drug resistance. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of candidiasis and highlights the need for a more diverse approach in studying this pathogen.
A genetic mutation that occurred 700 million years ago may have facilitated the connection of gene networks involved in animal embryogenesis, leading to the formation of complex organs. This discovery highlights the importance of serendipity in evolution and the versatility of biological tools.
Recent studies reveal that humans left Africa multiple times prior to 60,000 years ago, interbred with other hominins in Eurasia, and left genetic traces in modern human populations. The analysis confirms the traditional 'Out of Africa' model can no longer be seen as the full story.
A team of international researchers from Kumamoto University and RIKEN mapped 60% of all developmental chicken TSSs to the most recent chicken genome, providing valuable genetic data for understanding human development. This achievement enables the application of CRISPR-on technology to activate specific genes during development.
A study by Wayne State University School of Medicine researchers found that sperm RNA elements can predict human health, potentially leading to improved fertility clinic predictions and better neonatal care outcomes. The discovery may also enable the development of preventive measures against diseases.
A team of scientists discovered that a major cause of variation between genetically identical C. elegans worms is their mother's age, particularly in younger mothers. The study found that the youngest mothers produce offspring with impaired characteristics such as size, growth rate, and starvation resistance.
A study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics reveals that earlobe attachment is influenced by an interplay of at least 49 genes. This complex genetics challenges traditional teaching methods, which often focus on dominant and recessive genes.
A new study sheds light on the origin of the SARS virus, finding that genetic recombination between viral strains in bats may have produced the direct evolutionary ancestor of the strain that caused a deadly outbreak. The study also identified strains capable of entering human cells.
A comparative analysis of primate brains found that humans exhibit unique differences in dopamine gene expression, particularly in the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine. These differences may contribute to aspects of cognition and behavior such as working memory, reasoning, and intelligence.
The UQ dipstick technology enables fast and accurate diagnosis of human, animal and plant diseases in remote locations. The technology extracts DNA and RNA from living organisms in under 30 seconds without specialized equipment or personnel.
Researchers found that fruit flies raised on a low protein diet during early life lived more than twice as long as those fed throughout on a standard diet. Adult flies release toxic lipids from their skin, which were less toxic if they ate a low-protein diet earlier in life.
Researchers deciphered molecular processes influencing aging by studying chromatin silencing in yeast, discovering a balance between open and closed states to maintain cell function and longevity. Continuous or complete loss of this balance accelerates aging.
Researchers found that prehistoric migration rates increased in three distinct pulses, coinciding with the spread of agriculture, Bronze Age advancements, and Iron Age population growth. This suggests a strong link between technological innovation and human mobility.
Researchers developed a CRISPR-based system, called REPAIR, which can edit single RNA letters in human cells. This new system has potential to treat diseases without permanently affecting the genome.
Researchers have developed a new enzyme called a base editor that can directly change DNA base pairs, enabling precise genome editing. This technology may one day enable the treatment of genetic diseases by erasing harmful mutations and writing in helpful ones.