Articles tagged with Human Genetics
A new method called TFUMseq enables researchers to study the functions of hard-to-grow bacteria that contribute to the gut microbiome. The tool allows for the identification of genes that enhance microbial fitness and provides insights into how bacteria colonize living organisms.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in treating patients with sickle cell disease by engineering custom blood cells that can evade the immune system. Lab-grown stem cells were reprogrammed and edited using CRISPR to replace the defective gene, resulting in healthy red blood cells that function just as well as those from unaffected donors.
Researchers have assembled a comprehensive map of the human epigenome, detailing epigenetic markers in 111 cell types and tissues. This resource will aid in understanding the molecular basis of disease and lead to new treatments.
Researchers found that segments of human genome with low recombination rate carry a higher proportion of disease-enabling genetic mutations, which are eventually shuffled off through sexual reproduction. This discovery can help scientists identify and develop effective treatments for diseases.
Researchers discovered that the immune system can turn off cellular enzymes needed by the Influenza A virus, which could lead to new treatments for flu. The study found that PAI-1 protein plays a key role in this process, and its inhibitors may be used to combat viral infections.
Research found that humans have fewer endogenous retroviruses than other animals, likely due to reduced blood contact. This decrease could be attributed to human evolution using tools instead of biting during conflicts.
A new study by the University of Sheffield found that genetic differences between humans continue to fuel evolution, despite artificial influences like easy access to contraception and medical advances. The research showed that genetic influence on timing of reproduction and family size tends to be higher in recent times.
Researchers at USC discovered a compound that extends the life span of female fruit flies by 68%, challenging existing methods used to study genetic causes of aging. The finding opens up new avenues for investigating longevity and identifies potential candidate genes and mechanisms.
A new study found that humans carry fewer endogenous retroviruses in their genomes compared to other mammals. This decrease may be attributed to a less bloody evolutionary history, with reduced exposure to blood-borne viruses as humans transitioned from biting during conflicts and hunting.
A fossil skull discovered in Israel's Manot Cave provides strong evidence of the first modern human migration to Europe, dating back 55,000 years. The analysis reveals a close genetic relationship between ancient Europeans and modern humans from Africa, challenging previous theories about the origins of European modern humans.
WSU researchers found a direct link between BPA and estradiol's effects on sperm production, disrupting DNA interactions needed for creation. This discovery bolsters the estrogen hypothesis and suggests that endocrine disruptors like BPA impair reproduction.
A new computational method can identify positions in the human genome that play a role in cell function, revealing insights into genetic regulation and potential applications in personalized medicine. The study found that 4.2 to 7.5 percent of nucleotides in the human genome have influenced fitness since humans diverged from chimpanzees.
Researchers have created DNA-coated nanoparticles that can hold together 3D-printed materials, forming gel-like substances suitable for human cell growth. This breakthrough could lead to the development of scaffolds for growing tissues and organs.
A recent study by Ria Ghai has identified three genetically distinct groups of whipworms, with only one being transmissible between humans and non-human primates. This discovery has significant public health implications and highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect endangered species.
Resistin, an immune protein found in human serum, instigates an inappropriate inflammatory response to worm infections, impairing clearance. Targeting this pathway with drugs or antibodies could lead to new therapeutic strategies for worm infections and associated pathology.
Researchers have discovered new genetic and epigenetic factors that contribute to diabetes, suggesting a shared pathway between genes and environment. The study found similar epigenetic changes in fat cells of obese mice and humans, highlighting the consilience of genetics and environment.
Researchers found that swamp sparrows can perceive sound categories in context, a skill shared with humans. This ability may be crucial for understanding how human language arose.
Researchers have discovered a mutation in ferrets that shares similarities with humans, potentially leading to improved therapies for influenza and other diseases. This finding opens up a novel approach to tackling human diseases.
Researchers analyzed 5,040 evolutionary paths of human color vision, finding that 4,008 trajectories are terminated prematurely due to nonfunctional pigments. The study's findings emphasize the importance of understanding molecular evolution and genetic engineering in decoding protein mutations' effects.
Researchers have completed a detailed picture of human color vision evolution, tracing 7 genetic mutations and 5,040 pathways from UV to blue-light vision. The study clarifies molecular pathways at the chemical, genetic, and functional levels.
A study revealed that malaria parasites change surface proteins every 48 hours to hide from the immune system, creating millions of new variants. This rapid evolution makes it difficult to develop an effective vaccine against the disease.
A DNA study from Duke University sheds light on the extinction of giant lemurs, finding that their smaller population sizes made them more susceptible to extinction. The research suggests that lessons learned from ancient DNA can be useful in protecting remaining species.
A team of researchers from the University of Southern Denmark has successfully reprogrammed white adipose tissue cells to become 'brite' (brown-in-white) fat cells, increasing energy consumption and potentially treating obesity. The study identified KLF11 as a key gene required for this process, paving the way for future treatments.
Researchers have discovered that birds and humans share the same genes to produce speech, with similar brain circuitry involved in singing behavior. The study, led by Duke neuroscientist Erich Jarvis, reveals that vocal learning evolved twice or three times among songbirds, parrots, and hummingbirds.
Researchers analyzed Darwin Award winners and found that 88.7% were male, supporting the idea that men are more prone to 'idiotic risk taking behaviour'. The study suggests males may engage in such risky actions as a rite of passage or for social esteem
A small group of hunter-gatherers in Southern Africa remained isolated and distinct from other African ethnicities for most of the past 150,000 years. Their genetic history reveals limited gene flow with non-Khoisan populations.
Scientists have developed protective human antibodies using DNA-vaccinated cows, which showed potent neutralizing activity against two types of hantaviruses. The antibodies protected hamsters from lethal disease caused by these viruses, with seven out of eight treated animals surviving without symptoms.
Researchers discovered sustained human habitation and farming between 2,500-3,400 meters above sea level 3,600 years ago on the Tibetan Plateau. This finding challenges previous understanding of human adaptation to high altitudes.
Researchers have discovered that a significant number of mouse genes do not behave like their human counterparts, suggesting that science will need to rethink the role of the lab mouse. The findings come from the ongoing mouse ENCODE project and indicate that similar genes in humans and mice are expressed in different ways.
The study, Mouse ENCODE, compared mouse and human genome regulatory elements to understand similarities and differences in gene control. Researchers found that the general principles of gene regulation are similar but with distinct details between species.
A team of international researchers has detailed the functional parts of the mouse genome and compared them with those in humans, finding that certain processes are preserved through time. The study reveals new insights into mammalian biology and human illness mechanisms.
An international team of researchers identified approximately 6600 genes whose expression levels vary within a restricted range in both mice and humans. These genes, which represent about one-third of active genes across tissues in both species, reflect evolution's constraint on their expression to maintain cellular housekeeping.
A comprehensive study of the mouse genome has discovered striking similarities and differences with the human genome, shedding light on gene regulation and its impact on human biology. The findings may lead to better use of mouse models in medical research.
Researchers found that disclosing genetic risk information led to increased perceived personal control and counseling satisfaction among patients. Patients who received genetic risk information also reported adopting healthier behaviors to reduce coronary heart disease risk.
Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center found that calorie-restricted diets slowed the normal rise and fall of genes linked to aging and memory formation in the brain. The study used female mice fed food pellets with 30% fewer calories than controls, and tissue analyses showed a significant impact on gene expression.
A new gene has been identified as the genetic cause of a progressive form of epilepsy in nearly one-third of patients. The mutation affects a potassium channel encoding gene KCNC1, which disrupts signal transmission in the brain and causes epileptic seizures and myoclonus.
Researchers found that males who consistently bully females tend to father more babies with their victims. Long-term aggression, particularly by high-ranking males, increased paternity success.
Researchers found that mosquitoes acquired a love for human body odor and key genes drive this preference. The study suggests that humans provide an ideal lifestyle for mosquitoes, with access to water and large groups, contributing to their evolution as disease vectors.
Researchers found that a genetic tweak in yellow fever mosquitoes makes them more sensitive to human odor, particularly sulcatone, allowing them to target humans. This discovery provides insight into the evolution of mosquito behavior and could help develop new ways to prevent their bites.
Research at Rockefeller University resolves the long-standing debate on Rap1's role at telomeres, revealing that human Rap1 plays a minor role in protecting telomeres. The study contradicts previous findings and sheds light on the protein's potential unrelated function.
A 36,000-year-old fossil skeleton's DNA reveals the early divergence of Eurasians once they left Africa and their deep shared ancestry. The study also shows that Neanderthals and early modern humans interbred around 54,000 years ago.
A new study on ancient DNA from a 36,000-year-old fossil in western Russia found that the earliest European humans' genetic ancestry survived the Last Glacial Maximum. The research also sheds light on Neanderthal interbreeding and an early contact between European hunter-gatherers and Middle Eastern farmers.
Researchers found that the quality of protective molecular chaperones declines dramatically with age, accelerating decline in those with neurodegenerative diseases. A subnetwork of 28 critical genes provides a basis for biomarkers and new therapeutics to prevent protein damage and cell dysfunction.
A new study by Berkeley Lab researchers found that thirdhand smoke continues to have harmful health effects for many hours after a cigarette has been extinguished. The study, which assessed levels of volatile organic compounds and airborne particles, found that particulate matter accounted for 90% of the health damage.
Biologists at Scripps Research Institute have described the atomic-level workings of microRNA molecules, which control gene expression in all animals and plants. The findings will help guide the development of therapies that harness microRNA's power to regulate key biological processes.
The mouse Y chromosome is a surprisingly large and complex biological entity, with two categories of genes: ancestral and acquired. The mouse Y retains only 9 of its 639 ancestral genes, but has acquired and amplified over 700 new genes through intrachromosomal recombination and sex-linked meiotic drive.
At nearly 4,500 meters above sea level, a team led by University of Maine researchers has discovered the highest altitude ice age human occupation, dating it to around 12,000 years ago. This finding pushes back the known high-altitude habitation period by nearly a millennium.
Researchers have identified a mutation in the ADAMTS20 gene as being associated with cleft lip and cleft palate in both humans and dogs. This discovery has potential implications for understanding and treating these birth defects, which can affect varying degrees of severity in affected individuals.
A recent study found that a region of the genome associated with autism contains genetic variation that evolved in the last 250,000 years, likely playing an important role in disease. This variation is characterized by segments of DNA being deleted or duplicated, a common cause of autism and other conditions.
The sequencing of the house fly genome has identified unique detoxification and immune system genes that could aid in understanding human disease susceptibility. By studying these genes, scientists hope to develop treatments or vaccines for diseases transmitted by flies, such as typhoid and trachoma.
Researchers have identified a novel gene, MGST3, that regulates hippocampus size in both mice and humans, linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. The discovery provides another biomarker for identifying those at greatest risk of developing the condition.
Scientists have compiled a treasure trove of 146 ancient and modern human full mitochondrial genomes to improve the accuracy of molecular clocks in human evolution. The new data reveals that a molecular clock calibrated with ancient sequences is far more accurate than traditional ones based on archaeological evidence.
A study led by Professor Kui Liu has identified the Greatwall kinase molecule as a key protector of women's eggs against problems during maturation. The molecule is crucial for completing meiotic divisions and preventing infertility issues in up to 15% of women.
Researchers have characterized the dog's epigenome and transferred the results to human breast cancer, revealing significant alterations in gene modulation and common epigenetic mechanisms. The findings suggest that targeting these epigenetic alterations may help slow disease progression.
A multi-function protein called Sirt6 plays a crucial role in keeping 'jumping genes' inactive. The protein becomes busier repairing DNA damage with age, allowing the genes to become active and contribute to age-related diseases like cancer. Increasing Sirt6 levels may help protect older cells from aging.
A new gene, Tpcn2, has been discovered as a key player in the development of diabetes. Variants in this gene have been associated with fasting glucose levels and insulin response in animal models, as well as human populations.
Michigan State University scientists have discovered the first detailed examination of mutations similar to those present in the human cancer gene. The study reveals that boosting levels of even standard protein can alter fruit flies' eyes and wings, while mutated protein causes consistent and dramatic deformations.
A new study by University of California, Berkeley scientists found that human facial traits are more variable than other bodily traits and show higher levels of genetic variation. This is consistent with the idea that evolution has favored uniqueness in facial features to enhance recognition and social interaction.
Researchers found that the human version of the Foxp2 gene helps transform new experiences into routine procedures, enabling faster learning and better habit formation. The gene's protein, a transcription factor, regulates synaptic connections between neurons, allowing for more efficient learning and language acquisition.
Researchers found pseudouridylation of mRNA in yeast and humans, increasing mRNA stability under heat shock conditions. This discovery has significant implications for understanding human diseases associated with PUS gene mutations.