Articles tagged with Population Genetics
The University of Bath has recruited leading psychiatric geneticist Professor Laura Huckins to lead mental health research, focusing on eating disorders and PTSD. She aims to provide answers and treatments for vulnerable populations, combining genetic data and human brain studies to predict individual responses to their environment.
A UAB research team analyzed the genome of 54 newborns to track the genetic history of the Iberians. The study found a great genetic continuity, with little external influence, until the arrival of Romans, who introduced new genetic influences.
A new AI tool, HERRO, corrects errors in nanopore sequencing reads to produce high-quality complete genome assemblies. This innovation enables researchers to build more accurate and complete genome maps with a simpler workflow, unlocking potential for precision medicine advancements.
Research finds ceramide metabolism differences between Black and white individuals with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer influence treatment outcomes. Genetic ancestry-related variants affect ceramide levels and ratios, which promote cell survival or death.
Researchers used DNA metabarcoding to analyze benthic macroinvertebrates across 18 Ontario streams, detecting far greater biodiversity than traditional methods. The study found that DNA-based biomonitoring can reveal ecological patterns and changes linked to agriculture, water quality, and land use.
Researchers can now estimate genetic diversity of dolphins using environmental DNA (eDNA) from seawater samples, providing insights into population size and vulnerability to environmental changes. The study's findings suggest that repeated eDNA sampling can be used to monitor the health of dolphin populations.
Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a nondestructive technique to collect cellular material from historical parchment manuscripts without damaging them. This allows for genetic analyses that provide new insights into past cultural and agricultural practices.
The new AI model uses genetic mutation patterns to trace ancestral relationships between species, including humans and mosquitoes. The tool can predict when gene pairs last shared a common ancestor and is faster than traditional statistical methods.
A study of ancient genomes found that individuals from northern Europe were buried in cemeteries in southern Germany during the late Roman period, suggesting regional mobility. The research team reconstructed family relationships and showed how new structures emerged as people adopted Roman ways of life.
A study on the phylogeography of Burmannia nepalensis, a rare mycoheterotrophic herb in subtropical China, found that historical climate fluctuations and geographic isolation shaped its evolutionary history. The research reveals limited gene flow due to mountain barriers and fragmented habitats.
The study identified over a million genetic variants, revealing unique diversity and adaptations to environments. Ancient DNA and geographic data also provide insights into the movements and migrations of Native American populations.
African elephants' genetic history shows they once moved across large distances, exchanging genes throughout the continent. However, current patchy habitats and human activities have led to genetic consequences of isolation, affecting conservation approaches.
A massive study of ancient DNA from nearly 16,000 people across over 10,000 years in West Eurasia reveals that natural selection has shaped modern human genomes more than previously thought. Many gene variants linked to health and complex traits have been selected since farming began.
Researchers uncover distinct patterns of Indigenous and European ancestry in urban Peruvian population, challenging common categorizations. The study's findings hold significant implications for precision medicine and health disparities among Latin Americans.
Researchers analyzed genetic data from nearly 94,000 participants in UCLA's ATLAS Biobank, highlighting new connections between genes, disease risk and medicine response. The study found that genetics can predict how well patients respond to GLP-1 drugs for weight loss purposes, with varying response rates across ancestry groups.
Researchers tracked genetic changes in Arabidopsis thaliana across 30 sites over five years, finding most populations adapted to local environmental conditions. However, some populations went extinct due to genetic drift, highlighting the importance of preserving biodiversity.
A new species of leaf warbler, Tokara Leaf Warbler, has been discovered in Japan through DNA analysis. The species is found only on two island groups and is considered vulnerable due to low genetic diversity and potential population declines.
A new study by Stockholm University researchers reveals distinct populations of Baltic Sea herring with varying levels of genetic adaptation to local conditions. The findings highlight the importance of genetic diversity in managing herring populations and suggest that current fishing practices may be detrimental to local populations.
A recent study analyzing koala genomes found that populations previously considered most at risk are now showing signs of genetic regeneration. The research, published in Science, challenges long-held assumptions about genetic risk in endangered species.
Researchers have identified detectable 'early warning signals' in genetic data that can alert conservationists to an approaching crisis before it becomes irreversible. The findings provide a new tool for protecting endangered species by monitoring genetic changes in populations and identifying early warning signs.
A massive Swedish study of over 2 million individuals reveals that genetic risk for mental illness is far less disorder-specific than clinicians have assumed. Schizophrenia shows the highest genetic specificity, while drug use disorder has a much lower specificity, scattering its genetic risk across multiple conditions.
A new interdisciplinary study provides detailed insights into the lives of people living in Central Europe during the Late Bronze Age, revealing gradual changes in ancestry, dietary flexibility, and mortuary practices. The research suggests that communities participated in wider networks of interaction and incorporated change into exis...
Researchers have discovered that native rice stink bugs have more genetic diversity than invasive species, which could help monitor the spread of insecticide resistance. This study provides valuable insights into pest management for Arkansas rice growers, who face significant costs due to the bug's impact on their crops.
Researchers from ISTA developed an algorithm that can extract and analyze information from the world’s most extensive biobank with unprecedented accuracy and speed. The method, dubbed gVAMP, enhances the framework's ability to extract complex information from the dataset at hand, providing a detailed overview of the effects on a trait ...
A massive genome-wide association study identified 58 genetic variants associated with increased anxiety risk, pointing to 66 genes involved in stress response. The study also found strong genetic overlap with depression, neuroticism, and PTSD, underscoring the shared biology behind emotional distress.
A study published in PNAS reveals that Sudanese Copts have acquired a genetic variant that protects them from contracting malaria after mixing with other Sudanese populations. The acquisition of this variant took place over 1,500 years and has led to an evolutionary adaptation to the disease.
Researchers developed polygenic risk score models to predict breast cancer risk in women of African ancestry, improving accuracy and performance compared to existing models. The new tools could lead to earlier screening, tailored care, and increased survival rates for high-risk women.
Professor Dan Stein was a visionary who bridged neuroscience, clinical care, and philosophy to transform psychiatric research in Africa. His integrative approach produced scholarship of extraordinary range, with over 1,600 peer-reviewed publications and a Google Scholar h-index exceeding 220.
Researchers developed a genetically informed dynamic species distribution model to reconstruct the distributional history of wild Piper nigrum from 21,000 years ago. The model identified glacial refugia and patterns of range contraction, expansion, and fragmentation following the Last Glacial Maximum.
A new study found that rising temperatures are driving changes in polar bear DNA, which may help them adapt to increasingly challenging environments. The researchers discovered that genes related to heat-stress, aging, and metabolism are behaving differently in polar bears living in southeastern Greenland.
Young mountain lions in California struggle to navigate busy roads and developed areas, compromising their ability to access breeding territories and maintain genetic diversity. The study's findings highlight the need for wildlife crossing structures to maintain connectivity and promote healthy populations.
The study reveals lower genetic diversity and historical population sizes in the Southern Maned Sloth, while the Northern lineage faces rapid inbreeding due to deforestation. The findings offer critical insights for conservation of endangered species.
Dr. Amin's transformative insights reshape international understanding of depression genetics, identifying novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment. Her systemic disease model challenges traditional views of depression as a brain disorder.
A team led by Dr. Betty Tsao seeks to uncover the genetic drivers of childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using DNA sequencing. By analyzing more than 90 families with a history of SLE, they hope to identify rare mutations that could lead to new treatments.
Researchers will analyze genetic diversity and structure of four key sponge species to enhance resilience in restored populations. The project aims to build ecological resilience in vulnerable marine environments through a genetics-based approach.
The book, 'Understanding the Tree of Life,' offers a fresh perspective on evolution as a continuous, branching process where all organisms are interconnected cousins. It challenges outdated views that place humans at the pinnacle of evolution or label certain species as primitive, emphasizing shared traits alongside unique adaptations.
The Earth BioGenome Project aims to create a digital library of DNA sequences to preserve and protect life on Earth. With over 2,200 scientists in 88 countries, the project is making discoveries that could help assure food security and advance medicine.
The study reveals that Slavic groups originated in the region between the Dniester and Don rivers and migrated across Central and Eastern Europe. The genetic data show a mosaic of different groups adapting to local contexts, with no significant sex bias in migrations.
Concordia researchers develop a faster way to trace how diseases spread indoors by using dynamic modeling and real-time camera- and sensor-based tracking. The tool can simulate the spread of germs for longer periods, allowing for better estimation of infection risk levels.
A new study shows that mixing mice from different populations can create genetically healthier populations, increasing survival and reproductive success. The research challenges common perceptions about the risks of outbreeding depression, highlighting the benefits of genetic rescue in conservation programs.
A recent study co-authored by UCF Assistant Professor of Biology Robert Fitak reveals that the 1990s translocation of Texas pumas improved the Florida panther's genetic health while preserving its unique ancestry. The study found increased genetic variation, retention of unique traits, and a decrease in harmful mutations.
A study found that the red-headed wood pigeon's unique genetic history, shaped by centuries of gradual inbreeding, enabled its population to survive and rebound dramatically. The team's analysis revealed lower levels of highly deleterious mutations in the endangered species compared to the more widespread Japanese wood pigeon.
A new study uncovers a 4,000-year-old domesticated sheep infected with the ancient LNBA plague lineage of Yersinia pestis, suggesting a link between livestock and human infections. The discovery sheds light on how this deadly disease spread across thousands of years in Eurasia.
An international team reconstructs the genetic interactions of populations in the Southern Caucasus over time, showing a mostly constant ancestry profile. Evidence of migration from neighboring regions is also found, with notable instances of cultural adoption and genealogical links to Central Eurasian Steppe populations.
A new study suggests that genetic rescue of endangered species may not be as effective as previously thought, and could even introduce more harmful mutations. Analysis of Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes found more deleterious than adaptive mutations in donor animals selected for relocation.
The American Society of Human Genetics recognizes Dr. Harry Dietz for his work on Marfan Syndrome, Dr. Eric Green for his leadership in advancing human genetics and genomics, Dr. Mike Talkowski for his pioneering contributions to cytogenetics and genomic medicine, and Dr. Elizabeth Bhoj for her extensive work in translational genetics.
A new study finds that the copper-based molluscicide used to treat invasive mussels in Idaho's Snake River has devastating effects on the local ecosystem. Nearly half of the original mass of copper is gone after just 10 days, but dissolved copper concentrations remain toxic for over two weeks.
Researchers identified four distinct groups of autism linked to specific genetic variants and biological processes. The study's person-centered approach analyzing phenotypic and genotypic data from SPARK enabled more precise diagnoses and personalized support.
A new University of British Columbia study reveals that male guppies with more orange coloration are up to two times more sexually active and perform for females longer periods. The research identifies a genetic link between guppy color and behavior, suggesting healthier and fitter individuals may be more attractive to females.
Researchers at Stockholm University have uncovered the evolutionary history of the Norwegian lemming, revealing it to be one of the most recently evolved mammal species. The study found that the Norwegian and Siberian lemmings diverged approximately 35,000 years ago, with no evidence of interbreeding between them.
A study reveals that decades of overfishing have significantly altered the genetic composition of Eastern Baltic cod, leading to reduced growth rates and smaller sizes. The researchers found a correlation between slower growth and increased survival under high fishing pressure.
The new resource provides a detailed map of blood regulatory variation in South Africans, enabling researchers to interpret genetic variations using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). This innovation has the potential to uncover why people from specific genetic backgrounds may be more susceptible to certain diseases.
Researchers created a comprehensive genetic resource for Australian chickpea varieties, uncovering previously uncharacterized genetic diversity. The pangenome analysis identified 34,345 gene families, including those associated with key agronomic traits like yield, flowering time, and disease resistance.
A new study using NIH's All of Us Research Program data finds that people from the same reported racial or ethnic group can have wide ranges of genetic differences. Genetic ancestry is more complex than self-reported race and ethnicity, with significant associations between ancestry and biological traits like BMI and height.
A new study combines ancient DNA with dietary evidence and linguistics to paint a vivid picture of pre-colonial coastal communities in Papua New Guinea. The research highlights the influence of migrations and interactions on genetic makeup, supporting previous studies on the settlement of remote islands.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a method to analyze airborne DNA, tracking species and pathogens in the air. This technology has vast potential applications for studying wildlife, human health, and environmental monitoring.
A new GCAT study corrects selection biases in population-based cohorts, improving data reliability for public health research and precision medicine. The approach achieves a substantial reduction in bias, up to 70% in demographic variables and 26% in disease prevalence estimates.
A new study analyzing ancient genomes from seven individuals in present-day Honduras provides insights into the genetic origins of the Classic Maya people and their population expansion or decline during the rise and fall of their civilization. The research contributes to our understanding of human history, population dynamics, and env...
A new genomic study offers a unique lens for understanding the extinction crisis in Hawai'i, revealing that there is still time to save the critically endangered honeycreeper 'akeke'e. With only 17 species of iconic honeycreepers remaining, efforts to control mosquito populations and conservation breeding programs are underway.