Articles tagged with Population Genetics
Researchers have discovered a virus that infects the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which causes heart failure in frogs and toads. The virus could be engineered to control the fungal disease and potentially save amphibian species.
A research team at the University of Cologne has identified mechanisms governing drug response in small cell lung cancer. The study reveals that large populations of treatment-sensitive cells often hide numerous therapy-resistant cells that can multiply unchecked after successful treatment.
A recent study using cutting-edge super-resolution microscopy has shed light on the role of cohesin in cell division. The research revealed multiple populations of cohesin complexes, each playing a specific role in faithful genetic material segregation during cell division.
A new study found that more than half of American Indian teens had high levels of cholesterol, with nearly two-thirds of young adults experiencing the same issue. The study suggests a need for early screening and treatment to prevent premature heart disease.
A large-scale study has found a significant link between smoking and DNA methylation, with two new epigenetic markers identified that differ by race or ethnicity. The research could lead to better ways to predict smoking-related disease risk and improve early detection and treatment.
An international team of scientists developed AI technology to analyze limited data on rare diseases. The method uses multi-layer networks to explore relationships between genes in patients, revealing genetic causes and severity. This breakthrough opens new avenues for treating rare diseases, including myasthenic-congenital syndromes.
DNA analysis of ancient Bahraini remains shows the presence of a malaria-protective G6PD Mediterranean mutation in three samples, suggesting many people in ancient populations enjoyed protection from malaria. The discovery provides insights into human history and disease progression in the region.
A new study from Uppsala University found that Stone Age hunter-gatherer communities in Western Europe deliberately formed distinct families to avoid inbreeding and maintain genetic diversity. The research analyzed the genomes of several individuals buried at iconic sites in France, dating back to around 6,700 years ago.
A team of researchers from Wayne State University and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute have received a five-year, $9.6 million grant to improve the identification and clinical management of hereditary and multiple primary cancers in African Americans. The study aims to overcome barriers to genetic testing in this population.
Men with low sperm count or none have a higher risk of developing cancer, including at younger ages, compared to fertile men. Families of azoospermic men have a significantly increased risk of five cancers, while families of oligozoospermic men have a higher risk of colon, bone and joint, and testicular cancers.
Studies reveal how primates modify behaviors to care for themselves and others despite physical disabilities. Behavioral flexibility is crucial, allowing them to adjust species-typical behaviors and innovate new ways to participate in daily activities.
A study published in the International Journal of Primatology confirms living Skywalker gibbons in Myanmar, leading to estimates of up to 65,000 individuals in one area. The conservation committee aims to protect this new population and promote protected areas for the species.
Researchers discovered two new genetic pathways associated with worse ICH outcomes, including a pathway affecting blood coagulation and cellular interactions. Population data showed a decrease in aneurysmal SAH strokes and a rise in non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhages, offering encouraging evidence for intervention success.
A study analyzing ancient DNA from 33 individuals found two separate farmer-associated ancestries in the region, connected to China's Yangtze River valley and Yellow River valley. The genetic results mirror cultural differences between regions, suggesting separate influence spheres and connections to distinct initial migration routes d...
Cancer kills more Black people than White individuals in the Barretos region, whereas in São Paulo city, it is the opposite, according to a study published in Cancer Causes & Control. The disparity is most pronounced for breast and cervical cancer among Black women.
Researchers have identified two distinct brain regions involved in regulating salt and water intake, which can help prevent excessive consumption. The parabrachial nucleus plays a crucial role in feedback mechanisms that reduce thirst and salt appetite after ingesting water or salt.
A recent study published in Aging Cell found a balance between naïve and memory immune cells accelerates or slows down biological aging. The team discovered using novel tools for immune profiling, which opened new doors to understanding the relationships between the immune system and biological age.
A study of wild orangutan males reveals that simply beating rivals in competitions does not lead to siring success. Instead, successful fathers spend more time near the females with whom they mate, suggesting a strategy of concentrating on one neighborhood rather than roaming widely is key.
The international consensus report on precision diabetes medicine highlights significant advancements in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. The report also sheds light on knowledge gaps and provides a framework for future research.
Researchers analyzed genes and brain tissue of patients with Alzheimer's disease to find sex-specific differences in immune function, cellular metabolism, and communication between brain cells. The study suggests that these differences contribute to women's increased risk for the disease and its severity.
The Genes & Health study has enrolled its 10th participant in a gene-editing clinical trial for heart disease, specifically familial hypercholesterolemia. This milestone marks an important step towards improving health outcomes for people of Pakistani and Bangladeshi descent.
Researchers from Kobe University found that birds dispersing the eggs of eaten insects' help flightless stick insects expand their geographical range. Genetic analysis revealed a correlation between geographic distance and genetic differentiation among populations.
The special issue explores achievements and challenges in reproductive endocrinology and infertility medicine, presenting strategies to bridge the gap between societal obligations and practice. Access to care remains a challenge for varying populations within societies and underserved regions.
New research finds that cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by affecting various metabolites in the bloodstream. A unique metabolic signature, identified through analysis of over 93,000 UK Biobank participants, can predict which smokers are more likely to develop the condition.
A study from Oregon State University found that commercial whaling in the 20th century led to a loss of maternal DNA lineages among blue and humpback whales, potentially resulting in cultural memory loss. Whale populations near South Georgia Island have begun to recover, but the genetic diversity remains low.
A new study reveals that consanguinity may increase the risk of common diseases such as type 2 diabetes and post-traumatic stress disorder. The research analyzed genomic data from diverse groups to investigate the relationship between autozygosity, or genetic relatedness, and disease prevalence.
Researchers from a Portuguese-Angolan TwinLab conducted fieldwork in the Angolan Namib desert, discovering groups thought to be extinct or uncontactable. The study reveals unique Pre-Bantu ancestry in modern populations from the Namib desert, divergent from other southern African ancestries.
A large study found that people with an evening chronotype were more likely to engage in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, poor sleep, and physical inactivity. These individuals had a 72% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with a morning chronotype.
Research found that cold weather slightly increases blood pressure and decreases blood pressure control rates during winter months. Participants' systolic blood pressure increased by up to 1.7 mm Hg in the winter months compared to summer, while blood pressure control rates decreased by up to 5%.
Researchers investigated SARS-CoV-2 responses in 222 donors from Central Africa, Europe and East Asia. They found disparities in immune responses due to blood cell composition, latent cytomegalovirus infection and human genetic factors. These population differences may help improve patient management in future epidemics.
A new study reveals that Ötzi had a Mediterranean-European skin tone and little to no Eastern European ancestry. His hair was likely sparse, with a predisposition to baldness. The research team used advanced sequencing technology to analyze Ötzi's genome, which has more Anatolian farmer ancestry than any of his European contemporaries.
Researchers have identified four metabolism-related biomarkers linked to an increased risk of metastatic prostate cancer in Black men. These biomarkers could lead to improved testing and treatments for this high-risk population, who are more than twice as likely to die from the disease.
A new study revealed that people in the UK have facial skin with more DNA damaged from the sun than those in Singapore, leading to a higher risk of developing keratinocyte skin cancers. This is despite lower UV light exposure levels in the UK.
A population genetics team identified genetic relationship between 23andMe users and enslaved Africans in Catoctin Furnace, Maryland. The researchers consider ethics of sharing results with descendants and other relatives, highlighting importance of proper consent and minimizing harm.
Genome analysis reveals that hulled and naked oat varieties were domesticated independently around 51,000 years ago. The study found higher genetic diversity in naked oat compared to hulled oat, contradicting the long-held assumption of a recent mutation.
Researchers reconstruct two massive family trees from ancient DNA data, shedding light on the lives of a prehistoric European Neolithic community. The study reveals a strong patrilineal pattern, large family sizes, and a potentially fluid exchange network comprising many groups.
Researchers confirm Bachman's warbler as a distinct species by sequencing its genome from museum specimens. The study reveals a new candidate gene involved in feather pigmentation in the group. Comparing the genomes of the extinct warbler with living sister species highlights the crucial role of museum collections in science.
Researchers found that giraffes on either side of the rift have not interbred for over 1,000 years, with females showing no signs of migration. The study suggests that Masai giraffes are more endangered than previously thought, requiring separate but coordinated conservation efforts.
A recent study has uncovered three previously unreported genetic loci associated with eyebrow thickness in Europeans, as well as rediscovering two of the four genetic loci previously found in non-Europeans. The research expands genetic knowledge on human eyebrow variation, with implications for dermatology and other fields.
Researchers found that individuals within two Xiongnu elite cemeteries exhibited extremely high genetic diversity, confirming the empire as a multiethnic entity. High status individuals showed lower genetic diversity, while those of lower status had higher heterogeneity, suggesting a diverse origin pool.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers found 21 Alzheimer's disease-related genes associated with obesity, including those linked to neuro-inflammation and amyloid-beta protein deposition. Obesity in midlife and women is more closely linked to dementia risk than late life or men.
A study by the University of Tsukuba found that Siebold's beech populations on Okushiri Island have high genetic diversity, suggesting they may have persisted there since before the last glacial maximum. This challenges the assumption that island populations are less genetically diverse due to geographical isolation.
Researchers analyzed 100 ancient genomes to understand kinship and marriage rules in Minoan Crete and Mycenaean Greece. They found that cousin marriages were common, with over 90% of sons marrying within their own family's hamlet.
A new twin study by Karolinska Institutet suggests that the same genes may be behind both cardiometabolic diseases and dementia. The study found that individuals with multiple cardiometabolic conditions had a significantly increased risk of developing dementia.
Researchers advocate for descendant community involvement in ancient DNA research to ensure benefits and risks are shared fairly. Without such guidance, the science can be exploitative, perpetuating colonial practices and harming modern Indigenous groups.
Researchers found that wooded areas, cropland, roads, and housing developments are obstacles to snake relocation. Reconnecting fragmented populations through strategic habitat changes could help restore the species to a thriving state.
A global registry for gene-drive modified organisms could facilitate transparent communication, monitor ecological impacts, and inform local decision-making. Experts agree that a registry is necessary for the fair development, testing, and use of gene-drive technologies.
Researchers at the University of Huddersfield used ancient DNA to reveal large-scale immigration in Early Bronze Age Orkney, contrary to popular belief. The findings also showed unusual female-dominated immigration during this period.
A team of scientists analyzed ancient DNA from medieval German Jews and found that the Ashkenazi Jewish community was more genetically diverse than modern-day Jews. The study suggests that the founder event occurred before the 14th century, with a small population giving rise to the modern Ashkenazi Jewish population.
A study found that South Asian women with genes associated with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy. The researchers identified genetic signatures linked with type 2 diabetes risk as strongly and independently associated with gestational diabetes in this population.
Researchers analyzed DNA from 13 Neandertals, finding evidence of a close-knit community with 10-20 individuals. Genetic data suggests that female migration played a key role in maintaining the group's cohesion, contradicting previous theories about male-dominated movements.
A large Kaiser Permanente study found that most patients with a thoracic aortic aneurysm less than 5.5 cm are not at high risk of experiencing dissection or requiring surgery. The study's findings support the current consensus guidelines recommending surgery for patients with larger aneurysms.
A recent study found that cancer biomarker data is biased towards European populations, potentially misclassifying patients of Asian or African descent. The researchers propose a computational approach to correct this bias, which could have significant implications for treatment selection.
A study published in Science found that more than one-tenth of the world's terrestrial genetic diversity may already be lost due to climate change and habitat destruction. This could have serious implications for species' ability to adapt to climate change, highlighting the need for urgent conservation efforts.
A recent genetic study has shed new light on the Anglo-Saxon migration to Britain, revealing that around 75% of Eastern and Southern English populations descended from continental migrants. The integration of these migrant families with the existing British population varied by region and community.
A recent genetic study has found that three-quarters of the Early Medieval population in Eastern England was comprised of migrants originating from Continental regions bordering the North Sea. These migrants intermarried with local populations, but integration varied greatly from region to region.
Researchers found that nearly nine in ten cases of sudden cardiac death due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are preceded by symptoms, ECG abnormalities, or a positive family history. Expanded screening programs could aid in the prevention of SCD in young individuals with HCM.