Articles tagged with Population Genetics
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.
A new study from Lund University reveals that the most common analytical method in population genetics is deeply flawed, leading to incorrect results and misconceptions about ethnicity and genetic relationships. The method has been used in hundreds of thousands of studies, including medical genetics and commercial ancestry tests.
A new study from Lund University reveals that PCA, a widely used statistical method in population genetics, is deeply flawed. The method can produce flexible and unreliable results, leading to misconceptions about ethnicity and genetic relationships.
A study by OIST Graduate University's Marine Biophysics Unit found that mangroves in the Ryukyu Islands have limited connectivity, making it crucial to protect isolated forests. The research used genetics and oceanography to track propagule dispersal, revealing rare genetic exchanges between islands.
The University of Guam is conducting a four-person research team's study on the genetics of corals from the Northern Mariana Islands to understand coral population connections, diversity, and adaptations. The study aims to identify potential reserves for declining reefs and assess the impact of warming waters.
The Sixty-third Supplement to the Check-list of North American Birds updates bird classifications, including meadowlark species splits, hummingbird recognitions, kite separations, and the addition of a giant-petrel. New subspecies are also recognized for some bird species, reflecting advances in genetic analysis.
A large genomic study of snapper has identified three distinct oceanic snapper populations between Shark Bay and Ceduna in South Australia. The populations are genetically distinct and have unique geographical ranges, suggesting that snapper can make long-distance movements.
Researchers have discovered rare colonies of Rock Doves, the wild ancestors of common domestic and feral pigeons, on secluded Scottish and Irish islands. The findings provide valuable insights into how the domestic pigeon came to be, with varying degrees of interbreeding between the two forms of the species.
A study of ancient DNA from a 100,000-year-old polar bear genome found that extensive hybridization between polar bears and brown bears occurred during the last warm interglacial period. As a result, all living brown bears today have some polar bear ancestry.
A previously unknown subpopulation of polar bears living in Southeast Greenland has been genetically distinct and uniquely adapted to its environment. The study provides insight into how the species might persist into the future, but highlights the need for careful extrapolation due to limited access to sea ice.
A world-first study from the University of South Australia found a direct link between vitamin D deficiency and increased risk of dementia and stroke. The study analyzed data from 294,514 participants and found that up to 17% of dementia cases might have been avoided by boosting vitamin D levels.
A study found that around one in 500 men carry an extra sex chromosome, putting them at increased risk of several common diseases. Men with XXY or XYY chromosomes have higher risks of reproductive problems, type 2 diabetes, and other health conditions.
Researchers analyzed 16 ancient genomes from Wallacea, revealing striking differences between regions and a previously unknown ancestry contribution from Mainland Southeast Asia. The findings suggest multiple human dispersals into Wallacea and major implications for the understanding of Neolithic dispersals into Island Southeast Asia.
A massive global study of diverse populations has significantly advanced the understanding of type 2 diabetes by identifying 117 genes that contribute to the disease. The research used genetic data from almost 181,000 people with type 2 diabetes and 1.16 million without it.
Human activity on Hainan Island is causing changes in the body shapes and diets of tropical birds, resulting in biotic homogenisation. Despite efforts to protect biodiversity, the island's unique ecosystem is being affected by large-scale economic and land-use changes.
The trial evaluated the use of mavacamten as an alternative to heart surgery or alcohol septal ablation for treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Findings showed significant reduction in left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient and improvements in quality-of-life measures.
A multidisciplinary team analyzed ancient DNA from the Carpathian Basin to reveal clues about the Avars' origins. The research found that the Avar elites had ancestry from Northeast Asia and the North Caucasus, suggesting a rapid trans-Eurasian migration
Scientists at UC San Diego are working on next-generation gene drive systems based on CRISPR technology to combat malaria and reduce mosquito populations. The $1.4 million grant will support the development of new technologies, including a neutralizing system called ERACR, to mitigate risks associated with gene editing in mosquitoes.