Articles tagged with Clades
A new study led by University of Arizona researchers suggests that global vertebrate biodiversity has been significantly underestimated, with on average two unrecognized species for every recognized one. This finding could have consequences for conservation efforts if these hidden species are not properly identified.
A new study identifies specific bat species carrying viruses with high epidemic potential. The research highlights that not all bats carry the same level of viral risk, and conservation efforts can help mitigate this risk by protecting habitats. Understanding which bat groups harbor deadly viruses can aid in developing therapeutics.
A new study led by UCL researchers found that the quality of the dinosaur fossil record worsened during the final 6 million years prior to the asteroid impact. The team analyzed over 8,000 fossils and estimated that dinosaurs may have been doing better than previously suggested in the lead-up to the asteroid impact.
The Study of Tecovirimat for Mpox (STOMP) trial found that tecovirimat did not reduce the time to clinical resolution of clade II mpox lesions or improve pain control. The antiviral drug was shown to be safe but ineffective in treating clade II mpox.
Researchers have identified a new variant, clade 1b, of the mpox virus that has become more infectious and is spreading rapidly across borders. The study found that this variant primarily spreads through heterosexual contact in densely populated areas, with an estimated fatality rate of 3.4%.
The Study of Tecovirimat for Mpox (STOMP) trial found that tecovirimat was safe but did not improve mpox resolution or pain in adults with mild to moderate clade II mpox. The study recommended stopping further enrollment due to the lack of efficacy signal.
A new robust classification system for termites has been developed through expert consensus and extensive data analyses. The updated 'dictionary' of termites resolves ambiguity in the previous system, providing a solid platform for studying termite diversification and ecosystem roles.
Researchers from Singapore General Hospital and A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore have discovered a new Candida auris clade, bringing the total to six. The fungus is highly transmissible and affects patients with severe underlying medical conditions.
The study confirms the presence of four distinct subgenomes in woody bamboos, with the C subgenome dominating two tetraploid lineages. The hexaploid lineage exhibits a dynamic shift in dominance from C to A subgenomes, contributing to evolutionary traits and forest habitat adaptation.
A 46% increase in gonorrhoea cases in Denmark has been reported, particularly among younger women and men who have sex with women. Genomic analysis reveals distinct clones driving the increase, which may be more susceptible to treatment and have higher transmissibility.
Researchers isolated and described novel yeast species from the gut of green lacewings in Japan, revealing a wider range of microbial inhabitants than previously known. The study identified three new species within the Metschnikowia genus, shedding light on the insect microbiome's complexity.
A study by Miles, Ricklefs, and Losos challenges traditional explanations for species diversity, suggesting a single underlying process drives morphological diversification in diverse clades. The researchers analyzed passerine bird morphology data, including island radiations like Darwin's finches and Hawaiian honeycreepers.
A team of scientists uncovered fossilized remains of galeaspids, a type of jawless fish that breathed new life into the long-standing fin and limb evolutionary hypothesis. The fossils revealed paired fins extending from head to tail, contradicting previous assumptions of their absence.
A study found that the 2021/22 influenza vaccine had only 36% effectiveness against A(H3N2) in Canada, with a mismatch between the vaccine strain and the circulating virus. This suggests that the replacement of the vaccine strain for the upcoming season is necessary.
A team of scientists generated a molecular atlas of the Australian bearded dragon's brain, comparing it to mouse data. The findings suggest that both reptilian and mammalian brains evolved clade-specific neuron types from a common ancestral set, challenging popular views on brain evolution.
A new species of Paraceratherium has been discovered in China, shedding light on the dispersal of giant rhinos across Asia. The study found that the giant rhino could disperse freely from the Mongolian Plateau to South Asia along the eastern coast of the Tethys Ocean and perhaps through Tibet.
The discovery of Pleurochayah appalachius, a 96-million-year-old fossil turtle, provides the earliest evidence of sidenecked turtles in North America. The find sheds light on ancient reptile migrations and expands our understanding of bothremydid turtle evolution.
A team of scientists tracked SARS-CoV-2 mutations in Northeast Ohio and found that newer variants were associated with lower hospitalizations and deaths. The study provides insight into how viral clades can impact patient outcomes.
Scientists engineered an antibody, ADG-2, that rivals current treatments and broadly neutralizes clade 1 sarbecoviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. This breakthrough represents a potential pan-SARS vaccine target.
The causal agent of cucurbit downy mildew, Pseudoperonospora cubensis, has two genetically distinct host-adapted clades, with Clade 1 infecting squash, pumpkin, and watermelon, and Clade 2 impacting cucumber and cantaloupe. Wild cucurbits serve as reservoirs for the pathogen.
Marine bacteria, such as Polaribacter, develop distinct niches with respect to algal polysaccharides, avoiding direct competition. Closely related clades partition available resources through unique sugar utilization strategies.
A study on Ötzi's DNA found a decrease in Prevotella copri, a common human gut microbe, in Westernized populations. The discovery suggests that Westernization may have contributed to the loss of beneficial bacteria, with significant implications for public health.
Research reveals HIV-1B originated in America, then developed into a unique Indonesian strain after introduction in the late 1980s. The study found multiple introductions of the virus to Indonesia via Thailand, Europe, and America throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
Mackerel shark diversity peaked in the Early Late Cretaceous period but declined over the last 20 million years. Cooler temperatures and clade competition with ground sharks drove this decline.
A new herbivorous hadrosaurid dinosaur, Kamuysaurus japonicus, has been discovered in Japan with three distinct features. The dinosaur, measuring 8 meters long and weighing up to 5.3 tons, is closely related to other Edmontosaurini clade species.
A newly discovered species of freshwater shark, Galagadon nordquistae, has been found with tiny 'spaceship-shaped' teeth, adding to the fossil record of this family in the Cretaceous. The discovery provides new insights into ancient aquatic ecosystems and sheds light on the diversity of sharks and rays during that period.
A new fossil discovery reveals defining characteristics of hagfish appeared before the Cretaceous period, resolving a longstanding debate on their evolutionary position. The study suggests that hagfish and lampreys form a distinct clade, implying that living jawless vertebrates may not be as primitive as initially thought.
Researchers identified 24 candidate genes associated with monogamy in vertebrates, including heightened expressions of those involved in neural development, synaptic activity, learning, and memory. This suggests a putative gene expression signature common to some vertebrate species.
Researchers discover Jinguofortis perplexus, a Pygostylia species with both bird-like and dinosaur-like features, providing insight into the evolution of modern birds. The study highlights the role of developmental plasticity in shaping the avian shoulder girdle.
Researchers created ClaaTU, a new algorithm that groups gut microbes based on their ancestry and distribution across mammals, identifying conserved clades potentially playing roles in evolution. Western lifestyles may be linked to reduced gut microbiome diversity.
The discovery of Bannykus and Xiyunykus sheds light on the evolution of alvarezsaurian dinosaurs' monodactyl hands. These ancient theropods display a major macroevolutionary shift from grasping hands to specialized, functionally monodactyl hands.
A new ancestor of modern sea turtles has been found in Alabama, dating back to the Late Cretaceous epoch. The discovery reveals two distinct species within the Peritresius clade, expanding the known evolutionary history of these marine reptiles.
Researchers propose two distinct floras, Rhododendron Flora and Metasequoia Flora, to represent core regions of the Sino-Japanese and Sino-Himalayan flora. The study suggests East Asian flora is relatively young, with most clades originating since the Miocene, and may be a refugial area for ancient relict plants.
A new giraffid species, Decennatherium rex, has been found in Spain, providing insights into the evolution of giraffe ancestors. The fossil, dating back to the late Miocene, features an unusually complete skeleton, shedding light on the evolutionary relationships between sivatheres and samotheres.
A new fossil discovery in the Dominican Republic provides evidence for a major radiation of flies (Calyptratae) during the Cenozoic Era, with the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event playing a crucial role. The study estimates that this diversification occurred around 50 million years ago.
Researchers at OIST Graduate University have decisively classified Dicyemida, a microscopic parasite in cephalopods, as part of the Spiralia clade and closest to Orthonectida. This classification sheds new light on the evolutionary history of Spiralia and the process of evolution.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have designed a mimic of the viral protein from a different HIV subtype, subtype C, to combat many strains of HIV. The new immunogen was tested in non-human primates and showed promising results in eliciting neutralizing antibodies.
The discovery of 25 little bones in India suggests that primates native to the region played a crucial role in the early evolution of primates. The bones, dated to around 54.5 million years ago, show primitive features that do not clearly belong to either clade and may represent an early stage of primate evolution.
A new Patagonian fossil has provided insights into the skeletal anatomy of megaraptors, a highly specialized group of Mesozoic predators. The species, Murusraptor barrosaensis, shares unique features with other megaraptors, but also boasts distinct facial and hip bone characteristics.
A meta-analysis of diverse animal groups reveals that bioluminescent courtship traits lead to increased speciation rates, resulting in more species. The study found 10 groups where a bioluminescent courting species outnumbered its sister clade.
A newly discovered extinct three-horned palaeomerycid ruminant in Spain may be a relative of giraffes. The species, Xenokeryx amidalae, has a unique 't-shaped' horn and is classified in the Giraffomorpha clade.
Research challenges scientific beliefs that wing shape is primarily determined by flight style, finding that ancestry plays a more significant role. The study analyzed wing geometry across major bird groups and found varying wing shapes within closely related species.
Researchers used genome sequencing to track MRSA spread in a Thai hospital with high transmission rates, revealing multiple distinct clades and transmission events between patients and staff. The study highlights the need for improved hand hygiene practices and measures of within-host bacterial diversity.
Researchers identified patterns in courtship and male-to-male combat behaviors across 70 snake species, revealing evolutionary relationships between behaviors. The study found that different clades developed unique behaviors, such as coiling without neck-raising and body-bridging, which replaced earlier toppling behavior.
A team of scientists discovered the bones of 49 ancient flying reptiles from a new species of pterosaur, Caiuajara dobruskii, in southern Brazil. The bones revealed features such as a bony expansion and rounded depressions on the skull, suggesting this species may have been gregarious and able to fly at a young age.
Scientists discover fossilized skull of Sinotherium lagrelii, a transitional taxon between Elasmotherium and other elasmotheres. The discovery provides new insights into the origin of the unicorn-like horn and sheds light on the evolution of giant elasmotheres.
A comprehensive study revises the taxonomy of Solanum species, including the description of a new species endemic to Ecuador. The research highlights the diversity and rarity of these plants, many of which are threatened or endangered.
A study by Brown University biologists found that the PACMAD clade of grasses developed an anatomical predisposition to C4 photosynthesis due to evolutionary pressures. The clade's bundle sheath cells became larger, facilitating more efficient CO2 transfer when temperatures rise or plants become stressed.
The CIPRES Science Gateway is helping researchers unravel the enigmas of phylogenetics by making it possible to compare similarities and differences in DNA among large numbers of species. Phylogenetic studies are essential for understanding the history of life on earth, population changes, and evolutionary theories.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have identified a promising target for an AIDS vaccine: the V3 loop of the virus's protein envelope. Immune system antibodies aimed at this loop may offer protection against multiple genetic subtypes of HIV-1, offering hope for a universally effective vaccine.
Major lineages of flowering plants began to rapidly diversify after reaching a point of development that maximized speciation success. The researchers compiled the largest plant phylogeny to date, involving 55,473 species of angiosperms.
Researchers have uncovered the three-dimensional structure of a key protein found on the surface of a specific HIV-1 subgroup, providing valuable insights for vaccine design. The discovery reveals unusual autoreactivity between an anti-HIV antibody and the CD4 receptor, raising questions about potential autoimmune responses.
Marine Roseobacter clade decline linked to ocean acidification may impact global climate system and socio-economic consequences. Ocean acidification could significantly affect fish stocks and coral reef erosion.
Researchers have identified the largest carnivorous dinosaur tooth in Spain, measuring 9.83cm, and attributed it to the Allosauroidea clade. The tooth's features provide key information about its former owner, a large predatory theropod that likely belonged to the same group as Turiasaurus riodevensis.
A new University of Florida study analyzing DNA from living flowering plants shows that the ancestors of modern trees diversified rapidly 90 million years ago. This event led to the formation of forests that supported similar evolutionary bursts in animals and other plants.
Researchers found no correlation between traditional and standardized assays, highlighting the need for a physiologically relevant platform. Clade C antibodies showed broad cross-reactivity, neutralizing multiple viruses in both formats.
A recent study suggests that booster vaccination with a newer strain of H5N1 avian influenza can be more effective than simply vaccinating with the current vaccine. The study shows that priming with an earlier vaccine can enhance immune responses to single-dose vaccination schedules, making it a potential strategy for pandemic control.
A booster shot given before a primary immunization may protect people against bird flu. Studies in Rochester suggest that adults who have never encountered the virus would benefit from an additional dose.
A recent study has outlined the genetic differences between two potential pandemic influenza strains of H5N1, revealing increased genetic diversity and a higher risk of human transmission. The research found that the viruses belong to genotype Z, with one strain being more virulent than others.
A new DNA vaccine has entered human trials, incorporating parts of four HIV genes to target various subtypes. The trial aims to determine the vaccine's safety and immune response, with expanded tests planned for international sites.