Genetics

A major scientific breakthrough has overturned the long-held belief that gout is primarily caused by lifestyle factors like diet and alcohol consumption.

Washington state recently confirmed four new bird flu cases among farmworkers, bringing the national total to 31. The virus, spread widely among animals, has shown no signs of human-to-human transmission yet, according to health experts. Workers reportedly experienced mild symptoms. As flu season approaches, experts warn of potential viral genetic ...

A recent study from the University of North Carolina indicates a link between early sleep disruptions and a higher risk of autism in children. Sleep is crucial for brain development, and its disruption can lead to long-lasting behavioural changes. Research on young mice shows that sleep loss negatively impacts social behaviour, especially in those ...

Much of the vanilla that flavors our ice cream today is artificial, derived from the genetic signature of a plant that hundreds of years ago was known only to an Indigenous Mexican tribe.

Twins are a captivating subject of study, with two main types: identical and fraternal. Identical twins result from a single fertilised egg splitting, sharing identical DNA. Fraternal twins develop from separate eggs fertilised simultaneously. Their emotional connection often surpasses typical sibling relationships, leading to intriguing dynamics. ...

Analysis of a 17,000-year-old infant’s remains from southern Italy sheds light on Ice Age ancestry and health. The infant, found in a Puglian cave, was likely around a year old at death and had distinctive traits—brown skin, blue eyes, and curly dark hair. His genome links him to Europe’s Villabruna lineage, suggesting their presence in south...

Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory, Broad Institute, and Yale University use AI to identify DNA sequences that control gene activation in specific cells. This AI model decodes patterns in DNA regions called cis-regulatory elements (CREs), guiding synthetic DNA switches for cell-specific gene activity. Early testing in animal models showed succes...

A recent study from UC Davis and UC Berkeley has unveiled a groundbreaking mRNA delivery method capable of editing genes in fetal brain cells. By administering mRNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles, researchers successfully targeted genetic disorders such as Angelman syndrome before birth. This approach, which minimizes risks of inflammation, of...

A newly discovered amphipod species, Melita panda, has been confirmed as a unique species in Japan’s coastal waters. This crustacean, named for its black-and-white coloring resembling that of a panda, was originally found in the 1990s but has only now been recognized as a distinct species. Researchers at Hiroshima University conducted thorough ge...

A recent study uncovers the genetic origins of modern roses, showing how Eastern and Western species combined to create the roses we know today. Led by Professor Zhangjun Fei at the Boyce Thompson Institute, researchers mapped the genome of the modern rose variety ‘Samantha®’ and sequenced 233 other rose varieties. The study sheds light on bre...

The Global South is home to incredible biodiversity, yet its species are underrepresented in critical genomic databases used for conservation. Researchers, including Dr. Ethan Linck and Dr. Daniel Cadena, highlight the challenges faced by Southern researchers, including lack of funding and access to technology. They call for better collaborations a...

Recent research led by Aman Agrawal, in collaboration with experts from the University of Chicago and University of Houston, uncovers the potential role rainwater played in stabilising protocells on early Earth. Their findings show how this helped prevent RNA leakage and uncontrolled mixing, allowing the formation of stable genetic material. This n...

A US startup, Heliospect Genomics, is offering wealthy couples the option to test embryos for IQ amid growing ethical debates over genetic modification.

A recent study has revealed that some ancient humans did not retreat from Central Europe during the last ice age. Instead, they adapted to the harsh conditions, similar to species like brown bears and wolves. Led by Oxala García-Rodríguez from Bournemouth University, the study utilised genetic data to show how humans thrived in frigid climates, w...

A new paper searches huge human data sets for gene variants that throw the 1:1 sex ratio off balance, and test the biological and theoretical rules of sex ratio.

A major scientific breakthrough has overturned the long-held belief that gout is primarily caused by lifestyle factors like diet and alcohol consumption.

Washington state recently confirmed four new bird flu cases among farmworkers, bringing the national total to 31. The virus, spread widely among animals, has shown no signs of human-to-human transmission yet, according to health experts. Workers reportedly experienced mild symptoms. As flu season approaches, experts warn of potential viral genetic ...

A recent study from the University of North Carolina indicates a link between early sleep disruptions and a higher risk of autism in children. Sleep is crucial for brain development, and its disruption can lead to long-lasting behavioural changes. Research on young mice shows that sleep loss negatively impacts social behaviour, especially in those ...

Much of the vanilla that flavors our ice cream today is artificial, derived from the genetic signature of a plant that hundreds of years ago was known only to an Indigenous Mexican tribe.

Twins are a captivating subject of study, with two main types: identical and fraternal. Identical twins result from a single fertilised egg splitting, sharing identical DNA. Fraternal twins develop from separate eggs fertilised simultaneously. Their emotional connection often surpasses typical sibling relationships, leading to intriguing dynamics. ...

Analysis of a 17,000-year-old infant’s remains from southern Italy sheds light on Ice Age ancestry and health. The infant, found in a Puglian cave, was likely around a year old at death and had distinctive traits—brown skin, blue eyes, and curly dark hair. His genome links him to Europe’s Villabruna lineage, suggesting their presence in south...

Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory, Broad Institute, and Yale University use AI to identify DNA sequences that control gene activation in specific cells. This AI model decodes patterns in DNA regions called cis-regulatory elements (CREs), guiding synthetic DNA switches for cell-specific gene activity. Early testing in animal models showed succes...

A recent study from UC Davis and UC Berkeley has unveiled a groundbreaking mRNA delivery method capable of editing genes in fetal brain cells. By administering mRNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles, researchers successfully targeted genetic disorders such as Angelman syndrome before birth. This approach, which minimizes risks of inflammation, of...

A newly discovered amphipod species, Melita panda, has been confirmed as a unique species in Japan’s coastal waters. This crustacean, named for its black-and-white coloring resembling that of a panda, was originally found in the 1990s but has only now been recognized as a distinct species. Researchers at Hiroshima University conducted thorough ge...

A recent study uncovers the genetic origins of modern roses, showing how Eastern and Western species combined to create the roses we know today. Led by Professor Zhangjun Fei at the Boyce Thompson Institute, researchers mapped the genome of the modern rose variety ‘Samantha®’ and sequenced 233 other rose varieties. The study sheds light on bre...

The Global South is home to incredible biodiversity, yet its species are underrepresented in critical genomic databases used for conservation. Researchers, including Dr. Ethan Linck and Dr. Daniel Cadena, highlight the challenges faced by Southern researchers, including lack of funding and access to technology. They call for better collaborations a...

Recent research led by Aman Agrawal, in collaboration with experts from the University of Chicago and University of Houston, uncovers the potential role rainwater played in stabilising protocells on early Earth. Their findings show how this helped prevent RNA leakage and uncontrolled mixing, allowing the formation of stable genetic material. This n...

A US startup, Heliospect Genomics, is offering wealthy couples the option to test embryos for IQ amid growing ethical debates over genetic modification.

A recent study has revealed that some ancient humans did not retreat from Central Europe during the last ice age. Instead, they adapted to the harsh conditions, similar to species like brown bears and wolves. Led by Oxala García-Rodríguez from Bournemouth University, the study utilised genetic data to show how humans thrived in frigid climates, w...

A new paper searches huge human data sets for gene variants that throw the 1:1 sex ratio off balance, and test the biological and theoretical rules of sex ratio.