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Researchers identify a type of RNA as therapeutic target for Huntington's treatment

Huntington's disease is caused by a mutation in the Huntingtin gene (HTT), which appears in adults and features motor, cognitive and psychiatric alterations.

24 Feb 2021

Interbacterial toxins may contribute to bacterial genetic diversity

A toxin produced by bacteria as a defense mechanism causes mutations in target bacteria that could help them survive, according to a study published today in eLife.

24 Feb 2021

Fungal hybridization confers greater adaptive potential in Verticillium longisporum

Several plant pathogens belong to the genus Verticillium and affect many different plant hosts.

24 Feb 2021

Evolutionary change can affect how species deal with stressful climate

Loss of biodiversity in the face of climate change is a growing worldwide concern. Another major factor driving the loss of biodiversity is the establishment of invasive species, which often displace native species.

23 Feb 2021

Jumping genes are an important force in the creation of new genes during evolution, shows study

In the same way that Lego pieces can be arranged in new ways to build a variety of structures, genetic elements can be mixed and matched to create new genes, according to new research.

23 Feb 2021

Genes may impact the timing of labor

A new study illuminates how a gene called HAND2 may have a hand in the timing of human labor.

23 Feb 2021

Birds keep fluffy down feathers between their bodies to survive cold climates

Feathers are a sleek, intricate evolutionary innovation that makes flight possible for birds, but in addition to their stiff, aerodynamic feathers used for flight, birds also keep a layer of soft, fluffy down feathers between their bodies and their outermost feathers to regulate body temperature.

16 Feb 2021

Study uncovers how harmless E.coli gut bacteria turn deadly

An international team of scientists has determined how harmless E.coli gut bacteria in chickens can easily pick up the genes required to evolve to cause a life-threatening infection.

15 Feb 2021

Pollen-plant functional trait linkage provides new insights into past ecosystem services

Researchers have mined and combined information from two databases to link pollen and key plant traits to generate confidence in the ability to reconstruct past ecosystem services.

12 Feb 2021

An outlook on latest trends in peptide drug discovery and development

Currently, there are more than 80 peptide drugs on the global market and about twice as many in clinical development. Due to their beneficial properties, these biomolecules play already an important role in the treatment of diseases such as diabetes, cancer, hormone disorders, HIV infection, and multiple sclerosis.

11 Feb 2021

Research shows why overfishing leads to smaller size in cod

Overfishing, hunting and intensive agriculture and forestry can sometimes contribute to plants and animals becoming endangered.

11 Feb 2021

Unusual DNA folding leads to higher mutation rates

DNA sequences that can fold into shapes other than the classic double helix tend to have higher mutation rates than other regions in the human genome.

10 Feb 2021

Researchers uncover clues to why some corals are resistant to bleaching

Coral reefs are beautiful and diverse ecosystems that power the economies of many coastal communities. They're also facing threats that are driving their decline, including the planet's warming waters.

9 Feb 2021

New insights into the biology of chytrid fungus responsible for deadly skin infection

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have gained new insight into the biological processes of a chytrid fungus responsible for a deadly skin infection devastating frog populations worldwide.

9 Feb 2021

New bioinformatic tool allows scientists to digitally genotype sequenced populations

With the recently developed bioinformatic tool, called SSRgenotyper, scientists can now use simple sequence repeats to digitally genotype sequenced populations.

9 Feb 2021

Researchers identify genes that determine a person’s facial profile

A research team, headed by the University College London, has discovered genes that establish the shape of an individual’s facial profile.

9 Feb 2021

Hidden genes in bacteriophages may be key to the development of new antibiotics

A study from the Center for Phage Technology, part of Texas A&M's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Texas A&M AgriLife Research, shows how the "hidden" genes in bacteriophages -- types of viruses that infect and destroy bacteria -- may be key to the development of a new class of antibiotics for human health.

8 Feb 2021

Components of Neanderthals' gut microbiota are essential for human health

Neanderthals' gut microbiota already included some beneficial micro-organisms that are also found in our own intestine.

5 Feb 2021

Study shows how microbiomes may recover from biodiversity loss

For many years, researchers have fought with opposing theories to describe how inter-species interactions, including competition, affect biodiversity.

5 Feb 2021

Researchers gain a deep insight into the evolutionary history of bitter receptors

To evaluate the chemical composition of food from a physiological point of view, it is important to know the functions of the receptors that interact with food ingredients. These include receptors for bitter compounds, which first evolved during evolution in bony fishes such as the coelacanth.

3 Feb 2021