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Smoking-related DNA methylation patterns explain the variation in BMI between individuals

Smoking-related DNA methylation patterns explain around a fifth of the variation in body mass index (BMI) between individuals, according to a study publishing September 9th in the open-access journal PLOS Genetics, led by Carmen Amador at the University of Edinburgh.

13 Sep 2021

Study reveals how autoimmune antibodies can predict severe cases of COVID-19

The presence of special immune system defense molecules, called autoimmune antibodies, has been strongly tied to how poorly people fare when hospitalized with COVID-19, a new study shows.

From New York University (NYU) 9 Sep 2021

Researchers develop a new method for monitoring organic pollutants using plants

Researchers at Kobe University's Biosignal Research Center have successfully developed plants that can be used to detect organic pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which contaminate soil and water.

9 Sep 2021

Viruses buried in marsupials' DNA may help protect against future infections

Fossils of ancient viruses are preserved in the genomes of all animals, including humans, and have long been regarded as junk DNA. But are they truly junk, or do they actually serve a useful purpose?

From The University of New South Wales (UNSW) 9 Sep 2021

Large herbivores can form a nature-based solution to reduce wildfire risks

In many parts of the world, socio-economic drivers are causing large-scale land abandonment. Nomadic practices and pastoralism are decreasing worldwide as well.

9 Sep 2021

Functional genomics can assist in molecular breeding of maize, finds study

For centuries, the vast physical diversity of maize, the most popular cereal grain crop globally, has fascinated biologists and plant breeders alike.

9 Sep 2021

Climate change plus weeds could significantly reduce corn yield

By the end of the century, scientists expect climate change to reduce corn yield significantly, with some estimating losses up to 28%.

8 Sep 2021

Exploring more about sesame seed cultivation

Sesame is one of the most versatile crops. Sesame seeds are a reservoir of healthy fats and protein. The oil extracted from sesame seeds is a premium cooking oil.

8 Sep 2021

Stem cell transplantation leaves no scars in the DNA of transplanted cells

Stem cell transplants do not lead to changes in the DNA of the donor cells. That's according to a new study, which provides important evidence for the safety of this procedure.

8 Sep 2021

New framework to evaluate the risks of antibiotic resistance genes

Scientists have created a useful framework to assess the risks of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs).

8 Sep 2021

Study details replication and immune evasion of Delta SARS-CoV-2 variant

According to scientists, the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 has likely spread through its capability to avoid neutralizing antibodies and its heightened infectivity.

8 Sep 2021

Polygenic risk scores are no better in predicting disease, says study

Scientists went through the records of more than 8,000 schizophrenia patients and identified a tool used for assessing an individual’s genetic risk for a disease.

8 Sep 2021

Researchers reveal how aspen forests change genetic structure to adapt to changing environments

Watching paint dry has nothing on watching a forest grow. That achingly long wait has always made it challenging to study how forests adapt to environmental fluctuations -; making it that much harder to predict how they'll fare in a changing climate or under new pest pressures.

7 Sep 2021