Genetics News and Research

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Genetics is the study of genes and heredity. Heredity is the passing of genetic information and traits (such as eye color and an increased chance of getting a certain disease) from parents to offspring.

Previously unknown telomere and cancer connection to the immune system revealed

Johns Hopkins Medicine scientists say their 20-year study of more than 200 people with premature aging syndromes caused by abnormally short telomeres, or shortened repetitive DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes, may upend long-held scientific dogma and settle conflicting studies about how and whether short telomeres contribute to cancer risk.

31 Mar 2023

Research shows how the fruit fly gut builds a cozy niche to selectively promote colonization

The digestive tract of fruit flies remodels itself to accommodate beneficial microbiome species and maintain long-term stability of the gut environment, according to new research led by Carnegie's William Ludington and Allan Spradling.

30 Mar 2023

Ancient DNA reveals African founders intermingled with southwest Asian people around 1000 CE

While serfs toiled and knights jousted in Europe and samurai and shoguns rose to power in Japan, the medieval peoples of the Swahili civilization on the coast of East Africa lived in multicultural, coral-stone towns and engaged in trade networks spanning the Indian Ocean.

30 Mar 2023

Study expands understanding of PAK1-related IDDMSSD

A recent study from Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine has expanded the clinical spectrum of a new epileptic disorder called Intellectual Developmental Disorder with Macrocephaly, Seizures, and Speech Delay (IDDMSSD) with the identification of the first recurrently affected residue identified in the protein kinase domain of PAK1 protein.

30 Mar 2023

Genetic welding: Evolutionary meddling with genes

With CRISPR-Cas9 technology, humans can now rapidly change the evolutionary course of animals or plants by inserting genes that can easily spread through entire populations.

29 Mar 2023

Evolution driven by genetic engineering should be known as ‘genetic welding’ to draw scientific and ethical scrutiny

In an opinion paper, evolutionary geneticist Asher Cutter highlights the importance of coining the term ‘genetic welding’ for the anthropogenic manipulation of genetic drive made possible by tools such as CRISPR-Cas9.

29 Mar 2023

Analyzing the GmZF351 transgenic soybean plants and their stress tolerance

Across the globe, soybean is considered to be an important food, oil, and feed crop worldwide.

29 Mar 2023

Key gene involved in crop alkaline tolerance discovered

Chinese scientists have identified a key gene involved in crop alkaline tolerance that may greatly improve crop yield in sodic environments through the use of genetic engineering.

24 Mar 2023

New breakthrough in controlling plant responses to temperature

UC Riverside scientists have significantly advanced the race to control plant responses to temperature on a rapidly warming planet.

24 Mar 2023

Common Epstein-Barr virus may be a trigger for multiple sclerosis

In 1868, French physician Jean-Martin Charcot, known as the founder of modern neurology, defined a disease entity in which multiple plaques formed in the brain and spinal cord, with varying physical symptoms, called Sclérose en plaques, or in English as multiple sclerosis (MS).

24 Mar 2023

Eye color genes play important roles in maintaining retinal health

Metabolic pathways consist of a series of biochemical reactions in cells that convert a starting component into other products.

24 Mar 2023

Wearable microscopes produce real-time images of mouse spinal cord activity

The spinal cord acts as a messenger, carrying signals between the brain and body to regulate everything from breathing to movement.

23 Mar 2023

Uncovering the evolutionary history of wheat during the Holocene

Over 35% of the world’s population is nourished by wheat, which includes bread wheat and its relatives. Wheat has been cultivated for more than 10,000 years, beginning with the “Neolithic Revolution,” and is one of the earliest ancient crops to emerge in the Fertile Crescent.

21 Mar 2023

Genomic study helps to better understand the origins, history of Tibetan and Sherpa ethnic groups

The Tibetan Plateau, the highest and largest plateau above sea level, is one of the harshest environments settled by humans.

20 Mar 2023

Decreased viral infection severity in females linked to extra copy of epigenetic regulator

It has long been known that viral infections can be more severe in males than females, but the question as to why has remained a mystery – until possibly now.

20 Mar 2023

Previously unknown genetic causes of three rare conditions discovered

Using a new computational approach they developed to analyze large genetic datasets from rare disease cohorts, researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and colleagues have discovered previously unknown genetic causes of three rare conditions: primary lymphedema (characterized by tissue swelling), thoracic aortic aneurysm disease, and congenital deafness.

20 Mar 2023

Novel genetics tool for mining impact assessment and biomonitoring of endangered chimpanzees

The western chimpanzees of Guinea are threatened by mining activities. Using a novel genetic approach, UZH researchers and an international team have collected information on population size and community structure of the endangered species.

17 Mar 2023

Researchers discover previously unknown genetic causes of three rare conditions

17 Mar 2023

First molecular images of olfaction sets the stage to create novel smells

Breaking a longstanding impasse in our understanding of olfaction, scientists at UC San Francisco (UCSF) have created the first molecular-level, 3D picture of how an odor molecule activates a human odorant receptor, a crucial step in deciphering the sense of smell.

16 Mar 2023

Novel technology easily detects active Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection antibodies

A team of faculty from Wayne State University has discovered new technology that will quickly and easily detect active Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) infection antibodies.

14 Mar 2023