News tagged with gene variation

Genetic safety in numbers, platypus study finds

(Phys.org) -- Platypuses on the Australian mainland and in Tasmania are fighting fit but those on small islands are at high risk of being wiped out from disease, according to a University of Sydney study.

Biology / Plants & Animals

created May 18, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0

Single gene mutation can sweep through bacterial population, opening the door for the concept of 'species'

Bacteria are the most populous organisms on the planet. They thrive in almost every known environment, adapting to different habitats by means of genetic variations that provide the capabilities essential ...

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Apr 05, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 3 | with audio podcast

Maternal gene causes more piglets to be born

A sow gives birth to more piglets if the DIO3 gene from its mother is expressed instead of the same gene inherited from its father. This is shown during research conducted by the Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre in Wageningen ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Mar 26, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Researchers discover method to unravel malaria's genetic secrets

The parasite that causes malaria is a genetic outlier, which has prevented scientists from discovering the functions of most of its genes. Researchers at National Jewish Health and Yale University School of Medicine have ...

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Jan 25, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Diseases and sex: The cocktail maintaining immune gene variation

The great variation of a specific form of immune genes makes organ transplants so complicated. On the other hand, we need such a great variability in order to resist infectious diseases. This is why it also ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Jan 10, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Sex explains why the fit don't always survive

(PhysOrg.com) -- New research from The Australian National University has shown how genetic variation persists through generations, rather than being bred out in an evolution towards a ‘perfect type’.

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Nov 22, 2011 | popularity 4.9 / 5 (8) | comments 12 | with audio podcast

Diversity of cabbage species explained

The cabbage family is well-represented in the vegetable section of the supermarket. The cauliflower, red cabbage and broccoli found there were all bred from the cabbage species Brassica oleraciea. Its sister species Brassica ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Nov 07, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Genetic difference in staph offers clues as to why some patients get infections from cardiac implants

New research suggests that some patients develop a potentially deadly blood infection from their implanted cardiac devices because bacterial cells in their bodies have gene mutations that allow them to stick ...

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Oct 24, 2011 | popularity 4.6 / 5 (5) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Researcher argues that sex reduces genetic variation

Biology textbooks maintain that the main function of sex is to promote genetic diversity. But Henry Heng, Ph.D., associate professor in WSU's Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, says that's not the case.

Biology / Evolution

created Jul 07, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 14

Researchers pinpoint key events in ancient plant evolution

(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers from the University of Florida and six other institutions have unlocked some of the key foundations for the evolution of seed and flowering plants.

Biology / Evolution

created Apr 13, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 3 | with audio podcast

Five new genes linked to Alzheimer's

Scientists said Sunday they had uncovered five genes linked to the onset of Alzheimer's disease, doubling the number of genetic variants known to favour the commonest form of dementia.

Medicine & Health / Genetics

created Apr 03, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Why some children are harmed by mother's alcohol, but others aren't

Exposure to alcohol in the womb doesn't affect all fetuses equally. Why does one woman who drinks alcohol during pregnancy give birth to a child with physical, behavioral or learning problems -- known as fetal alcohol spectrum ...

Medicine & Health / Medical research

created Mar 23, 2011 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Suggesting genes' friends, Facebook-style

Scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), both in Heidelberg, Germany, have developed a new method that uncovers the combined effects of genes. ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Mar 07, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

New biological pathway identified for post-traumatic stress disorder

High blood levels of a hormone produced in response to stress are linked to post-traumatic stress disorder in women but not men, a study from researchers at Emory University and the University of Vermont has found.

Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry

created Feb 23, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Research identifies wild ancestor genes for crop improvement

Using the genetic variation found in wild and exotic rice species, researchers are providing breeders with genomics tools and knowledge to develop higher yielding, stress-tolerant varieties, a Cornell researcher reported ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Feb 22, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0