What makes humans unique? Scientists have taken another step toward solving an enduring mystery with a new tool that may allow for more precise comparisons between the DNA of modern humans and that of our extinct ancestors.
Biotechnology
Jul 16, 2021
22
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Recent research into a group of giant evergreens is helping scientists better understand why some trees are able to survive in the face of insect pests, and could help foresters breed trees with the resistance necessary to ...
Ecology
Jul 13, 2021
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3
The World Health Organization published a slew of recommendations Monday on how to ensure gene editing research is used for the public good and does not get out of hand.
Biotechnology
Jul 12, 2021
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10
Ancient sediments from caves have already been proven to preserve DNA for thousands of years. The amount of recovered sequences from environmental sediments, however, is generally low, which confounds the analyses performed ...
Paleontology & Fossils
Jul 12, 2021
0
324
USC researchers have achieved a better way to identify elusive DNA variants responsible for genetic changes affecting cell functions and diseases.
Biotechnology
Jul 12, 2021
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11
In March 2020, thousands of scientists around the world united to answer a pressing and complex question: which genetic factors influence the wide variation in COVID-19 severity? Why are some patients severely affected while ...
Biotechnology
Jul 8, 2021
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6
Proteins known as transcription factors act as switches that regulate the expression of nearby genes, but the identity of some of these genetic levers has so far remained mysterious. Now, researchers from the Schübeler group ...
Biotechnology
Jul 8, 2021
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30
Thousands of years ago, archaic humans such as Neanderthals and Denisovans went extinct. But before that, they interbred with the ancestors of present-day humans, who still to this day carry genetic mutations from the extinct ...
Evolution
Jun 17, 2021
0
18
An analysis of 18 species of stationary and migratory bats living in Switzerland has discovered that they harbor viruses from 39 different viral families—including some viruses with the potential risk of jumping to other ...
Ecology
Jun 16, 2021
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21
The human genome was sequenced around 20 years ago. Since then, the sequence information encoding our proteins is known—at least in principle. However, this information is not continuously stored in the individual genes, ...
Biotechnology
Jun 16, 2021
0
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