Modern humans have been interbreeding with Neanderthals for more than 200,000 years, an international team led by Josh Akey of Princeton University and Liming Li of Southeast University reports. Akey and Li identified an initial wave of contact around 200-250,000 years ago, another wave 100-120,000 years ago, and the largest one around 50-60,000 years ago. … Read more
The age-old debate over nature versus nurture (whether our genes or environment play a more important role in shaping our intelligence) has long intrigued scientists, educators, and the public. A recent groundbreaking study, published in the journal Personality and individual differencessheds new light on this discussion. The longitudinal study, the first of its kind using … Read more
The woolly mammoths on Wrangel Island, from a tiny original population, persisted for 6,000 years despite genetic obstacles. Their sudden extinction remains a mystery, offering lessons for modern conservation efforts. Credit: Beth Zaiken Genetic analysis of the last woolly mammoths on Wrangel Island has revealed a population that managed to survive for 6,000 years despite … Read more
Resume: A new study reveals how the protein Gephyrin helps form synapses, providing new insights into brain connectivity. The findings could help develop treatments for conditions such as autism, epilepsy and schizophrenia. Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 to confirm Gephyrin’s role in the development of autonomic synapses. This breakthrough advances the understanding of synaptic mechanisms and potential … Read more
Resume: A new study reveals the role of the molecule KIBRA in forming long-term memories. Researchers found that KIBRA acts as a ‘glue’ that binds with the enzyme PKMzeta to strengthen and stabilize synapses, crucial for memory retention. This discovery could lead to new treatments for memory-related disorders. The findings confirm a long-standing hypothesis about … Read more
Researchers at the Broad Institute have improved gene editing to efficiently insert entire genes into human cells, offering potential for single-gene therapies for diseases such as cystic fibrosis. This method combines prime editing with new enzymes to improve editing efficiency, potentially revolutionizing gene therapy. The gene editing technique uses primary editors and advanced enzymes known … Read more
Artist’s rendering of the effect of editing all six copies of the TT8 gene in Camelina sativa. Seeds with inactivated TT8 genes (right) show a yellow color, reduced thickness of their seed coat and an accumulation of almost 22% more oil than wild seeds (left). Credit: Valerie Lentz/Brookhaven National Laboratory Scientists have increased oil production … Read more
Resume: The Orco protein is crucial for the survival of olfactory neurons in ants. Mutating the orco gene in Harpegnathos saltator ants drastically reduced their number of olfactory neurons, affecting their social interactions. This study highlights the importance of Orco in neural development and social communication in ants. Understanding these mechanisms can provide insight into … Read more
Researchers have identified it Tmesipteris oblanceolataa fern from New Caledonia, which has the largest recorded genome, surpassing the previous record holder Paris japonica. This discovery, described in the iScience magazine, reveals that this fern contains more than 50 times more DNA than humans and highlights the significant implications that larger genomes have for plant biology … Read more
Recent research on stick insects shows that genes associated with lost traits may be conserved across evolutionary timescales due to their multiple roles in biological processes, allowing for the potential reemergence of these traits. This study sheds light on the complex genetics of trait maintenance and reemergence, and points to broader implications for evolutionary biology. … Read more