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+9 +1
Cavefish Hastened Process Of Evolution Because Of Psychological Stress And Loss Of Certain Proteins
The story of how cavefish lost their eyes runs against the common tale of evolution, in which adaptive traits are gradually acquired until they come to define the species
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+5 +1
Don't Be Duped By 'Duon' DNA Hype
With today’s headlines hyping “Second Code Uncovered Inside the DNA,” you might think that scientists are running around in circles in their labs, tearing out their hair, and screaming, “Crick, you loser!” But the real reaction of scientists to these headlines is more along the lines of this Twitter conversation among several scientific experts and science writers. They have good reason to be snarky.
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+11 +1
No Two People Smell the Same
A difference at the smallest level of DNA - one amino acid on one gene - can determine whether you find a given smell pleasant. A different amino acid on the same gene in your friend's body could mean he finds the same odor offensive, according to researchers at Duke University.
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+14 +1
Biotech crops will have an essential role in ensuring that there’s enough to eat.
Climate change will make it increasingly difficult to feed the world. Biotech crops will have an essential role in ensuring that there’s enough to eat.
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+8 +1
DNA confirms Aboriginal culture one of Earth's oldest
The first Aboriginal genome sequence confirms Australia's native people left Africa 75,000 years ago.
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+18 +1
Never forget a face? Scientists unlock genetics that cause autism sufferers’ memory struggles
One in three people have inherited a genetic variation that impairs their ability to remember faces, according to a study that could explain why some individuals recall everyone they have ever met while others have difficulty recognising their own relatives.
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+3 +1
Hereditary Cancer (infographic)
Know your risks
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+24 +1
Diabetes Gene Common In Latinos Has Ancient Roots
Scientists have found a diabetes gene in modern humans that appears to come from Neanderthals.
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+16 +1
Diabetes risk 'from Neanderthals'
A gene variant that seems to increase the risk of diabetes in Latin Americans appears to have been inherited from Neanderthals, a study suggests.
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+14 +1
Genetic discovery points the way to much bigger yields in tomato, other flowering food plants
CSHL researchers announced that they have determined a way to accomplish this. Their research has revealed one genetic mechanism for hybrid vigor, a property of plant breeding that has been exploited to boost yield since the early 20th century. Teasing out the hidden subtleties of a type of hybrid vigor involving just one gene has provided the scientists with means to tweak the length of time that bushy tomato varieties can produce flowers. Longer flowering time substantially raises fruit yield.
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+14 +1
Why redheads are genetically less attractive
It's not just you: ginger people really are less appealing, and it's all down to their genes. Greg Stevens on the science of anti-redhead prejudice.
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+19 +1
All Shapes and Sizes
Growing up, one witnesses a number of interesting characters. Sakina was one of those. She used to live very close to where I did; the only difference was she lived on the streets while I didn’t. It was easy to point her out in a crowd. There was something very distinct about her appearance: her head was uniquely small in proportion to her body.
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+18 +1
The Era Of Genetically-Altered Humans Could Begin This Year
By the middle of 2014, the prospect of altering DNA to produce a genetically-modified human could move from science fiction to science reality. At some point between now and July, the UK parliament is likely to vote on whether a new form of in vitro fertilization (IVF)—involving DNA from three [...]
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0 +1
Right on target: New era of fast genetic engineering
A simple, very powerful method is making genome editing much easier and faster – prepare for a revolution in biology and medicine.
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+21 +1
Black Death Left a Mark on Human Genome
The Black Death didn’t just wipe out millions of Europeans during the 14th century. It left a mark on the human genome, favoring those who carried certain immune system genes, according to a new study. Those changes may help explain why Europeans respond differently from other people to some diseases and have different susceptibilities to autoimmune disorders.
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+19 +1
Humanity's forgotten return to Africa revealed in DNA
Call it humanity's unexpected U-turn. One of the biggest events in the history of our species is the exodus out of Africa some 65,000 years ago, the start of Homo sapiens' long march across the world. Now a study of southern African genes shows that, unexpectedly, another migration took western Eurasian DNA back to the very southern tip of the continent 3000 years ago.
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+9 +1
Uzbekistan's Plan to Genetically Groom Olympic Athletes Isn't Going to Work
In a few years, we'll look back at the Sochi Olympics as the last one where being chosen as an Olympic athlete was something involving lots of athleticism, a bit of luck, and, yes, sometimes a bit of politics. Because at least one country, Uzbekistan, has announced that they’re going to start genetically screening children in order to groom them as Olympic athletes.
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+15 +1
After decades in prison over murders, DNA evidence frees 2 New York men
Two men behind bars for more than half their lives over a triple murder walked free this week after DNA evidence tore holes in their convictions. Antonio Yarbough and Sharrif Wilson were teenagers when prison doors clanked shut behind them. Now, in their late 30s, they can hardly believe they're out.
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+8 +1
Neanderthal Genes Live On In Our Hair And Skin
Neanderthals died out long ago, but their genes live on in us. Scientists studying human chromosomes say they've discovered a surprising amount of Neanderthal DNA in our genes. And these aren't just random fragments; they help shape what we look like today, including our hair and skin.
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+14 +1
Study finds genes on X chromosome linked to male homosexuality
A study of gay men in the US has found fresh evidence that male sexual orientation is influenced by genes. Scientists tested the DNA of 400 gay men and found that genes on at least two chromosomes affected whether a man was gay or straight.
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