One way genetic mutations occur during formation of eggs and sperm
Investigators have employed mutant mice to study how the accumulation of genetic errors is managed during egg and sperm formation......»»
How genetic research contributes to effective lion conservation
To keep lion populations healthy and thriving and to avoid conflicts with local communities, wildlife management is necessary. In Kenya, this is the responsibility of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). Together with scientists from Leiden University a.....»»
Fairy circles: Plant water stress causes Namibia"s gaps in grass
Namibia's legendary fairy circles are mysterious, circular, bald patches in the dry grasslands on the edge of the Namib Desert. Their formation has been researched for decades and has recently been the subject of much debate. With extensive fieldwork.....»»
Female mosquitoes rely on one another to choose the best breeding sites, and they"re already on the hunt
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, one of the most common species in the U.S., love everything about humans. They love our body heat and odors, which enable them to find us. They love to feed on our blood to make their eggs mature. They even love all the stan.....»»
Crocodile genetics study to inform population management
The results of a long-range genetic study of Queensland's estuarine crocodiles have shown they can be described broadly as six populations living within 12 distinct bioregions......»»
Artificial mucus identifies link to tumor formation
During cold and flu season, excess mucus is a common, unpleasant symptom of illness, but the slippery substance is essential to human health. To better understand its many roles, researchers synthesized the major component of mucus, the sugar-coated.....»»
Genetic basis for the evolution of hair discovered in the clawed frog
The development of hair was of central importance for the evolution of mammals and, thus, also of humans. However, the evolutionary origin of the genetic program of hair was previously unknown. An international research team led by Leopold Eckhart fr.....»»
How DHX9 stress granules protect daughter cells from UV-induced RNA damage
During the process of cell division, new daughter cells inherit a mix of genetic material and other molecules from their mother cells. This inheritance includes both beneficial components, which can help them for a robust start in life, and potential.....»»
Shark-bitten orcas in the Northeastern Pacific could be a new population of killer whale
UBC researchers believe a group of killer whales observed hunting marine mammals including sperm whales, as well as a sea turtle, in the open ocean off California and Oregon could be a new population......»»
Why do tree frogs lay their eggs on the ground?
When it comes to laying eggs, tree frogs have some unusual habits. Instead of always laying their eggs on tree branches where they usually live, they often lay their eggs on the ground. But why would a tree frog do this, especially when it puts its e.....»»
New discovery reveals how the egg controls sperm entry
After the egg has been fertilized by a sperm, the surrounding egg coat tightens, mechanically preventing the entry of additional sperm and the ensuing death of the embryo. This is according to a new study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet a.....»»
Australian Timor ponies have genetic diversity necessary for a breeding program, researchers find
Researchers at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) collaborated with Australian geneticists to determine whether the country's population of Timor ponies are genetically diverse enough to support a designated bree.....»»
It"s hearty, it"s meaty, it"s mold: Hacking the genome of fungi for smart foods of the future
With animal-free dairy products and convincing vegetarian meat substitutes already on the market, it's easy to see how biotechnology can change the food industry. Advances in genetic engineering are allowing us to harness microorganisms to produce cr.....»»
The surprising key to magpie intelligence: It"s not genetic
If you've ever had the pleasure of encountering Australia's iconic magpies, you know these birds are intelligent creatures. With their striking black and white plumage, loud warbling voices and complex social behaviors, magpies possess a level of avi.....»»
Researchers use genetic engineering to create flood-tolerant plants
Adding too much water to your plants can damage them as much as not having enough water. In the environment, plants submerged under excessive rain have limited access to light and oxygen, which reduces or eliminates their ability to thrive. This pose.....»»
Can genetic parasites alter interactions between microbes and hosts?
Researchers from the Max Planck Institutes (MPI) for Evolutionary Biology in Plön and for Biology in Tübingen have made significant progress in understanding the evolution of interactions between plants and microbes. The study focuses on Pseudomona.....»»
"Hybrid" US sheep breeder used endangered genetic material, faces jail
A US man who tried to breed enormous hybrid sheep using genetic material from endangered animals so he could sell them to trophy hunting ranches faces jail time after pleading guilty to wildlife crimes on Tuesday......»»
"GPS nanoparticle" platform precisely delivers therapeutic payload to cancer cells
A newly developed "GPS nanoparticle" injected intravenously can home in on cancer cells to deliver a genetic punch to the protein implicated in tumor growth and spread, according to researchers from Penn State. They tested their approach in human cel.....»»
Virtual tool for studying gene function aims to reduce number of animals used for genetic testing
Researchers at the Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) have developed a new virtual tool that will allow scientists to study the function of genes more efficiently and hopefully reduce the number of anima.....»»
A coral superhighway in the Indian Ocean
New research has revealed that, despite being scattered across more than a million square kilometers, remote coral reefs across the Seychelles are closely related. Using genetic analyses and oceanographic modeling, researchers at Oxford University ha.....»»
Unveiling the genetic tapestry of tree growth: A model for Populus euphratica development
A comprehensive understanding of the genetic architecture of tree growth, a complex interplay of genetics between the plant's above- and below-ground parts, remains undefined in plant studies. Research has increasingly focused on understanding how ge.....»»