Sociability genes found in some spiders
A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, Texas Tech University, Cornell University and Australian National University has found similar genes between species of spiders that have some degree of sociability. They have published their p.....»»
Expansin genes shown to drive heteroblastic leaves in Ceratopteris chingii
Heteroblasty is a developmental trajectory event in which plants undergo rapid ontogenetic changes in multiple traits, as exemplified by the transition from distinct juvenile to adult leaves. Heteroblastic leaves allow plants to adapt to environmenta.....»»
A bacterial toolkit for colonizing plants
Using a novel experimental approach, Max Planck researchers have discovered a core set of genes required by commensal bacteria to colonize their plant hosts. The findings published in Nature Communications may have broad relevance for understanding h.....»»
Cockroaches can transmit antimicrobial resistance genes between groups
A new paper describes a study of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) transmission among cockroaches, with implications for AMR transmission in humans. The study was published in mSystems......»»
Gene variants that promote having more sex and kids diminish your life span
A literal life-or-death balance, playing out at the level of individual genes. Enlarge / A large family can come with some unfortunate downsides (in addition to that weird cousin). (credit: Oliver Rossi) Analysis of geno.....»»
Study reveals genes that set humans apart from other primates in cognitive ability
An international team led by researchers at the University of Toronto has uncovered over 100 genes that are common to primate brains but have undergone evolutionary divergence only in humans—and which could be a source of our unique cognitive abili.....»»
New enzyme allows CRISPR technologies to accurately target almost all human genes
A team of engineers at Duke University have developed a method to broaden the reach of CRISPR technologies. While the original CRISPR system could only target 12.5% of the human genome, the new method expands access to nearly every gene to potentiall.....»»
Research reveals clever dosage control mechanism of biallelic genes
Have you ever wondered why we carry two copies of each chromosome in all of our cells? During reproduction, we receive one from each of our parents. This means that we also receive two copies, or alleles, of each gene—one allele per chromosome or p.....»»
Clonal fish: Same genes, same environment, different fitness levels
According to current knowledge, individuality is determined by either differences in genome or in the apparent environmental conditions. However, studies show, the paradigm of twin research is currently crumbling......»»
Silk lines help pirate spiders trick, capture eight-legged prey
Headlamps alone illuminated the trail bisecting the Costa Rican rainforest. Having waded the black of the Tirimbina reserve so often before, Gilbert Barrantes, Laura Segura Hernández and Diego Solano Brenes knew the routine......»»
This sea worm"s posterior swims away, and now scientists know how
A research team, led by Professor Toru Miura from the University of Tokyo, shows how the expression of developmental genes in the Japanese green syllid worms, Megasyllis nipponica, helps form their swimming reproductive unit called stolon. The work h.....»»
Caught in living cells: How bacteria regulate their genes to defend themselves
For the first time, it was shown in living cells how the bacterium E. coli regulates genes that help it survive in a new environment. Biochemist Fatema Zahra Rashid managed to do this using a technique she fine-tuned. Her research into changes in 3-d.....»»
Unlocking the secrets of chimerism: Plastid genes and the quest for variegation in the ornamental plant market
The global indoor plant market is burgeoning, with projections of reaching $7.27 billion by 2025. Chimeric plants, first noted in the 17th century, have become popular for their distinctive variegated patterns. These patterns are a product of the str.....»»
Researchers use quantum computing to predict gene relationships
In a new multidisciplinary study, researchers at Texas A&M University showed how quantum computing—a new kind of computing that can process additional types of data—can assist with genetic research and used it to discover new links between genes.....»»
Predicting the response of fungal genes using a new machine-learning approach
Signals from the environment set off a cascade of changes that affect different genes in different ways. Therefore, traditionally, it has been difficult to study how such signals influence an organism. In a new study, researchers have developed a mac.....»»
Research provides new methods to improve capture rates of ground-dwelling arthropods using pitfall trapping
Pitfall traps are commonly used for capturing ground-dwelling arthropods, particularly beetles, ants, and spiders. The efficiency of a pitfall trapping system is significantly influenced by the quantity and size of traps, the spatial distribution of.....»»
Study of crossbred butterflies suggests multiple genes involved in hybrid animal sterility
When animals of two different species mate, their hybrid offspring can be unhealthy or sterile. Often, only one sex is affected......»»
3D folding of the genome: Theoretical model helps explain how cell identity is preserved when cells divide
Every cell in the human body contains the same genetic instructions, encoded in its DNA. However, out of about 30,000 genes, each cell expresses only those genes that it needs to become a nerve cell, immune cell, or any of the other hundreds of cell.....»»
Research quantifies how millions of cells in zebrafish embryos are affected by key gene alterations
Seattle researchers have developed a technique to quantify the changes in gene activity that occur throughout zebrafish embryos in response to specific edits to key genes. The approach makes it possible to quantify gene activity and the effect of gen.....»»
Bear genes show circadian rhythms even during hibernation
The internal clocks of grizzly bears appear to keep ticking through hibernation, according to a genetic study. This persistence highlights the strong role of circadian rhythms in the metabolism of many organisms including humans......»»
Study describes 48 new species of spiders
A paper recently published in Zootaxa documents the 48 species of ground-hunting spiders from the family Miturgidae, which can be found across Australia, particularly in arid habitats in open eucalypt forest, brigalow, mallee, heath, and desert......»»