Genetics

  1. Genetics

    Source of coffee’s kick found in its genetic code

    Coffee doubled up on caffeine-making genes. Those genes evolved independently from similar ones found in tea and chocolate plants.

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  2. Materials Science

    Silkworms spin spider-strong threads

    Silkworms with a spider protein make silk tough enough to be woven into clothing.

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  3. Health & Medicine

    Tiny mites are probably crawling all over your face

    Two skin mites, relatives of spiders, might populate the faces of all adult humans, according to a DNA survey.

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  4. Genetics

    Ebola genome clarifies origins of West African outbreak

    Genetic analyses suggest that a single infected person sparked the ongoing Ebola epidemic in West Africa.

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  5. Animals

    Antarctic midge sports tiniest insect genome

    Antarctic midge‘s genetic minimalism achieved by skipping a lot of repetitive stretches.

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  6. Genetics

    Long before Columbus, seals brought tuberculosis to South America

    Evidence from the skeletons of ancient Peruvians shows that seals may have brought tuberculosis across an ocean from Africa.

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  7. Genetics

    Debate rages over mouse studies’ relevance to humans

    Last year, researchers said rodents are not good mimics of human inflammation; a new study says the reverse.

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  8. Health & Medicine

    Mummies reveal hardened arteries

    Mummy studies suggest heart disease is an ancient malady, not just the product of modern diets and sedentary lifestyles.

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  9. Genetics

    Gene activity change can produce cancer

    Scientists have long thought that epigenetic changes, which alter gene activity, can cause cancer. Now they have demonstrated it in a mouse experiment.

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  10. Genetics

    Airborne MERS virus found in Saudi Arabian camel barn

    The air in a Saudi Arabian camel barn holds genetic fragments of MERS, a new study shows.

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  11. Genetics

    Hints about schizophrenia emerge from genetic study

    From thousands of genomes, researchers pinpoint dozens of DNA changes that may underlie schizophrenia

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  12. Health & Medicine

    Two genes clear up psoriasis and eczema confusion

    Psoriasis and eczema are often mistaken for each other, leading to mistreatment. Testing just two genes could eliminate this confusion.

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