We previously thought mitochondrial DNA could only be passed on by mothers.
‘Amphy’ has features of both simple and more complex forms of life – and so can help us understand important steps in evolution.
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The US went crazy for Seabiscuit when he won his famous 1938 match race against War Admiral. Now researchers are investigating the thoroughbred’s DNA to see what made him such an unlikely success.
The question of whether a person can “become” Aboriginal after discovering ancestry through a DNA test is more complicated in Australia.
Some Harlequin ladybugs, Harmonia axyridis, have black elytra with two large red spots. Others have two additional red spots backwards, or are decorated with a dozen small red spots. Conversely, there are ladybugs with red elytra, decorated with 20 black spots. All these ladybugs belong to the same species.
B. Prud’homme, J. Yamaguchi
Once genetic lesions for diseases such as cystic fibrosis and haemophilia were identified, the idea of replacing or correcting defective genes grew into what we now call “gene therapy”.
Our risk of cancer is determined by a complex mix of genes, environment and lifestyle factors.
Claudia van Zyl
Ian Majewski, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) and Edward Chew, WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research)
As we age, our DNA accumulates damage, which can increase our risk of developing
cancer. But our cells work hard to guard against cancer – new research explains how.
A three-banded clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) navigates the anemones of the Andaman Coral Reef, India.
Ritiks/Wikipedia
Our children all know the little clownfish Nemo, star of the Pixar film. But why does he have three stripes, rather than one or two? Developmental and evolutionary biology are revealing the answer.
How do brains convert experiences into memories? New research explores the chain of events by focusing on what genes shift into gear when neurons are firing.
A healthy weight means a healthy heart.
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DNA sequencing means a scientist can take a bucket of seawater and ID every fish in the area. Now we need a universal ‘biobank’ of samples to make a truly powerful environment monitoring tool.
Separating children from their parents is not just a psychological stress, it’s a DNA stress. Scientific research shows that early life stress may have irreversible effects on how DNA works in the cells of the body.