Topic: Genomics

Decoding tomato DNA: Genetics could yield sweeter fruit

Knowing the genetic sequence of one tomato can help seed companies and plant breeders get a grasp on what makes different varieties, like heirloom tomatoes, different from the generic grocery tomato.

Did a copying mistake give rise to human intelligence?

New research suggests that a copying error found in humans seems to distinguish human brains from those of primates.

Humans, gorillas more alike than previously thought, say scientists

Fifteen percent of humans and chimp DNA is closer to that to gorillas than to each other, a new study finds. 

Gorillas are more like humans than we knew, study says

New research has shown that humans are more like gorillas than scientists previously understood. 15 percent of human DNA is more similar to gorillas than to chimps.

Men not on verge of extinction, report scientists

A new study suggests that the Y chromosome, previously thought to be evolving into oblivion, will persist. 

Will men go extinct? New research says it's unlikely.

A recent study from the Whitehead Institute indicates that the male Y chromosome is unlikely to disappear, as was previously thought.

Woolly mammoth may have interbred with elephants

Woolly mammoth roamed the planet for more than a million years, ranging from Europe to Asia to North America. Nearly all of these giants vanished from Siberia by about 10,000 years ago.

Staph in meat: Are US cattle and poultry over-drugged?

A new report warns that Staph bacteria are showing up in high rates at supermarkets, raising concerns about whether US meat and poultry industries rely too heavily on antibiotic drugs.

3 good books for February reading

In a short month packed with long, cool nights, what better diversion than a good book? Here are three February releases we think you will like.

Science helps the world, even if it's done in China

How globalization is good for science and encourages innovation

Government should stay out of the medicine cabinet

Is a drug development center at the NIH is an unwarranted extension of government?

Mysterious X Woman finds place on humans' family tree

Genetic research shows her branch contributed to gene pool of today's Melanesians, who live on a broad arc of Pacific islands. X Woman is helping researchers grasp ancient migration patterns.

How reliable is personal DNA testing?

DNA testing deliver uncertainty. Faulty interpretation and incomplete genetic research are cited in direct-to-consumer tests.

Marsupials originated in South America, study suggests

Marsupials did not, as had been previously thought, did not get their start in Australia, a new genetic study suggests. Rather, they share a common ancestor in South America.

Artificial life could offer clues about how life began

Last Thursday, the J. Craig Venter genomics research institute announced that it has created the first organism with a manmade genome, offering a potential breakthrough in our understanding how complex life first emerged.

J. Craig Venter Institute creates first synthetic life form

A team of scientists at the J. Craig Venter Institute announced that they have successfully created a living organism with a completely synthetic genome.

Scientists create 'synthetic life,' fuel debate over bioethics

Scientists have created an artificial genome and inserted it into a bacteria cell, creating the first synthetic life. The goal of the project is to design microbes for energy or health applications.

Cavemen among us: Some humans are 4 percent Neanderthal

A new study concludes that humans mated with Neanderthals 50,000 to 80,000 years ago, leaving traces of the Neanderthal genome in some modern humans.

Scientists discover new killer whale species

Scientists have found four or more killer whale species exist in the wild.

Westminster dog show: Why Sadie the Scottie is so cute

The Westminster dog show winner owes her adorable walk and diminutive stature to one copy of a gene. In general, though, from a pampered Poodle to a lovable shelter mutt, dogs are 'pretty much identical,' canine geneticist explains.

Plant scientists build a 'Sears catalog' for corn genome

From woolly mammoth hair, the beast's genetic map is born

Scientists have sequenced most of the genome of a creature that vanished from Earth about 4,000 years ago.

The Language of God

Expect exponential progress

Rapid gains in technology point to a bright future.

Be patient with us humans – we're still evolving

Researchers find that humans have changed significantly in just the past 1,500 years or so.