Category: Genetics

Interbreeding between tomato plants and potato-like species from South America about 8-9 million years ago gave rise to the modern-day potato (Solanum tuberosum); this ancient evolutionary event triggered the formation of the tuber, the…

The potato came from a surprising mashup.

Spuds are a basic, delicious food for millions worldwide, yet their origin and evolution have long been a scientific mystery. Not anymore, scientists say.

The starchy vegetable emerged 9…

Using deep learning networks analyzing DNA methylation patterns, scientists at Hebrew University achieved chronological age (defined as the amount of time since birth) predictions with a median accuracy of 1.36-1.7 years for individuals under…

A large-scale study of proteins in blood and cerebrospinal fluid could pave the way for improved blood tests to diagnose multiple brain diseases — and potential early warning signs of disease risk — researchers report July 15 in…

Tucked inside mochi, swirled into moon cakes or layered beneath custard in taiyaki, a sweet paste made from red beans is a beloved staple in East Asia. Despite its popularity, the origins of the bean (also known as adzuki) have long…

The famous ‘Harbin cranium’ dates back to at least 146,000 years ago and was previously assigned to a new species, Homo longi.

The Harbin cranium was…

In mammals, the liver can repair and regenerate after damage or injury through at least two biochemical pathways. Now scientists have identified genes that are crucial to liver regeneration; some are…

The CRISPR gene editing technology has transformed the research lab, and this powerful tool is now making its way into the clinic. So far, three different human diseases have been successfully treated in…

Bubonic plague has caused the deadliest pandemic in history: The Black Death, which killed as many as 50% of affected populations in Western Asia, Africa, and Europe. After that, in the 14th century, there…

While most of us carry the same human genes, those genes can have small changes or variations in their sequences, which can have a wide range of effects; some genetic changes may have very little or no effect…