Category: Genetics

A gene known as CTNNB1 encodes for a crucial protein called β-catenin, which has an important role in controlling tissue repair and cell growth. If this gene and its protein are dysfunctional, it can lead to…

Between 73,000 and 20,000 years ago (Late Pleistocene), the Japanese Archipelago was inhabited by cave lions (Panthera spelaea), according to a new genetic and proteomic analysis of fossilized felid remains previously attributed to tigers…

Independent verification of data is a cornerstone of scientific research. The scientific method relies on reproducibility to validate findings and build upon existing work. Ideally, researchers should be…

Parkinson’s disease is a complex neurodegenerative disorder. The causes are still unclear, but about 10% to 15% of cases are thought to be due to genetic changes, while exposure to certain things in the…

We need to consume fat to survive, but a new study has shown that the human body can process different types of fats in different ways. Over the years, studies have indicated that some types of fat are…

It’s estimated that one in four adults will suffer from some type of anxiety disorder at some point, such as phobias of specific things; generalized anxiety that affects people over a long period of time; or…

Our mastery of fire is one of the biggest things that sets humans apart from…

Infections with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) are very common; the virus is estimated to have infected at least 90% of all adults worldwide. It can easily be transmitted through the saliva of an infected person….

Some people are more prone to cavities than others, even when their mouth hygiene is good. Differences in individual genetics, and the composition of the oral microbiome, or the species of microbes in the…

When a gene is active, there is cellular machinery that transcribes the sequence of that gene from DNA into messenger RNA. This is a fundamental cellular process that is essential to the proper function of…