The second world war left a major mark on the genetic composition of Finland, researchers have found, though the work may not have included minority ethnic groups Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2270154-effects-of-finnish-evacuation-during-second-world-war-visible-in-dna/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…
Tag: genetic
People of European descent evolved resistance to TB over 10,000 years
Analysis of ancient DNA shows that a genetic variant that increases susceptibility to tuberculosis has drastically decreased in Europe since the Bronze Age Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2270136-people-of-european-descent-evolved-resistance-to-tb-over-10000-years/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…
World’s oldest DNA sheds light on mammoth evolution
A mammoth tooth uncovered from the Siberian permafrost yields the oldest DNA yet discovered and provides insight into the evolution of the giant beasts. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/worlds-oldest-dna-mammoth-evolution-video…
Meet Elizabeth Ann, the First Cloned Black-Footed Ferret
Her birth represents the first cloning of an endangered species native to North America, and may bring needed genetic diversity to the species. From a report: Last year, Ben Novak drove across the country to spend New Year’s Eve with a black-footed ferret. Elizabeth Ann had just turned 21 days old — surely a milestone for any ferret but a particularly…
Chip-based DNA testing wrong more than right for very rare variants
The chips used in some consumer DNA tests are very poor at accurately detecting rare genetic variants linked to cancer compared with full genome sequencing, but are good at detecting more common ones Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2267826-chip-based-dna-testing-wrong-more-than-right-for-very-rare-variants/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…
Devious sperm ‘poison’ their rivals, forcing them to swim in circles until they die
Mouse sperm carrying a genetic sequence called the t-haplotype will poison their competitors, then make an ‘antidote’ only for themselves, new research finds. Source: https://www.livescience.com/mouse-sperm-poison-t-haplotype.html
Accused Murderer Wins Right To Check Source Code of DNA Testing Kit
“A New Jersey appeals court has ruled that a man accused of murder is entitled to review proprietary genetic testing software to challenge evidence presented against him,” reports The Register. Long-time Slashdot reader couchslug shared their report: The maker of the software, Cybergenetics, has insisted in lower court proceedings that the program’s source code is a trade secret. The co-founder of…
Some mouse sperm try to sabotage rivals in race to fertilise the egg
Mouse sperm carrying a certain genetic variant known as the t haplotype move faster and straighter than others – and it turns out they are trying to sabotaging their rivals Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2266842-some-mouse-sperm-try-to-sabotage-rivals-in-race-to-fertilise-the-egg/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…
23andMe Is Going Public As It Pushes Further Into Healthcare
23andMe is becoming a publicly-traded company through a merger with Virgin’s VG Acquisition. Engadget reports: The deal values 23andMe at about $3.5 billion and should give the company the finances it wants to boost its personal healthcare and therapeutics plans. It should have over $900 million in cash, for instance. The merger is expected to close in the second quarter of…
Genetics leaves little doubt that humans wiped out passenger pigeons
Analysis of museum specimens shows the passenger pigeon and other North American birds were not in genetic decline before they vanished, suggesting their sudden extinction was down to humans Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2266486-genetics-leaves-little-doubt-that-humans-wiped-out-passenger-pigeons/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_content=home…