ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
mole rat, environmental DNA, eDNA, airborne DNA, Techniques, Ecology & Environment, biomonitoring, field monitoring, mammals, genetics & genomics
Environmental DNA Can Be Pulled from the Air
Amanda Heidt | Apr 7, 2021 | 4 min read
A proof-of-concept study uses eDNA in the air to detect mammals, expanding the technique beyond aquatic sampling.
whitefly horizontal gene transfer plant animal virus crop pest agriculture BtPMaT1 Bemisia tabaci
First Report of Horizontal Gene Transfer Between Plant and Animal
Emma Yasinski | Mar 25, 2021 | 3 min read
Whiteflies overcome a toxin in plants they eat through the use of the plant’s own genetic protection, likely ferried from plant to insect millions of years ago by a virus.
2020 end of year roundup science news wildfire pandemic coronavirus covid-19 salivary glands tubarial mitochondria in blood neanderthal dna in african genome first blood test for alzheimer's inclusivity black in x stem
The Biggest Science News of 2020
Kerry Grens | Dec 23, 2020 | 6 min read
Neanderthal DNA surprises in modern humans, the first blood test for Alzheimer’s, a discovery of new human salivary glands, and, oh yeah, a pandemic
twins autism asd behavior autism spectrum disorder genetics environment sweden
Environmental Factors Don’t Explain Rise in Autism Prevalence
Peter Hess | May 22, 2020 | 3 min read
A large twin study in Sweden finds genetics has a much larger influence on the odds of an autism diagnosis, and has remained consistent over time.
Sowing Seeds of Change
The Scientist | Mar 1, 2020 | 1 min read
Watch Profilee Joanne Chory deliver a TED talk on her project to breed climate change–busting plants.
Genetics Models Move Beyond Drosophila and the Humble Lab Mouse
Amber Dance | Sep 1, 2019 | 8 min read
Organisms with unusual genomes are helping scientists investigate gene regulation, evolution, and development.
mouse microbiome
Mouse Genetics Shape the Gut Microbiome More than Their Environment
Nicoletta Lanese | Aug 6, 2019 | 3 min read
Neither the maternal microbiome nor housing conditions appear to permanently alter which microbes remain in the animals.
atlantic killifish Fundulus heteroclitus
Killifish Survive Polluted Waters Thanks to Genes from Another Fish
Emma Yasinski | May 6, 2019 | 4 min read
Gulf killifish have made a stunning comeback in Houston with the help of genetic mutations imported from interspecies mating with Atlantic killifish.
Opinion: GE Crops Are Seen Through a Warped Lens
Rod A. Herman, Nicholas P. Storer, and Bryan Delaney | Feb 1, 2019 | 3 min read
Risks that pertain to all manner of new crops are often misattributed to genetic engineering. This distorts the public’s view of the technology.
Cities Can Serve as Cauldrons of Evolution
Catherine Offord | Jan 1, 2019 | 10+ min read
From changes in gene flow to adaptation, the effects of urbanization are shaping the evolutionary trajectories of plants and animals.
Caught on Camera
The Scientist Staff | Oct 1, 2018 | 2 min read
Selected Images of the Day from the-scientist.com
Image of the Day: Ocean Wonder
Sukanya Charuchandra | Sep 4, 2018 | 1 min read
Molecules similar to those produced by sea anemones are neuroprotective in a mouse cell model of Alzheimer’s disease.
Image of the Day: Koala Code
Sukanya Charuchandra | Jul 3, 2018 | 1 min read
Scientists have sequenced the koala’s genome.
Deadly Wasting Syndrome Genetically Altered Sea Stars: Study
Sukanya Charuchandra | Jun 19, 2018 | 1 min read
The surviving animals may have evolved genes that provided an advantage in fighting the disease.  
Opinion: How We Found a New Way to Detect “Hidden Sharks”
Judith Bakker and Stefano Mariani | May 7, 2018 | 4 min read
Given the speed and efficiency of environmental (eDNA) sampling, a much larger portion of the sea can be screened, in a shorter time, for patterns of diversity.
Environment, Not Genetics, Primarily Shapes Microbiome Composition
Jim Daley | Feb 28, 2018 | 3 min read
Including microbiome composition in predictions of whether a person is obese can significantly improve their accuracy, according to an analysis.
Photos of the Year
Katarina Zimmer | Dec 24, 2017 | 2 min read
From a plastic-munching coral to see-through frogs, here are The Scientist’s favorite images from 2017.
First Genetic Screen of Pigs Using ENU
Ashley Yeager | Jul 14, 2017 | 3 min read
Using the mutagenic chemical N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, researchers confirm the role of a gene in a piglet deformity and identify potential models for human diseases. 
No Place to Hide
Claire Asher | May 31, 2017 | 7 min read
Environmental DNA is tracking down difficult-to-detect species, from rock snot in the U.S. to cave salamanders in Croatia.
Cephalopod Genomes Contain Thousands of Conserved RNA Editing Sites
Abby Olena, PhD | Apr 6, 2017 | 3 min read
Octopus, cuttlefish, and squid extensively edit messenger RNAs in an evolutionarily conserved process. 
ADVERTISEMENT