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Dogs of various breeds running in a field with trees in the background.
They’re All (Potentially) Good Dogs
Research finds that a dog’s behavior has little to do with its genes.
They’re All (Potentially) Good Dogs
They’re All (Potentially) Good Dogs

Research finds that a dog’s behavior has little to do with its genes.

Research finds that a dog’s behavior has little to do with its genes.

genetics & genomics, behavior

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.
Book Excerpt from Pleased to Meet Me
Bill Sullivan | Sep 1, 2019 | 5 min read
In Chapter 6, author Bill Sullivan explains how irrational fears can be passed down through transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.
Contributors
The Scientist | Sep 1, 2019 | 3 min read
Meet some of the people featured in the September 2019 issue of The Scientist.
Can Genetics Explain Human Behavior?
Bill Sullivan | Sep 1, 2019 | 3 min read
The author of a new book about emerging concepts in human genetics considers the question.
same sex sexual behavior homosexual heterosexual genetics gwas
Giant Study Helps Clarify Role of Genes in Same-Sex Sex
Emma Yasinski | Aug 29, 2019 | 3 min read
The largest study of its kind to date estimates that genetics accounts for at most 8–25 percent of variation in whether or not a person reports engaging in non-heterosexual behaviors.
c elegans transgenerational epigenetic inheritance behavior neuron genetics
Worm Parents Pass on Behaviors Epigenetically to Offspring
Katarina Zimmer | Jun 7, 2019 | 7 min read
Two research groups demonstrate that in Caenorhabditis elegans, behavioral traits can be passed down through the germline to future generations, even though they aren’t hard-wired.
Nicotine’s Effects Passed On Through Generations of Mice
Kerry Grens | Oct 16, 2018 | 2 min read
Male rodents exposed to nicotine had changes in sperm genome methylation and produced pups and grandpups with abnormal behavior.
Contributors
Jef Akst and Bob Grant | Nov 1, 2017 | 3 min read
Meet some of the people featured in the November 2017 issue of The Scientist.
Genes Tied to Wasps Recognizing Faces
Ashley P. Taylor | Jun 14, 2017 | 4 min read
The brains of Polistes paper wasps express different genes when identifying faces than when distinguishing between simple patterns, a study finds.
Genes’ Composition Guides More-Optimal Diets
Ruth Williams | Jun 1, 2017 | 2 min read
Fruit flies and mice grow better and eat less when the amino acid balance of their food reflects that coded by their exomes.
Infographic: Cook Up an Exome-Based Diet
Ruth Williams | May 31, 2017 | 1 min read
See how scientists designed food with amino acid compositions based on protein-coding regions in the genomes of mice and fruit flies.
Supergene Explains Ruff Mating
Jef Akst | Nov 18, 2015 | 2 min read
Two sequencing studies reveal the genetics underlying the sexual behavior of the European and Asian birds.
Epigenetic Marks Tied to Homosexuality
Kerry Grens | Oct 8, 2015 | 2 min read
In a small study of male twins, nine methylation sites helped researchers predict a person’s sexual orientation.
The Evolution of Social Bees
Ruth Williams | May 14, 2015 | 3 min read
Scientists describe the genetic changes associated with solitary-to-social transitions throughout bee evolution.
Zeroing in on the “Gay Gene”
Bob Grant | Nov 19, 2014 | 2 min read
The largest study yet of the genetic roots of homosexuality links sexual preference in men to two regions of the genome.
Week in Review: September 23–27
Tracy Vence | Sep 27, 2013 | 4 min read
Antibiotic cycling makes a comeback in the lab; how life scientists can learn from astronauts; napping to conquer fears; deconstructing the cancer R&D crisis
Surprising Similarities in Divergent Genomes
Ruth Williams | Sep 4, 2013 | 3 min read
Researchers find genome-wide evidence of convergent evolution between bats and dolphins.
Week in Review: August 19–23
Tracy Vence | Aug 23, 2013 | 3 min read
The importance of smORFs; America Invents Act and innovation in biotech; birds adjust their behavior to avoid cars; in defense of fundamental science
Smoking, Taxes, and Genes
Bob Grant | Dec 14, 2012 | 1 min read
New research suggests that some smokers may carry a gene variant that makes them less likely to quit simply because cigarette taxes are raised.
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