ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

evolution, genetics & genomics

How Hummingbirds Taste Nectar
Ruth Williams | Aug 21, 2014 | 3 min read
Hummingbirds perceive sweetness through a receptor with which other vertebrates taste savory foods. 
Prepped for the Long Sleep
Jyoti Madhusoodanan | Jul 30, 2014 | 3 min read
Hibernation-related proteins are common even in non-hibernating animals, a study shows.
Inherited Intelligence
Ruth Williams | Jul 10, 2014 | 3 min read
Cognitive testing in chimpanzee pedigrees reveals a genetic basis for intelligence.
Week in Review: June 16–20
Tracy Vence | Jun 20, 2014 | 2 min read
Early Neanderthal evolution; developing antivirals to combat polio; the mouth and skin microbiomes; insect-inspired, flight-stabilizing sensors
Week in Review: March 3–7
Tracy Vence | Mar 7, 2014 | 3 min read
The gene behind a butterfly’s mimicry; the evolution of adipose fins; bacteria and bowel cancer; plants lacking plastid genomes
Week in Review: February 10–14
Tracy Vence | Feb 14, 2014 | 3 min read
First Ancient North American genome; cannabinoids connect hunger with olfaction and eating; biotechs explore crowdfunding; confronting creationism
New River Dolphin
Abby Olena, PhD | Jan 27, 2014 | 2 min read
DNA sequencing study reveals a new river dolphin species in South America.
Drosophila’s New Genes
Jef Akst | Jan 23, 2014 | 3 min read
An analysis of the transcriptomes of several fruit fly strains reveals dozens of possible de novo genes in each.
Speaking of Science
The Scientist | Jan 1, 2014 | 2 min read
January 2014's selection of notable quotes
Top Genomes of 2013
Abby Olena, PhD | Dec 25, 2013 | 4 min read
What researchers learned as they dug through the most highly cited genomes published this year
On The Origin of Flowers
Ed Yong | Dec 19, 2013 | 4 min read
The genome of Amborella trichopoda—the sister species of all flowering plants—provides clues about this group’s rise to power.
The Mating Habits of Early Hominins
Ruth Williams | Dec 18, 2013 | 3 min read
A newly sequenced Neanderthal genome provides insight into the sex lives of human ancestors.
Week in Review: November 18–22
Tracy Vence | Nov 22, 2013 | 4 min read
Chilly mice develop more tumors; gut bacteria aid cancer treatment; two Y chromosome genes sufficient for assisted reproduction; HIV’s “invisibility cloak”
It Takes Two
Jef Akst | Nov 21, 2013 | 3 min read
Two genes from the Y chromosome are sufficient to generate male mice capable of fathering healthy offspring via an assisted reproductive technique.
Week in Review: November 11–15
Tracy Vence | Nov 15, 2013 | 3 min read
Combating bacterial persistence; ancient canine evolution; T cells and transplants; sharing omics data and code
Origin of Domestic Dogs
Ed Yong | Nov 14, 2013 | 3 min read
New analysis suggests that domestic dogs evolved from European wolves that interacted with human hunter-gatherers.
How, If, and Why Species Form
Tim Rogers, Alan J. McKane, and Axel G. Rossberg | Nov 1, 2013 | 4 min read
Biologists have struggled for centuries to properly define what constitutes a “species.” They may have been asking the wrong question—many smaller organisms might not form species at all.
The Ultimate Wingman
Tracy Vence | Nov 1, 2013 | 4 min read
Differential gene expression between dominant and subordinate male turkeys could help evolutionary biologists deconstruct the roots of sexual dimorphism.
Yoav Gilad: Gene Regulator
Chris Palmer | Oct 1, 2013 | 3 min read
Professor, Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago. Age: 38
Week in Review: September 2–6
Tracy Vence | Sep 6, 2013 | 3 min read
More than 320,000 mammalian viruses lurk; evolution of echolocation in bats and dolphins; accumulation of mutations in drug-resistant tuberculosis; senior researchers reluctant to retire
ADVERTISEMENT