public health, genetics & genomics

Of the Hemiptera bugs, milkweed-chomping Oncopeltus fasciatus have hung onto more smell and taste receptors than their liquid-guzzling relatives.

A Minnesota-based company reports the sale of a soybean oil engineered to have greater stability and no trans-fat.

The fast-growing fish can now be raised and sold in the US, although it’s likely to be some time before the product hits the market.

The agritech industry is editing plant genomes to feed a growing population, expand the produce aisle, and make tastier, more convenient food products.

Selected Images of the Day from the-scientist.com

The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory researcher is fueled by curiosity about how one species’ genome can produce a wide variety of traits.

In kidney organoids, brain and muscle cells also develop.

While farmers have the green light to grow the genetically engineered plant, FDA approval is still needed before the seeds are sold as food.

Researchers believe the genetic locus affects the regulation of another gene involved in sexual function.

The NIH epidemiologist has worked to ensure genetic health and population genetics studies contain data from African—not just European—populations.

The cell type was discovered via single-cell RNA sequencing of thousands of cells in mouse and human airways and may play a role in cystic fibrosis.

A newly described species of shrimp, Odontonia bagginsi, has been named after Bilbo Baggins. 

They may be a prospective source for an influenza pandemic, researchers warn.  

Luna DNA, Nebula Genomics, and other “bio-brokers” will allow customers to make money by granting access to their genetic and personal information for research purposes.

Analyses of more than 300 ancient human genomes show that Hepatitis B virus has infected humans for at least 4,500 years and has much older origins than modern viral genomes would suggest.

The agency says it has taken various steps to ensure the privacy of participants’ data. 

A study of more than 450,000 people finds a certain genetic variant associated with eating more carbs is linked to a thicker waist and higher blood pressure, but less fat.  

Alterations to a protein involved in breathing may help explain some cases of sudden infant death syndrome, a study finds.

Rather, the breast cancer mutation screen was classified as a type of medical device with obligations for the company to reduce risks to customers.

Gene flow between elephant species was a common feature of their evolutionary history.