Drug-free cannabis plant comes closer to realitySeptember 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists have come closer to engineering drug-free cannabis plant after identifying genes that produce psychoactive substance in marijuana. University of Minnesota researchers have identified genes producing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive substance in marijuana, which could lead to new and better drugs for pain, nausea and other conditions.
What makes us uniquely humanSeptember 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a remarkable piece of detective work, scientists working at Trinity College Dublin have discovered three genes that are unique to humans. In the study published online in Genome Research, boffins have made a crucial discovery of genes that have evolved in humans after branching off from other primates.
Scientists isolate genes that imbue us with uniquely human traitsSeptember 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Humans and chimpanzees are genetically very similar yet clearly distinct in many ways. Scientists have isolated genes that evolved in humans after branching off from other primates, making us uniquely human.
Variations in dogs coat types result from variations in just 3 genesAugust 27th, 2009 Three genes combine for 7 coat types in dogsWASHINGTON — From short to shaggy, nearly all the differences in dogs' coat types result from variations in just three genes, according to researchers studying how genes work together. "What's important for human health is the way we found the genes involved in dog coats and figured out how they work together, rather than the genes themselves," said Dr.
Bizarre bald bird discovered in LaosJuly 30th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society and University of Melbourne have discovered an odd songbird with a bald head living in a rugged region in Laos. Dubbed the "Bare-faced Bulbul" because of the lack of feathers on its face and part of its head, it is the only example of a bald songbird in mainland Asia, according to scientists.
Male sex chromosome on way to extinctionJuly 17th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The sex chromosome that only males carry is deteriorating and could disappear within a few million years. A pair of Penn State University (PSU) scientists discovered that the male Y chromosome evolved at a much more rapid pace than X chromosome, which both males and females carry.
Male sex chromosome facing extinction due to rapid evolutionJuly 17th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new research has revealed that the sex chromosome that only males carry is deteriorating and could disappear within a few million years. Scientists at Penn State University (PSU) found that the male Y chromosome evolved at a much more rapid pace than X chromosome, which both males and females carry.
Are genes behind musicians' pitch recognition skill?July 3rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Practice makes perfect in music, but fresh evidence thrown up by research shows that for aspiring musicians, genes may also influence the outcome. Perfect pitch, also known as absolute pitch, is the rare ability to recognise and name musical notes without any reference pitch for comparison, detecting, for instance, A before middle C.
Rock-solid self-confidence is in the genesJuly 2nd, 2009 LONDON - If you always attributed a rock-solid self-confidence to upbringing and other environmental factors then better think again, for an unshakeable self belief is in the genes, according to a new study. The psychiatrists behind the study say that the ability to perform under pressure is more than a state of mind, and that some people are just born with it.
Genes that affect aggression in fruit flies identifiedJune 11th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists have identified a set of genes that affect aggression in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. By studying male flies from a large panel of lines, which each carry a mutation in a single gene but are otherwise genetically identical, researchers identified particularly angry and particularly placid insects, uncovering 59 mutations in 57 genes that affect aggressive behaviour.
Different genes cause loss of body parts in similar fishJune 5th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new research has shown that different genes can cause loss of body parts in similar fish, by comparing how 2 species of sticklebacks lost pelvises and body armor. The research, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF)'s Divisions of Environmental Biology and Integrative Organismal Systems, shows that when two species of stickleback fish evolved and lost their pelvises and body armor, different genes in each species caused the changes.
Old genes can learn new tricksMay 12th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Indiana University Bloomington researchers have challenged the age-old belief among evolutionary biologists that fundamental genes do not acquire new functions, reporting that two ancient genes were "co-opted" to help build a new trait in beetles - the fancy antlers that give horned beetles their name. Biologist Armin Moczek and research associate Debra Rose say that the genes, Distal-less and homothorax, touch most aspects of insect larval development, and have, therefore, been considered off-limits to the evolution of new traits.
Genes that protect against aging identifiedApril 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON - University of Liverpool researchers have developed a novel method to help scientists identify genes that can help protect the body during the ageing process. The team developed a method of analysing genes in multiple ageing tissue types in both animals and humans.
Scientists identify genes that determine right warfarin doseMarch 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers at Uppsala University, together with colleagues at Karolinska Institute and Sanger Institute, have identified three genes that would help determine the optimal dose of blood-thinning drug warfarin. The team led by Mia Wadelius have come across three genes VKORC1, CYP2C9, and CYP4F2 that would help determine adequate warfarin dosage.
Genes linked to spinal disc degeneration identifiedMarch 14th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers from University of Alberta have identified certain genes responsible for spinal disc degeneration. Michele Crites-Battie and Tapio Videman, in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, have discovered eight genes linked to lumbar disc degeneration.
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