Not every new animal is discovered in the jungle or rainforest: A new species of snake was discovered in a museum after being ignored by researchers for years. Levitonius mirus, also known as the Waray dwarf burrowing snake, is native to the Philippines. But specimens of the snake sent to the University of Kentucky were … Read more
The corn on your holiday table may have more in common with ancient wild varieties from South America than the domesticated version believed to have originated in southwestern Mexico. It’s long been assumed domesticated maize traveled south from Central America, but a new study suggests the trade actually went in both directions. DNA analysis of … Read more
Form of hereditary blindness can be cured in BOTH eyes ‘by injecting modified DNA into one of them’ to fix a faulty genetic mutation, study finds Researchers injected modified DNA into the back on one eye of a LHON patient In 78 per cent of cases, blindness was cured in both eyes, the researchers found Jab … Read more
DNA belonging to Denisovans – the ancient human ancestor – discovered in a Tibetan cave may be only 45,000 years old, scientists say. The ancient Denisovan mitochondrial DNA was recovered in sediments from Baishiya Karst Cave, a limestone cave at the northeast margin of the Tibetan Plateau, 3,280 meters above sea level. Samples indicate Denisovans … Read more
DNA – deoxyribonucleic acid – is widely known as the molecule found in the nucleus of all our cells that contains genetic information. It is shaped like a double-helix and made of small sections called nucleotides. Each nucleotide contains a nucleobase, a sugar, and a phosphate group. The sugar component in this particular molecule is … Read more
Tumble dryer lint can cause damage to the gills, liver and DNA of a popular species of mussel, according to a new study. UK scientists exposed the Mediterranean mussel (mytilus galloprovincialis), which is caught for human consumption, to different amounts of lint over seven days. Increasing the quantity of lint resulted in more abnormalities within … Read more
Tumble dryer lint can cause damage to the gills, liver and DNA of a popular species of mussel, according to a new study. UK scientists exposed the Mediterranean mussel (mytilus galloprovincialis), which is caught for human consumption, to different amounts of lint over seven days. Increasing the quantity of lint resulted in more abnormalities within … Read more
One of the most coveted and recognisable dogs, the labradoodle, may actually be a ‘monster,’ says the breed’s alleged progenitor. According to Wally Conron, an Australia native is often said to be the first person to breed the labradoodle —a cross between a poodle and a Labrador —the dog opened up a ‘Pandora’s Box.’ ‘I … Read more
For the first time scientists have successfully cloned a Przewalski’s horse, the world’s last remaining breed of truly wild horses. Named Kurt, the foal was born to a surrogate, a domestic mare, on August 6 at Timber Creek Veterinary in Canyon, Texas. His sire, a Przewalski stallion named Kuporovic, had DNA samples taken and preserved … Read more
A hiker came across a surprising sight in a remote area of the Italian Alps – the preserved remains of a 400-year-old goat. With only half of its body sticking out of the ice, Hermann Oberlechner said the animal’s skin ‘looked like leather, completely hairless.’ Oberlechner had hiked six hours into the mountains, so an … Read more