Human Genetics Features
Can understanding epigenetics help stave off 6th mass species extinction?
Species are disappearing from our planet at an alarming rate, can understanding how they regulate their genes help us save ...
Longevity is increasing: Can we extend our lifespan, one gene at a time?
How much do "good genes" matter? In some countries, average lifespan is creeping towards 90. New research is beginning to ...
ACLU to Myriad Genetics: Patients, not companies, own personal genetic data
Myriad Genetics is back in another legal dispute. This time it's in hot water for denying patients a portion of ...
Media again mangles epigenetics: Shutting off ‘love hormone’ unlikely to make us less social
LA Times coverage of a study involving the 'moral molecule' overstates the science of epigenetics ...
Discovery of stalagmites, burned bones provides insights into pre-modern Neanderthal culture
A new cache of artifacts found in a French cave are evidence of a rich Neanderthal culture and a reminder ...
Genetic test can predict Alzheimer’s disease risk in teens, but how accurate is it?
A new test predicts Alzheimer's disease risk in young people, but experts question how accurate it really is ...
Mosquito mysteries: Genetics of bite vulnerability
Scientists think there is a genetic component to who gets bitten most, but popular reports ignore a slew of other ...
Rhesus macaques provide scientists with model to study Zika, could lead to vaccine, treatments
Our fight against the Zika virus may have gotten a big lift with the announcement of a working primate model ...
Do GMO mosquitoes designed to eradicate Zika pose unique environmental risks?
Could we live without mosquitos? Maybe, but something else might take their place ...
Microbe genes key to minimizing environmental damage from Deepwater Horizon spill
Bacteria were instrumental in cleaning up the largest oil spill in world history. Does this mean a future for microbes ...
Does CRISPR clinical trial on humans proposal bring more questions than answers?
Researchers have proposed the first human trials involving CRISPR gene editing. Is this really a landmark moment for human genetics? ...
Swan song for antibiotics? Can phage therapy and gene editing fill the gap?
Antibiotics revolutionized medicine, but nature has found a work around. What tools are left for scientists? ...
What can sequencing da Vinci’s genome teach us about genius?
A team of scientists wants to sequence Leonardo da Vinci’s genome using DNA taken from his works of art and ...
Did Interbreeding with humans give dwindling Neanderthals new lease on life?
Did ancient human's arrival in Europe actually help Neanderthals and not hurt them as most popular theories suggest? ...
Creating a synthetic human–Do science and ethics collide?
A controversy over a 'closed' meeting of 150 scientists discussing the latest research into synthetic biology in humans has sparked ...
SynBio tobacco plant that produces vital malaria drug met with skepticism by scientists
A vital—yet hard to manufacture—malaria drug can now be made easily via transgenic tobacco plants, yet many scientists are underwhelmed ...
Eve of Mars colonization: Moon as test base for pregnancy in fractional gravity
Before anyone attempts pregnancy on Mars, we need to be sure if that would work, but recently NASA announced plans ...
How our brains respond to mass shootings
Hollywood and the US government tend to share unrealistic scenarios for avoiding mass shootings. Neither accounts for how our brains ...
Janet Jackson pregnant at 50: Should aging moms and dads facing pregnancy worry?
Janet Jackson and her husband are now part of a growing trend of older parents, conventional wisdom says they should ...
Gene driving to combat insect-borne diseases: Powerful tool requiring science diplomacy
Gene drives raise ethical and practical concerns. What are the communication challenges? ...
Why men like women’s curves: How big a role has evolution played?
Evidence has been building in support of the belief that sexual attraction is hardwired, linked to evolution. But the case ...
‘3 person IVF’ closer to reality as cure for mitochondrial diseases
Scientists in the UK have taken a major step forward in perfecting '3 person IVF' embryos—a major step towards curing ...
Experts split on whether current regulations can handle coming synthetic biology boom
As synthetic biology innovations make their way to market, questions arise on how these innovations will be regulated ...
Jon Entine on why ‘race’ matters in shaping the world’s elite athletes
With the Olympic Games on the horizon, Jon Entine explores why so many sports seem to be dominated by particular ...
Autoimmune diseases: Why our body sometimes turns on itself
Scientists have discovered how a gene mutation can lead to diseases that occur when the immune system attacks the body ...
Proposal for second Human Genome Project draws mix of criticism and acclaim
A group of scientists have proposed a bold plan to build the human genome from scratch that could greatly benefit ...
It’s not cancer: Removing cancer label from some conditions may greatly improve care
A common thyroid tumor is reclassified as ‘not cancer.’ Will our growing knowledge cancer genetics lead to more reclassifications? ...