genes Archives

Working dogs of the Iamal-Nenets reindeer herding peoples from where the Samoyed dog breed originated. Photo courtesy of Robert Losey (LMU).

Working Dogs Traded by Ancient Cultures?

September 28, 2021September 28, 2021 Science Connecteddogs, genes

Dog people love their dogs, but did you know that in the Arctic, working canines were traded as valuable commodities at least 2,000 years ago?

Biology Genetics and Heredity Health

The Effect of Exercise on Your Genes

August 25, 2021October 5, 2021 Science Connectedepigenetics, exercise, genes, genetics

Genes can be expressed in different ways, and new research suggests that exercise has a positive impact on gene expression and your health.

Biology Genetics and Heredity Health

Is Depression In Our Genes?

March 31, 2021March 29, 2022 Science Connecteddepression, genes, genetics, public health

Scientists suspect there is a biological basis for depression–it may even be coded for in our DNA. is depression in our genes?

Citizen Science Genetics and Heredity SciStarter Blog

Unravel DNA with Citizen Science

March 27, 2020March 30, 2020 Science Connectedcitizen science, dna, genes, genetics

You can help collect data for studies of DNA by mailing researchers your dog’s saliva, samples of the forest floor, and even spiny anteater scat.

Biology Genetics and Heredity

Most of the Human Genome Isn’t Being Actively Studied

November 8, 2018April 3, 2021 Science Connectedgenes, genome, research

There are thousands of genes in the human genome. Why are some genes are studied over and over again, while others are neglected? By Katherine Lindemann Career incentives drive researchers away from understudied genes that could be important to human health. There are around 20,000 human protein-coding genes, but recent studies have suggested scientists actively study only about 2,000 of them. New research investigates why some genes are studied over and over again, while others are neglected. Its authors found that a genes’ medical significance—how likely it is they play a role…

Biology Science Videos

Is Height All In Our Genes?

October 5, 2018August 25, 2021 Science Connectedgenes, genetics

Dr. Joe Hanson is tall. Most of the people in his family are tall. Does that mean his son will be tall? Turns out the inheritance of height is a lot more complicated than we thought. Scientists know that nature (genes) and nurture (environment) both play a role, but after more than a century of questions, we’re only just now starting to get some answers. In this episode of It’s Okay to Be Smart, learn how the average height of humans changed over time due to agriculture, migration, and industry.…