Epigenetics of Offspring Influenced by Parents’ Diets
What parents eat impact their children. The diets of parents affect how their children’s genes work in a process called epigenetics.
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Working Dogs Traded by Ancient Cultures?
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?
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The Effect of Exercise on Your Genes
Genes can be expressed in different ways, and new research suggests that exercise has a positive impact on gene expression and your health.
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Giant Virus Evolution Key to New Medical Nanotechnology
Research into the evolution of giant viruses is helping scientists to understand and harness the viruses for innovative medical nanotechnology.
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Is Depression In Our Genes?
Scientists suspect there is a biological basis for depression–it may even be coded for in our DNA. is depression in our genes?
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Unravel DNA with Citizen Science
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.
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Most of the Human Genome Isn’t Being Actively Studied
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…
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Is Height All In Our Genes?
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.…
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GMOs and the Risk to Our Genetic Heritage
In ancient Mexican corn varieties, a scientist detected the DNA signature of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Should we be concerned?
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How Do Big Sharks Beat Cancer?
Large sharks are known to heal rapidly and resist cancer. Could humans possibly learn how sharks do it and copy them?
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