Health Care
What Genetics Can—and Cannot—Reveal about an Individual’s COVID Risk
Genome-wide association studies can sleuth out genetic markers that raise or lower COVID risk, but they miss social factors
"Genetics"
Animals
From Great Dane to Tiny Terrier, a Mutation Creates Enormous Variation in Dog Sizes
A genetic change that evolved from ancient wolves can help make dogs giant or small
Biology
Inside the Ant Lab: Mutants and Social Genes
Social insects such as ants and bees often have complex societies, but understanding the genetics behind their social interactions can be difficult due to their complex lifecycles. This lab in New York hopes to investigate the genetics of ant social behavior by focusing on an unusual species: the clonal raider ant...
Genetic Engineering: Progress and Controversy
Genetic engineering, which refers to the direct manipulation of DNA, became a reality in the 1970s. In this eBook, we take a look at how far the field has come, starting with a revolutionary gene-editing tool called CRISPR that’s taking the research world by storm...
Biology
Crispr Cas9 HD final
Using the CRISPR–Cas9 system, scientists can do much more than gene editing—they can boost gene transcription or use fluorescent proteins to paint and track a chromosome. In this Nature Video animation, several innovative uses for CRISPR are outlined and explained. This video was reproduced with permission and was first published on October 31, 2017...
Medicine
Experimental Drug That Mutes Defective Genes Raises New Hopes
RNA interference systems would target genetic sources and shut down protein production
Medicine
To Advance Medicine’s Future, NIH Tries to Win the Trust of Mistreated Communities
The agency hopes to enroll 1 million people in its precision medicine effort
Biology
This Is Why Science Loves Twins
They help with tough issues like facial recognition technology and nature vs nurture
Health
The Human Genome Was Never Completely Sequenced
The effort completed in 2003 used the best technology available but now scientists could do more
Evolution
How Cats Leapt from the Wild to Our Sofas
Tamed cats spread across the globe beginning almost 10,000 years ago, becoming the rodent-killing helpers of early farmers, mariners and Vikings. This video was reproduced with permission and was first published on June 19, 2017...
Neuroscience
“A Feature, Not a Bug”: George Church Ascribes His Visionary Ideas to Narcolepsy
Projects at the famed biologist’s lab include DNA data storage and resurrecting the woolly mammoth
Health
Scientists Gather for Genome Writing Conference, but Funding Is Scarce
More than 250 attendees are meeting in New York City to discuss synthesizing genomes from scratch
Medicine
5 Ways Henrietta Lacks Changed Medical Science
The controversial history of her "immortal" cells will be the subject of an HBO movie
Biotech
Seeking Pig Organs for Human Transplants
Researchers want to employ CRISPR to solve a huge health care problem
Policy
House Republicans Would Let Employers Demand Workers’ Genetic Test Results
A controversial measure may be included in future healthcare reform
Evolution
Monkeys Can Make Stone Tools, Too
When these monkeys bang rocks together, they make stone flakes that resemble those archaeologists believe humans made two million to three million years ago. This video was reproduced with permission and was first published on October 19, 2016...
Environment
Policing Seafood with DNA
A federal task force should look seriously at investing in genomic methods that allow the simultaneous study of multiple genes
Health
Caution Urged over Editing DNA in Wildlife
Rapid alteration of gene pools could fight disease—and harm ecosystems
Health
Doctors, Parents Try to Unravel SCN8A Gene's Role in Epilepsy
One year ago there were a dozen known cases of children with a mutation on the SCN8A gene; now, there are more than 90
Environment
The Last 3 Bornean Rhinos Are in a Race against Extinction
Is there any hope of saving the Bornean rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis harrissoni) from extinction? Sadly, the chances of that happening seem to grow slimmer and slimmer.
