Meet the cocaine-resistant mice
17 February, 2017Scientists have genetically engineered a mouse that does not become addicted to cocaine, adding to the growing field of evidence that suggests habitual drug use is more a matter of genetics and biochemistry than just poor judgement.
The genes that predict your risk of hair loss
15 February, 2017Researchers from the University of Edinburgh have identified almost 300 genetic regions involved in the common condition of male pattern baldness.
How the pitcher plant became predatory
14 February, 2017An international research team has sequenced the genome of the Australian pitcher plant and, in doing so, discovered a key to the mystery of how the plant became carnivorous.
Are you genetically susceptible to lung disease?
09 February, 2017 by Adam FloranceA collaborative study has identified 43 new genes that may help those individuals most susceptible to deadly lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, airway inflammation and airway narrowing.
A tall order: 83 new gene variants associated with height
03 February, 2017The Genetic Investigation of Anthropometric Traits (GIANT) consortium has uncovered 83 new DNA changes that affect human height.
New hope for untreatable muscular dystrophy
02 February, 2017 by Adam FloranceThe discovery of a gene that affects nose growth during embryonic development may hold the key to preventing a currently untreatable form of muscular dystrophy.
Making memories
24 January, 2017 by Lauren DavisResearchers have revealed the role of protein synthesis in encoding long-term memories — specifically, memories associated with fear of a specific environmental cue.
Mosquitoes genetically engineered to resist dengue
16 January, 2017After decades of research and countless control attempts, US scientists have successfully engineered mosquitoes that have an increased resistance to infection by dengue fever.
Clay nanoparticles provide chemical-free crop protection
13 January, 2017By combining clay nanoparticles with designer RNAs, researchers from The University of Queensland have developed a crop protection technique that is environmentally friendly, sustainable and, most importantly, effective.
Three-person IVF: mitochondrial donation approved in UK
16 December, 2016The United Kingdom has become the first country to officially authorise the clinical use of mitochondrial donation IVF to enable healthy babies to be born to women carrying deadly mitochondrial disease.
How our genes affect stress response
13 December, 2016 by Adam FloranceSouth Australian researchers are leading an international effort to determine how our genetic make-up affects our responses to stressful situations and the likelihood that this will lead to major depressive disorder (MDD).
Free bacterial genome assembly workshop
17 November, 2016QFAB Bioinformatics is holding a one-day workshop covering the concepts of de novo assembly and initial annotation of a bacterial genome from short-read next-generation sequencing (NGS) data.
How much Neanderthal DNA is in modern humans?
14 November, 2016As Homo sapiens migrated out of Africa, tens of thousands of years ago, many members of the species interbred with Neanderthals and Denisovans along the way. But what sort of effect has this interbreeding had on the DNA of modern humans?
The gene that determines plant sex
07 November, 2016Scientists have found that through the gene GAIA1, hormones are able to control the sex of plants.
'Stapled' protein proposed for cancer treatment
04 November, 2016Scientists have created a proteomimetic version of a naturally occurring protein called TPX2, which they claim could lead to a biological drug to treat cancer.
