Picture this: about 50, 000 years ago, humans and Neanderthals started mixing. This genetic exchange lasted for around 7, 000 years. Today, non-African humans carry about 1% to 2% Neanderthal DNA. This blend might have strengthened our immune systems and influenced our skin colors. But not all Neand
Ever wondered why some plants avoid self-pollination? Meet self-incompatibility (SI), a clever genetic trick that promotes cross-pollination. SI is like a bouncer at a plant party, letting in pollen from other plants but keeping its own pollen out. This happens thanks to a special gene called the S-
Imagine you're at a farm or a factory, looking for nasty bacteria like Clostridium perfringens in chicken products. This bug can make people sick, so finding it fast is super important. Scientists came up with a clever way to do that using something called helical loop-mediated isothermal amplificat
You know how plants have tiny pores on their leaves called stomata? These pores help plants breathe, but they also play a part in protecting them from pathogens. Interestingly, light can control how these stomata open and close. Blue or strong red light, for example, makes the pores open wider. Whil
Scientists took a deep dive into the genes of lung adenocarcinoma patients with adrenal metastases. They found that certain gene mutations, like TP53, EGFR, and KRAS, were common in both groups. But here's where it gets interesting: some unique gene changes, called rare variants, were more common in
In the heart of Japan, a quiet revolution is happening. More women are entering the world of sake brewing, once considered off-limits. Meet Mie Takahashi, a master brewer at Koten brewery in Nagano. She's one of just 33 female toji (master brewers) in Japan. Traditionally, sake making was a man's jo
Ever wondered if there are major differences in sports performance between boys and girls before puberty? Scientists took a close look at shot put, javelin throw, and long jump events from 2016 to 2023 in the USA Track and Field National Youth Outdoor Championships and National Junior Olympic Champi
Andre Iguodala, known for his 19-year NBA career and four championship rings with the Golden State Warriors, has dived into business the moment he retirement was announced. Unlike many athletes, he didn't just rest on his laurels. Iguodala has been quietly building his next chapter. Alongside co-fou
You might think General Motors (GM) is switching gears on self-driving cars. They've decided to stop funding the robotaxi business and combine Cruise, their self-driving car subsidiary, with their own projects. This means GM will focus on driver-assistance features and eventually fully autonomous pe
Imagine a tiny part of our DNA that's like a supervisor in a busy factory, telling cells what to do. This is the MYC gene, and it's crucial for cells to grow, change, and even keep our immune system on guard. But sometimes, this supervisor can go rogue, causing trouble in over 70% of human cancers.
