Heart muscles growing too thick is a big problem. It's called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM for short. It's not just one thing causing it. Genes, where you live, how you live, and what you're around can all play a part. Scientists have been digging into this for a while. They know one gene, MYBPC3, is a big deal in HCM. But they wanted to find more. So, they l...
Imagine trying to solve a complex puzzle where some pieces look almost identical but have tiny differences. That's what scientists are up against when studying LILRB3 and LILRA6, two genes that are part of a larger family called Leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptors (LILRs). These genes are found on chromosome 19 and are known for their tricky genetic makeup. LILR...
Ever wondered if the age of a father can affect the mental health of his children? Well, it turns out that there might be a link between a father's age and the risk of mental health issues in his kids. The idea is that as men get older, their sperm can accumulate more mutations. These mutations, known as de novo mutations (DNMs), are not in...
Have you ever wondered how fish survive in different types of water? Scientists have been studying this adaptation in Eurasian perch. They looked at the genes of perch from 42 different populations using whole-genome sequencing. By comparing individuals and pooled samples, they found over 2, 600 gene variations that help perch adapt to both humic (brown) and clear wa...
Alaska's red king crabs, known for their massive size and delicious meat, are not just beloved seafood but also a vital resource for many communities. These crabs live in the rich and icy waters of the North Pacific, facing threats like climate change and overfishing. To better understand and protect these crustaceans, scientists examined their genetic makeup using a...