Drinking orange juice every day might do more than just quench your thirst. A recent study suggests it could tweak how certain genes work, especially those related to heart health and metabolism. But before you rush to the fridge, let's break down what this really means. Researchers gathered 20 healthy adults and had them drink about two cups of pure orange juice da...
A young mammoth named Yuka died 40, 000 years ago in Siberia. Its body was frozen in the permafrost, keeping it well-preserved. Scientists recently studied Yuka's leg tissue and found something amazing: RNA, the oldest ever sequenced. RNA is like a messenger in cells. It tells them what to do based on the instructions in DNA. By studying Yuka's RNA, scientists could...
Deep in the Siberian permafrost, a young woolly mammoth named Yuka lay frozen for roughly 40, 000 years. In 2010, tusk hunters found Yuka's remarkably preserved body, with skin, muscle tissue, and even hair still intact. Scientists were thrilled, as Yuka's DNA was in such good shape that some cell nuclei could start limited activity when placed in mouse eggs. However...
In Guinea-Bissau, a country rich in biodiversity but struggling with poverty and illegal wildlife trade, a new approach is being tested to protect its animals. The idea is to use small, cheap labs and DNA codes to identify species and train locals. This could be a big deal for a place like Guinea-Bissau, where big labs and experts are hard to find. The plan is simpl...
Colon cancer is a big deal. It's a complex disease. Many things can cause it. Food, surroundings, and genes all play a role. They can lead to long-term inflammation. This inflammation can start with bowel disease. It can end with cancer. But how do these factors work together? And what's next in research? First, let's talk about food. What we eat matters. Some foods...
Denisovans, long-gone relatives of modern humans, left a lasting mark on our DNA. Their genes are still present in people from East and Southeast Asia. But how did the places they lived shape our ability to fight off diseases? That's the question scientists set out to answer. They looked at three spots where Denisovans once lived. These places had cold winters and w...
Tomatoes, like many plants, have a fascinating way of blooming. It's not just one gene that makes this happen. Instead, it's a team of genes working together. Scientists dove into this topic. They wanted to understand how three important genes in tomatoes help them flower. First, they looked at the genes MC, FUL2, and MBP20. These genes are part of a larger group ca...
In the summer, a jeans ad featuring actress Sydney Sweeney sparked a heated debate. The ad, by American Eagle, showed Sweeney in revealing jeans and a jacket, making jokes about genes and jeans. Some viewers thought the ad was making a statement about race, linking it to past comments by Donald Trump about "bad genes" in immigrants. Others argued that people were ove...
Ever wondered why some people get acne and others don't? It might have something to do with their genes and their work schedule. A recent study took a closer look at gas station workers and found some interesting stuff about acne and genes related to body clocks. Two genes, MTNR1A and CLOCK, play a big role in keeping our bodies on a schedule. They help control thin...
Tomatoes are a big deal, especially in California. They're used in lots of foods, but there's a tiny enemy causing big problems. These are called root-knot nematodes, or RKNs for short. They're like little worms that attack tomato plants. Farmers have been using a special gene called Mi-1 to fight these worms. But guess what? Some worms have found a way to beat this ...