The Human Dynasty

Humans were fiddling with climate thousands of years even before we started farming – if we had a hand in the extinction of woolly mammoths

A chip that can read DNA sequences in a fraction of the time promises to slash the cost of genome sequencing

(University of California – San Francisco) Americans with lung disease may face a far greater level of lung damage than either they or their doctor suspect, depending on their individual genetic heritage, according to a study to be released July 7. The research implications range from diagnosing the severity of asthma, to disability decisions or eligibility for lung transplants, researchers say.

Arm bone remains show that Neanderthals were unusually pumped up on male hormones, possibly due to an all-meat diet.

(Ohio State University) Scientists have designed a nanoparticle that appears to effectively deliver genetic material into cells with minimal toxic effects. In lab experiments, the researchers have found that this device, a vector, is able to deliver DNA deeply enough into a cell to allow genetic material to be activated — a critical step in gene therapy. This vector is between two and a half and 10 times more effective than other experimental materials, according to the research.

(Wellcome Trust) A pregnant mother’s diet may be able to interact with the genes her unborn child inherits and influence the type or severity of birth defect according to research funded by the Wellcome Trust and the British Heart Foundation. The study, published in the journal Human Molecular Genetics, suggests that mothers who eat a high fat diet before and through pregnancy could be inadvertently putting the health of their offspring at risk.

(University of Montreal) A team of researchers from the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer of the University of Montreal have made significant progress in the understanding of blood-producing (hematopoietic) stem cells. The study led by IRIC Chief Executive Officer and Scientific Director, Dr. Guy Sauvageau, identifies factors that control the production of hematopoietic stem cells. Published in the journal Cell Stem Cell, the research offers interesting insight critical to the development of novel regenerative therapies and treatments for leukemia.

Extroverts are born not made, they say. But what if we tailor our personalities to our surroundings to make the most of our genes?

Researchers from the University of Southampton working in Salisbury have identified a key gene, which, if mutated, can cause serious blood disorders.

Archaeologist Craig Lee unearthed a 10,000-year-old ancient hunting weapon in a melting ice patch in the Rocky Mountains.