mutation

Covid-19 news: Drug-resistant mutation linked to a covid treatment

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By Michael Le Page, Clare Wilson, Jessica Hamzelou, Sam Wong, Graham Lawton, Adam Vaughan, Conrad Quilty-Harper, Jason Arunn Murugesu, Layal Liverpool, Carissa Wong, Alex Wilkins and Alexandra Thompson Laboratory culture system using VeroE6 cells tested negative for covid-19. Rockett et al, 2022 Latest coronavirus news as of 12pm 10 March The monoclonal antibody sotrovimab has … Read more

From Great Dane to Tiny Terrier, A Mutation Creates Enormous Variation in Dog Sizes

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From chihuahuas to great Danes, dogs differ more in size than any other mammal species on the planet. A mutation behind such variation has been traced to an unexpected source: ancient wolves. The mutation lies near a gene called IGF1, which researchers flagged 15 years ago as having a major role in the size variation of … Read more

Ageing: Gene variant found in centenarians may be linked to longer lifespan

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A rare variant of the SIRT6 gene increases DNA repair in human cells, and learning its effects could help to develop anti-ageing drugs Health 31 January 2022 By Michael Le Page A cake for a 100th birthday kajakiki/Getty Images A rare gene variant identified in people who have lived to 100 or more appears to … Read more

Wolves Already Had The Genetic Mutation to Turn Into Tiny Dogs 54,000 Years Ago

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One of the main genetic mutations responsible for small size in certain dog breeds, such as Pomeranians and Chihuahuas, evolved in dog relatives long before humans began breeding these miniature companions. Researchers discovered that the mutation can even be traced back to wolves that lived more than 50,000 years ago.   Researchers discovered the mutation, which is found in … Read more

How much more contagious could the coronavirus get?

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The coronavirus is evolving to become more transmissible, and eventually it could even overtake measles, the most contagious virus we know of Health 26 January 2022 By Alice Klein An illustration of SARS-CoV-2 Gerd Altmann/Pixabay Over the past two years, we have witnessed evolution in action, with new variants of the coronavirus becoming increasingly contagious. … Read more

New Evidence Challenges The Idea That Mutations Are Entirely Random

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It’s a common misconception that evolution has a sense of direction – a notion that biology nerds around the world are constantly trying to correct. But new research reveals there may be a semblance of truth to this misconception, at least more than we ever realized.   While it’s not as straightforward as mutation with … Read more

2022 news preview: What will the coronavirus do next?

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By Michael Le Page The delta variant, viewed using an electron microscope Steve Gschmeissner/Science Photo Library WE HAVE been watching evolution in action as one coronavirus variant after another emerges and triggers further waves of infections around the world. There is every reason to think this will continue during 2022 – and there is no … Read more

Cancer: Meat-eating mammals are more susceptible than herbivores

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Understanding why plant-eating mammals like antelopes and sheep are far less likely to die of cancer than carnivores may help protect us from cancer too Life 22 December 2021 By Alice Klein The kowari, a carnivorous marsupial, is particularly prone to cancer D. Parer & E. Parer-Cook/ Minden Pictures/Alamy Mammals that live on meat are … Read more

Heart disease: Rare mutation in Old Order Amish people may lower heart disease risk

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A genetic mutation may cause lower levels of cholesterol and a blood clotting protein associated with heart disease, and the hope is to design drugs that have the same effect Health 2 December 2021 By Michael Le Page CT scan of a human heart K H FUNG/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY A rare genetic mutation first identified in … Read more