Dna

18 Stories

Octopuses tweak the RNA in their brains to adjust to warmer and cooler waters

The California two-spot octopus can edit the RNA in its brain to produce different proteins as ocean temperatures fluctuate, a new study finds.
Ari Daniel
Why do some people get UTIs over and over? A new report holds clues

A new study looks at how urinary tract infections can affect DNA. And down the road that could lead to new treatments for the millions who get UTIs.
Max Barnhart
Why scientists dug up the father of genetics, Gregor Mendel, and analyzed his DNA

The year 2022 was the 200th anniversary of the birth of Gregor Mendel. He's known as the father of genetics, so scientists exhumed Mendel's body and examined his DNA.
Nell Greenfieldboyce
World

Genetic sequencing gives us the first-ever look at a Neanderthal clan

"You know, this image of Neanderthals being brutes, is not quite accurate," says paleogenticist Laurits Skov. "The more we learn about them, the more like humans they appear to be."
Geoff Brumfiel
How Black Death survivors gave their descendants an edge during pandemics

Up to 50% of Europeans died from the plague. Now a new study shows that those who lived had a protective gene mutation they passed on to bolster immunity — but it comes at a cost.
Michaeleen Doucleff
National

A discarded coffee cup may have just helped crack this decades-old murder case

David Sinopoli was charged Sunday in the 1975 killing of Lindy Sue Biechler. Investigators chased down leads for decades, but it wasn't until advanced DNA analysis was done that he became a suspect.
Wynne Davis
How DNA samples and genetic sleuths are solving WA cold cases

Modern day DNA sleuthing has solved two Washington rape cases from nearly two decades ago. Both cases had gone cold until local authorities received grants from the Attorney General’s office. That money allowed them to hire forensic genealogists to develop a list of potential suspects.
Austin Jenkins
Newly obtained DNA from WA sex offenders may help solve cold cases

‘I have a team of six or seven people who spend all their days going through multiple databases to identify who these folks are.’
Kim Malcolm

Andy Hurst
National

Police solve 1964 rape and murder of girl with help of DNA and a student

New technology and the help of a volunteer college student help solve what is believed to be the fourth-oldest cold case in the U.S. using genetic genealogy.
The Associated Press
Scientists vacuum zoo animals' DNA out of the air

Researchers who detected environmental DNA, or eDNA, in two zoos say the technique could one day be used to look for endangered species in remote locations in the wild.
Geoff Brumfiel

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