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Early ancestors of cows and pigs had legs with five toes, just like humans. So what changed? Scientists at the University of Basel in Switzerland believe they have the answer. They’ve identified a gene regulatory switch that played an important role in the evolutionary changes in the limbs of members of a group of large […]
Living Microorganisms Found High Above Earth
Scientists have discovered a considerable number of living microorganisms, including bacteria, in the middle to upper regions of the troposphere, the region of our atmosphere that’s about seven to 20 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology said their findings might help other scientists learn more about the role microorganisms […]
A Woman’s Drive to be Thin May be in Her Genes
While cultural and societal factors have long been thought to influence how women see themselves in the mirror, a new study in Michigan has revealed that genetics may also play a role in making some women more vulnerable to the pressure of being thin. Many people today, especially women, have taken the modern axiom, “Thin […]
Ancient Dog Mystery Remains Unsolved
Exactly where man’s best friend came from remains a mystery. Thousands of years of cross-breeding have made it difficult for scientists to trace the ancient genetic roots of today’s dogs. Still, British researchers gave it a try. They recently compared genetic data from 1,375 modern-day dogs, from 35 different breeds, to global archeological records of […]