16-Apr-2026
Elephant #genomes reveal a past of continental connectivity and a future of increasing isolation
In the largest genomic mapping of #Africa's #elephants, an international team of researchers shows that elephant history is defined by the ability to move across large distances and exchange genes throughout the African continent.

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1123633

#science #ecology #conservation

Elephant genomes reveal a past of continental connectivity and a future of increasing isolation

In the largest genomic mapping of Africa's elephants, an international team of researchers shows that elephant history is defined by the ability to move across large distances and exchange genes throughout the African continent. But as the elephants’ living space is becoming increasingly patchy, the study documents the visible genetic consequences of isolation – and points to approaches that help to incorporate genomics into current and future elephant conservation.

EurekAlert!

Evolutionary Insights Into Longevity And Cognition Provided By Parrot Genomes

"Analysis of the genome of an Amazon parrot and 26 other birds revealed a large number of similar mutations in genes associated with longevity, larger brains and advanced cognitive abilities"

#SciComm by @grrlscientist

#longevity #cognition #parrots #genomes https://grrlscientist.medium.com/evolutionary-insights-into-longevity-and-cognition-provided-by-parrot-genomes-1946856df696

Evolutionary Insights Into Longevity And Cognition Provided By Parrot Genomes

"Analysis of the genome of an Amazon parrot and 26 other birds revealed a large number of similar mutations in genes associated with longevity, larger brains and advanced cognitive abilities"

#SciComm by @GrrlScientist

#longevity #cognition #parrots #genomes https://grrlscientist.medium.com/evolutionary-insights-into-longevity-and-cognition-provided-by-parrot-genomes-1946856df696

Evolutionary Insights Into Longevity And Cognition Provided By Parrot Genomes

"Analysis of the genome of an Amazon parrot and 26 other birds revealed a large number of similar mutations in genes associated with longevity, larger brains and advanced cognitive abilities"

#SciComm by @GrrlScientist

#longevity #cognition #parrots #genomes https://grrlscientist.medium.com/evolutionary-insights-into-longevity-and-cognition-provided-by-parrot-genomes-1946856df696

Evolutionary Insights Into Longevity And Cognition Provided By Parrot Genomes

"Analysis of the genome of an Amazon parrot and 26 other birds revealed a large number of similar mutations in genes associated with longevity, larger brains and advanced cognitive abilities"

#SciComm by @grrlscientist

#longevity #cognition #parrots #genomes https://grrlscientist.medium.com/evolutionary-insights-into-longevity-and-cognition-provided-by-parrot-genomes-1946856df696

#Archaeology is a driver of scientific innovation. Rather than being a perceived financial burden, it is actually a high-value investment that can improve human health and environmental sustainability.
We can use ancient #genomes to understand the genetic origins of diseases like MS or the evolution of the plague to develop new treatments.
Sequencing ancient plant #DNA to identify crop varieties that survived extreme heat or drought in the past, can help secure future food supplies.
Tracking how #diseases jump from animals to humans (zoonosis) to predict and prevent future #pandemics is critical to #publichealth.
Physical artifacts can be used to improve life satisfaction for hospital patients and those living with hashtag#dementia.
Archaeological #archives are a treasure-house of hashtag#biological and #environmental data that cannot be replicated in a lab. These materials provide a unique natural experiment that can play their part in solving modern global crises.

See the recent article in issue 71
Barney Sloane 2026 'Legacy and Springboard: The Untapped Potential of Archaeological Archives for Scientific Innovation', Internet Archaeology 72. https://doi.org/10.11141/ia.72.11

Legacy and Springboard: The Untapped Potential of Archaeological Archives for Scientific Innovation

Archaeological archives form a public resource that enables the reinterpretation of original findings from archaeological investigations, provides the raw material for further research, informs museum displays and teaching collections, and gives society access to the evidence for our shared past. But archaeological archives have remarkable potential to support research in other disciplines and in so doing help meet a number of global challenges. This paper provides case studies of this potential and sets out some suggestions as to how this knowledge dividend can be unleashed to create tangible public benefit.

Some #snakes lack the β€˜#hunger #hormone.’ Experts are hungry to know why
The #gene for #ghrelin is missing in serpents, yet present in other fasting #reptiles
Evolutionary #geneticist Rui Pinto and colleagues stumbled on the discovery when comparing the #genomes of 112 reptile species, including snakes, crocodiles and chameleons, which they obtained from public database. Genes for ghrelin and its activating enzyme were absent in 32 snake species.
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/snakes-lack-hunger-hormone-ghrelin
https://archive.ph/WvOHr
Some snakes lack the β€˜hunger hormone.’ Experts are hungry to know why

The complex biology of ghrelin, the hunger hormone, has researchers wondering how its absence helps snakes last a long time with no food, if at all.

Science News

A 7,000-Year #Comparison of #Caribbean #Reef #FoodChains : Medium

Can the Most #Abstract #Math Make the #World a Better #Place? : Quanta Mag

#AI can write #Genomes β€” how long until it creates #SyntheticLife? : Nature

Latest #KnowledgeLinks

https://knowledgezone.co.in/resources/bookmarks

It's #MetagenomicsMonday again! 🧬🧬🧬Today, we are leaving you with the new study on #HHV-6. Ancient #genomes revealed that modern HHV-6 diversity was already established centuries ago and that germline integrations stem from ancient founder events.
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adx5460
#SPAAM #aDNA #sixthdisease #roseola #pathogengenomics #ancientpathogens #viruses #evolution
Tool of the week: Comparing microbial #genomes just got easier. EDGAR – comparative genomics without the headaches. Publication-ready figures, genome similarity analyses, phylogenetic trees. All in one platform. 🧬
https://edgar3.computational.bio.uni-giessen.de