SCIENCE SNAPSHOTS a quick summary of 10 genetics and biotech stories
6. Blueberries contain anthocyanin, a pigment that should make their skin appear dark red. Instead, the fruit appears blue because tiny structures in their waxy coating reflect blue and ultraviolet light. This effect, called structural coloration, differs from pigmentation and is also seen in other fruits like grapes and some plums, giving them their iconic blue hues. 7. Fat cells retain an epigenetic memory of obesity, contributing to the yo-yo effect in diet and weight loss. Researchers found characteristic epigenetic changes in the nucleus of fat cells that persisted after weight loss, making it easier for those cells to return to an over- weight state. 8. Genome sequencing of the fork fern has set a new record for genome size among eukaryotic organisms. At an enormous 160 billion base pairs (160.45 Gbps), its genome is over 50 times larger than the human genome. Understanding the mechanisms that control genome size could offer valuable insights into evolutionary processes and biodiversity. 9. Tongue color has traditionally been used in Chinese medicine to diagnose conditions like diabetes, asthma, and kidney failure. Recently, researchers developed and tested a machine learning algorithm to analyze tongue images,
1. Learning is often associated with complex nervous systems, but even single-celled organisms show signs of learning through habitation. Habituation is a decreasing response to repeated exposure over time. How do simple cells with no brain exhibit this complex behavior? Researchers have discovered molecular networks in single cells that capture and store environmental information, acting as a simple form of memory. 2. A Bengal cat's "glitter coat" is not due to actual glitter but a unique trait in its fur that makes it appear shiny. A recent study on the Bengal cat genome identified that the glittery coat is caused by a change in the Fgfr2 gene, which plays a key role in embryonic development. While a complete loss of Fgfr2 is lethal, a moderate reduction in gene expression results in the desirable glittery coat.
The laboratory of HudsonAlpha faculty researcher Greg Barsh, MD, PhD, contributed to this work.
3. In 79 CE, Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying Pompeii under ash. The packed ash
Bengal cat'
preserved human victims’ shapes, allowing excavators to create plaster molds and make guesses about their genders and relationships to one another. Recent DNA analysis of bone fragments has revealed new information, challenging these previous assumptions.
classify their color, and predict diseases. The AI tool successfully distinguished between the tongues of healthy and diseased people with over 95% accuracy.
4. A recent study explored the microbial make- up of microwave ovens and found interesting differences between home microwaves and those found in scientific laboratories. At home, micro- waves are teeming with the same types of bacteria that are found on human skin and other kitchen surfaces, while laboratory microwaves host tougher bacteria that can survive intense heat and radiation. These findings provide insights into how environments shape microbiomes. 5. Scientists uncovered a tail-tale sign of our evolutionary past. A small insertion of genetic material has been linked to the loss of tails in ancient hominoids. While this change may have helped our ancestors walk upright, it also appears to have created a risk for neural tube defects, revealing an evolutionary trade-off.
10. A 52,000-year-old woolly mammoth skin sample revealed its 3D genome structure. The jerky-like, dehydrated state preserved its DNA by preventing fragmentation and halting molecular activ- ity. The ancient mammoth had 28 chromosome pairs, with gene organization similar to the Asian elephant. This discovery sparks curiosity about what other pre- served tissues might lie hidden in the Arctic, waiting to tell new stories about Earth’s history.
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SCIENCE FOR LIFE
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