genetics

New York City officials have identified another September 11 victim using a novel genetic genealogy technique, a first in the decades-long effort to name those killed in the 2001 attacks. Forensic scientists matched remains to a victim through advanced DNA methods, extending work that has identified hundreds of victims since the attacks. The breakthrough offers closure to a family after more than two decades.

A New York Times science report describes a virus that captured a human gene and has retained it through evolution, a finding researchers say sheds light on how viruses and their hosts exchange genetic material. The story has drawn wide attention among science readers curious about viral evolution and what gene theft reveals about the boundaries between viruses and humans.

Scientists suggest that extreme human traits — from unusual height to exceptional athletic or cognitive abilities — could be explained by a simpler genetic mechanism than previously assumed, possibly involving rare variants with outsized effects rather than many small ones. The finding could reshape how researchers study the genetics of human variation and complex conditions.

A widely shared article on microchimerism notes that during pregnancy, fetal cells cross into the mother's body and can persist for decades. One reader said she learned that even after a miscarriage more than 20 years ago, she may still carry that embryo's genetic material — and could have passed it on. The phenomenon, known as fetal microchimerism, means many mothers technically carry cells from their children, prompting surprise and discussion about how long these cells last and what effects they may have on health.

Researchers report that artificial intelligence can identify signs of aging by analyzing the three-dimensional architecture of DNA, revealing changes not visible through conventional genetic sequencing alone. The work suggests that how genome material is physically folded inside cells carries measurable age-related fingerprints, opening new avenues for studying biological aging and age-related disease, and prompting discussion among scientists about what this means for future diagnostics.

Researchers have identified the genetic mechanism that controls the formation of mugwort's distinctive T-shaped hairs, which give the plant its silvery appearance. The findings explain how these microscopic structures develop and could inform broader research into plant surface traits. Details of the study's methods and the research team involved have not yet been widely reported.

New coverage highlights findings that biological changes can be passed down through many generations without any change to the DNA sequence itself, pointing to epigenetic mechanisms as the carrier. The report, published by Earth.com, underscores growing scientific interest in how environment and experience may leave heritable marks beyond genetic code. Researchers say the work could reshape understanding of inheritance and evolution.

Researchers report that the flavor of pork is shaped by an interplay between the pig's genetics and its gut microbes. According to the finding, differences in the animals' genes influence the composition of gut bacteria, which in turn affects the meat's taste profile. The work highlights how heredity and microbiology together determine a food quality trait.

Researchers studying an ancient relative of the willow have uncovered new details about a master gene family that shapes how plants are built. The findings shed light on the genetic mechanisms behind plant structure and development, drawing attention from the biology community and science media this week.

A scientific journal has launched a new section examining epigenetics through the lens of ethics and society, not just laboratory science. The move frames epigenetics — the study of how environment and behaviour can alter gene expression — as a field where scientific findings collide with social and moral questions, from inherited trauma claims to prenatal responsibility. Details of contributors and specific debates remain sparse, but the section signals growing scrutiny of how epigenetic research is interpreted and applied beyond academia.

Researchers have assembled genomic data covering 269 primate species in what is described as a major expansion of comparative genetics. The panel, reported by Bioengineer.org, is said to 'rewrite the rules of comparison', offering a far broader reference for studying primate evolution, genetics and disease than previous datasets limited to a handful of well-sequenced species.

A new web-based tool has been launched that converts rice genome data into instant haplotype maps and breeding markers. The tool is designed to help researchers and breeders rapidly analyze genetic variation in rice, potentially speeding up the development of improved rice varieties. Coverage so far is limited to a single report, with details on the tool's developers, availability, and reception not yet widely reported.

New CRISPR-Cas13 screening studies have identified hundreds of long non-coding RNAs that appear essential for cell survival. The findings suggest these molecules, once dismissed as 'junk DNA' output, play critical roles in basic cellular function. Researchers say the results could open new avenues for studying gene regulation and disease, though how quickly the discussion spreads beyond specialist circles is not yet clear.

New research reported by Earth.com suggests transposons, so-called jumping genes, may explain how ants diversified rapidly after the dinosaurs went extinct 66 million years ago. The finding points to these mobile DNA elements driving genetic variation that allowed ant species to adapt and spread into many ecological niches, helping make ants one of the most successful insect groups on Earth.