DNA

‘Unnatural’ microbe can make proteins 0
- From Around the Web, Science & Technology
- December 2, 2017
An altered microbe with an “unnatural” genetic code has been shown to assemble proteins – a key step towards designing new drugs and materials.

By David Aragorn
Skull found in China could re-write ‘out of Africa’ theory of human evolution 0
- Ancient Archeology, From Around the Web
- November 21, 2017
The beginning of modern humans could be a far more complex, spread out thing than we ever thought before

By David Aragorn
New great ape species identified in Indonesia 0
- From Around the Web, Science & Technology
- November 7, 2017
Scientists who have been puzzling for years over the genetic “peculiarity” of a tiny population of orangutans in Sumatra have finally concluded that they are a new species to science.

By David Aragorn
Heavy metal thunder: Protein can be switched on to conduct electricity like a metal 0
- From Around the Web, Science & Technology
- November 2, 2017
When pushing the boundaries of discovery, sometimes even the most experienced of scientists can get a surprise jolt from a completely unpredictable result.

By David Aragorn
The first genetically engineered humans might not have their DNA tweaked at all 0
- From Around the Web, Science & Technology
- October 27, 2017
The new technique offers a less permanent way to edit the genome.

By David Aragorn
Blue-eyed humans have a single, common ancestor 0
- Earth Mysteries, From Around the Web, Science & Technology
- October 26, 2017
New research shows that people with blue eyes have a single, common ancestor. Scientists have tracked down a genetic mutation which took place 6,000-10,000 years ago and is the cause of the eye color of all blue-eyed humans alive on the planet today.

By David Aragorn
No magic wand required: Scientists propose way to turn any cell into any other cell type 0
- From Around the Web, Science & Technology
- October 25, 2017
In fairy tales, all it takes to transform a frog into a prince, a servant into a princess or a mouse into a horse is the wave of a magic wand.

But in the real world, transforming one living thing into another isn’t so easy. Only in recent years have scientists discovered how to do it, with tiny individual living cells.

By David Aragorn
DNA confirms amazing Australian isle insect not extinct after all 0
- From Around the Web, Science & Technology
- October 14, 2017
When black rats invaded Lord Howe Island after the 1918 wreck of the steamship Makambo, they wiped out numerous native species on the small Australian isle in the Tasman Sea including a big, flightless insect that resembled a stick.

By David Aragorn
Mystery surrounding ancient Easter Island people deepens 0
- Ancient Archeology, From Around the Web
- October 14, 2017
The massive brooding stone figures peering from Easter Island’s hillsides are emblematic of the enigmatic people who once thrived on the dot of land in the middle of the Pacific. New genetic research only deepens the mystery around these people.

By David Aragorn
Feeling grumpy? Blame Neanderthals! DNA inherited from our ancient cousins can drive our smoking habits, mood swings and sleeping patterns 0
- Ancient Archeology, From Around the Web
- October 6, 2017
Migrating humans interbred with Neanderthals in Europe 100,000 years ago. Now around 2% of the DNA of non-African people comes from Neanderthals.

By David Aragorn