Genetics
Scientists Collect First RNA From an Extinct Tasmanian Tiger
No other RNA has ever been extracted from an extinct species, so the breakthrough opens doors to understanding the biology of long-gone organisms
How an Orca Skeleton Made Its Way From Florida to the Smithsonian
Washed up in a rare stranding event, the newly collected specimen will offer rich exploration for researchers
Our Human Ancestors Very Nearly Went Extinct 900,000 Years Ago, Genetics Suggest
A study proposes that the population that gave rise to modern humans may have been reduced to roughly 1,300 reproducing individuals
Scientists Cryopreserve and Revive Coral Fragments in a World First for Conservation
The new freezing technique could reinvigorate corals suffering from warming oceans—or even preserve human organs in the future
Farmers Are Breeding Cows to Withstand Heat Waves
A gene that occurs naturally in some cow breeds may be the key to helping cattle thrive as temperatures rise because of climate change
See the Rare Spotless Giraffe Born at a Tennessee Zoo
The baby might be the only all-brown giraffe on the planet, as the last one on record was born in 1972
Famed 5,300-Year-Old Alps Iceman Was a Balding Middle-Aged Man With Dark Skin and Eyes
Genetic analysis shows that Ötzi was descended from farmers who migrated from an area that is now part of Turkey
DNA Links 42,000 Living People to Enslaved and Free African Americans Buried in Maryland
The research, initiated by the local African American community, could be a roadmap for future genealogy studies
Servants at Machu Picchu Came From Distant Corners of the Inca Empire
The city's servant class was a genetically diverse community, according to a new study of ancient DNA
Iron Age Warrior Buried With a Sword and Mirror Was a Woman, Study Says
The unusual burial on a small island off of England sheds new light on women's role in Iron Age warfare
Skull Fragments Thought to Be Beethoven's Return to Vienna
The composer asked that, following his death, his physician study the illnesses that plagued him during his life
Rare Pink Dolphins Spotted Swimming in Louisiana River
The cetaceans are likely bottlenose dolphins with albinism, and one could be "Pinky," an animal first seen in the area in 2007
The 'Ivory Man'—a Powerful Leader Buried in a Lavish Tomb 5,000 Years Ago—Was Actually a Woman
Researchers in Spain had previously assumed that the grave belonged to a high-status young man
What the Largest-Ever Study of Primate DNA Reveals About Ourselves
The findings cover not only conservation and primate evolution, but also human health and diseases
Octopuses Can Rewire Their Brains to Brave Chilly Waters
To handle changing temperatures, the cephalopods make "astounding" RNA edits, researchers find
National Genealogical Society Apologizes for 'Racist and Discriminatory' Past Actions
In a new report, the group reckons with its long history of racism and eugenicist beliefs
Scientists Can Now Pull Human DNA From Air and Water, Raising Privacy Questions
Environmental DNA helps monitor elusive and endangered animals, but it could be an ethical minefield when used with humans, new study shows
See Tables Crafted From Human Tissue, a Toad With Eggs on Its Back and More at This London Museum
The newly reopened Hunterian Museum acknowledges the ethical quandaries posed by its collection of anatomical specimens
Researchers Reveal the 'Pangenome,' a More Diverse Look at Human DNA
The new version of the human genome could lead to better diagnostics and treatment of genetic diseases
Ancient DNA Reveals Who Wore This 20,000-Year-Old Pendant
Researchers have found a new way to extract human DNA from porous artifacts
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