Why The Y Chromosome In Polar Bears Matters

Why The Y Chromosome In Polar Bears Matters

Scientists have reconstructed part of the male chromosome in polar bears. They were able to assign 1.9 million base pairs specifically to the polar bear Y chromosome and show that more than 100,000…
How Snakes Lost Their Legs

How Snakes Lost Their Legs

How did the snake get its slither? Ever since the crafty serpent in Genesis tempted Eve into eating the forbidden fruit, we’ve been fascinated by snakes. And, despite our interest in this animal, we…
Modern Native Americans Related To Kennewick Man

Modern Native Americans Related To Kennewick Man

By Michael Greshko, Inside Science -- On Thursday, scientists announced a new, comprehensive re-analysis of the "Kennewick Man," an 8,500-year-old North American skeleton. Since it was discovered in…
Early European Human Had A Neanderthal Ancestor

Early European Human Had A Neanderthal Ancestor

Neanderhals became extinct about 40,000 years ago but contributed on average one to three percent to the genomes of present-day Eurasians. Researchers have now analyzed DNA from a 37,000 to 42,000-…
Sex Chromosomes: Why The Y Genes Matter

Sex Chromosomes: Why The Y Genes Matter

Several genes have been lost from the Y chromosome in humans and other mammals but essential Y genes are rescued by relocating to other chromosomes, according to a new study. The Y chromosome is…
Researchers Recovered A Dinosaur Foot From A Bird

Researchers Recovered A Dinosaur Foot From A Bird

A unique adaptation in the foot of birds is the presence of a thumb-like opposable toe, which allows them to grasp and perch. In their dinosaur ancestors, this toe was small and non- opposable, and…
Men Are Not Biologically Useless After All

Men Are Not Biologically Useless After All

Does the world really need men? It has been suggested that, in the age of cloning – and with enough sperm banks around to populate several future generations – the question is legitimate. However,…