Lion DNA helps convict poachers for first time
For the first time in the world, DNA from an individual lion has been used to successfully prosecute poachers — marking a major breakthrough in wildlife crime enforcement. The landmark…
Polar bears in southern Greenland are ‘using jumping genes to rapidly rewrite their own DNA’ to survive melting sea ice
Warming temperatures appear to be driving genetic mutations in some polar bears to help them survive the shifting climatic conditions. Rising temperatures may be triggering genetic changes in polar bears…
How this odd-looking animal outsmarted aging
Scientists have long been fascinated by the naked mole-rat — a nearly hairless, wrinkly rodent that can live up to 40 years, far outlasting most animals its size. Now, new…
Scientists are modifying wildlife DNA. Should these species be released into nature?
Humans have become remarkably skilled at manipulating the fundamental building blocks of life. Genetically modified foods are now common in supermarkets, and researchers regularly employ gene-editing techniques to develop new…
How the mystery origins of hairy little Yakutian horses were uncovered in Siberia’s ‘gateway to the underworld’
🐎 Frozen Foal Discovery in Siberia Reveals the Genetic Origins of the Yakutian Horse Meta Title: Frozen Siberian Horse Unlocks Genetic Secrets of the Yakutian HorseMeta Description: A 42,000-year-old foal…
DNA from old ants reveals a hidden insect apocalypse in Fiji
From pollinating flowers to enabling decomposition and supporting nutrient cycles, insects’ abundance and biodiversity are critical for maintaining healthy ecosystems. However, recent studies showing population declines have raised alarm about…
Ancient DNA from Mexico’s mammoths reveals unexpected — and unexplained — genetic mysteries
Columbian mammoths in Mexico are genetically different from those in the U.S. and Canada, surprise DNA study reveals. For the first time in tropical latitudes, scientists have successfully sequenced ancient…
Mammoth DNA from Mexico reveals a divergent lineage
Long before the Felipe Ángeles International Airport rose northeast of Mexico City, the land was once covered by Lake Xaltocan, home to a thriving community of prehistoric animals. When construction…
This genetic breakthrough could help thousands of species cheat extinction
Gene editing technologies — such as those used in agriculture and de-extinction projects — can be repurposed to offer what an international team of scientists is calling a transformative solution…
DNA floating in the air tracks wildlife, viruses — even drugs
Dublin is known as a city where you can enjoy a few pints of Guiness, get a warm welcome from the locals and hear lively traditional music drifting out of…