Tag: Genetics
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QuickCheck: Do Humans Share 60% of Our DNA with Bananas?
Introduction: The two very different organisms, one surprising commonality The idea that humans share a large chunk of DNA with a banana may sound bizarre at first. After all, a banana grows on a plant and we walk on two legs, talk, and think in complex ways. Yet scientists sometimes cite an intriguing stat: humans…
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Humans and Bananas: Do We Share 60% of DNA? Explained
Debunking the 60% Claim: What It Really Means The oft-cited idea that humans share 60% of our DNA with bananas sounds sensational. It’s easy to misinterpret, but the claim has roots in how scientists compare genes across species. The figure does not mean that 60% of human life is interchangeable with a banana. Instead, it…
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Do Humans Really Share 60% of Our DNA with Bananas? Debunking a Common Myth
Unraveling the 60% Claim: Where It Comes From The idea that humans share 60% of their DNA with bananas often circulates in science news roundups and social media. It sounds startling, almost magical: two life forms that seem so different share the majority of their genetic makeup. But the truth is more nuanced. The 60%…
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Cannabis Use Linked to Epigenetic Changes, New Study Finds
Overview: Cannabis and the Epigenome Recent scientific work has opened a window into how cannabis use may affect the body beyond the immediate effects of cannabinoids like THC. A large study involving more than 1,000 adults, published in 2023, found evidence that cannabis use is associated with changes in the epigenome—the system that regulates when,…
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Genomic Sequencing in Newborns Could Detect Hundreds of Diseases Early
Newborn Genomic Sequencing: A Leap Toward Early Disease Detection Australian scientists and clinicians are advocating for a new horizon in infant health: adding genomic sequencing to newborn screening to assess vulnerability to hundreds of diseases. The proposal centers on sequencing an infant’s DNA shortly after birth to identify genetic variants that could signal elevated risk…
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Dormant BRAF Mutations in Healthy Skin Challenge Melanoma Screening Assumptions
New findings reshape how we think about melanoma risk A recent study from researchers at the University of Queensland is prompting scientists and clinicians to rethink a long-held belief about how melanoma develops. The team has identified a genetic mutation in the BRAF gene that can lie dormant in healthy skin for years before potentially…
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Genetic Resilience to COPD: A Distinct Subtype in Smokers with High Genetic Risk
Understanding genetic resilience to COPD in smokers Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains a major health challenge, yet not all smokers with a high genetic risk develop the condition. Recent research introduces a new concept: genetic resilience to COPD. By examining individuals who smoke and carry a high polygenic risk score (PRS) for COPD but…
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Genetic Resilience to COPD: A Distinct Subtype in Smokers
Understanding genetic resilience in COPD Cigarette smoking remains the leading environmental driver of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), yet not all smokers develop the disease. Recent research introduces the concept of genetic resilience: individuals who carry a high genetic risk for COPD yet show no airflow obstruction. By studying this resilient group, scientists aim to…
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Collaborative Research for a Healthier Tomorrow: Alberta’s Tomorrow Project
Collaborative Research for a Healthier Tomorrow Alberta’s Tomorrow Project (ATP) is a landmark longitudinal study designed to uncover the causes of cancer and chronic diseases, with the goal of preventing illness, enabling earlier diagnosis, and improving quality of life for Albertans and people beyond our borders. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025, ATP has grown…
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Ancient Lead Exposure May Have Shaped Human Brain Evolution and Language
Ancient Lead Exposure: A Hidden Thread Through Human Evolution A sweeping new study argues that lead—long associated with modern pollution—was intermittently present in the environments of our ancestors for roughly two million years. By analyzing fossil teeth and combining cutting-edge brain biology, the research suggests that this toxic metal may have subtly steered the evolution…