genetics

The New York Times reports that a virus — identified as molluscum contagiosum — appears to have captured a human gene and retained it in its own genome, a striking example of genetic theft between species. Scientists say such borrowed genes can help viruses evade the immune system, and the finding sheds light on how viruses and their hosts exchange genetic material over evolutionary time.

A biology writer is highlighting the fact that people who have been pregnant are chimeras, carrying cells with their baby's genetic material that can persist for years. Sharing a recent article on the topic, she notes that even a miscarriage more than 20 years ago may have left fetal cells in her body, which could in turn have been passed on to her children. The observation is prompting discussion about fetal microchimerism and its possible health effects.

Indian students preparing for the 2027 Class 12 board exams are being offered a complete one-shot revision of Chapter 5, 'Principles of Inheritance and Variation' (वंशागति और विविधता के सिद्धांत), taught by a teacher known as Nidhi Ma'am on Science. The lesson condenses the full genetics chapter into a single session, and the format is drawing strong engagement, with tens of thousands of likes already recorded from learners revising for board exams.

A new report suggests that extreme human traits — such as exceptional height or other outlier characteristics — may be explained by a simple genetic mechanism rather than complex interactions of many genes. The finding could reshape how scientists study variation in humans, though further details of the research and expert reaction were not included in the coverage.

Researchers report that the flavor of pork is shaped by a combination of the animal's genetics and its gut microbiome, with gut microbes influencing the compounds that determine meat taste and quality. The finding suggests breeding and feeding strategies could be tuned to improve pork flavor, drawing attention from food scientists and the livestock industry.

Researchers are combining machine learning methods with classical statistical approaches to detect polygenic adaptation — the subtle, genome-wide shifts in trait-associated genes that populations undergo in response to environmental pressures. Because such adaptation leaves faint signals spread across many genetic variants, traditional tests often miss it, and hybrid computational methods are being promoted as a more sensitive way to uncover these evolutionary fingerprints.

Researchers have identified the genetic switch that controls the formation of T-shaped hairs on mugwort, the plant's characteristic silvery protective coating. The finding explains how the plant builds its distinctive armor of hairs, which helps shield it from environmental stress. The discovery is drawing attention from plant biologists interested in the genetics of plant surface structures and their protective functions.

Scientists studying an ancient relative of the willow have uncovered new details about a master gene family that controls how plants are built. The research sheds light on the genetic mechanisms behind plant growth and development, offering potential insights for botany and crop science. Details of the findings and the researchers behind the work are not yet specified.

New research adds weight to the idea that humpback whales living in the Arabian Sea form a distinct subspecies, separated from other humpback populations for a very long time. The population is small and genetically isolated, making the finding significant for conservation. Scientists and marine biology followers are sharing the report widely.

New research indicates that genomic inbreeding in pigs leaves detectable genetic signatures that affect production traits such as growth and yield. By analyzing genomic data, scientists can measure how inbreeding influences economically important characteristics in livestock. The findings are relevant for breeding programs seeking to balance genetic selection with the risks of inbreeding depression in pig farming.