Genes

Not so identical: Genetic difference in twins can begin very early on in the embryo

When a mutation happens in the first few weeks of embryonic development, it would be expected to be widespread both in an individual's cells and in those of their offspring.

Genome analysis of Africans shed light on ancient migrations, modern susceptibility, disease resistance

This new research is an attempt to address an imbalance in the genetic data available worldwide, most of which comes from people of European ancestry.

Neanderthal genes passed down makes some people more prone to COVID-19 infection, a new study proposes

The Neanderthal gene was found highest in Bangladeshi ancestry, with 63 percent of its population carrying at least one copy of the risk variant.

Can your genes make you more vulnerable to coronavirus? Researchers find strong link between severe COVID-19 symptoms and the human genome

Can your genes make you more vulnerable to COVID-19? It has been about 6 months since the first case of COVID-19 showed up in Wuhan, China. Since then the scientific community has learnt a lot about this disease and its causative virus SARS-CoV-2.

Coronavirus Outbreak: What are the challenges and limitations of RT-PCR testing?

The efficiency of this test depends on the adequate collection of the viral RNA which is extracted from the throat of patients.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Why are more men dying from COVID-19 infections than women?

Sex differences in the frequency, severity and treatment efficacy for many diseases, not just COVID-19, were pointed out long ago.

How do viruses mutate and jump species? And why are 'spillovers' becoming more common?

In spite of many viruses existing in animal hosts, it is rare for spillovers to happen since many factors need to align at the right time.

Immune response from Australia's first COVID-19 cases shows body's ability to fight and recover from virus

More than 80 percent of COVID-19 cases are mild-to-moderate, understanding the immune response in these cases are important for research.

Scientists find plants use hormone called jasmonic acid to fight fungi, insect attacks

For the study, scientists used Arabidopsis thaliana ⁠— a small flowering plant in the mustard family .

Researchers find genes of mysterious human species that interbred with Africans thousands of years ago

Not much is known about this ghost population other than they seemed to diverge from the evolutionary line around 650,000 years ago.