72 Items Tagged

Genetics

San Francisco, California

Albino Redwood

Under the shadow of its towering parent tree, a rare specimen of sequoia produces ghostly white leaves.

A Caribbean ‘Cow’ Tooth Could Solve the Mystery of the Chincoteague Ponies

A surprise discovery from Haiti may finally reveal how some famous feral horses got to a distant barrier island.

Gemma Tarlach August 16, 2022

Budapest, Hungary

Katalin Karikó Mural

The Hungarian biochemist whose research helped develop mRNA-based vaccines for Covid-19.

Leiden, Netherlands

De stal van Stier Herman

The world's first transgenic bovine has been preserved at the museum where he spent his final years—though his old stable is now a cafe.

Wanted: Sweet Skunks That Do Sick Stunts

Scientists' creative approach to collecting spotted skunks led to a new family tree for the handstanding li'l stinkers.

Ashley Stimpson September 22, 2021

The Deep Roots of the Vegetable That ‘Took Over the World’

A study digs up the origin of the single species that gives us turnips, bok choy, broccoli rabe, and more.

Gemma Tarlach June 11, 2021

The Mystery of the Mummified Bishop and the Fetus in His Coffin

Remains hidden with this Swedish “founding father” likely belonged to his grandson, but questions linger.

Gemma Tarlach April 16, 2021

How Far Should Humans Go to Help Species Adapt?

An Australian project to help threatened marsupials avoid predatory cats is one of a host of 'assisted evolution' efforts.

Atlas Obscura March 16, 2021

Found: The Rare Singing Dogs of New Guinea, In the Wild

The distant cousin of the dingo had been hiding out in the island’s highlands.

Isaac Schultz September 10, 2020

The True Origin Story of Madagascar's 'Forest Cat'

Turns out this big, striped lemur-eater didn't come from mainland Africa.

Jennifer S. Holland March 23, 2020

Found: Possible Traces of DNA, in a Fossilized Dino Skull

This ancient hadrosaur has some microscopic secrets.

Isaac Schultz March 5, 2020

The Unexpected Elegance of Apocalyptic Seed Vaults, In Photos

The images, by artist and professor Dornith Doherty, are ethereal and oddly comforting.

Jessica Leigh Hester February 11, 2020

Ancient Egypt’s Ibis Mummies Were Probably Not Raised in Giant Sacred Ranches

Genetic research suggests a more local solution to meet demand.

Isaac Schultz November 14, 2019

botanical gardens

Could a Gene Bank Save Endangered Plants From Extinction?

A "plant studbook" might help botanic gardens bring rare breeds back from the brink.

Lorraine Boissoneault November 1, 2019

Scientists Are Learning More About Scandinavia's Battle Axe Culture

The genetics of a Stone Age family with a metal name.

Isaac Schultz October 18, 2019

Scientists Just Geolocated a Victorian-Era Butterfly Using Its Genome

Their work affirmed the insect's taxonomy too. Because you can’t spell “named” without D-N-A.

Isaac Schultz September 6, 2019

California's Meddlesome Tumbleweeds Could Grow Even More Menacing

Sorry, everyone: Researchers found that a hybrid species is even more “vigorous” than its parents.

Jessica Leigh Hester September 6, 2019

How Scientists Safeguard Almost a Million Vials of Frozen Animal Semen

It involves tiny straws and a whole lot of liquid nitrogen.

Jessica Leigh Hester September 6, 2019