The Daily Galaxy: Great Discoveries Channel

The "DNA Pardon": Murder Sentence Genetically Reduced

Gear up for Gattaca, as an Italian court has reduced a murderer's sentence to account for his genes.  Despite the fact the relevant genetic science isn't actually that advanced, the likely effects on the legal system, and the very real question of "Isn't that ass backwards?"

Genetic Mutations that Set Humans Apart from Other Primates Identified

Although humans and chimpanzees genetically vary by just 1.2 percent, that small percentage makes a world of difference in the mental and linguistic capabilities between the two species. A study shows that a certain form of neuropsin, a protein that plays a role in learning and memory, is expressed only in the central nervous systems of humans. The scientists conclude that this critical difference originated less than 5 million years ago.

Although humans and chimpanzees genetically vary by just 1.2 percent, that small percentage makes a world of difference in the mental and linguistic capabilities between the two species. A study shows that a certain form of neuropsin, a protein that plays a role in learning and memory, is expressed only in the central nervous systems of humans. The scientists conclude that this critical difference originated less than 5 million years ago.

Although humans and chimpanzees genetically vary by just 1.2 percent, that small percentage makes a world of difference in the mental and linguistic capabilities between the two species. A study shows that a certain form of neuropsin, a protein that plays a role in learning and memory, is expressed only in the central nervous systems of humans. The scientists conclude that this critical difference originated less than 5 million years ago.

Genetic Mutation Played Key Role in Evolution of Human Learning

Although humans and chimpanzees genetically vary by just 1.2 percent, that small percentage makes a world of difference in the mental and linguistic capabilities between the two species. A study shows that a certain form of neuropsin, a protein that plays a role in learning and memory, is expressed only in the central nervous systems of humans. The scientists conclude that this critical difference originated less than 5 million years ago.

Did Prehistoric Viruses Trigger Human Evolution? A Galaxy Classic

When the mapping of the human genome was completed in 2003, researchers discovered a shocking fact: our bodies are littered with the shards of retroviruses, fragments of the chemical code from which all genetic material is made. This discovery has created a new discipline, paleovirology, which seeks to better understand the impact of modern diseases by studying the genetic history of ancient viruses.

When the mapping of the human genome was completed in 2003, researchers discovered a shocking fact: our bodies are littered with the shards of retroviruses, fragments of the chemical code from which all genetic material is made. This discovery has created a new discipline, paleovirology, which seeks to better understand the impact of modern diseases by studying the genetic history of ancient viruses.

When the mapping of the human genome was completed in 2003, researchers discovered a shocking fact: our bodies are littered with the shards of retroviruses, fragments of the chemical code from which all genetic material is made. This discovery has created a new discipline, paleovirology, which seeks to better understand the impact of modern diseases by studying the genetic history of ancient viruses.

The Next 200 Years: Are Modern Humans Evolving Faster? A Galaxy Insight

"We are more different genetically from people living 5,000 years ago than they were different from Neanderthals."

John Hawks -University of Wisconsin anthropologist

In a fascinating discovery that counters a common theory that human evolution has slowed to a crawl or even stopped in modern humans, a study examining data from an international genomics project describes the past 40,000 years as a time of supercharged evolutionary change, driven by exponential population growth and cultural shifts.

"We are more different genetically from people living 5,000 years ago than they were different from Neanderthals."

John Hawks -University of Wisconsin anthropologist

In a fascinating discovery that counters a common theory that human evolution has slowed to a crawl or even stopped in modern humans, a study examining data from an international genomics project describes the past 40,000 years as a time of supercharged evolutionary change, driven by exponential population growth and cultural shifts.

DNA Unlocks Clues to Longevity -A Galaxy Insight

Scientists have long been baffled as to why some people live so much longer than others. Diet and exercise account for some of it, but researchers have found that genetics also factor heavily into the equation, and that long life is somewhat hereditary as it is with living bristlecone pine that were alive when Caesar ruled Rome.

However, centenarians are known to have just as many—and sometimes even more—harmful gene variants compared with those who die much younger. So what is the secret advantage? That’s a question the experts have been eager to find an answer to.

Scientists have long been baffled as to why some people live so much longer than others. Diet and exercise account for some of it, but researchers have found that genetics also factor heavily into the equation, and that long life is somewhat hereditary as it is with living bristlecone pine that were alive when Caesar ruled Rome.

However, centenarians are known to have just as many—and sometimes even more—harmful gene variants compared with those who die much younger. So what is the secret advantage? That’s a question the experts have been eager to find an answer to.

"Creating Artificial Personalities" (An Evolutionary Step Toward Replacing the Human Species?)

We can now engineer entirely artificial personalities, and we don't mean your-kid-for-cash strategies like Hannah Montana.  Scientists have now evolved artificial personalities based on simulated genetic algorithms. Meaning they're only one good synthetic-skin invention from getting rid of our species altogether. A research collaboration between Samsung and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has created a virtual puppy, Rity, a computerized creature whose every action is guided by a simulated personality system.  It's an excellent choice by the developers, making the first models as harmless-looking as possible - affording them extra time to develop successors and dig the EMP-shielded bunkers.

We can now engineer entirely artificial personalities, and we don't mean your-kid-for-cash strategies like Hannah Montana.  Scientists have now evolved artificial personalities based on simulated genetic algorithms. Meaning they're only one good synthetic-skin invention from getting rid of our species altogether. A research collaboration between Samsung and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has created a virtual puppy, Rity, a computerized creature whose every action is guided by a simulated personality system.  It's an excellent choice by the developers, making the first models as harmless-looking as possible - affording them extra time to develop successors and dig the EMP-shielded bunkers.

Art of DNA Graffiti: Craig Venter's Secret Message

You might think an inner thigh tattoo is a fairly intimate piece of writing, but scientists at the J. Craig Venter Institute (led by the obviously modest Dr J. Craig Venter) authored a message far more personally placed than that.  Famous for creating the first piece of synthetic bacteria DNA, we've since learned that they've autographed it.

You might think an inner thigh tattoo is a fairly intimate piece of writing, but scientists at the J. Craig Venter Institute (led by the obviously modest Dr J. Craig Venter) authored a message far more personally placed than that.  Famous for creating the first piece of synthetic bacteria DNA, we've since learned that they've autographed it.

You might think an inner thigh tattoo is a fairly intimate piece of writing, but scientists at the J. Craig Venter Institute (led by the obviously modest Dr J. Craig Venter) authored a message far more personally placed than that.  Famous for creating the first piece of synthetic bacteria DNA, we've since learned that they've autographed it.

Artificial DNA: Will It Trigger Unintended Consequences?

Cyborgs have been the sci-fi dream of a generation, merging man and machine in amazing new combinations. Most of which seem to look like major action stars. But a team at the University of Copenhagen think that's amateur hour. In fact they find the entirety of life of planet Earth to be distinctly underwhelming, which is why they're working on an upgrade - triple-helixed DNA.

Cyborgs have been the sci-fi dream of a generation, merging man and machine in amazing new combinations. Most of which seem to look like major action stars. But a team at the University of Copenhagen think that's amateur hour. In fact they find the entirety of life of planet Earth to be distinctly underwhelming, which is why they're working on an upgrade - triple-helixed DNA.

Can New DNA Fragments Solve the 3-Billion Piece Puzzle Called "Homo Sapiens"?

Recent research has identified some important new fragments of DNA, though the method might sound more like market research than medical genetics: they looked at DNA across different species and asked "Okay, raise your hand/flipper/paw if this bit is important". Work at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, applied a statistical model across the history of evolution and filled in a few more parts of the 3-billion piece jigsaw we call "us".

The "DNA Pardon": Murder Sentence Genetically Reduced

Gear up for Gattaca, as an Italian court has reduced a murderer's sentence to account for his genes.  Despite the fact the relevant genetic science isn't actually that advanced, the likely effects on the legal system, and the very real question of "Isn't that ass backwards?"

Genetic Mutations that Set Humans Apart from Other Primates Identified

Although humans and chimpanzees genetically vary by just 1.2 percent, that small percentage makes a world of difference in the mental and linguistic capabilities between the two species. A study shows that a certain form of neuropsin, a protein that plays a role in learning and memory, is expressed only in the central nervous systems of humans. The scientists conclude that this critical difference originated less than 5 million years ago.

Although humans and chimpanzees genetically vary by just 1.2 percent, that small percentage makes a world of difference in the mental and linguistic capabilities between the two species. A study shows that a certain form of neuropsin, a protein that plays a role in learning and memory, is expressed only in the central nervous systems of humans. The scientists conclude that this critical difference originated less than 5 million years ago.

Although humans and chimpanzees genetically vary by just 1.2 percent, that small percentage makes a world of difference in the mental and linguistic capabilities between the two species. A study shows that a certain form of neuropsin, a protein that plays a role in learning and memory, is expressed only in the central nervous systems of humans. The scientists conclude that this critical difference originated less than 5 million years ago.

Genetic Mutation Played Key Role in Evolution of Human Learning

Although humans and chimpanzees genetically vary by just 1.2 percent, that small percentage makes a world of difference in the mental and linguistic capabilities between the two species. A study shows that a certain form of neuropsin, a protein that plays a role in learning and memory, is expressed only in the central nervous systems of humans. The scientists conclude that this critical difference originated less than 5 million years ago.

Did Prehistoric Viruses Trigger Human Evolution? A Galaxy Classic

When the mapping of the human genome was completed in 2003, researchers discovered a shocking fact: our bodies are littered with the shards of retroviruses, fragments of the chemical code from which all genetic material is made. This discovery has created a new discipline, paleovirology, which seeks to better understand the impact of modern diseases by studying the genetic history of ancient viruses.

When the mapping of the human genome was completed in 2003, researchers discovered a shocking fact: our bodies are littered with the shards of retroviruses, fragments of the chemical code from which all genetic material is made. This discovery has created a new discipline, paleovirology, which seeks to better understand the impact of modern diseases by studying the genetic history of ancient viruses.

When the mapping of the human genome was completed in 2003, researchers discovered a shocking fact: our bodies are littered with the shards of retroviruses, fragments of the chemical code from which all genetic material is made. This discovery has created a new discipline, paleovirology, which seeks to better understand the impact of modern diseases by studying the genetic history of ancient viruses.

The Next 200 Years: Are Modern Humans Evolving Faster? A Galaxy Insight

"We are more different genetically from people living 5,000 years ago than they were different from Neanderthals."

John Hawks -University of Wisconsin anthropologist

In a fascinating discovery that counters a common theory that human evolution has slowed to a crawl or even stopped in modern humans, a study examining data from an international genomics project describes the past 40,000 years as a time of supercharged evolutionary change, driven by exponential population growth and cultural shifts.

"We are more different genetically from people living 5,000 years ago than they were different from Neanderthals."

John Hawks -University of Wisconsin anthropologist

In a fascinating discovery that counters a common theory that human evolution has slowed to a crawl or even stopped in modern humans, a study examining data from an international genomics project describes the past 40,000 years as a time of supercharged evolutionary change, driven by exponential population growth and cultural shifts.

DNA Unlocks Clues to Longevity -A Galaxy Insight

Scientists have long been baffled as to why some people live so much longer than others. Diet and exercise account for some of it, but researchers have found that genetics also factor heavily into the equation, and that long life is somewhat hereditary as it is with living bristlecone pine that were alive when Caesar ruled Rome.

However, centenarians are known to have just as many—and sometimes even more—harmful gene variants compared with those who die much younger. So what is the secret advantage? That’s a question the experts have been eager to find an answer to.

Scientists have long been baffled as to why some people live so much longer than others. Diet and exercise account for some of it, but researchers have found that genetics also factor heavily into the equation, and that long life is somewhat hereditary as it is with living bristlecone pine that were alive when Caesar ruled Rome.

However, centenarians are known to have just as many—and sometimes even more—harmful gene variants compared with those who die much younger. So what is the secret advantage? That’s a question the experts have been eager to find an answer to.

"Creating Artificial Personalities" (An Evolutionary Step Toward Replacing the Human Species?)

We can now engineer entirely artificial personalities, and we don't mean your-kid-for-cash strategies like Hannah Montana.  Scientists have now evolved artificial personalities based on simulated genetic algorithms. Meaning they're only one good synthetic-skin invention from getting rid of our species altogether. A research collaboration between Samsung and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has created a virtual puppy, Rity, a computerized creature whose every action is guided by a simulated personality system.  It's an excellent choice by the developers, making the first models as harmless-looking as possible - affording them extra time to develop successors and dig the EMP-shielded bunkers.

We can now engineer entirely artificial personalities, and we don't mean your-kid-for-cash strategies like Hannah Montana.  Scientists have now evolved artificial personalities based on simulated genetic algorithms. Meaning they're only one good synthetic-skin invention from getting rid of our species altogether. A research collaboration between Samsung and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has created a virtual puppy, Rity, a computerized creature whose every action is guided by a simulated personality system.  It's an excellent choice by the developers, making the first models as harmless-looking as possible - affording them extra time to develop successors and dig the EMP-shielded bunkers.

Art of DNA Graffiti: Craig Venter's Secret Message

You might think an inner thigh tattoo is a fairly intimate piece of writing, but scientists at the J. Craig Venter Institute (led by the obviously modest Dr J. Craig Venter) authored a message far more personally placed than that.  Famous for creating the first piece of synthetic bacteria DNA, we've since learned that they've autographed it.

You might think an inner thigh tattoo is a fairly intimate piece of writing, but scientists at the J. Craig Venter Institute (led by the obviously modest Dr J. Craig Venter) authored a message far more personally placed than that.  Famous for creating the first piece of synthetic bacteria DNA, we've since learned that they've autographed it.

You might think an inner thigh tattoo is a fairly intimate piece of writing, but scientists at the J. Craig Venter Institute (led by the obviously modest Dr J. Craig Venter) authored a message far more personally placed than that.  Famous for creating the first piece of synthetic bacteria DNA, we've since learned that they've autographed it.

Artificial DNA: Will It Trigger Unintended Consequences?

Cyborgs have been the sci-fi dream of a generation, merging man and machine in amazing new combinations. Most of which seem to look like major action stars. But a team at the University of Copenhagen think that's amateur hour. In fact they find the entirety of life of planet Earth to be distinctly underwhelming, which is why they're working on an upgrade - triple-helixed DNA.

Cyborgs have been the sci-fi dream of a generation, merging man and machine in amazing new combinations. Most of which seem to look like major action stars. But a team at the University of Copenhagen think that's amateur hour. In fact they find the entirety of life of planet Earth to be distinctly underwhelming, which is why they're working on an upgrade - triple-helixed DNA.

Can New DNA Fragments Solve the 3-Billion Piece Puzzle Called "Homo Sapiens"?

Recent research has identified some important new fragments of DNA, though the method might sound more like market research than medical genetics: they looked at DNA across different species and asked "Okay, raise your hand/flipper/paw if this bit is important". Work at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York, applied a statistical model across the history of evolution and filled in a few more parts of the 3-billion piece jigsaw we call "us".