All articles tagged with #natural selection
A new study suggests the human chin didn’t evolve for a specific function but emerged as an incidental byproduct—or spandrel—of other skull changes, meaning natural selection may have shaped surrounding structures rather than the chin itself.
New research shows that harmful genetic mutations in sperm increase with age and are actively favored during sperm production, raising genetic risks for offspring as men grow older, with some mutations linked to serious diseases and cancer, and evidence of natural selection within the testes influencing mutation rates.
Scientists suggest that humans evolved to run long distances as an effective hunting strategy, balancing heat regulation and energy expenditure through a pacing approach that maximizes hourly caloric gains, supported by physiological traits and historical hunting accounts.
Research shows that as men age, harmful genetic mutations in sperm become more common due to natural selection favoring certain DNA changes, increasing the risk of passing on genetic disorders to offspring, with implications for reproductive health and genetic inheritance.
Research shows that as men age, harmful mutations in sperm increase and are favored during sperm production, raising the risk of passing on genetic disorders like neurodevelopmental issues and cancer to offspring, due to a process called 'selfish selection.'
A study suggests that mutations driving evolution are influenced by the genome and occur more frequently where beneficial, challenging the traditional view that mutations are purely random, and proposing a new theory of evolution driven by internal genomic forces alongside natural selection.
Scientists are observing real-time human evolution in Nepalese highlanders, where physiological traits like efficient oxygen transport and heart adaptations are helping residents thrive in low-oxygen environments, exemplifying ongoing natural selection.
Human evolution, traditionally driven by natural selection, is now influenced by technological, medical, social, and cultural factors. While advancements have reduced environmental pressures, evolution continues through genetic adaptations to diseases and cultural preferences. Future evolution may be shaped by climate change, space exploration, and biotechnology, indicating that human evolution is ongoing, albeit in new forms.
Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin and UCLA have used ancient DNA to uncover how Europeans adapted over 7,000 years, identifying genetic changes related to vitamin D production, lactose tolerance, and immunity. By analyzing over 700 samples from various historical periods, they revealed genetic adaptations that are no longer detectable in modern genomes due to genetic drift and population mixing. This study highlights the importance of ancient DNA in understanding human evolutionary history and how certain traits have evolved or disappeared over time.
Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin and UCLA have used ancient DNA to uncover how early Europeans adapted to environmental changes over 7,000 years. By analyzing over 700 samples from different historical periods, they identified genetic adaptations, such as the ability to digest milk and produce vitamin D, that were crucial for survival but have since become less detectable in modern genomes. This study highlights the role of ancient DNA in understanding human evolutionary history and the impact of agriculture and population mixing on genetic traits.
A study on the water flea Daphnia pulex reveals that natural selection can vary in strength on individual genes even in stable environments, challenging traditional views on evolution and suggesting a more subtle and dynamic process of genetic variation and adaptation.
A study by Arizona State University scientists on Daphnia pulex reveals that natural selection on individual genes varies significantly over time, challenging traditional views of evolution. The research shows that genetic variation allows populations to remain adaptable to environmental changes, suggesting a more dynamic and complex process of evolution than previously understood. This insight could have broader implications for understanding how species respond to rapid environmental changes, including those caused by human activities.
The article explores the evolutionary puzzle of how flounders and other flatfish developed their unique anatomy, with both eyes on one side of their head. This adaptation, which allows them to lie flat on the sea floor and ambush prey, has long puzzled biologists and was even used by critics of Darwin's theory of evolution as evidence against natural selection.
Biologists have observed predictable, repeatable evolutionary changes in stick insect populations over three decades, driven by bird predation and natural selection. While short-term evolutionary patterns are consistent, long-term dynamics can be disrupted by random events and new mutations, making them less predictable.
Evolution has led many arthropods to mimic ants, with over 2,000 species resembling the small, stoic marchers for survival benefits. While some mimics closely resemble ants, others are poor lookalikes, prompting scientists to explore the reasons behind imperfect impersonation. A study comparing ant-mimicking insects and spiders found that both groups exhibited a range of accuracy, challenging the theory of evolutionary constraints. The research sheds light on the complexity of mimicry and the different perspectives of predators, suggesting that what may seem like imperfect mimicry to humans could be effective in deceiving potential predators.