"The Genetic Mystery of Human Tail Loss Unraveled by Scientists"
Scientists have discovered a unique DNA mutation within the TBXT gene that is linked to the disappearance of ancestral tails in humans and apes, shedding light on the evolutionary transition. This mutation involves Alu elements, which can cause the removal of an entire exon during RNA splicing, leading to tail loss. The study's findings not only deepen our understanding of evolutionary biology but also open new avenues for genomic analysis, as alternative splicing mechanisms may underlie various evolutionary changes in traits.