Study of Millions Finds Genetic Links to Smoking and Drinking
Study of Millions Finds Genetic Links to Smoking and Drinking
In the largest study of its kind, scientists find nearly 4,000 genetic variants that may predispose people to alcohol and tobacco use behaviors.
In the largest study of its kind, scientists find nearly 4,000 genetic variants that may predispose people to alcohol and tobacco use behaviors.
variant
New Gene Mutants Identified in Rare Motor Neuron Diseases
Clare Watson | Oct 17, 2022 | 2 min read
The discovery of gene variants in cases of hereditary spastic dysplasia could provide a diagnosis to affected families where no genetic cause could be found before.
Experts Mixed on Risk of “Centaurus” Omicron Subvariant
Dan Robitzski | Aug 15, 2022 | 3 min read
BA.2.75 is spreading rampantly in India and has so far reached at least 20 other countries, but it doesn’t seem to be outcompeting other Omicron SARS-CoV-2 subvariants.
Two Genetic Loci Control Migration Direction in a Small Bird Species
Pedro Andrade, PhD | 4 min read
The innate genetic program that controls migratory behavior in birds is shrouded in mystery, but scientists are closer to understanding how genetic variation influences their routes between Europe and Africa.
Black Death Likely Originated in Central Asia
Andy Carstens | Jun 15, 2022 | 5 min read
Genetic testing of people who died in Kyrgyzstan eight years before plague reached Europe reveals an ancient strain of the bacterium Yersinia pestis.
What You Should Know About New Omicron Subvariants
Natalia Mesa, PhD | May 17, 2022 | 6 min read
The presence and spread of new, more-infectious and immune-evading variants show that the coronavirus is not done mutating.
Scientists Investigate Omicron Subvariant BA.2
Catherine Offord | Jan 28, 2022 | 2 min read
This strain of SARS-CoV-2 is causing new outbreaks in Europe and Asia and may spread slightly faster than the better-known BA.1 Omicron subvariant, although it’s too early to say for sure.
What We Learned About COVID-19 in 2021
Shawna Williams | Dec 16, 2021 | 3 min read
As Omicron induces a sense of deja vu at the close of the year, we look back at a few key ways in which our understanding has moved forward.
Omicron Appears to Evade Vaccines Better Than Other Variants
Jef Akst | Dec 14, 2021 | 3 min read
Preliminary studies suggest that existing vaccines falter in preventing symptomatic infections caused by the new coronavirus variant, but protection against severe disease is still high.
Plenty of Evidence for Recombination in SARS-CoV-2
Abby Olena, PhD | Sep 2, 2021 | 7 min read
Different variants of the virus behind the COVID-19 pandemic are swapping chunks of genetic material, but it’s not yet clear what implications that may have for public health.
WHO Updates the Nomenclature of SARS-CoV-2 Variants
Lisa Winter | Jun 1, 2021 | 2 min read
Rather than being described by the location of where they emerged or an alphanumeric code, variants will be given a Greek letter.
Coronavirus Mutations Could Muddle COVID-19 PCR Tests
Jack J. Lee | May 17, 2021 | 4 min read
Researchers find that SARS-CoV-2 variants can evade primer-probe sets and recommend that diagnostic assays include multiple targets for reliability.
What Scientists Know About the B.1.617 Coronavirus Variant
Shawna Williams | May 3, 2021 | 2 min read
While some experts speculate the variant could be partially responsible for India’s current surge in SARS-CoV-2 infections, information about the effects of its mutations is only beginning to emerge.
Q&A: Data Gaps Hinder Monitoring of SARS-COV-2 Variants
Jef Akst | Mar 24, 2021 | 6 min read
Martha Nelson of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases talks about the need to balance data sharing and patient privacy concerns when tracking the spread of variants.
Regeneron Cocktail Stumbles Against SARS-CoV-2 Variant in Vitro
Marcus A. Banks | Mar 1, 2021 | 3 min read
A treatment of two monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 is ninefold less effective in the lab against the B.1.351 variant than against the dominant version of the virus.
What Pseudoviruses Bring to the Study of SARS-CoV-2
Amanda Heidt | Feb 16, 2021 | 7 min read
Engineered viruses that don’t replicate provide a tractable model for scientists to safely study SARS-CoV-2, including research into vaccine efficacy and emerging variants.
Another Potentially Immunity-Evading SARS-CoV-2 Variant Detected
Asher Jones | Feb 16, 2021 | 2 min read
B.1.525 shares a mutation with the B.1.351 variant first detected in South Africa that seems to allow the virus to dodge the immune system.
Vaccines Versus the Mutants
Anthony King | Feb 8, 2021 | 7 min read
Facing new variants of SARS-CoV-2, some vaccines may offer more robust protection or be more easily redesigned to target them.
Will Delaying Vaccine Doses Cause a Coronavirus Escape Mutant?
Chris Baraniuk | Feb 4, 2021 | 6 min read
With many millions of people waiting several weeks to receive a second COVID-19 vaccine dose in some countries, experts consider the possibility that SARS-CoV-2 could evolve vaccine resistance.
Side-by-Side Comparisons of Important SARS-CoV-2 Variants
Katarina Zimmer | Jan 26, 2021 | 3 min read
Here’s our brief guide to the most noteworthy mutations in the novel coronavirus.