Geneticists

On the origin of COVID and the persistence of Omicron: this geneticist's point of view - DNA Science

On the origin of COVID and the persistence of Omicron: this geneticist’s point of view – DNA Science

The last phrase borrowed from biology in COVID conversations is convergent evolution. It refers to pairs of unrelated species that resemble each other because their ancestors evolved under similar environmental conditions. Natural selection favored adaptive (useful) inherited traits, and millennia later two unrelated species of mammals or birds look remarkably similar. Convergent evolution also happens …

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Squashes, the hounds of the plant world, can weigh a pound or 1,000. Geneticists think they know why

Squashes, the hounds of the plant world, can weigh a pound or 1,000. Geneticists think they know why

They can weigh two pounds or 200, small and spherical or deformed and oblong, and feature a range of colors, coats, and patterns. No, we’re not talking about dogs, we’re talking about gourds – another genetically malleable life form that comes in a bizarre wide range of sizes and shapes, most of which can (again, …

Squashes, the hounds of the plant world, can weigh a pound or 1,000. Geneticists think they know why Read More »