Environmental

Recent Posts

The Columbian and Woolly Mammoth may be one highly variable species
Posted on 22 Jan 2012 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

What is interesting about genetic analysis is the way it has the potential to upset otherwise well-established classifications of animals. A good example is the Mammoth, Ice Age beasts well known to one and all. Although they both roamed North America... Read More

Wolf-Coyote-Dog hybrids are being found in much of the U.S., but not in the Western U.S.
Posted on 10 Jun 2011 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

In order to resolve a debate over the history and origin of various Wolf populations in the U.S., researchers turned to genetic analysis. In recently published research, the scientists used molecular genetic techniques to look at over 48,000 markers throughout... Read More

DNA Predicts Only a Few Disorders
Posted on 13 May 2012 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Prior posts have noted that gene functioning can be modified by a number of processes, such as methylation. Recently animal tests have found that some of these modifications are passed on to off-spring even though no change is made to the gene itself... Read More

Could DNA that is no longer present in the human genome have helped to make humans what we are? Very likely.
Posted on 24 May 2011 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Prior posts have looked at a variety of issues related to genes and what allegedly makes humans what we supposedly are. But, is it possible that DNA that is no longer present in the genome also helped to shape us? How would we know? Most research into... Read More

Wolf-Coyote-Dog hybrids are being found in much of the U.S., but not in the Western U.S.
Posted on 10 Jun 2011 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

In order to resolve a debate over the history and origin of various Wolf populations in the U.S., researchers turned to genetic analysis. In recently published research, the scientists used molecular genetic techniques to look at over 48,000 markers throughout... Read More

Even toxics can act as a generic selection factor in the environment
Posted on 22 Feb 2011 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

One of the themes of this blog has been that virtually anything present in the environment can act as a selection factor influencing the course of evolution. A recent study on fish and PCB's and dioxins illustrates this point. Unfortunately for humans... Read More

DNA Predicts Only a Few Disorders
Posted on 13 May 2012 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Prior posts have noted that gene functioning can be modified by a number of processes, such as methylation. Recently animal tests have found that some of these modifications are passed on to off-spring even though no change is made to the gene itself... Read More

Evolution is a complex process, just ask the Transylvanian naked-neck chicken
Posted on 6 Apr 2011 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Prior posts have noted that selection factors that influence evolution can be highly variable, and sometimes surprising. It is not the simple "survival of the fitest" postulated by Darwin (who in fairness could not have known about many of the... Read More

The Columbian and Woolly Mammoth may be one highly variable species
Posted on 22 Jan 2012 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

What is interesting about genetic analysis is the way it has the potential to upset otherwise well-established classifications of animals. A good example is the Mammoth, Ice Age beasts well known to one and all. Although they both roamed North America... Read More

Could DNA that is no longer present in the human genome have helped to make humans what we are? Very likely.
Posted on 24 May 2011 by Thomas H. Clarke, Jr.

Prior posts have looked at a variety of issues related to genes and what allegedly makes humans what we supposedly are. But, is it possible that DNA that is no longer present in the genome also helped to shape us? How would we know? Most research into... Read More