Subscribe via RSSFeb
8
2011
I’ve recently been (pardon the pun) out of the loop on genetic genealogy news but Mannis van Oven announced yesterday that Build 11 of his mtDNA tree is now available for viewing. Not surprisingly, by his count identified H subclades are up to 39 (not counting sub-subclades within those 39), while U’s subclades continue to branch out ever more finely.
Sep
17
2010
Reporter Jia Lynn Yang has a Washington Post article on researchers – funded by the Mars Company, makers of chocolate confections such as the Twix, Snickers and Mars bars as well as M&Ms – who have almost completed their mapping of the cacao tree’s genome; the hope is to use the results to more quickly and effectively propagate durable, productive cacao trees that are currently too fragile and disease-prone. Additionally, Mars is opening up the results of their research to all who are interested.
Yang asks the question which is no doubt on every chocoholic’s mind: ”But enough about the science. Will the new information result in better-tasting chocolate?” The answer, sadly, is “perhaps.”
Apr
7
2010
A random selection from recent headline stories involving DNA.
Mar
25
2010
While the 2008 genetic map of Europe/Euroopan geneetinen kartta simply showed Finland as a stark outlier compared to other European countries, the genetic atlas recently created by Finland’s Institute for Molecular Medicine provides a look at the complexity of genetic differences within Finland itself. The work was overseen by the late geneticist Leena Peltonen-Palotie and based on analysis of over 40,000 DNA samples. Some commentary here (Suomeksi) and here (English). 2008 article “Correlation between Genetic and Geographic Structure in Europe” here. [h/t Raija, Jennifer and Marja]
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