Genetics & Evolution

Examining what it means to have Irish blood, outlining where Irish DNA comes from and who are the closest genetic relatives of the Irish in Europe. Of interest to anyone with Irish ancestry who wants to understand their genealogy.

Genetic diversity is the variation in the characteristics inherited from the parent organisms in a population of a specific species. Genetic diversity can come about through a number of ways: mutations, sexual reproduction, migration, and population size.

Most commonly, you see brown or blue eyes but some people, whether it be luck or a medical condition, wind up with really cool and rare eye colors.

Prior to the discovery of blood groups, blood transfusions were often deadly. Physicians attempted the use of milk and animal blood as an alternative to human blood, but met with limited success: the discovery of blood types allowed modern transfusions to safely take place. Blood typing, blood groups around the world, and the genetics of blood types are discussed in this article.

Telomeres protect the ends of chromosomes. Telomerase is an enzyme that stops telomeres from shortening. Both may play a role in the aging process and in cancer development.

Several external factors affect the way we perceive eye color. This article discusses how environmental factors can impact hazel eyes, making it easy to mistake them for green eyes.

Did you know that up to 2% of genes in the human population are actually from Neanderthals? Mood disorders and sleeping patterns are among the traits influenced by these genes. Read on to learn more about the traits modern humans have in common with Neanderthals.

We know that everyone's DNA is unique, but do you know exactly how forensic scientists tell people apart from their DNA? In this article, we explore the concept of microsatellites (or STRs) and apply this knowledge to tackle an exciting mock case example with riveting twists and turns.

About 10 percent of the population is left-handed and experts are unsure exactly why this is so.

According to genetics, it is extremely rare, but still possible, for a black person to have blue eyes. This article will cover the science behind black people with blue eyes, and will provide some well-known examples.

Sickle cell disease is painful for sufferers and can sometimes be dangerous. Genome editing may one day correct the mutation that causes the disorder.

Hair color is primarily genetic, and red hair is caused by mutations in the MC1R gene. The gene for red hair also causes an increased sensitivity to sunlight and a reduced sensitivity to anesthesia. Contrary to internet rumors, redheads are not going extinct! Famous redheads include Queen Elizabeth I and Malcolm X.

They live in a rainbow world the rest of us can never see. Thanks to an eye mutation, an incredibly small percentage of women view their day with supervision, seeing colour where the rest of us see normal shades or even monochrome.

The Y chromosome contains haplogroups which allow people to trace their family history, genes which control male development, and may actually be disappearing.

The discovery of a single tooth led to the belief in an ape-like creature had once roamed the plains of the New World.

A hormone is defined as a chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activity of certain cells or organs. Despite operating as micro-level human body processes, their operations are essential to our survival and affect our everyday activities of life.