Genome duplications helped flowering plants survive mass extinctions

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Extra copies of genetic material appear to have boosted the survival of flowering plants during Earth's major environmental crises, including the event that wiped out the dinosaurs.

A study of 470 angiosperm species found 132 ancient genome duplications that clustered around nine periods of upheaval between 108 million and 14 million years ago. These included climate shifts, changes in oxygen levels and mass extinctions, such as the asteroid impact 66 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous period.

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Microscopic view contrasting cell division errors: one surviving DNA-doubled cell and one dying cell, for cancer research news illustration.
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Study suggests the route to whole-genome doubling influences whether DNA-doubled cells survive

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Researchers at Hokkaido University report that cells left with an extra set of DNA after a division error can have markedly different outcomes depending on how the division fails—findings that could help explain why some abnormal cells persist in diseases where whole-genome duplication is common, including cancer.

DNA study uncovers strawberry's ancient genome mergers

Scientists have developed a new method using transposable elements to trace the evolutionary history of complex plant genomes. The approach was tested on the cultivated strawberry and identified multiple ancient hybridization events that shaped its octoploid genome.

Study finds asexual reproduction slowed early animal evolution

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A new study suggests Earth's first animals evolved slowly because they reproduced asexually, limiting competition in ancient oceans. Researchers from the University of Cambridge say a later shift to sexual reproduction helped drive a surge in biodiversity during the Ediacaran period.

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Study solves mystery of reptile bone armor evolution

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Freeze-thaw cycles aided evolution of early cell-like structures

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Chicxulub impact site stayed hot for 8 million years

Ancient Denisovan DNA still shapes human immunity today

A new study from Yale University shows that DNA inherited from extinct Denisovans continues to affect immune function and skeletal development in people from Near Oceania. Researchers sequenced genomes from 177 individuals across 12 populations and identified over 3,100 active genetic variants. The findings were published June 11 in the journal Science.

Meteor impacts may have sparked life on early Earth

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Scientists suggest that asteroid impacts created hot, chemical-rich environments that could have kick-started life on Earth. A new review led by recent Rutgers graduate Shea Cinquemani highlights impact-generated hydrothermal systems as potential cradles for life's building blocks. These systems may have persisted for thousands of years, providing ideal conditions for early biology.

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Simulations show complex life on Earth could persist longer

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Millipedes reached land 80 million years before vertebrates

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Ancient dna shows women's key role in europe's prehistoric shifts

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Cacti evolve rapidly through fast-changing flowers, study finds

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Scientists find same genes drive butterfly mimicry over 120 million years

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Fossil confirms mammal ancestors laid eggs after mass extinction

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Study uncovers squid survival during Earth's mass extinction

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