Genetics

A new study indicates that Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens interbred over a broad area spanning most of Europe, the eastern Mediterranean, and western Asia. Researchers analyzed ancient genetic samples to map this hybrid zone, challenging earlier assumptions of a more localized interaction. The findings suggest repeated encounters as humans expanded from Africa.

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A new study shows that termites evolved complex social structures by losing genes rather than gaining them, with monogamy playing a key role. Researchers traced this evolution from cockroach ancestors to massive colonies. The findings challenge assumptions about social complexity in insects.

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have employed CRISPR gene-editing to create more compact goldenberry plants, reducing their size by about 35 percent to simplify cultivation. This innovation targets the fruit's unruly growth while preserving its nutritious, sweet-tart flavor. The approach aims to enable large-scale farming and enhance crop resilience amid climate challenges.

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Nobel Prize-winning scientist Jennifer Doudna has cofounded Aurora Therapeutics, a startup focused on developing personalized gene-editing treatments for rare diseases. The company plans to leverage CRISPR technology and a new FDA regulatory pathway to bring these therapies to market. This initiative builds on recent successes in custom treatments that have saved lives.

A global genetics analysis has found extensive shared DNA risk across 14 psychiatric disorders, offering a clearer explanation for why many people receive multiple diagnoses over their lifetime. Using genomic data from more than six million individuals, researchers reported that the disorders cluster into five partially overlapping genetic groupings. The study was published Dec. 10, 2025, in Nature.

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Forensic tests on a murdered woman in China uncovered an extremely rare form of chimerism, where her body contained a mix of genetically male and female cells. The condition went unnoticed during her life, despite her having a son and typical female anatomy. Experts suggest it arose from a single egg fertilized by two sperm, leading to a unique genetic makeup.