Image credit: sxc.hu

Humans are reason for varied animal coats

Posted on Thursday, 22 January, 2009 | 0 comments

Humans have actively changed the coats of domestic animals by cherry-picking rare genetic mutations, causing variations such as different colours, bands and spots, according to a new study. The study on wild and domestic pigs by Uppsala and Durham Universities, published today in the open access journal PLoS Genetics, reveals that the genetic changes happened over thousands of years. The study also explains for the first time why there is a stark contrast between the coat colours of wild and domestic animals and gives further insight into the process of evolution, particularly since animals were first domesticated about 10,000 years ago.

View: Full article |

Source: EurekAlert.org

Discuss: View comments (0)

<< Previous article
Another UFO sighting linked to turbine incident

Next article >>
New skull study shows 'hobbit' is not human

Other news in this category

The mysteries of water

Posted 2-9-2010 | 15 comments
Water is one of the most important substances on the planet yet mystery still surrounds many of its properties, exactly how much d...

What gives mass to matter ?

Posted 2-7-2010 | 1 comment
A new run on the Large Hadron Collider lasting until 2011 is hoping to solve the mystery of what gives mass to matter....

Breakthrough pill to help people live to 100

Posted 2-5-2010 | 37 comments
Experts have announced a breakthrough pill that is believed to be able to help people live until they are at least 100....

Scientists grow edible insects

Posted 2-5-2010 | 17 comments
Insects are being grown in Costa Rica for the purpose of eating them in work inspired by practices in Africa....

Could humans one day walk on walls ?

Posted 2-3-2010 | 17 comments
A new adhesive device invented at Cornell could one day make it possible to move up walls just like Spiderman....

Russia unveils stealth fighter jet

Posted 2-2-2010 | 28 comments
Russia have unveiled a new stealth fighter jet, the Sukhoi T-50, in a bid to modernise the country's ageing military hardware....

Massive laser to trigger nuclear fusion reaction

Posted 2-1-2010 | 11 comments
Later this year the world's most powerful laser will attempt to achieve a self sustaning nuclear fusion reaction....

Drug could offer "super-survivability" to soldiers

Posted 1-30-2010 | 17 comments
A new drug has been developed that could help keep injured soldiers alive by preventing their bodies from shutting down....

Richard Branson plans "underwater plane"

Posted 1-29-2010 | 5 comments
As if kickstarting mainstream space tourism wasn't enough Sir Richard Branson is now looking to conquer the ocean's depths....

National Trust commemorate Thomas Crapper

Posted 1-28-2010 | 9 comments
In a celebration of the history of the humble toilet the National Trust are commemorating the contributions of Thomas Crapper....

Hidden Antarctic mountains take shape

Posted 1-27-2010 | 2 comments
Researchers continue to piece together a view of Antarctica's hidden "Ghost Peaks" buried deep underneath the ice....

New artificial nose can 'sniff out' terrorists

Posted 1-25-2010 | 0 comments
Scientists in Germany have developed a new device that can literally sniff out explosives in the search for terrorists....

View: More news in this category

Recent comments on this story

View: All comments (0) |

Discuss: Add comment

There are currently no comments on this item, to have your say please log in and click 'add comment' above.

On the forum

Intel shows off chip

Scientists 'grow' edible insects

Phase Changing Materials Added To Drywall

Leeches pump fresh blood into economy

Even 'third-hand' smoke is dangerous...

New green nuke fuel cleans up old mess

Different colors describe happiness, depressi