Scientists have revealed parts of the genome that are especially vulnerable to mutations that occur very early on in development. These areas are in the initial portions of genes, where the cell tends ...

Concern surrounding the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 influenza virus currently circulating in dairy cows in the United States is growing. A total of 58 human cases have been reported as of ...

Scientists from the Scripps Research Institute are reporting that it would take just a single mutation in the version of bird flu that has swept through U.S. dairy herds to produce a virus adept at ...

When a zygote begins cell division at a rapid rate, errors happen, and a new study found that base pairs near a gene’s transcription state sites (TSS) are particularly vulnerable. By analyzing some ...

A new study has raised alarm bells about the potential for the H5N1 bird flu virus to evolve into a strain sparking a human pandemic. A single mutation in the virus currently ravaging dairy farms ...

Helen Branswell covers issues broadly related to infectious diseases, including outbreaks, preparedness, research, and vaccine development. Follow her on Mastodon and Bluesky. You can reach Helen on ...

Researchers have discovered new regions of the human genome particularly vulnerable to mutations. These altered stretches of DNA can be passed down to future generations and are important for how we ...

Scientists have raised alarm bells after the first H5N1 death in the US was reported in January 2025, following exposure to infected chickens. Researchers have identified nine mutations in a bird flu ...

California researchers say the world may be just one genetic tweak away from human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 bird flu virus — a worrisome mutation that could open the door to widespread human ...

A new mega-database of half a million mutations may flag new ways of treating genetic disease, scientists say. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s ...