Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'dna'

Identical Twins Are Not Truly Identical

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

Identical twins look alike and share the same DNA, but they aren't completely identical. Some of the differences can be caused by the environment. But a new study says the differences can also depend on which genes are switched on, and which aren't.

DNA Suggests Ancient Hunter Also Fought Baldness

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:00:00 EST

Scientists have sequenced most of the DNA of a 4,000-year-old human using tufts of hair found in Greenland. The researchers say this is the most complete reconstruction of ancient human DNA to date and reveals details not only of the man himself but also where his people came from.

What's In That Fish Stick... Give It A DNA Test

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:00:00 EST

Brenda Tan and Matt Cost, high school seniors from Trinity School in New York City, used a technique called DNA barcoding to find out what species were present in over 200 animal products. Their results suggest buyers should beware!

Pig Legs Bring Home Bacon For London Shop

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:38:00 EST

The world's most expensive ham goes on sale Monday at a posh food store in London. Each Albarragena ham leg is wrapped in a special apron made by a Spanish tailor. Given the $3,000 price tag, the hams come with DNA certificates — proving the meat comes from pigs fed on wild grasses, roots and acorns who roam freely in the fields of western Spain.

Wrongly Convicted Fla. Man Freed After Serving 35 Years In Prison

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST

James Bain was 19-years-old in 1974, when he was arrested and charged with kidnapping and raping a 9-year-old boy. He was convicted largely because the boy identified him in a police lineup. After serving 35 years in prison, James Bain was recently freed after DNA testing — which he pleaded for when he was initially accused — found him innocent of the crime. Bain talks about his life as a freed man and whether he holds any resentment toward the judicial system for the life-changing error.

New York High Schoolers May Have Discovered New Cockroach Species

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:45:46 EST

Using DNA tests, two seniors at Manhattan's Trinity School found plenty of food that wasn't what the labels said it was. A test of DNA from a cockroach found in an apartment on the Upper West Side suggests it may represent a new species or subspecies.

Taking Biological Research Out Of The Laboratory

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST

The "Do It Yourself" movement works well when you're talking about making your own music or growing your own vegetables. But some people are starting a DIY-biology movement. They're studying things like DNA and E. coli bacteria in home laboratories. And for now, the industry is largely unregulated. Host Guy Raz speaks with Jason Bobe, founder of the group DIYbio.

'Genetic Fossils' Change Extinction Picture

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST

Woolly mammoths and ancient horses may have been roaming the North American steppes longer than scientists thought. Evolutionary biologist Eske Willerslev describes how his team used DNA samples taken from permafrost cores to recalculate when the animals may have disappeared.

Drone Attack Said To Kill Top Al-Qaida Operative

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:59:00 EST

The al-Qaida operative killed in a Predator drone attack in western Pakistan this week may have been one of the group's top operations officers. Two sources familiar with the case tell NPR that they believe Saleh al-Somali was hit in the attack by the remotely piloted aircraft. Officials are awaiting DNA proof.

Study: Missing DNA Can Promote Childhood Obesity

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:12:00 EST

Some children get severely obese because they lack particular chunks of DNA, which kicks their hunger into overdrive, researchers report.

Chicago Canal Flooded With Toxin To Kill Asian Carp

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:43:00 EST

Authorities dumped 2,300 gallons of a fish-killing toxin into a 6-mile-long portion of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, targeting the invasive Asian carp. Although no actual Asian carp had been seen in this portion of the canal, its DNA had previously been found there.

They Might Be Giants Sings About Science

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST

In Here Comes Science, the band They Might Be Giants tackles the scientific process, plasma physics, the role of blood in the body and the importance of DNA, all in song. Band members John Linnell and John Flansburgh discuss the album and play some science tunes. Originally broadcast Sept. 25, 2009.

Scientists Seek New Ways To Produce Flu Vaccine

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:00 EST

One reason for the shortage of the new H1N1 flu vaccine this year is the way flu vaccines are made. A modified form of the virus is grown inside chicken eggs, but the process takes months. Now, scientists are working to create new flu vaccines that can be made much faster, using the virus' DNA.

When Your Boss Wants Your DNA

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

The University of Akron said it could ask new workers for a DNA sample to run background checks. But an anti-discrimination law that went into full effect Nov. 21 prevents employers from requiring workers to share genetic information.

When Your Boss Wants Your DNA

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Students Build Living Microbial Machines

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST

At the 2009 International Genetically Engineered Machine competition, undergraduates from all over the world unveiled the living machines they'd created with snippets of DNA, from bacteria that change color when they detect pollutants to ones that secrete non-toxic superglue.

Scientists Decode DNA Of Domestic Pig

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:28:00 EST

An international team of scientists has completed a draft sequence of the pig genome. This is only the second artiodactyl species to be sequenced. Even more important, pigs shares many important properties with humans, so understanding the pig genome should reveal more about what it means to be human.

Museum's Amelia Earhart's 'Hair' Is Just Thread

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:20:00 EDT

Michele Norris speaks with Toni Mullee, the executive director of the International Women's Air and Space Museum in Cleveland. They discuss the museum's realization from a recent DNA test that what they thought was a lock of Amelia Earhart's hair was, in fact, just thread. The museum has decided to keep the thread on display alongside an explanation of the story.

DNA Mix-Up Kept Suspected Serial Killer Free

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:31:00 EDT

In Milwaukee, police say a mislabeled DNA sample made it possible for a suspected serial killer to avoid arrest for more than a decade. The error revealed a gaping hole in Wisconsin's DNA data bank and is spurring state officials to gather and verify thousands of DNA samples they thought were already in the system. In all, as many as 12,000 samples may be missing.

Nobel Chemistry Prize Goes To 2 Americans, 1 Israeli

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:03:00 EDT

The Nobel Prize for chemistry has been awarded to Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, Thomas Steitz and Ada Yonath for "studies of the structure and function of the ribosome." The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences says the ribosome translates the DNA code into life.

The Island Of Bar Codes

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:55:00 EDT

Islands are often the playgrounds for imaginary scientists, from Dr. Moreau to the researchers on the TV show Lost. But this place is real: An island where every single plant species has had its DNA analyzed and catalogued.

Serenading Science In A New Rock Album

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:14:00 EDT

In Here Comes Science, They Might Be Giants tackles the scientific process, plasma physics, the role of blood in the body and the importance of DNA, all in song. Band members John Linnell and John Flansburgh discuss the album and play some science tunes.

Top Terrorist Dead, Indonesian Police Confirm

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 12:02:00 EDT

DNA tests have confirmed that Southeast Asia terrorist leader Noordin Top was killed days ago in a shootout with Indonesian security forces, police said Saturday.

Potato Famine Pathogen's DNA Deciphered

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EDT

Scientists have sequenced the genome of the water mold that causes "late blight" disease in potatoes, tomatoes and other food crops. Genome scientist Chad Nusbaum describes the pathogen's unique genome, and explains why decoding it may lead to new ways to fight the blight.

Yale Technician In Custody In Grad Student Slaying

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:38:00 EDT

Police took animal research technician Raymond Clark III, 24, into custody Tuesday night to collect DNA samples and searched his apartment for evidence that might link him to the death of Annie Le, who worked in the same lab. New Haven Police Chief James Lewis described Clark as a person of interest, not a suspect.