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Pandemics vs Entropy

Pandemics vs Entropy

Pandemic viruses are deadly, but over time they should weaken as they pick up mutations. Will this happen with the pandemic coronavirus? We can only hope. But has it ever happen before? Yes, between 1917 and 2009, the human H1N1 virus picked up thousands of mutations...
The octopus is from Mars, and other stories

The octopus is from Mars, and other stories

There are certain things in genetics that are truly shocking. Complexity (in this case, of the octopus genome), hybridization between species that are not in any way similar, ancient genetic connections between the Polynesians and the South Americans, and the...
Twisting Tales with Ancient DNA

Twisting Tales with Ancient DNA

  The fact that ancient DNA exists at all is a minor miracle. And now that we have figured out how to extract it efficiently and sequence it accurately (more or less), we are suddenly able to answer many long-standing historical riddles. Dr C explains how ancient...