Understanding the genetic adaptations that protect the birds’ brains when they dive for food might one day offer clues to protecting human brains.
Genetic tweaks in kingfishers might help cushion the blow when the diving birds plunge beak first into the water to catch fish., which might protect against damage during dives, researchers report October 24 in. The results suggest the different species of diving kingfishers may have adapted to survive their dives unscathed in some of the same ways, but it’s still unclear how the genetic changes protect the birds.
Hackett first became interested in how the birds protect their brains while she worked with her son’s hockey team and started worrying about the effect of repeated hits on the human brain. Around the same time, evolutionary biologist Chad Eliason joined the museum to study kingfishers and their plunge diving behavior.
The analysis revealed evidence of 93 changed genes that seemed to signal genetic convergence. Of those, one stood out: It was a tweak in a gene that holds the instructions for making the tau protein, which, when functioning normally, helps to stabilize cells’ structure and could be a change to help the birds adapt to diving, the team suggests.
But, he says, the type of genetic analysis done in the study is tricky. Some of the convergent genes identified might be due to chance and not be related to the evolution of plunge diving behavior. More in-depth studies to identify which genetic changes are relevant to the diving behavior are warranted.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Understanding 'red flag' gun laws and bipartisan momentumAfter the Lewiston shooting, scrutiny over unheeded warning signs and Maine's 'yellow flag' gun law sparks bipartisan momentum for 'red flag' laws.
Read more »
On Ernest Leffingwell, an exploring scientist who dedicated himself to better understanding the far northA geologist, teacher and a veteran of the Spanish-American War, Leffingwell stayed behind on Flaxman Island years after the rest of his expedition departed.
Read more »
Understanding That Chronic Back Pain Originates From Within The Brain Could Lead To Quicker Recovery, A New Study FindsApproximately 16 million U.S. adults have chronic back pain
Read more »
Understanding all kinds of English accents can improve empathy and learning—and even be a matter of life and deathIn a 2019 sketch from the US late-night comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL), the actor James McAvoy plays a Scottish air traffic controller attempting to help a US brand integration manager (Mikey Day) land a plane in distress, because the pilot has been knocked unconscious.
Read more »
Knicks' Evan Fournier staying upbeat despite remaining out of rotation: 'Not up to me'As shooting struggles define the Knicks’ rocky start, the franchise’s 3-point record holder sits on the bench with an understanding he probably won’t get off it.
Read more »