DNA
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Reasons You Might Not Know Cancer Runs in Your Family
Jun 8
Genealogy today involves not only making a family tree but also creating a medical family tree. There are some DNA tests out there that can reveal a person's risk of developing cancer. In the United States, the Affordable Care Act has made it possible for more people than ever before to be able to afford to see a doctor. Even so, there are some rea...
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TapGenes Helps You Discover Your Family Health Story
May 11
Genealogy has always involved the creation of a family tree. In recent years, it has become equally important for genealogists to create their medical family tree. Putting together all the health related information that you discover about your family can be difficult. TapGenes can help with that task! TapGenes is there to help you discover your...
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Updated Version of Gorilla Genome Revealed
Apr 26
The genome of the Western Lowland Gorilla has been given a second look. Scientists noticed that the original attempt to sequence the gorilla's genome had gaps. What they learned from Western lowland gorilla's genome could reveal information relevant to the human genome. The scientific name for humans is Homo sapiens. The scientific name of the W...
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Identifying Those Who Sank on the USS Oklahoma
Jan 19
The USS Oklahoma was sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. A total of 429 men died when the ship capsized. The remains were recovered in 1943, but identification proved to be impossible at the time. Today, there is an effort being made to re-examine the bones and identify the those who sank on the USS Oklahoma. The USS Oklahoma as on ...
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The Limitations of DNA Test Kits for Americans
Jan 12
Genealogists take DNA tests for two reasons. One is because the results could reveal relatives that they were unaware of. The other reason has to do with health. Some DNA tests can reveal whether or not a person has genes that might increase the risk for certain diseases. However, there is a limitation on DNA test kits for Americans – one that is...
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Coffee Consumption Associated with Longer Life
Dec 22
There are many who begin their day with a nice, hot, cup of coffee. People enjoy the warmth and comfort the popular beverage brings, and look forward to the kick of caffeine. You may have started drinking coffee after watching your parents and grandparents drink it. A new study found that drinking coffee is associated with having a long life. 23...
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Humans are Genetically More Similar to Their Fathers
Apr 16
When a new baby is born, family members often try to identify traits that come from the baby's father or the baby's mother. It is typical for people to want to see reflections of the parents in their child. These observations are subjective. A study has found that humans are more genetically similar to their fathers than they are to their mothers. ...
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Why Mitochondrial DNA is Important to Genealogists
Apr 6
Genealogists seek out information about their relatives and ancestors. They want to know how everyone is related to each other and to “fill in the blanks” where information is missing. Mitochondrial DNA can help genealogists discover new relatives, find out more about their heritage, and provide matrilineal information. Mitochondria is part ...
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Being Injury-Prone Could be in your Genes
Mar 10
Do you have a relative that has a remarkable tendency to end up injured? It might not be entirely their fault. A review article indicates that a person's genetic makeup could have an influence on their risk of injury. The results of the article are especially interesting to athletes whose livelihoods can be negatively impacted after a severe injur...
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Traits You May have Inherited from a Neanderthal
Feb 26
There are DNA testing kits that can tell you where in the world your ancestors originated from. National Geographic's Genographic Project can reveal what percentage of your genome is connected to specific regions of the world. It can also reveal if you have Neanderthal or Denisovan ancestry. It has been said that there are some traits that peo...