When multiple embryos are transferred into a woman's uterus during in vitro fertilization (IVF) and a single baby is born, there has previously been no way to know which embryo successfully implanted and developed. Now researchers have harnessed DNA fingerprinting, the same technique used to settle paternity suits and implicate criminals, to ...

When a young gene known as sphinx is inactivated in the common fruit fly, it leads to increased male-male courtship, scientists report in the May 27, 2008, issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. High levels of male-male courtship are widespread in many fly species, but not in Drosophila melanogaster, the tiny insect that has ...

Most people with pale skin, red hair or freckles know to slather on extra sun block to ward off skin cancer. A trio of new studies reinforces that notion – but also suggests that genes, not pigmentation, may provide the ultimate guide to who is most likely to get skin cancer after sitting in the sun. Researchers in Iceland and ...

The human race was divided into two separate groups within Africa for as much as half of its existence, says a Tel Aviv University mathematician. Climate change, reduction in populations and harsh conditions may have caused and maintained the separation. Dr. Saharon Rosset, from the School of Mathematical Sciences at Tel Aviv University, ...

''Can we create new life out of our digital universe?'' asks Craig Venter. And his answer is, yes, and pretty soon. He walks the TED2008 audience through his latest research into ''fourth-generation fuels'' -- biologically created fuels with CO2 as their feedstock. His talk covers the details of creating brand-new chromosomes using digital ...

A Californian millionaire established a sperm bank in 1980 with the aim of creating a master race of exceptional individuals, but did the plan work?

Four separate studies have found genes that are related to lupus. This identification could lead to better diagnosis, and hopefully, eventually, a cure.

Today, scientists are using the RNAi mechanism to learn more about what particular genes do and how to alter their function. Determining gene function is a relatively simple matter of inserting double-stranded RNA molecules that have a particular sequence into cells and observing the effects after RNAi silences the corresponding ...

By popular demand, here is the full updated documentary ''Ghost in your Genes'', aired on PBS's NOVA program on October 16, 2007.

Juan runs through new bio-technology like searching exhalations for DNA signatures of illness, operating on organs outside of the body and programmable cells to solve the worlds energy needs.