By: Ali Alsaadi, Colton Burkhart, and Alexio Trichilo (Stonehill College, BIO323: Evolution, Spring 2026)
A recent study published in Science Advances by Emmanuel Cazottes and colleagues reveals that one of the most important genes in the human body is XIST. It has kept its function over millions of years of evolution, but the way it is controlled has changed dramatically across primates. This research shows that evolution can reshape genetic “control systems” without disrupting essential biological processes, offering new insight into how genes evolve and why this matters for human health.
By: Priscilla Younes, Neyana Fortes, and Jordan Marot (Stonehill College, BIO323: Evolution, Spring 2023)
Overview
In the contrasting environments of the alpine meadows and sand dunes of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, two lizard populations have a secret weapon: the ability to use their body color for camouflage and thermoregulation, a local adaptation that helps them survive. Not only have these lizards adapted their colors to hide from predators, but they’ve also regulated their internal temperature using melanin-producing genes. In “Genetically Encoded Lizard Color Divergence for Camouflage and Thermoregulation,” Sun and his team show how the power of local adaptation allows separate populations of toadhead agamas (Phrynocephalus putjatai) to thrive in two distinct habitats. Their study highlights the importance of local adaptation, where species develop traits suited to their specific environments, and how it can lead to the divergence of species to create a new one. With combined data from field observations, genetic analyses, and other experiments, we aim to explain why the lizards developed different colors and how this enhances their survival. Tune into the Evolution Unraveled podcast for a deeper dive into this concept!
By: Adam Ziegler, Matthew Papp, Shivam Gandhi, Nikolas Steege, Bio323 Evolution, Fall 2019, Stonehill College
Let’s face it, we all sweat. Despite sweat being such a common and
prominent aspect of everyday life, not many people understand what
causes sweating, or why not all mammals sweat. A recent paper explored
the difference in human sweat compared to other primates from compiled
data sets across three phylogenetic models. The research focused on the
two glands that are primarily involved in sweating, the apocrine and
eccrine glands. By combining glycogen concentration, climate, and
distribution of glands, the authors were able to predict the eccrine
gland ancestral relationship. The results show exactly how humans have
come to evolve the current gland distribution and offer a previously
unstudied insight into our ancestors.
by: Alex Baryiames, Cassie Daisy, Mohini Patel & Olivia Peterson (Stonehill College Evolution Fall 2017)
Eating something bitter isn’t a great experience. The moment the taste hits your mouth can be an unpleasant one, and often causes you to avoid that particular food in the future. In an effort to understand this phenomenon, researchers discovered that the ability to detect these bitter tastes might have some evolutionary benefits! Read on to discover how the ability of vertebrates to detect bitter tastes can be a protective mechanism against toxic materials, and greatly contributes to our survival!
