Tag: dna

‘Snake the Bigfoot Hunter’ claims he unearthed scientific proof of Sasquatch — and DNA shows it’s part human

A Bigfoot hunter who claimed to have found the legendary creature’s corpse now says he has scientific proof the remains are a real-life Sasquatch — and its DNA is part human.

Charles Stuart, who bills himself as “Snake the Bigfoot Hunter,” made highly disputed claims in 2024 that he found the decomposing remains of an 8-foot, 300-pound Sasquatch in upstate New York’s Adirondack mountains.

Now he claims he enlisted Cornell University to conduct a DNA test and found the creature is a mixture of Neanderthal and human, according to the hunter’s website. 

“After doing a DNA test — we found that this is 58.5% Neanderthal — and this 41.5% remaining, that is human,” Stuart told Local 4 Detroit on Sunday.

“What we have is a Neanderthal-human hybrid — and that neanderthal side that has been evolving over the millennia has remained very aggressive,” Stuart said about Dack, which is what he named the supposed corpse. 

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Scientists Find Poison-Resistant Mutant Rats Spreading Across America’s Biggest Cities

Rats and mice in major American cities are developing genetic mutations that make them harder to kill with common poisons, according to new research from Rutgers University.

Scientists examined nearly 300 rodents from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., and found widespread signs of resistance to widely used exterminator chemicals.

Around five out of every six rodents tested carried at least one mutation linked to reduced sensitivity to poison.

More than two-thirds also had additional genetic changes previously tied to resistance against common rodenticides.

The mutations were especially common in house mice, which researchers said appear to be adapting faster than larger brown rats, also known as sewer rats.

“Genetic mutation is not that special in these creatures,” lead researcher Jin-Jia Yu said. “But we found that the house mouse shows a lot of genetic mutations related to rodenticide resistance.”

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DNA study of nearly 200 Indigenous genomes reveals unknown Asian ‘ghost’ population contributed to American ancestry

Humans migrated to South America in three distinct waves over the course of thousands of years, a new large-scale analysis of Indigenous Americans’ DNA reveals. The investigation also found that genes related to fertility, metabolism and the immune response helped people adapt to their unique environment in the “final frontier” of human migration, the researchers said.

In a study published Wednesday (April 22) in the journal Nature, an international team of scientists detailed findings from the Indigenous American Genomic Diversity Project, which analyzed 128 genomes from people living in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay and Peru — an investigation that included 45 populations and 28 language families. The researchers’ goal was to better understand how and when people arrived on the continent and the factors that shaped these populations’ genetics.

“Until now, only two Amazonian Indigenous populations had been genetically characterized, and due to the particularity of their environment and their isolation, they were not very representative,” study first author Marcos Araújo Castro e Silva, a researcher at the Spanish National Research Council’s Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE) and Pompeu Fabra University in Spain, said in a translated statement. The research team worked in collaboration with Indigenous communities to develop the study and integrate the findings into Indigenous history, study co-author Tábita Hünemeier, head of the Human Population Genomics Lab at IBE, said in the statement.

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Neanderthal ancestry may lower defenses against common DNA viruses in people today

Researchers have found surprising links that show that Neanderthal ancestry influences our immune system today in ways more nuanced than previously recognized. Their work is published in the journal Genome Biology and Evolution.

Viruses account for an estimated 10–20% of the global disease burden. Many DNA viruses can persist in the body for a lifetime, and virus load varies greatly even among people without symptoms. Throughout human history, they have posed persistent and rapidly evolving threats, placing strong adaptive pressure on our immune system.

Previous research has shown that many genetic variants involved in immunity bear the marks of these evolutionary battles—including signatures of natural selection and contributions from interbreeding with archaic humans.

While Neanderthal ancestry has previously been associated with beneficial effects in RNA virus defense, the new study highlights a contrasting trend for DNA viruses.

Because of past admixture with archaic humans, around 2% of the genome of present-day non-Africans is composed of Neanderthal DNA and an additional 2–4% of people in Oceania of Denisovan ancestry. These introgressed sequences have shaped many biological traits, including immunity. But their role in defenses against DNA viruses has remained largely unexplored.

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Scientists Found 71 Genetic Fingerprints of Human History. Not All of Them Make Sense.

Homo sapiens are one species. There are no subspecies of humans, and our last relatives in the genus Homo went extinct around 40,000 years ago. But what explains how similar we humans are to each other? And more importantly, what genetic variants make different human populations and individuals so unique?

Some of the things we inherit in our genes are completely random. This is known as genetic drift, a phenomenon that happens because some individuals leave behind more offspring than others do. Their genes are more likely to be spread throughout the population, but it’s not because natural selection decided that those genes necessarily offer any added benefits. In fact, it’s even possible that a few of those genes are detrimental. Genetic drift is part of evolution and something that defines the genetic fingerprint of a specific group, but it doesn’t work by promoting adaptations that will help our species in the future.

Genetic drift isn’t exclusive to humans, but a team of researchers from the Institute of Statistical Science in Taipei, Taiwan, created an algorithm to figure out how it affects the frequency of alleles in human populations. Alleles are alternative versions of a given gene that come about through mutations. The team accessed data from the 1,000 Genomes Project, a database of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which are common genetic variations caused by a difference in a single nucleotide within a DNA sequence. The researchers then used their algorithm to analyze recurring patterns of alleles in populations from different continents, as well as in groups within those populations.

“At the global scale, genetic differences between subjects faithfully reflect the well-known history of human population migration and mixing,” they said in a study recently published in Scientific Reports. “In contrast, when examining the allele frequency patterns of individual loci, we discovered many minor yet non-negligible…evolutionary trajectories in the human genome.”

Out of 78 million SNPs, the researchers found 71 patterns that tell the ancient history of how allele frequencies ended up being arranged in particular ways among various groups. It was hardly surprising that over 90% of such variants occurred with more or less the same frequency no matter what continent the population was from. The locations of most allele frequency patterns are scattered throughout chromosomes and are usually found together in “hot spots.” These narrow segments of DNA are linked to gene functions and observable phenotypical (body) traits.

Then the team used what they called a local ancestry inference algorithm to look deep into chromosomes and determine what ancestral groups an individual is descended from. The results from this algorithm were then checked against data from 1,000 Genomes and Human Genome Population Diversity (HGPD) data. It turned out that most allele patterns observed were synonymous with simulations that highlight the randomness of genetic drift. But there were also minor differences that suggest drift isn’t the only evolutionary process influencing the genetic profile of an individual or population.

Many findings were consistent with the migration of human ancestors out of Africa and into Europe, East Asia, and South Asia. Allele frequencies in African populations were found to be distinct from those of Eurasians in 1.9 million locations on their DNA. The separation of African and East Asian populations from populations in Europe and South Asia was evidenced by variants in 570,000 locations. This reflects the known history of human migration, which has Eurasians as the first to break from their African ancestors and trek through Europe and East Asia. South Asian populations arose from admixture between groups from Central Asia and migrants who first traveled from West to East Asia before heading south.

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Re-Engineering Nature: Biotech Firm Plays God with Artificial Egg Breakthrough

A biotechnology firm’s claim that it has taken a major step toward “bringing back extinct species” is raising not only scientific debate, but deeper ethical and moral questions about humanity’s growing willingness to reshape life itself.

The company at the center of the controversy, if you want to call it that, Colossal Biosciences, says it has successfully hatched live chicks using an artificial egg system—an achievement it describes as a breakthrough.

To some, the development represents cutting-edge innovation. To others, it signals a troubling step further into territory long associated with science fiction—and, increasingly, with man attempting to take on the role of Creator.

The company says it hatched 26 chicks using a 3D-printed structure that allows embryos to develop outside a natural shell.

CEO Ben Lamm framed the project as a bold reimagining of biology itself. “We didn’t just copy nature… we tried to re-engineer it,” he said.

That statement, while celebrated in some scientific circles, is precisely what gives others pause.

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De-Extinct Dire Wolves Ready To Breed; Bioscience Company Pushes Forward Multiple Projects

Colossal Biosciences has announced that its de-extinct dire wolves—Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi—are now breeding-aged and the firm plans to expand the pack later this year. The development marks a significant step for the Texas-based company in its mission to restore extinct species through genetic engineering.

The dire wolf pups, born in late 2024 and early 2025, represent the world’s first de-extinct animals. They have thrived in a secure 2,000-acre preserve, reaching milestones like learning to process whole deer carcasses and now showing readiness for natural breeding behaviors.

“The dire wolf pack is actually breeding-aged at this point,” Matt James, Colossal’s chief animal officer, said, adding “But we will initially grow the pack through assisted reproduction while we create new, genetically diverse individuals.”

The company intends to engineer two to four additional pups to boost genetic diversity before allowing full natural breeding. “The plan is to create an inter-breedable population of dire wolves in which they would eventually breed naturally to create a sustainable population of the world’s first de-extinct species,” James continued.

He further added, “We will grow the population through assisted reproduction initially and then eventually only rely on natural breeding.”

“The dire wolves are doing great,” Ben Lamm, Colossal’s CEO and co-founder, stated., adding “The three dire wolves live on a 2,000-acre secure, expansive ecological preserve that allows us to monitor and manage them while providing them a semi-wild habitat to thrive in. We hope to have more dire wolf pups by the end of the year.”

Colossal reconstructed the dire wolf genome from ancient DNA fragments in bone samples, including a 72,000-year-old skull. Scientists then edited gray wolf embryos to incorporate key traits: a white coat, larger teeth, more muscular build, and distinctive howl. Embryos were implanted in surrogate dogs, with births by caesarean section.

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DNA test uncovers kidnapping, mob, police corruption

A Henderson man named Paul Fronczak had no idea that his entire life would be turned upside down when he bought a home DNA test kit. The results of that test took away his name, his family, and everything he knew about his life to that point.

It also opened up a multi-layered rabbit hole involving an infamous kidnapping, police corruption, the mob, and dark secrets buried for six decades.

8 News Now chief investigator George Knapp has followed this very twisted tale for decades and pushed to get answers to mysteries long thought unsolvable.

Paul Fronczak’s quest started with a single objective: find a kidnapped baby

This then exploded into a Byzantine maze of twists and subplots, too improbable even for a true crime miniseries. In the 14 years since he first contacted us for help, he’s dug up solid answers, but each answer led to more head-spinning questions. He still uses the name Paul Fronczak, but after years of searching, he sometimes feels as if he’s been living someone else’s life.

The initial mystery started at a Chicago hospital in 1964.  One day after the birth of Paul Fronczak, a woman dressed as a nurse kidnapped the baby and vanished. Police, the public, and the FBI conducted a massive manhunt. The story made international headlines, but the baby was gone.

Nearly two years later, an infant found abandoned on a sidewalk in New Jersey was presented by law enforcement to the brokenhearted Fronczak parents, who took one look and said that’s their missing boy.

The child grew up in a loving home but had nagging questions about why he looked so different from the rest of the Fronczak family.  

Fast forward to 2012, the adopted Paul Fronczak was living in Henderson and, almost as a lark, took a DNA test along with his parents. The test showed he was not the Fronczaks’ son and was not the kidnapped baby.

So who was he, and what happened to his namesake? That was the start of his quest, despite the official investigation from the FBI ending decades ago.

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5 More Highly Concerning Technologies in Development

There has been quite a growing number of highly concerning technologies in development, as reflected in an article I wrote, while highlighting ethical, moral and safety issues/concerns… 

As a follow-up, here are 5 more highly concerning technologies currently in development, again having a number of serious issues/concerns.

1.Google’s DeepMind AlphaGenome Human “designer” DNA

There’s been a lot of attention given to DNA. Deciphering how, at the molecular level, genomic DNA sequencing and resulting genetic expression occurs. 

In other words, given that the smallest alterations to DNA can change an organism’s physical appearance, ability to regulate or control biological functions, or affect its susceptibility to disease… there is indeed much to be gained from understanding the related underlying mechanisms. 

-Consider Google’s DeepMind, having plans to launch AlphaGenome, a new AI tool that looks at how human DNA sequences vary. How this technology can be used to detect DNA sequences for predictive purposes… 

This is what Google DeepMind has to say (excerpt):  

“Our AlphaGenome model takes a long DNA sequence as input – up to 1 million letters, also known as base pairs – and predicts thousands of molecular properties that characterize its regulatory activity. It can also assess the effects of genetic variants or mutations by comparing predictions of mutated sequences with those of non-mutated sequences…”

Further, stated by Google DeepMind (website), the research project’s goals are to 1.Understand disease, 2.Understand how to apply synthetic biology and 3.Have deeper insight into how DNA works. 

In light of this new technology, when DNA’s building blocks are understood, consider how it could be used for “enhancement.” How it could be used for human “designer” DNA. 

Consider the controversy surrounding this, as for instance, shown in the 1997 movie entitled “GATTACA.” -An absorbing futuristic science fiction movie set in a dystopia where selective breeding through designer DNA was commonly practiced. In other words, the human race was driven by eugenics and transhumanism.

In this movie, the controversy was over the discrimination of those having “good genes” when comparing people with “bad genes.” Who decides what are “good genes” or “bad genes?”

-As “designer” DNA progresses, we’re getting closer to a world where genetic enhancement, for example, selectively bred babies, could become the norm.  

This raises a number of serious issues/concerns when considering the technocratic overlords overseeing this future in the name of next-phase “evolution,” viewing us humans as nothing more than mechanistic bio-hackable soulless automatons.

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UK Biobank Failures Expose the Permanent Cost of Sharing Genetic and Medical Records

The genetic sequences, medical scans, and lifestyle records of half a million British volunteers spent days listed for sale on Alibaba before anyone at UK Biobank noticed.

Three academic institutions, since banned from the platform, had quietly walked the data out through a research system that was supposed to keep it under lock and key.

At least one of the three Alibaba listings appeared to contain the full dataset covering every one of the 500,000 participants who handed over their blood, their DNA, and decades of personal health information on the understanding it would be used for medical research.

The UK government confirmed the breach on Thursday. Technology minister Ian Murray told the House of Commons that Biobank had flagged the incident on Monday, and that the Chinese government and Alibaba had cooperated to pull the listings down before any purchases went through. Murray thanked Beijing directly for its “speed and seriousness” in taking down the data, a sentence that carries some weight given the three research institutions identified as the source are Chinese, though officials have declined to draw conclusions about intent.

Professor Rory Collins, Biobank’s chief executive and principal investigator, issued a statement saying the listings “were swiftly removed before any purchases were made.” He apologized to participants and confirmed that access to the research platform had been suspended while the organization installs file size limits designed to stop researchers from walking off with bulk datasets.

An automated checking system to vet outgoing files is not expected to be ready until late 2026.

The sales listing is not the scandal. The scandal is what the sales listing reveals about how often Biobank’s data has already been exposed and where it now sits.

Prof Luc Rocher of the Oxford Internet Institute has been tracking the problem and maintains a public record of known incidents. By his count, the Alibaba posting is “the 198th known exposure of UK Biobank data since last summer.” Rocher added that the data “is not just available for sale, it also remains available online for anyone to download today.” Researchers have repeatedly uploaded the dataset to code-sharing platforms by accident, and copies have since been replicated across the web. Taking down one Alibaba listing does nothing about the other 197.

Biobank’s response to this pattern has been to emphasize that the data is “de-identified” and that no participant has been knowingly re-identified. The reassurance rests on a technical claim that does not survive contact with the evidence.

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