Arts and Science Research

Sylvia Cheever, a Ph.D. student in Biological Anthropology, stands outside a trace metal clean laboratory in protective lab gear, including a yellow hair cover, goggles, and a white lab coat.

Ancient Bones, Modern Insights: Investigating Mercury Exposure in Colonial Peru

Nov. 11, 2024—By: Alexandria Leeper, Evolutionary Studies graduate communications assistant Sylvia Cheever, a Ph.D. student in Biological Anthropology at Vanderbilt University, is uncovering the hidden stories of indigenous communities affected by colonial exploitation in Peru. Supported by a pilot grant from the Vanderbilt Evolutionary Studies Initiative, Cheever’s research focuses on measuring mercury levels in ancient human bones...

The image depicts a layered conceptual illustration of selfish mitochondrial genomes undergoing selection at multiple levels. The bottom layer features scientists working at computers and conducting lab experiments, symbolizing empirical research. The middle layer shows a tiered structure with enlarged mitochondria, emphasizing the levels of selection within organisms. Surrounding elements include graphs, lab equipment, and symbolic representations of data analysis, highlighting the integration of experimental and mathematical modeling without any textual elements. The overall scene captures the complexity and interconnectedness of mitochondrial genome selection in a visually engaging and educational format.

Mitochondrial DNA Evolution: New Study Reveals How Selfish mtDNA Evolve and Thrive

Sep. 20, 2024—By Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator Vanderbilt University researchers, led by alumnus Bryan Gitschlag, have uncovered groundbreaking insights into the evolution of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). In their paper in Nature Communications titled “Multiple distinct evolutionary mechanisms govern the dynamics of selfish mitochondrial genomes in Caenorhabditis elegans,” the team reveals how selfish mtDNA, which can...

Evolved in the Lab, Found in Nature: Uncovering Hidden pH Sensing Abilities

Sep. 20, 2024—By Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator In a groundbreaking study led by Sarah Worthan, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in the Behringer Lab at Vanderbilt University, scientists have successfully evolved microbial cultures that possess the ability to sense pH changes, enabling rapid responses to environmental fluctuations. Along with highlighting the power of lab-driven evolution, this...

Vanderbilt Researchers Find Warming Quickens Aging-Related Mortality in Mosquitoes

Sep. 19, 2024—By Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator Mosquitoes tread a thinning line in warming climates, where aging accelerates and infections intensify. New research shows that warming and aging act as a one-two punch, lowering mosquito lifespans and fanning the flames of bacterial infections. These findings highlight how climate change could alter the risks of disease...

Vanderbilt Anthropologist Explores How Different Childcare Models Affect Child Health in Working Families

Sep. 12, 2024—By Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator A new study co-authored by Monica Keith, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, provides insights into how different childcare models affect child health outcomes in working families. The research, focused on subsistence-based, semi-nomadic Shodagor communities in Bangladesh, highlights the crucial role of maternal care and effective substitutes in maintaining child...

Two side-by-side images. On the left, a petri dish containing a fluffy white fungal colony with several circular growth patterns, representing a laboratory culture of the fungus Aspergillus. On the right, a close-up microscopic image showing the detailed structure of an Aspergillus spore head, with a dense cluster of greenish spores radiating from a central point, displaying the intricate texture and morphology of the fungal spores.

Researchers Discover Wide Variation in Virulence of Non-Pathogenic Fungi

Sep. 11, 2024—By Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator A new study led by research assistant professor David Rinker sheds light on how fungal pathogenicity might evolve. The article, “Strain heterogeneity in a non-pathogenic Aspergillus fungus highlights factors associated with virulence,” was published in the journal Communications Biology in September 2024. According to Rinker, “different isolates or...

A close-up of a hand holding a clear plastic container filled with muddy water and several large, segmented, worm-like organisms. The container appears to be covered in mud both inside and around the edges. The worms are light brown in color and vary in size.

Graduate Student Sheds Light on Ancient Worms as Early Ecosystem Engineers

Sep. 10, 2024—By Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator Graduate student Kat Turk from Vanderbilt University’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, along with an international team of collaborators, has uncovered new evidence that ancient priapulid worms, through their burrowing behavior, may have been some of the earliest ecosystem engineers. The study, “Priapulid neoichnology, ecosystem engineering, and...

A cartoon of an anthropomorphized cyanobacterium with a smooth green skin layer, enjoying a sunny summer day while lying on a beach chair. The cyanobacterium has a happy expression and is thinking about snow falling from a cloud, with a snowy landscape in the background.

Researchers Discover the Evolution of Seasonal Anticipation in Cyanobacteria

Sep. 6, 2024—By Andy Flick, Evolutionary Studies scientific coordinator Being able to correlate changes in day length with seasonal weather patterns is crucial for many organisms to adapt to their environments. Trees shed their leaves, arctic foxes grow thicker coats, and bears prepare for hibernation. But what about smaller, short-lived organisms? New research led by BBSRC Discovery...

A young man wearing glasses is seated at a desk, working on a computer. He is typing on a keyboard and looking at the code displayed on the monitor. The desk has shelves with various items, including a framed certificate, a potted plant, and some personal belongings. Another laptop is open on the desk, displaying a different screen.

Analyzing Evolutionary Trade-Offs in Immune Systems: Computational Biology with Reese Martin

Jul. 22, 2024—By Nick McCoy, Evolutionary Studies undergraduate communications assistant Reese Martin has always been drawn to biology and exploring the behaviors of different organisms. During his childhood, he dug in anthills, and now he observes the life history traits of flower beetles and other taxa. Martin’s new first-author paper, “Pleiotropy Alleviates the Fitness Costs Associated With...

"Two scientists wearing full-body protective suits, gloves, masks, and hair coverings, standing in a laboratory. One has 'Katie' written on their suit and is wearing green Crocs, while the other has 'Jada' written on their suit and is wearing green shoe covers. They are standing next to laboratory equipment, including a fume hood labeled 'AirClean 600' and various lab supplies." alt text generated by ChatGPT

VU Graduate Student Explores Ancient Oral Microbiomes

Jun. 24, 2024—By Neomi Chen, Evolutionary Studies undergraduate communications assistant As Katie McCormack meticulously extracted calcified dental plaque from ancient Peruvian teeth, she felt the weight of centuries of history in her hands. This intricate work, part of her groundbreaking research in the Jada Benn Torres Lab, aims to unravel the secrets of ancient oral health. With...

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