Alida de Flamingh

Researchers investigated the relationship between historical traumatic events experienced by Alaska Native communities and epigenetic markers on genes that previous studies have linked to trauma. The new study found a similar pattern among Alaska Native participants, with specific epigenetic differences observed in those who reported experiencing the most intense symptoms of distress when reflecting on historic losses. 

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology have awarded three projects for their DEI initiatives. Each project was representative of the different facets of IGB’s mission to bring science to society. The proposals that have been funded include teaching local K-12 schools about poison frogs and how to care for them, helping graduate students feel a sense of belonging to the IGB community, and providing postdoctoral fellows, students, and professionals an opportunity to learn about careers at community colleges.

Over the past decade, there has been a growing awareness that environmental and life science fields need to diversify their teaching syllabi. Many have suggested highlighting Black women scholars, hidden figures in the fields, and elevating Black, Indigenous, and People of Color scholars. However, faculty sometimes worry that their solitary efforts could be harmful or ineffective.

A new DNA-collection approach allows scientists to capture genetic information from elephants without disturbing the animals or putting their own safety in jeopardy. The protocol, tested on elephant dung, yielded enough DNA to sequence whole genomes not only of the elephants but also of the associated microbes, plants, parasites and other organisms – at a fraction of the cost of current approaches.

The first Young Innovator Program concluded in August 2021. It was a ten-week summer program that was designed to teach trainees how to become innovative leaders in their fields. The program concluded with an idea competition, where the participants showcased the skills that they learned over the summer.

In 1533, the Bom Jesus – a Portuguese trading vessel carrying 40 tons of cargo including gold, silver, copper and more than 100 elephant tusks – sank off the coast of Africa near present-day Namibia. The wreck was found in 2008, and scientists say they now have determined the source of much of the ivory recovered from the ship.

A new tool uses an interactive database of geographic and genetic information to help authorities quickly identify where the confiscated tusks of African elephants were originally poached.

Developed by an international team of researchers, the Loxodonta Localizer matches genetic sequences from poached ivory to those stored in the database. It relies on genetic information from a small, highly variable region of mitochondrial DNA from African elephants.