Rather than a slow, gradual process as Darwin envisioned, biologists can now see how evolutionary changes unfold on much more accelerated timescales. Using an accelerated arms race between bacteria ...

A lot has changed in 40 years, since the first computer virus emerged in 1971 as a proof of concept on an early iteration of the Internet. From the sheer volume in the number of viruses, which grew ...

Researchers report that ancient viruses may be to thank for myelin -- and, by extension, our large, complex brains. The team found that a retrovirus-derived genetic element or 'retrotransposon' is ...

Ancient viruses have really gotten on our nerves, but in the best of ways. One particular retrovirus — embedded in the DNA of jawed vertebrates — helps turn on production of a protein needed to ...

Kenneth Noll previously received funding from NSF, NASA, DOE and the Office of Naval Research. Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, ...