- The ‘zombie gene’ that may protect elephants from cancer - With such enormous bodies, elephants should be particularly prone to tumors. But an ancient gene in their DNA, somehow resurrected, seems to shield them, by aggressively killing off cells whose DNA has been damaged, finds new research. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/14/science/the-zombie-gene-that-may-protect-elephants-from-cancer.html 802 comments science
- A Zombie Gene Protects Elephants From Cancer: A new study reveals how 'an old gene that was no longer functional was recycled from the vast “genome junkyard” to increase the sensitivity of elephant cells to DNA damage, enabling them to cull potentially cancerous cells early.' https://www.wired.com/story/a-zombie-gene-protects-elephants-from-cancer/ 156 comments worldnews