Carrie Arnold

Contributing Writer

Latest Articles

Evolution Runs Faster on Short Timescales

March 14, 2017

Examine evolution over the course of years or centuries, and you’ll find that it progresses much more quickly than it does over geologic time.

Genetic Architects Untwist DNA’s Turns

October 27, 2016

Researchers have used the gene-editing tool CRISPR to manipulate the way that DNA coils up inside the cell — another step in the quest to understand how the genome’s 3-D structure impacts its function.

The Mutant Genes Behind the Black Death

October 6, 2015

Only a few genetic changes were enough to change an ordinary stomach bug into the bacteria responsible for the plague.

How Mutant Viral Swarms Spread Disease

August 25, 2015

A new understanding of viral swarms is helping researchers predict how viruses will evolve and where disease is likely to spread.

Hints of Life’s Start Found in a Giant Virus

July 10, 2014

Newly discovered specimens support a more ancient origin for viruses, perhaps all the way back to the origins of life.

Evolving With a Little Help From Our Friends

June 4, 2014

A new theory suggests that cooperation between a host and its microbes may be a significant evolutionary force.

Get highlights of the most important news delivered to your email inbox