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Though often mocked, the rare exceptions to the norm can sometimes be particularly instructive. And among human chromosomes, chromosome 17 is indeed an important exception. In the April 20 issue of Nature, an international scientific team led by Ó³»­´«Ã½ researchers reports the full sequence and analysis of chromosome 17, revealing an unusual history that may help to illuminate the structural changes behind genome evolution.

There are new clues that could reveal how our genes help tip the scales when it comes to body weight. As described in the April 14 issue of Science, an international team of scientists has identified a single letter change to the genetic code in humans that is associated with obesity in several sample populations. This discovery may help to clarify the biological triggers that cause body fat to be stored to excess in some people but not in others.