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LiveScience
LiveScience
Jess Thomson

Sneaky bamboo can control the genes of the pandas eating it, scientists discover

Feng Li Live Science
A panda in the forest eats bamboo.

Genetic material from bamboo has been found in the blood of giant pandas, which may alter the feeding habits of these iconic bears.

According to a new paper published Friday (Feb. 28) in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science, scientists have discovered microRNA — small pieces of genetic information that play a crucial role in switching genes on and off — from bamboo lurking in pandas' blood. They say that this microRNA, or miRNA, may influence the expression of genes affecting the pandas' smell, taste and dopamine pathways.

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