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DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms. Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same DNA. Most DNA is located in the cell nucleus (where it is called nuclear DNA), but a small amount of DNA can also be found in the mitochondria (where it is called mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA).

Research suggests the brain is a much more sensitive organ than originally perceived, sensitive to the tiniest of chemical signals

The brain is a maddeningly complex organ for scientists to understand. No assumption can remain unchallenged, no given taken as a given.

24 Jun 2004

Catalogue of the 30,000 or so genes that contain the instructions to make a human or a mouse

With genomic sequencing at The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and other centres, researchers now have an extensive catalogue of the 30,000 or so genes that contain the instructions to make a human or a mouse.

24 Jun 2004

Treating cocaine addiction with a virus

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have designed a potentially valuable tool for treating cocaine addiction by creating a modified "phage" virus that soaks up the drug inside the brain.

24 Jun 2004

Newborns are more susceptible to DNA damage from pollution than their mothers

New Study of New York City Residents Shows That Newborns are More Susceptible to DNA Damage from Pollution than Their Mothers.

24 Jun 2004

Muscular German boy sheds new light on muscle development and genetics

By studying the genetic make up of a German boy born with unusually well developed muscles, an international research team has discovered the first evidence that the gene whose loss makes "mighty mice" also controls muscle growth in people.

24 Jun 2004

Genetic variation that doubles the risk for rheumatoid arthritis

A team of researchers has discovered a genetic variation that doubles the risk for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

24 Jun 2004

Don't tell your Grandma! Brussel sprouts could help protect against cancer

“DNA damage is associated with cancer risk. Sources of DNA damage include diet-related carcinogens, and bodily processes like oxidative stress – and the raw sprouts protect against this kind of damage.

23 Jun 2004

Prostate and kidney cancer can be detected in urine

Bladder cancer is the fourth most common male cancer in the Western world. There will be more than 44,6000 new cases of bladder cancer diagnosed in U.S. men this year and more than 15,600 new cases diagnosed in women As many as 25 percent of these cancers are diagnosed after the disease is advanced, leading to a poor prognosis.

23 Jun 2004

New eye-tracking device

The newest research device at The William and Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation looks more like something out of a science fiction movie than a tool for discovering learning patterns.

21 Jun 2004

Targeting a gene that protects cancer cells from the lethal effects of radiotherapy could help improve the impact of treatment

Targeting a gene that protects cancer cells from the lethal effects of radiotherapy could help improve the impact of treatment, a leading Cancer Research UK scientist will tell conference delegates in Glasgow this week.

21 Jun 2004

New gene found in genetic wasteland

In a region of DNA long considered a genetic wasteland, Harvard Medical School researchers have discovered a new class of gene.

20 Jun 2004

New findings may help better understand how harmless viruses can cause severe disease among patients with weakened immune systems

When a major branch of the mouse immune system is disabled, a normally harmless virus can rapidly mutate into a lethal one, according to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

17 Jun 2004

More precise and less invasive procedure for prostate cancer detection

Work by a University of Queensland researcher will make the trip to the doctor for a prostate cancer check a lot more appealing for men.

17 Jun 2004

3dgenome program should lead to a breakthrough in our understanding of how our genome functions

Under the EU Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) for Research and Development (2002-2006) 2.2 million Euros have been awarded to the 3DGENOME-research program.

17 Jun 2004

A DNA fingerprinting technology will allow documents to be authenticated with an accuracy of billions to one

The system, which uses DNA fingerprinting, will allow documents to be authenticated with an accuracy of billions to one against duplication, according to the Australian scientists working on the system.

17 Jun 2004

Statins don't always lower cholesterol

Persons with certain genetic variations who take statins to lower their cholesterol will not realize the same benefit as other individuals, according to a study in the June 16 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

15 Jun 2004

Art gives insight into medical research

Paintings that give insights into medical research through a scientist's eyes can be seen at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History's latest exhibition – Medical Research Revealed by Dr Lizzie Burns.

15 Jun 2004

Significance of the discovery of anthrax toxin genes in a naturally occurring microbe other than Bacillus anthracis

Dr. Fraser discusses, for the first time, the significance of the discovery of anthrax toxin genes in a naturally occurring microbe other than Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes anthrax.

14 Jun 2004

People with extremely early or extremely late sleep times may suffer from Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder

You probably know "night owls," those people not ready to fall asleep until the wee hours of the morning. And, you may also know "larks," those early risers who wake before the sun comes up and are ready for bed right after dinner. People with extremely early or extremely late sleep times may suffer from Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder (CRSD).

11 Jun 2004

Oxidants are responsible for sex in algae

Colonies of the multicellular green alga Volvox carteri exposed to temperatures of 111 degrees Fahrenheit (42.5 degrees Celsius) had twice the amount of free radicals, oxidants that can damage biological structures, as unheated colonies. High levels of oxidants within their cells activated the algae's sex-inducer gene, the researchers report.

11 Jun 2004

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Research suggests the brain is a much more sensitive organ than originally perceived, sensitive to the tiniest of chemical signals

Catalogue of the 30,000 or so genes that contain the instructions to make a human or a mouse

Treating cocaine addiction with a virus

Newborns are more susceptible to DNA damage from pollution than their mothers

Muscular German boy sheds new light on muscle development and genetics

Genetic variation that doubles the risk for rheumatoid arthritis

Don't tell your Grandma! Brussel sprouts could help protect against cancer

Prostate and kidney cancer can be detected in urine

New eye-tracking device

Targeting a gene that protects cancer cells from the lethal effects of radiotherapy could help improve the impact of treatment

New gene found in genetic wasteland

New findings may help better understand how harmless viruses can cause severe disease among patients with weakened immune systems

More precise and less invasive procedure for prostate cancer detection

3dgenome program should lead to a breakthrough in our understanding of how our genome functions

A DNA fingerprinting technology will allow documents to be authenticated with an accuracy of billions to one

Statins don't always lower cholesterol

Art gives insight into medical research

Significance of the discovery of anthrax toxin genes in a naturally occurring microbe other than Bacillus anthracis

People with extremely early or extremely late sleep times may suffer from Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder

Oxidants are responsible for sex in algae

Discover how SciY empowers scientists

Why use light scattering to analyze proteins and viral vectors?

Changing the landscape of R&D to build clinical success from the ground up

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