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Starvation may shorten lifespans of children and male descendants, study suggests

New Tel Aviv University research suggests that periods of fasting or starvation may significantly shorten the lifespans of both children and their male descendants.

5 Dec 2016

DNA changes in blood samples could pave way for simple tests to diagnose IBD

Scientists have identified chemical changes in the DNA of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases that could improve screening for the conditions.

28 Nov 2016

Scientists uncover novel process by which APOL1 gene contributes to renal disease

A Children's National Health System research team has uncovered a novel process by which the gene APOL1 contributes to renal disease, according to a paper published November 18 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

18 Nov 2016

Scientists use latest sequencing technology to review genetic makeup of ataxias syndrome

According to a recent study published in JAMA Neurology, Northwestern Medicine scientists have examined more than a century of data of the genetic makeup of ataxias, a neurodegenerative disorder, to better understand the different forms of this devastating disease and how it affects patients.

8 Nov 2016

Research shows genetic link between mitochondrial DNA and autism

Cornell University researchers have confirmed a genetic link between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is passed on from the mother, and some forms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

31 Oct 2016

Consortium develops new approach to understand causes of common cancers

Through the development of a novel, inexpensive genotyping microarray, the OncoArray, Dartmouth investigators have led a key collaborative research study that will revolutionize our knowledge of the causes of common cancers.

27 Oct 2016

Study shows how oxidative damage may contribute to ‘maternal age effect’

For women in their 30s and beyond, the probability of a pregnancy that results in a miscarriage or a Down syndrome pregnancy is staggering with the risk increasing to 1 in 3 by the time a woman reaches her early 40s due to the "maternal age effect," the high incidence of mistakes in chromosome segregation that occur during the cell division process of meiosis, which gives rise to the egg.

19 Oct 2016

African ancestry linked to increased kidney disease risk among Hispanic/Latino adults

African ancestry contributes to the risk of chronic kidney disease among some Hispanic/Latino adults, according to a study co-authored by Loyola University Chicago researchers.

5 Oct 2016

Prion proteins can drive emergence of new traits and adaptive opportunities

Prion proteins, best known as the agents of deadly brain disorders like mad cow disease, can help yeast survive hard times and pass the advantageous traits down to their offspring, according to a new study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

4 Oct 2016

Leading kidney charities launch social media campaign to raise awareness of polycystic kidney disease

Polycystic Kidney Disease International has joined forces with six European kidney charities to launch a social media campaign called Give PKD the Bump.

4 Oct 2016

Studies find environment plays major role in shaping immune system

Like fingerprints, immune systems vary from person to person. And although we all inherit a unique set of genes that help us respond to infections, recent studies have found that our history and environment—like where and with whom we live—are responsible for 60% to 80% of the differences between individual immune systems, while genetics account for the rest.

29 Sep 2016

Researchers use novel technique to unravel key mystery of earliest stage of development

A Ludwig Cancer Research study published online September 14th in Nature reports a novel technique to map specific chemical (or "epigenetic") modifications made to the protein packaging of DNA using a small population of cells.

20 Sep 2016

Memory of heart attack can be stored in genes through epigenetic changes, study shows

Both heredity and environmental factors influence our risk of cardiovascular disease. A new study, by researches at Uppsala University, shows now that the memory of a heart attack can be stored in our genes through epigenetic changes.

19 Sep 2016

Mood stabilizers may decrease negative symptoms in psychiatric patients with specific genotype

A drug prescribed to many patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder may decrease negative symptoms for people with a certain variant of the COMT gene, suggests a new study from researchers at Columbia University Medical Center.

14 Sep 2016

International researchers discover 44 novel gene sites linked to hypertension

In papers receiving advance online publication in Nature Genetics, two international multi-institutional research teams describe identifying a total of 44 novel gene sites associated with hypertension or high blood pressure.

13 Sep 2016

Interactions between rare and common genetic variants may contribute to craniosynostosis

During the first year of life, the human brain doubles in size, and continues growing through adolescence.

8 Sep 2016

Epigenetic changes from stress exposure can be passed from traumatized parent to offspring

The children of traumatized people have long been known to be at increased risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and mood and anxiety disorders.

1 Sep 2016

Novel innovation could help scientists study new treatments for mitochondrial diseases

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences from the University of Missouri has succeeded in creating embryos with "heteroplasmy," or the presence of both maternal and paternal mitochondrial DNA.

23 Aug 2016

Low selenium levels linked to liver cancer risk? An interview with Dr David Hughes

Food provides us with a variety of substances we need to maintain life. These substances are essential nutrients and are classified as macronutrients (water, protein, fats, and carbohydrates) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).

22 Aug 2016

Scientists find new way to use CRISPR gene editing to help fix sickle cell disease

An international team of scientists led by researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has found a way to use CRISPR gene editing to help fix sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia in blood cells isolated from patients.

16 Aug 2016