Genetic News and Research

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Discovering new natural products from human microbiomes

The idea of using microorganisms as a source of new active ingredients is not new. Numerous drugs have already been developed on the basis of natural products from bacteria and fungi.

17 Oct 2024

New genetic variant may predict severe ulcerative colitis in patients

Abdominal pain, diarrhea, and debilitating fatigue define the daily lives of millions of people worldwide who suffer from chronic bowel disease.

17 Oct 2024

UF Health scientists receive major grant to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria

University of Florida Health scientists exploring how combinations of antibiotics can fight resistant bacteria have been awarded an $11.8 million grant for work that could help save the tens of thousands of lives lost yearly to infections that are increasingly plaguing humanity.

17 Oct 2024

GLP1R medications show promise in reducing suicidal ideation among adolescents with obesity

Adolescents treated with GLP1R drugs for obesity exhibit fewer suicidal thoughts, indicating potential mental health benefits of these medications.

17 Oct 2024

Black prostate cancer patients respond better to immunotherapy

Black men with advanced prostate cancer have a greater chance of survival after immunotherapy treatment, at least in part, because of ancestral gene variants in immune responses.

17 Oct 2024

Metformin found safe for men with type 2 diabetes planning for parenthood

Potential fathers with type 2 diabetes can be reassured that taking the drug metformin is not associated with birth defects in their offspring, concludes a large study of more than 3 million pregnancies published by The BMJ today.

17 Oct 2024

Genetic analysis shows smoking and high BMI increase dementia risk, but education and exercise protect

Mendelian randomization of 400,000 participants reveals smoking, high BMI, and high cholesterol as major genetic risk factors for dementia, while longer education and physical activity reduce risks.

17 Oct 2024

FDA-approved breast cancer drug shows promise for appendix cancer

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine found an FDA-approved drug used to treat breast cancer has the potential to be an effective therapeutic for a specific type of appendix cancer.

16 Oct 2024

Immunotherapy sets new standard for Hodgkin lymphoma care

A treatment that rallies the immune system to destroy cancer raised the survival rate for advanced Hodgkin lymphoma patients to a remarkable 92 percent, suggesting a new standard therapy for the disease.

16 Oct 2024

Adenine base editors show potential to correct X-CGD-causing mutations

A collaborative effort between investigators at the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, demonstrates the potential of precise genome editing technologies, called adenine base editors, to correct disease-causing mutations in stem cells from patients with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (X-CGD), a rare genetic disorder characterized by high susceptibility to infections.

16 Oct 2024

Study reveals genetic factors affecting birth sex ratios

Each year, roughly the same numbers of boys and girls are born.

16 Oct 2024

Study provides detailed analysis of mRNA vaccine circulation and breakdown

A study led by researchers from RMIT University and the Doherty Institute has provided the first detailed analysis of how mRNA vaccines circulate and break down in the human bloodstream.

16 Oct 2024

Zebrafish could be used to explore the underlying mechanisms of Nager syndrome

Nager syndrome, or NS, is a rare genetic disease that affects the development of the face and limbs, usually causing anomalies in the bone structures of the jaws, cheeks, and hands.

16 Oct 2024

Standing more may not improve cardiovascular health

Standing has gained popularity among people looking to offset the harms of a sedentary lifestyle often caused by spending long days sitting in front of the computer, television or driving wheel.

16 Oct 2024

Bacteriophages unveil auxiliary genes critical for infection

Viruses that infect bacteria—known as bacteriophages - could be used in a targeted manner to combat bacterial diseases.

16 Oct 2024

New drug targets identified for retinitis pigmentosa therapies

An international team of researchers has identified new drug targets for therapies that could benefit patients with different forms of retinitis pigmentosa and other inherited retinal diseases.

16 Oct 2024

Transposons play essential role in early human development

A critical transition in early human development is regulated not by our own genes, but by DNA elements called transposons that can move around the genome, Sinai Health researchers have found.

16 Oct 2024

Researchers develop decision tree to help clinicians predict genetic diagnoses in neurodevelopmental cases

A study identifies motor delay and hypotonia as key predictors of genetic diagnoses, aiding clinicians in neurodevelopmental care and genetic testing decisions.

16 Oct 2024

Researchers identify shared genetic variants between testosterone traits and PCOS

A genome-wide study reveals significant genetic overlap between polycystic ovary syndrome and testosterone-related traits, highlighting shared causal variants.

16 Oct 2024

Genetic risk factors for long-COVID uncovered in a large multi-ethnic study

Researchers identified genetic loci and phenotypes linked to long-COVID in the largest multi-ethnic GWAS, revealing increased risk factors for chronic conditions like fatigue, depression, and fibromyalgia.

16 Oct 2024