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Scientists discover unique genomic changes integral to testicular cancer development

Researchers led by scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute say they have identified unique genomic changes that may be integral to testicular cancer development and explain why the great majority are highly curable with chemotherapy - unlike most solid tumors.

1 Dec 2016

Study reveals link between genes for academic achievement and partner choices

A study co-led by the University of East Anglia (UEA) has found that people with genes for high educational achievement tend to marry, and have children with, people with similar DNA.

23 Nov 2016

Titin gene mutations affect heart function in healthy individuals, study finds

A multinational study by researchers from the UK, Singapore and Germany has discovered that gene mutations in a protein called titin affect heart function in healthy individuals.

22 Nov 2016

Scientists develop genetically engineered T cells with fusion inhibitor to disrupt HIV's harpoon

When HIV attacks a T cell, it attaches itself to the cell's surface and launches a "harpoon" to create an opening to enter and infect the cells.

18 Nov 2016

Veterans Affairs researchers discover alleles of certain genes that offer protection from GWI

Veterans Affairs researchers have found that certain forms, or alleles, of a gene known to play a key role in the immune system appear to offer protection from Gulf War illness (GWI). Further, they discovered how such protection is manifested in the brain.

17 Nov 2016

Creating artery banks may transform treatment of heart and vascular ailments

The prospect of creating artery "banks" available for cardiovascular surgery, bypassing the need to harvest vessels from the patient, could transform treatment of many common heart and vascular ailments.

15 Nov 2016

Genetic variation, environmental conditions can have significant impact on human health

Scientists at the Wayne State University School of Medicine's Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics have shown for the first time the extent by which interactions between environmental exposures and genetic variation across individuals have a significant impact on human traits and diseases like diabetes, heart disease and obesity, strengthening the case for precision medicine initiatives.

4 Nov 2016

Genetic mutation confers risk for development of Parkinson's disease earlier than usual

A collaboration of 32 researchers in seven countries, led by scientists at Mayo Clinic's campus in Florida, has found a genetic mutation they say confers a risk for development of Parkinson's disease earlier than usual.

3 Nov 2016

TSRI researchers uncover mechanism behind T cell exhaustion

In a new study with broad implications for treating cancers and chronic viral infections, scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have uncovered a mechanism behind a phenomenon called “T cell exhaustion.”

2 Nov 2016

Researchers find link between estrogen levels in lung tissue and SMLA in postmenopausal women

Thanks to advances in medical imaging, the detection rate for synchronous multiple lung adenocarcinoma (SMLA) has been on the rise. Cases of SMLA in Japanese women have been on the rise despite having a national smoking rate of less than 10% in recent years.

26 Oct 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

Scientists find way to use CRISPR/Cas9 technology to diagnose and inactivate cancer mutations

As for many other biomedical and biotechnology disciplines, the genome scissor "CRISPR/Cas9" also opens up completely new possibilities for cancer research.

31 Aug 2016

Long-term exposure to combination of lower LDL-C and SBP can reduce cardiovascular risk

Long-term exposure to the combination of even modestly lower LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) has the potential to "dramatically reduce" a person's lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease, according to new findings reported at ESC Congress 2016.

29 Aug 2016

Study shows Latinos age more slowly at molecular level than other ethnic groups

A new paper co-authored by a UC Santa Barbara researcher reveals that Latinos age at a slower rate than other ethnic groups. The findings, published in the current issue of Genome Biology, may one day help scientists understand how to slow the aging process for everyone.

24 Aug 2016

Preimplantation genetic screening using next generation sequencing: an interview with Dr Luis Alcaraz

PGS, Preimplantation Genetic Screening, is a genetic test that analyses biopsied cells from embryos produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF) techniques. PGS determines whether the embryos are chromosomally normal (euploid) or not (aneuploid), thus giving the chance to transfer chromosomally normal embryos that are more apt to successfully implant and develop into a pregnancy.

24 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

NIH researchers design new set of assays for initial screening of patients with Fragile X syndrome

Fragile X syndrome, the most common heritable cause of intellectual disability and a frequent cause of autism, is characterized by abnormalities of the FMR1 gene that are difficult to analyze.

12 Aug 2016

Adding DNA sequencing to newborn screenings may increase early diagnosis of cystic fibrosis

A study by researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Brigham and Women's Hospital and the California Department of Public Health suggests that all babies with a known mutation for cystic fibrosis (CF) and second mutation called the 5T allele should receive additional screening in order to better predict the risk of developing CF later in life.

26 Jul 2016

High frequency of alleles could increase risk of lupus in non-Europeans

Non-Europeans have a higher frequency of the gene variants that increase the risk of lupus as compared to the European population, a new study from researchers at the National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' and King's College London, has confirmed.

11 Jul 2016

CYP2C19 gene variants undermine clopidogrel stroke prevention

The first look at CYP2C19 mutations in the context of a randomised controlled trial has confirmed suspicions that they affect the efficacy of clopidogrel in patients with acute stroke.

24 Jun 2016