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Study identifies novel gene that controls nerve conduction velocity linked with MS

A new study published in The American Journal of Pathology identifies a novel gene that controls nerve conduction velocity.

13 Aug 2014

Cannabis use and schizophrenia ‘share genetic risk’

Variants of genes that predispose people to developing schizophrenia also predispose them to using cannabis, a study of more than 2000 people has found.

3 Jul 2014

Metabolic pathway genes linked to AMD and choroidal vasculopathy

The cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene appears to increase susceptibility to neovascular age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, research shows.

1 Jul 2014

Reticular drusen linked to AMD progression

Four percent of individuals aged 49 years and above will develop reticular drusen over 15 years of follow-up, Australian study findings suggest, with the incidence higher in those with age-related macular degeneration risk factors.

1 Jul 2014

Causal role proposed for vitamin D in blood pressure

The results of a mendelian randomisation analysis suggest a causal link between low levels of vitamin D and increased blood pressure.

30 Jun 2014

Agena Bioscience expands ultrasensitive somatic mutation detection technology

Agena Bioscience, Inc., which recently acquired the Bioscience business of Sequenom, Inc., today announced expansion of the UltraSEEK™ technology, the first ultrasensitive somatic mutation detection technology for high-throughput and definitive interrogation of rare mutations that occur at less than 1% abundance in matched tissue, circulating plasma, and tumor samples.

31 May 2014

Vitamin D deficiency predicts prostate biopsy outcomes

Men with vitamin D deficiency are more likely than men with normal levels to test positive for prostate cancer on biopsy, and to have aggressive disease, US researchers have found.

28 May 2014

Scientists identify key molecular switches that control age-related memory impairment

Even among the healthiest individuals, memory and cognitive abilities decline with age. This aspect of normal aging can affect an individual's quality of life and capability to live independently but the rate of decline is variable across individuals.

7 May 2014

Possible link between aggressive prostate cancer and vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency was an indicator of aggressive prostate cancer and spread of the disease in European-American and African-American men who underwent their first prostate biopsy because of abnormal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and/or digital rectal examination (DRE) test results, according to a study published in Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

1 May 2014

Genetic susceptibility, dietary antioxidants combine to reduce AMD risk

Dietary intake of antioxidants is associated with a reduced risk of developing early age-related macular degeneration in people at high genetic risk of the condition, pooled analysis of two studies suggests.

1 May 2014

Physical activity reduces hippocampal atrophy in elders at genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease

A study of older adults at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease shows that moderate physical activity may protect brain health and stave off shrinkage of the hippocampus- the brain region responsible for memory and spatial orientation that is attacked first in Alzheimer's disease.

25 Apr 2014

Two candidate mTOR therapy biomarkers identified in RCC

Two genes, TSC1 and MTOR, warrant further investigation as biomarkers for treatment benefit with rapalogs in patients with renal cell carcinoma, indicate study results published in Clinical Cancer Research.

14 Apr 2014

Two Penn researchers selected as recipients of prestigious Clinical Research Achievement Award

Two researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and the Penn Cardiovascular Institute are among the 2014 recipients of the prestigious Clinical Research Achievement Award for their work in cardiovascular science.

11 Apr 2014

Certain inherited DNA sequences may affect prognosis of bladder cancer patients

While patients diagnosed with bladder cancer usually face a favorable prognosis, many experience recurrence after treatment. Because frequent, painful screenings are needed to identify recurrences, the ablility to identify patients at high risk of recurrent cancer could help to improve quality of life for all bladder cancer patients.

29 Mar 2014

Research findings help explain rare genetic disorder that causes immunodeficiency syndrome

IRCM researchers led by Javier M. Di Noia, PhD, uncovered a new function of AID, a crucial enzyme for the immune response. The discovery, recently published by the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, helps explain a rare genetic disorder that causes an immunodeficiency syndrome.

28 Mar 2014

A fast, non-invasive method to genotype late-onset Alzheimer's disease

The apolipoprotein E gene ε4 allele is considered a negative factor for neural regeneration in late-onset Alzheimer's disease cases.

27 Mar 2014

Cell-free DNA analysis allows noninvasive tumour genotype monitoring

Noninvasive tumour genotyping using cell-free plasma DNA analysis is feasible, say US researchers who believe the technique will aid patient diagnosis and monitoring.

24 Mar 2014

Vitamin D receptor gene variant protects against male LUTS

An international research effort aimed at identifying the genetic basis of lower urinary tract symptoms has identified five candidate genes, one of which – encoding the vitamin D receptor – is consistently protective against these symptoms in men.

17 Mar 2014

Dampened reward response tied to schizophrenia risk

The striatal hypoactivation during reward anticipation seen in patients with schizophrenia is also present in their unaffected first-degree relatives, research shows.

17 Mar 2014

Researchers identify drug using yeast model that reduces levels of toxic protein in brains of AD patients

Using a yeast model of Alzheimer's disease (AD), Whitehead Institute researchers have identified a drug that reduces levels of the toxic protein fragment amyloid-β (Aβ) and prevents at least some of the cellular damage caused when Aβ accumulates in the brains of AD patients.

4 Mar 2014