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New pathological mediator of ALS found

A research collaboration based in Japan has found a new pathological mediator of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which could have further implications for understanding the molecular breakdown that gives rise to the neurodegenerative disease that affects nearly half a million people around the world.

3 Sep 2019

Presence of XX sex chromosomes increases risk of heart attacks and coronary artery disease

New research at the University of Kentucky has confirmed that the presence of XX sex chromosomes increases the amount of fat circulating in the blood, which leads to narrowing of the arteries and ultimately a higher risk of heart attacks and coronary artery disease.

3 Sep 2019

Discovery may help identify signs of type 1 diabetes earlier

A new study showed that there are significant differences in the MHC class II antigens on the insulin peptide that is deficient in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). These determine the response of the T cells to the insulin peptide that causes destruction of insulin.

2 Sep 2019

Large study quashes idea of “gay gene”

A vast new study including almost half a million people has concluded that no single gene is associated with same-sex behavior.

2 Sep 2019

SATI gene editing could replace CRISPR

Scientists have developed a new gene editing tool called SATI that is safer than CRISPR.

2 Sep 2019

DNA methylation closely linked to telomere length

Aging is associated with multiple disease conditions. Recently it has been found that many of these illnesses are linked to the length of the telomeres at the ends of every chromosome. Telomere length (TL) is affected by both genetic and epigenetic contributions.

2 Sep 2019

Discovery of second gene responsible natural short-sleep

Sleep is a crucial part of human health. Piling up a chronic sleep debt by consistently sleeping less than is needed for a fully rested feeling causes a number of illnesses, including heart disease, cancer and autoimmune conditions.

1 Sep 2019

Neurogenesis plays an underappreciated role in the progression of Alzheimer's

Much of the research on the underlying causes of Alzheimer's disease focuses on amyloid beta (Aß), a protein that accumulates in the brain as the disease progresses.

30 Aug 2019

Psychopathy associated with robust alterations in expression of genes, study shows

The expression of many genes that have previously been associated with autism is abnormal also in violent psychopathy, a new study shows.

30 Aug 2019

'Clock in a dish' provides new way to replicate developmental disorders

In early mammalian development, timing is everything. For healthy development to occur -- whether it be three weeks for a mouse or nine months for a human -- embryos follow the lead of oscillating genes, which turn on and off in precise cycles and trigger different development milestones. Oscillating genes are conductors keeping time in a symphony of growth.

29 Aug 2019

Parasites could have originated from transmissable cancers

Researchers have presented a controversial new theory suggesting that transmissible cancers could eventually evolve into their own multicellular species.

29 Aug 2019

DNA vaccine for tick-borne disease ‘SFTS’ confers protection against lethal infection in ferrets

A KAIST research team reported the development of a DNA vaccine for Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV) which completely protects against lethal infection in ferrets.

29 Aug 2019

UC San Francisco scientists identify second 'short sleep' gene after 10-year search

After a decade of searching, the UC San Francisco scientists who identified the only human gene known to promote "natural short sleep" -- lifelong, nightly sleep that lasts just four to six hours yet leaves individuals feeling fully rested -- have discovered a second.

28 Aug 2019

New therapy may kill cancer cells in inherited breast cancer

Breast cancer begins when the cells in the breast begin to grow out of control. The cells form a tumor, which can become malignant if they invade and spread to surrounding tissues. Like any other cancers, breast cancer has many risk factors that can’t be changed, like family history.

28 Aug 2019

New study helps explain why lung tumors turn aggressive

Lung cancer is the number 1 killer among cancers, especially when it is of the non-small cell type. Among these, adenocarcinomas are the most common and aggressive type. These tumors also show a strong tendency to show dedifferentiation, or loss of the features that characterize a mature lung cell.

28 Aug 2019

Maternal high-fat diet may slow learning ability in offspring, study suggests

In a bid to further explore how a mother-to-be's diet might affect her offspring's brain health, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers have found that pregnant and nursing rats fed high fat diets have offspring that grow up to be slower than expected learners and that have persistently abnormal levels of the components needed for healthy brain development and metabolism.

From Johns Hopkins Medicine 28 Aug 2019