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Study uncovers more pieces of the autism puzzle

A major international study from the Autism Sequencing Consortium with participation of researchers from the Danish iPSYCH psychiatry project, has recently mapped 102 new autism genes.

4 Feb 2020

Developing tests for genetic signs could lead to earlier cancer detection

Early signs of cancer can appear years before diagnosis and developing tests for these genetic signs could provide new ways to spot cancer early, according to new research led by the Crick and EMBL-EBI, and supported by an international cancer genomics consortium, the Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes Project.

4 Feb 2020

DNA extracted from museum specimens can provide genetic information

DNA in preserved museum specimens can allow scientists to explore the history of species and humanities impact on the ecosystem, but samples are typically preserved in formaldehyde which can damage DNA and make it very difficult to recover.

4 Feb 2020

Single-cell DNA assessment method can detect fetal genetic abnormalities

Non-invasive prenatal tests are used for fetal genetic disease screening in pregnant women. In contrast, invasive tests like amniocentesis carry the risk of causing fetal harm.

4 Feb 2020

New technology provides point of care insights to Rush oncologists

Rush University Medical Center is the first health care organization to launch medical record company Epic's module for genomic results, giving providers the tools they need to tailor patient care at the molecular level.

4 Feb 2020

People with ASD have cellular abnormality that impairs myelin production, study reveals

People with autism spectrum disorder appear to suffer malfunctions in a cell that produces a special coating around nerve fibers that facilitates efficient electrical communication across the brain.

4 Feb 2020

Research may provide insight into evolution of human social life

A UTSA researcher has discovered that, whether in a pair or in groups, success in primate social systems may also provide insight into organization of human social life.

4 Feb 2020

Study defines safest ovary removal procedure for fertility preservation

Young girls who are about to undergo treatment for cancer or other therapies that pose high risk of infertility can opt to have an ovary removed and preserved for future transplantation when they are ready to pursue pregnancy.

4 Feb 2020

Preventing cardiac problems during pregnancy

Although cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, it has not been widely recognized that many types of heart disease can and do affect women of childbearing age. But that is rapidly changing.

3 Feb 2020

Measuring 'stickiness' of cancer cells could improve prognostic evaluation of tumors

A team of researchers led by the University of California San Diego has created a device that measures how "sticky" cancer cells are, which could improve prognostic evaluation of patient tumors. The device is built with a microfluidic chamber that sorts cells by their physical ability to adhere to their environment.

3 Feb 2020

Novel approach may offer a more effective way to eradicate colorectal cancer cells

A novel approach to reverse the progression of healthy cells to malignant ones may offer a more effective way to eradicate colorectal cancer cells with far fewer side effects, according to a team of researchers based in South Korea.

3 Feb 2020

Experimental vaccine prevents infection of lung and nasal cavity

Researchers have found that viruses causing human respiratory infections called human metapneumovirus (HMPV) have a special ability to hide itself from the body’s immune system. This prevents the body from fighting the infection off. This very strategy has been used in development of a vaccine against HMPV say the researchers.

3 Feb 2020

Regular aerobic exercise could enhance cognitive functions in adults at risk for Alzheimer’s

Individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) because of family history or genetic predisposition who engaged in six months of aerobic exercise training improved their brain glucose metabolism and higher-order thinking abilities (e.g., planning and mental flexibility) called executive function; these improvements occurred in conjunction with increased cardiorespiratory fitness.

3 Feb 2020

Research examines environmental exposures and increase in type 1 diabetes

Studies have shown a rapid increase in new cases of type 1 diabetes worldwide. However, scientists and researchers have struggled to identify a direct cause.

3 Feb 2020

Researchers reveal mutation's role in blood cancers

A genetic mutation that disrupts how DNA sends messages to the rest of a cell has been linked to a large number of blood cancers.

3 Feb 2020

UTHSC researchers receive $1.98 million grant for novel approach to studying diabetes

A team of researchers in the University of Tennessee Health Science Center's College of Medicine has been awarded a $1.98 million grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, a division of the National Institutes of Health, for a novel approach to studying diabetes.

3 Feb 2020

High-income and low-income countries have major differences in CHD prevalence, mortality

Even though mortality from congenital heart disease has declined over the last three decades as diagnosis and treatments have advanced, the chances for a child to survive a CHD diagnosis significantly differs based on the country where he or she is born.

3 Feb 2020

Sperm microbiome revealed with RNA sequencing

A new study reports the first-ever detailed description of the human sperm microbiome, using newer RNA sequencing techniques that are capable of discriminating between sperm RNA and that of bacterial contamination or colonization.

2 Feb 2020

Plant flavonols significantly reduce Alzheimer’s risk

A new study published in the journal Neurology in January 2020 concludes that increasing the intake of plant flavonols steeply reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) by up to a half. In other words, AD could be prevented in many people simply by regularly eating more of foods containing these compounds such as tea, oranges and broccoli.

2 Feb 2020

Daily alcohol consumption ages brain

There are several studies looking at the effects of alcohol intake on the brain. Anew study adds to the existing knowledge. The large study with around 11,651 participants from United Kingdom shows that each gram of alcohol consumed could lead to around a week of aging of the brain.

2 Feb 2020