Genetic News and Research

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IFR scientists mine the genome of C. botulinum to reveal new information about toxin genes

The toxin that causes botulism is the most potent that we know of. Eating an amount of toxin just 1000th the weight of a grain of salt can be fatal, which is why so much effort has been put into keeping Clostridium botulinum, which produces the toxin, out of our food.

15 May 2013

Better understanding of cells' development has implications in study of inflammatory diseases

Labs around the world, and a core group at Penn, have been studying recently described populations of immune cells called innate lymphoid cells. Some researchers liken them to foot soldiers that protect boundary tissues such as the skin, the lining of the lung, and the lining of the gut from microbial onslaught. They also have shown they play a role in inflammatory disease, when the body's immune system is too active.

15 May 2013

TGen joins Riddell to advance athlete concussion detection and treatment

Head protection plays a vital role in the health and safety of any athlete participating in helmeted sports. In a move that could help revolutionize football player safety, the Translational Genomics Research Institute, and Easton-Bell Sports through its Riddell brand, announced today it would work together on a study designed to advance athlete concussion detection and treatment.

15 May 2013

ALKBH7 protein plays key role in controlling programmed necrosis pathway

When cells suffer too much DNA damage, they are usually forced to undergo programmed cell death, or apoptosis. However, cancer cells often ignore these signals, flourishing even after chemotherapy drugs have ravaged their DNA.

15 May 2013

Renaissance in drug development for rare diseases

Once famously described as "orphan diseases, too small to be noticed, too small to be funded" in the Hollywood drama Lorenzo's Oil, rare diseases are getting unprecedented attention today among drug manufacturers, who are ramping up research efforts and marketing new medicines that promise fuller lives for children and other patients with these heartbreaking conditions.

14 May 2013

Research may help scientists learn anti-aging secrets of sacred lotus

A team of 70 scientists from the U.S., China, Australia and Japan today reports having sequenced and annotated the genome of the "sacred lotus," which is believed to have a powerful genetic system that repairs genetic defects, and may hold secrets about aging successfully.

14 May 2013

Findings could help develop new approaches to treat depression and memory loss in the elderly

Scientists have known for some time that exercise induces neurogenesis in a specific brain region, the hippocampus. However, until this study, the underlying mechanism was not fully understood.

14 May 2013

More than 80% of parents, grandparents prefer hospital that does medical research about children: Study

Four out of five parents and grandparents in Michigan say they'd rather take children to a hospital that does medical research for children than one that does not, according to a new poll from the University of Michigan.

14 May 2013

Clinical study reveals that Kava could be an alternative treatment for GAD

A world-first completed clinical study by an Australian team has found Kava, a medicinal South Pacific plant, significantly reduced the symptoms of people suffering anxiety.

14 May 2013

Noninvasive imaging tests may play bigger role in diabetes management

New approaches to applying noninvasive imaging tests such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance, and positron emission tomography may play a bigger role in evaluating and managing patients with diabetes.

14 May 2013

Chinese scientists suggest strong measures to prevent a possible pandemic

On 31 March 2013, the Chinese National Health and Family Planning Commission announced human cases of novel H7N9 influenza virus infections.

14 May 2013

First Edition: May 13, 2013

Today's headlines include reports that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has been seeking out funds from private sources to support efforts to publicize the health law.

13 May 2013

Study examines key factors that influence development of mental disorder in Andalusia

Being a woman, unemployed and living in a situation of social adversity are the three strongest trigger influences in subjects with a genetic predisposition to mental disorder.

13 May 2013

New MIT study reveals that H3N2 strains could pose a risk to humans

In the summer of 1968, a new strain of influenza appeared in Hong Kong. This strain, known as H3N2, spread around the globe and eventually killed an estimated 1 million people.

13 May 2013

New research shows that spontaneous mutations contribute to congenital heart disease

Every year, thousands of babies are born with severely malformed hearts, disorders known collectively as congenital heart disease. Many of these defects can be repaired though surgery, but researchers don't understand what causes them or how to prevent them. New research shows that about 10 percent of these defects are caused by genetic mutations that are absent in the parents of affected children.

13 May 2013

Researchers identify link between GPR126 gene and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences in Japan have identified the first gene to be associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (also called AIS) across Asian and Caucasian populations.

13 May 2013

Researchers successfully test new anti-cocaine vaccine in primates

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have successfully tested their novel anti-cocaine vaccine in primates, bringing them closer to launching human clinical trials.

13 May 2013

Disease-in-a-dish models show promise for treating ataxia telangiectasia

Led by Dr. Peiyee Lee and Dr. Richard Gatti, researchers at the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA have used induced pluripotent stem cells to advance disease-in-a-dish modeling of a rare genetic disorder, ataxia telangiectasia.

13 May 2013

UNM Cancer Center to participate in Phase 3 clinical trial of novel treatment for men with prostate cancer

The University of New Mexico Cancer Center is among a few select institutions nationwide participating in a Phase 3 clinical trial studying a novel treatment for men with newly diagnosed, localized prostate cancer.

13 May 2013

Researchers identify clue to explain the reversible memory loss caused by statins

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and physicians continue to document that some patients experience fuzzy thinking and memory loss while taking statins, a class of global top-selling cholesterol-lowering drugs.

13 May 2013

Genetic News and Research

IFR scientists mine the genome of C. botulinum to reveal new information about toxin genes

Better understanding of cells' development has implications in study of inflammatory diseases

TGen joins Riddell to advance athlete concussion detection and treatment

ALKBH7 protein plays key role in controlling programmed necrosis pathway

Renaissance in drug development for rare diseases

Research may help scientists learn anti-aging secrets of sacred lotus

Findings could help develop new approaches to treat depression and memory loss in the elderly

More than 80% of parents, grandparents prefer hospital that does medical research about children: Study

Clinical study reveals that Kava could be an alternative treatment for GAD

Noninvasive imaging tests may play bigger role in diabetes management

Chinese scientists suggest strong measures to prevent a possible pandemic

First Edition: May 13, 2013

Study examines key factors that influence development of mental disorder in Andalusia

New MIT study reveals that H3N2 strains could pose a risk to humans

New research shows that spontaneous mutations contribute to congenital heart disease

Researchers identify link between GPR126 gene and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Researchers successfully test new anti-cocaine vaccine in primates

Disease-in-a-dish models show promise for treating ataxia telangiectasia

UNM Cancer Center to participate in Phase 3 clinical trial of novel treatment for men with prostate cancer

Researchers identify clue to explain the reversible memory loss caused by statins

Genetics & Genomics - Second Edition eBook

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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