Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Research provides new roadmap for repairing damaged brain cells in multiple sclerosis

Research published today in the journal Nature provides new understanding about how drugs can repair damaged brain cells that cause disability in patients with multiple sclerosis.

26 Jul 2018

Researchers explain the crucial role of piriform cortex in distinguishing similar odors

Can you tell the smell of a rose from the scent of a lilac? If so, you have your brain's piriform cortex to thank.

25 Jul 2018

New protein complex may explain why patients develop resistance to novel anti-cancer drugs

A team of researchers at the University of Cambridge has identified a protein complex that might explain why some cancer patients treated with the revolutionary new anti-cancer drugs known as PARP inhibitors develop resistance to their medication.

25 Jul 2018

Researchers develop “polygenic score” that can help predict education level

An international team of researchers has identified more than 1,200 genetic variants that are associated with how much schooling a person completes and used the findings to create a “polygenic” score that is predictive of more than 11% of the variation in education level between individuals.

24 Jul 2018

Large-scale DNA sequence data on Alzheimer's disease to be made available to investigators

The National Institute on Aging Genetics of Alzheimer's Disease Data Storage Site will begin making large-scale DNA sequence data available to investigators.

24 Jul 2018

Mutated gene linked to 3-year-old girl's severe neurological symptoms

A young girl with severe neurological symptoms finally has a diagnosis, following the discovery by the Translational Genomics Research Institute of a genetic mutation that likely caused the girl to experience a cascade of symptoms.

24 Jul 2018

Depleting microbiome with antibiotics can have metabolic effects in mice

A new study from the Salk Institute has found that mice that have their microbiomes depleted with antibiotics have decreased levels of glucose in their blood and better insulin sensitivity.

24 Jul 2018

Imaging study shows how junk DNA activates genes

Researchers at Princeton University have used video imaging to capture the process by which junk DNA activates genes.

23 Jul 2018

Researchers investigate recessive genetic disorder that leads to childhood blindness

Our genome is made up of 20,000 genes, all of which may cause disease. At present, 4,141 genes have been identified as being responsible for genetic abnormalities, leaving around 16,000 genes with unknown implication in disease.

23 Jul 2018

Restoring mitochondrial function to reverse aging-related skin wrinkles, hair loss in mice

Wrinkled skin and hair loss are hallmarks of aging. What if they could be reversed?

20 Jul 2018

Researchers explore future of houseplants as functional sirens of home health

In a perspective published in the July 20 issue of Science, Neal Stewart and his University of Tennessee coauthors explore the future of houseplants as aesthetically pleasing and functional sirens of home health.

20 Jul 2018

Muscle fitness is strongly associated with improved rate of aging in the brain

Researchers at King's College London have found that muscle fitness as measured by power in the legs is strongly associated with an improved rate of ageing in the brain.

20 Jul 2018

Novel tool predicts genes that cause disease due to production of truncated proteins

Predicting genes that can cause disease due to the production of truncated or altered proteins that take on a new or different function, rather than those that lose their function, is now possible thanks to an international team of researchers, including researchers from Baylor College of Medicine, that has developed a new analytical tool to effectively and efficiently predict such candidate genes.

20 Jul 2018

ZHX2 protein could offer a new treatment strategy for kidney cancer

University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center scientists have uncovered a potential therapeutic target for kidney cancers that have a common genetic change.

20 Jul 2018

Sleep disturbances associated with higher dementia risk

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden report that sleep disturbances in midlife or in late life are associated with a higher risk for developing dementia in old age. The results are published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association.

20 Jul 2018

Health impact of highly processed summertime staples

With the 4th of July in the rearview mirror and Labor Day coming down the pike, barbecue season is in full swing.

19 Jul 2018

Study identifies RNA molecules that regulate male hormones in prostate cancer

In most cases of prostate cancer, tumor cell growth is stimulated by the action of male hormones, or androgens, such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone.

19 Jul 2018

Researchers identify key protein involved in irregular brain cell activity

In a new study in mice, researchers have identified a key protein involved in the irregular brain cell activity seen in autism spectrum disorders and epilepsy. The protein, p53, is well-known in cancer biology as a tumor suppressor.

17 Jul 2018

Large international study finds new risk genes for hay fever

In a large international study involving almost 900,000 participants, researchers from the University of Copenhagen and COPSAC have found new risk genes for hay fever. It is the largest genetic study so far on this type of allergy, which affects millions of people around the world.

17 Jul 2018

Study reveals new risk genes for allergic rhinitis

An international team of scientists led by Helmholtz Zentrum München and University of Copenhagen has presented the largest study so far on allergic rhinitis in the journal 'Nature Genetics'.

17 Jul 2018