Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Genetic testing getting better at identifying testicular cancer risk

Testing for a new group of genes associated with testicular cancer has improved the ability to identify men at greatest risk of the disease, say researchers. Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, found that by testing for 19 new genetic factors in addition to the 25 risk genes already known, they could identify the 1% of men at highest risk.

13 Jun 2017

Penn analysis finds genetic factors that could help identify men at increased risk for testicular cancer

An analysis of data from five major studies of testicular cancer has identified new genetic locations that could be susceptible to inherited testicular germ cell tumors.

12 Jun 2017

Researchers uncover seven risk genes for insomnia

An international team of researchers has found, for the first time, seven risk genes for insomnia. With this finding the researchers have taken an important step towards the unraveling of the biological mechanisms that cause insomnia.

12 Jun 2017

Emerging blood test could offer effective alternative to detect cancer

Research into a blood test that may spot cancers sooner and allow more targeted treatment is to be presented by a University of Leicester researcher.

12 Jun 2017

Anorexia nervosa linked to genetic anomalies on chromosome 12

A large-scale, international whole-genome analysis has now revealed for the first time that anorexia nervosa is associated with genetic anomalies on chromosome 12.

12 Jun 2017

Type 2 diabetes incidence among youth increases in direct proportion with severity of obesity

The risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) by age 20 was 12 times as high in severely obese American Indian children 5 to 9 years of age as in normal-weight youth in that age range, according to a study titled "Long-term Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Youth with Increasing Severity of Obesity," presented today at the American Diabetes Association's 77th Scientific Sessions at the San Diego Convention Center.

12 Jun 2017

'Mismatch repair' genetic defects drive cancer patient's response to immunotherapy drugs

In an expanded, three-year clinical trial of 86 patients with colorectal and 11 other kinds of cancer that have so-called 'mismatch repair' genetic defects, scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine and its Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy have found that half of the patients respond to an immunotherapy drug called pembrolizumab.

9 Jun 2017

Radiation therapy critical to treating brain tumors, but linked to significant adverse effects

Radiation therapy using high-energy particles, like x-rays or electron beams, is a common and critical component in successfully treating patients with brain tumors, but it is also associated with significant adverse effects, such as neuronal loss in adjacent healthy tissues.

9 Jun 2017

Study finds evidence that genes influence empathy

New research has found empathy may have a genetic component that also influences personality, cognition, and psychiatric conditions. Further, although not a novel finding, researchers noted women generally performed better on a test used to gauge empathy than their male counterparts.

9 Jun 2017

Salk researchers analyze how neurons in the brain respond to natural scenes

If you think self-driving cars can't get here soon enough, you're not alone. But programming computers to recognize objects is very technically challenging, especially since scientists don't fully understand how our own brains do it.

9 Jun 2017

Salk scientist uses mathematical framework to better understand how cell types divide work

Despite advances in neuroscience, the brain is still very much a black box--no one even knows how many different types of neurons exist.

7 Jun 2017

UM SOM scientists identify mutated gene that may be key player in heart disease

Heart disease kills more than 600,000 Americans every year, which translates to more than one in every four deaths. Although lifestyle choices contribute to the disease, genetics play a major role.

7 Jun 2017

Focus on single sex threatens to limit impact of research findings, says Tulane endocrinologist

Over the last decade, many drugs that have been pulled from the market due to toxicity were withdrawn because they affected women more than men.

7 Jun 2017

New protocol offers faster and more effective way to obtain astrocytes from stem cells

Neurons have long enjoyed the spotlight in neuroscience--and for good reason: they are incredibly important cellular actors. But, increasingly, star-shaped support cells called astrocytes are being seen as more than bit players in the brain's rich pageant.

6 Jun 2017

Studies offer hope for developing new biomarker and drug for neurodegenerative diseases

Two new studies of progressive, neurodegenerative diseases linked to defects in cells' mitochondria offer hope for developing a new biomarker for research and diagnostics, and a drug for treating such diseases, report researchers at the University of California, Davis.

6 Jun 2017

UIC to open new center dedicated for stem cell and regenerative medicine

The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine will launch a new center that will focus on understanding tissue regeneration and pioneering future developments in stem cell biology as a means to repair diseased organs and tissues.

6 Jun 2017

Positive results for AstraZeneca’s PARP inhibitor Lynparza in advanced breast cancer

A new study has shown that AstraZeneca's Lynparza (olaparib) can significantly slow the progress of breast cancer that is caused partially due to mutations of the culprit gene called BRCA. BRCA gene mutations are responsible for around 3% of all breast cancers. These cases of the disease that have a basis in the gene are notoriously difficult to treat and women who are tested positive for this gene may even opt for removal of their breasts before even the cancer strikes. Noted actress Angelina Jolie went for a similar prophylactic mastectomy.

5 Jun 2017

Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Genetic testing getting better at identifying testicular cancer risk

Penn analysis finds genetic factors that could help identify men at increased risk for testicular cancer

Researchers uncover seven risk genes for insomnia

Emerging blood test could offer effective alternative to detect cancer

Anorexia nervosa linked to genetic anomalies on chromosome 12

Type 2 diabetes incidence among youth increases in direct proportion with severity of obesity

'Mismatch repair' genetic defects drive cancer patient's response to immunotherapy drugs

Radiation therapy critical to treating brain tumors, but linked to significant adverse effects

Study finds evidence that genes influence empathy

Salk researchers analyze how neurons in the brain respond to natural scenes

Salk scientist uses mathematical framework to better understand how cell types divide work

UM SOM scientists identify mutated gene that may be key player in heart disease

Focus on single sex threatens to limit impact of research findings, says Tulane endocrinologist

New protocol offers faster and more effective way to obtain astrocytes from stem cells

Studies offer hope for developing new biomarker and drug for neurodegenerative diseases

UIC to open new center dedicated for stem cell and regenerative medicine

Positive results for AstraZeneca’s PARP inhibitor Lynparza in advanced breast cancer

Genetic sequencing could help direct treatment for 72% of advanced cancer patients

Researchers find way to attack sleeper cells that cause breast cancer recurrence

Follistatin plays key role in embryo implantation

Sequencing & Genomics: Elevating Science and Healthcare eBook

Real-time Raman monitoring for pharmaceutical hot melt extrusion

Synthetic Psychedelics: A Growing Public Health Concern

How the Vutara VXL simplifies single-molecule imaging