Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Hedonic overdrive model best explains high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice

High-fat diets cause obesity in male mice. The underlying mechanism, however, remains controversial. After assessing three contrasting ideas, researchers have determined that the hedonic overdrive model provides the best fit, according to a new study published in the journal Obesity, The Obesity Society's (TOS) flagship journal.

27 Feb 2024

Breakthrough research unveils β-cell dynamics in Type 1 diabetes

About eight million people live with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) worldwide, a chronic autoimmune condition in which the body attacks and destroys its own insulin-producing β-cells (pronounced "beta") in the pancreas, leading to a lack of insulin and inability to regulate blood sugar.

26 Feb 2024

Newborn T cells found to excel in immune defense

Scientists have long believed that a newborn's immune system was an immature version of an adult's, but new research from Cornell University shows that newborns' T cells – white blood cells that protect from disease – outperform those of adults at fighting off numerous infections.

24 Feb 2024

Genetic variants influence blood pressure from early in life

Certain genes associated with hypertension affect blood pressure from early in life, and they increase the risk of cardiovascular disease as you get older. But you can do something about it.

23 Feb 2024

ACMG releases new Points to Consider statement on the clinical utility of polygenic risk scores for embryo selection

Should we be using polygenic risk score assessment for embryo selection? Providing in-depth analysis, the Social, Ethical and Legal Issues Committee of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) has released a new Points to Consider statement to assist healthcare professionals and patients in understanding the safety and utility of preimplantation genetic testing for polygenic disorders (PGT-P) as a clinical service.

23 Feb 2024

Major discovery improves the understanding of brain fog associated with Long COVID

Today, a team of scientists from Trinity College Dublin and investigators from FutureNeuro announced a major discovery that has profound importance for our understanding of brain fog and cognitive decline seen in some patients with Long COVID.

22 Feb 2024

Underutilized obesity treatments could transform patient health

When someone has obesity, losing even 5% of their body weight can make a major difference in their health -- especially if they can keep from regaining it.

21 Feb 2024

Men with higher area of abdominal muscle have greater risk of cardiac trouble, study shows

Body composition - often expressed as the amount of fat in relation to muscle - is one of the standard predictors of cardiac health.

21 Feb 2024

Study links air pollution with increased Alzheimer's markers

People with higher exposure to traffic-related air pollution were more likely to have high amounts of amyloid plaques in their brains associated with Alzheimer's disease after death, according to a study published in the February 21, 2024, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

21 Feb 2024

Largest genetic study on circulating retinol reveals new insights into its impact on health

Study presents the largest genome-wide association analysis on circulating retinol, identifying genes beyond the primary transport system that influence retinol levels and its broad impacts on health, including potential protective roles against schizophrenia and effects on various clinical phenotypes.

21 Feb 2024

Healthy plant-based diets linked to lower risk of obstructive sleep apnea

People who eat a healthy, plant-based diet that is high in vegetables, fruit, whole grains and nuts are less likely to suffer with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a study published today (Wednesday) in ERJ Open Research.

20 Feb 2024

Ultra-processed foods linked to higher risk of sarcopenia

Study finds a direct correlation between ultra-processed food consumption and increased risk of low muscle mass in adults, suggesting dietary changes could combat sarcopenia.

20 Feb 2024

Novel genetic locations associated with primary open-angle glaucoma identified

An international genetic study using multiancestry biobanks has identified novel genetic locations associated with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), the most common type of glaucoma and the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally.

20 Feb 2024

NIH-funded research enhances genetic testing for health equity

To prevent an emerging genomic technology from contributing to health disparities, a scientific team funded by the National Institutes of Health has devised new ways to improve a genetic testing method called a polygenic risk score.

20 Feb 2024

Mediterranean diet linked to better semen quality, study finds

A systematic review reveals that adherence to the Mediterranean diet improves semen quality in men of reproductive age, suggesting a positive impact on male reproductive health.

19 Feb 2024

Mapping the genomic landscape of Type 2 diabetes

In the largest genome-wide association study to date on Type 2 diabetes, a team of international researchers, co-led by a University of Massachusetts Amherst genetic epidemiologist, has located 1,289 genetic markers associated with Type 2 diabetes (145 of which are newly identified) and generated risk scores for diabetes complications.

19 Feb 2024

Husker research duo selected as Phase 1 winners in the NIH's Targeted Genome Editor Delivery Challenge

A Husker research duo was named a first-round winner in a National Institutes of Health competition aimed at generating solutions for delivering genome-editing technology to the cells of people with rare and common diseases.

19 Feb 2024

Lockdown delays in melanoma diagnosis cost Europe £6bn and thousands of lives

Delays in diagnosing melanoma due to Covid-19 lockdown may have contributed to over 100,000 years of life lost across Europe and over £6bn in costs, mainly indirectly due to loss of productivity, finds a new study led by UCL and University Hospital of Basel researchers.

16 Feb 2024