Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Phosphorus additives leads to health disparities in chronic kidney disease

Processed and fast foods enriched with phosphorus additives may play a role in health disparities in chronic kidney disease, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).

17 Sep 2010

Devil genome sequenced: Hope for endangered Tasmanian Devils

Tasmanian Devil Salem died at age seven but made a difference to her endangered species. Only 50 micrograms of her tissue was taken and processed by Australian genetic scientist Elizabeth Murchison, using new US technology, to produce the first devil genome sequence. As a result, the fight against devil facial tumor disease now has a draft DNA reference map. This was presented at a genetic conference in Hobart yesterday.

16 Sep 2010

Friendship paradox helps analyze social network, monitor member health to predict flu outbreak

Nicholas Christakis, professor of medicine, medical sociology and sociology at Harvard University, and James Fowler, professor of medical genetics and political science at the University of California, San Diego, used the paradox to study the 2009 flu epidemic among 744 students. The findings, the researchers say, point to a novel method for early detection of contagious outbreaks.

16 Sep 2010

Researchers find clue behind ASD affecting males than females

New research from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), both in Toronto, Canada provides further clues as to why Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects four times more males than females. The scientists discovered that males who carry specific alterations of DNA on the sole X-chromosome they carry are at high risk of developing ASD. The research is published in the September 15 issue of Science Translational Medicine.

16 Sep 2010

Aetna supports landmark study on BRCA testing

Testing is available to help identify if a woman is likely to face one of her gender's worst fears: inherited breast and ovarian cancer. But significant questions have been raised among doctors and public health agencies about whether these tests are being offered to the women who can most benefit - consistent with the evidence-based guidelines for this testing - and whether the information learned from testing is being put to best use.

16 Sep 2010

BCBC Consortium aims to develop cell-based therapy for insulin delivery

Oregon Health & Science University's Markus Grompe, M.D., will lead a multi-center team of scientists selected to participate in the prestigious Beta Cell Biology Consortium (BCBC). Funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the consortium's long-term goal is to develop a cell-based therapy for insulin delivery in type 1 diabetes patients.

16 Sep 2010

ASG-5ME compound kills pancreatic cancer cells: Researchers

A new investigational drug designed to penetrate and attack pancreatic cancer cells has been administered to a patient for the first time ever at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare.

16 Sep 2010

Gene network behind hardening of arteries, coronary heart disease identified

A gene network behind hardening of the arteries and coronary heart disease has been identified by a team of scientists from Australia, Europe and the United Kingdom. Their findings expose potential targets for the treatment of heart disease.

16 Sep 2010

ABCB4 gene causes bad cholesterol to accumulate in blood: Research

Scientists at the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research (SFBR) in San Antonio have found a gene that causes high levels of bad cholesterol to accumulate in the blood as a result of a high-cholesterol diet.

16 Sep 2010

Diaceutics, London Genetics partner to develop software decision tools for biomarker research

Diaceutics Limited and London Genetics Limited, an expert in the use of pharmacogenetics in clinical drug discovery and development, today announce a strategic partnership to develop software decision tools that will provide biopharmaceutical companies with rapid and extensive access to the world's leading academic biomarker research groups.

15 Sep 2010

Actress joins UTHealth to establish 'John Ritter Research Program in Aortic and Vascular Diseases'

Actress, writer and aortic health advocate Amy Yasbeck has joined with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) to establish the John Ritter Research Program in Aortic and Vascular Diseases (JRRP) to combat the devastating disease that took the life of her husband, legendary comic actor John Ritter.

15 Sep 2010

Study to assess impact of radiation exposure on multiple cancer risk

It is well known that exposure to radiation has multiple harmful effects - including causing cancer - but until now, it has been unclear to what extent such exposure increases a person's risk of developing more than one cancer. The first large-scale study of the relationship between radiation dose and risk of multiple cancers among atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan reveals a similar risk in the development of first and second subsequent cancers.

15 Sep 2010

UT Southwestern receives $8 million NIH grant to study influence of brain and liver on inflammation

An $8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health will enable UT Southwestern Medical Center to investigate how fat tissue "talks" to the brain and the liver to promote inflammation-related disorders such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

15 Sep 2010

Researchers create artificial human ovary to yield infertility treatments for cancer patients

Researchers at Brown University and Women & Infants Hospital have invented the first artificial human ovary, an advance that provides a potentially powerful new means for conducting fertility research and could also yield infertility treatments for cancer patients. The team has already used the lab-grown organ to mature human eggs.

15 Sep 2010

Researchers identify risk gene for schizophrenia

An international team of researchers has identified a risk gene for schizophrenia, including a potentially causative mutation, using genome-wide association data-mining techniques and independent replications.

15 Sep 2010

Early alcohol, tobacco exposure may delay puberty in girls: Study

The list of possible health effects from an early introduction to alcohol and tobacco use has just gotten longer. A new study suggests that early drinking and smoking might delay onset of puberty in girls.

15 Sep 2010

Genmab announces update in corporate strategy

Genmab A/S announced today an update to its corporate strategy. Today's strategy update represents a new beginning for Genmab where we acknowledge our successes and learn from our mistakes.

14 Sep 2010

Genmab, Seattle Genetics enter ADC research collaboration agreement

Genmab A/S and Seattle Genetics, Inc. announced today that the companies have entered into an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) research collaboration agreement.

14 Sep 2010

Researchers to discuss brain's secrets at neuroscience conference

Top brain researchers from around the world will be in Milwaukee, Sept, 16-19, 2010, for a neuroscience conference focused on gaining insights into the brain's inner workings to better understand how the brain thinks, how the brain develops, and how the brain is altered by neurological diseases and how it responds to treatment.

14 Sep 2010

Researchers identify novel molecular pathway of Parkinson’s disease

A new study led by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center has identified a novel molecular pathway underlying Parkinson's disease and points to existing drugs which may be able to slow progression of the disease.

14 Sep 2010