Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Age-related hearing loss may be genetic

Researchers at the University of Antwerp have discovered that hearing loss is linked to flaws in a specific gene.

28 Aug 2006

Women's health policy highlights

Highlights recently released from journal articles on women's health issues

24 Aug 2006

Procedures for obtaining release of H5N1 sequences to the public domain

Information on the gene sequences of H5N1 viruses is important for vaccine development, the preparation of reagents used for diagnostic purposes, and monitoring for drug-resistant strains.

24 Aug 2006

A tissue marker of poor prognosis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

The search for molecular markers that further advance our knowledge of the biology of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and assist in evaluating the diagnosis and prognosis of patients remains the subject of intense investigation.

20 Aug 2006

The endocannabinoid system controls key epileptogenic circuits in the hippocampus

The same brain machinery that responds to the active substance in marijuana provides a central "on-demand" protection against seizures, researchers have found. They said their discoveries suggest that the "endocannabinoid" system might constitute a prime target for drugs against seizures of epilepsy and other neurodegenerative diseases.

16 Aug 2006

Strokes will cost U.S. $2.2 trillion over the next 45 years

Unless Americans do more to lower their risk of stroke and improve stroke care, the nation will pay $2.2 trillion over the next 45 years to care for people who suffer the most common form of stroke, a new University of Michigan study predicts.

16 Aug 2006

Racial differences in hepatitis C viral responses

African American patients with hepatitis C (HCV) infections experience a lower response rate to the peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin combination treatment than Caucasian Americans, according to a study published in the August issue of Gastroenterology.

16 Aug 2006

RNA gene found to be one of the fastest evolving regions in human genome

Since completing the sequencing of the chimpanzee genome last year, geneticists have spent many hours comparing human DNA sequences to those of our closest evolutionary relative, looking for the differences that distinguish the two species.

16 Aug 2006

First treatment for Hunter disease

An article reporting results from a pivotal clinical trial that helped gain U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the first treatment for Hunter disease has been published online by the journal Genetics in Medicine.

16 Aug 2006

Findings shed new light on BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast-cancer gene mutations in older and African-American women

Clearest picture yet of the prevalence and predictors of mutations in the breast-cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 among women in the general population.

15 Aug 2006

Ryogen licenses gene patent to OriGene Technologies

Ryogen and OriGene Technologies have announced today that they have entered into a nonexclusive license agreement whereby OriGene has licensed from Ryogen the patent directed to the clinically important Aminopeptidase P gene.

15 Aug 2006

Major new research grant to develop new technology for delivering cell-by-cell medical treatments

Scientists from the Universities of Dundee and St Andrews have won a major new research grant to develop a completely new technology for delivering cell-by-cell medical treatments.

15 Aug 2006

Some brains wired to encourage fidgeting

Some brains may be wired to encourage fidgeting and other restless behaviors that consume calories and help control weight, according to new research published by The American Physiological Society.

14 Aug 2006

Warrior gene theory sparks debate and highlights domestic violence in New Zealand

A New Zealand researcher whose claim that Maori people carry a "warrior" gene that makes them more prone to violent and aggressive behaviour has provoked strong reactions from some quarters.

9 Aug 2006

Evidence of a genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease

A Mayo Clinic-led international research collaboration - one of the largest studies of its kind - provides strong evidence that a genetic risk factor may account for 3 percent of the cause of Parkinson's disease.

8 Aug 2006

Metabolic syndrome may be treatable thanks to a newly discovered role for a regulatory gene

Single gene may contribute to the body's responses to caloric restriction and may explain some aspects of the Atkins Diet.

8 Aug 2006

Researchers discover how genes and diet interact to cause birth defects

Expectant mothers may someday get a personalized menu of foods to eat during pregnancy to complement their genetic makeup as a result of new research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

8 Aug 2006

Rett syndrome can also strike males

The common thinking in the past had been that Rett syndrome only affects girls.

8 Aug 2006

Prospective Huntington At Risk Observational Study

Doctors have completed the first step of a unique medical research study, evaluating 1,001 individuals at risk of developing Huntington's disease who do not know - nor do they want to know - whether they carry the genetic defect that causes the condition.

8 Aug 2006

The circadian rhythm of glucocorticoids is regulated by a gating mechanism residing in the adrenal cortical clock

In mammals, including humans, a master clock in the brain and subordinate clocks found in organs throughout the body coordinate daily, or circadian, rhythms of behavior and physiology.

8 Aug 2006