genes

Genomic study advances prioritization of variants in cancer diagnostics

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Hiroshima University researchers have developed a practical framework to identify candidate pathogenic variants hidden among the large number of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) detected in comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) of cancers. This framework could improve the accuracy of precision oncology by more reliable prioritization of VUS. Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) enables comprehensive detection of … Read more

Sleep duration and genetics interact to affect functional health

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Lifestyle-behavioral factors and socioeconomic status play an important role in shaping healthy aging, but their effects may differ depending on your DNA, according to a new international study led by Adelaide University researchers. The study is the first of its kind to show that diet quality, physical activity, sleep, smoking, education, employment and social engagement … Read more

New therapy reprograms immune cells to reduce asthma inflammation

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A collaborative effort between researchers at the Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, and Shenzhen University School of Medicine has provided the first proof-of-principle study demonstrating that targeting a receptor on the surface of anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells (Tregs) can restore their function and alleviate asthma in mice. The study, published March … Read more

Common antibacterial soaps and wipes may worsen antibiotic resistance crisis

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An international team of scientists is warning that everyday antibacterial soaps, wipes, sprays, and other “germ‑killing” products are quietly contributing to the global rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) while providing no added health benefit for most consumer uses. Antibiotic-resistant infections already cause more than one million deaths worldwide each year and could rival cancer as … Read more

Study proposes genetic basis for autism’s strong sex bias

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Autism has a significant and enduring sex bias, with roughly four boys diagnosed for every girl. For many years, experts have believed this disparity arises primarily from diagnostic inequities because much of autism research – and the screening tools that grew out of it – has historically focused on boys, effectively setting a male standard … Read more

Modern lifestyle amplifies genetic risk for type 2 diabetes

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Some people have a greater genetic risk than others of developing type 2 diabetes. Now, more of these at-risk people are actually developing diabetes than previously. Type 2 diabetes is often triggered by a sedentary lifestyle or poor diet. At the same time, however, some people have genes that make it much more likely they … Read more

Alcohol impacts gene expression differently across brain regions

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Erica Periandri and Gabor Egervari, from Washington University in St. Louis, led a study to explore how alcohol exposure in male mice influences gene expression and mechanisms that regulate gene function-or epigenetics. Says Egervari, “We recently uncovered that metabolites [from the body’s breakdown] of alcohol directly regulate genes in the hippocampus following a one-time exposure to alcohol. This is a previously unknown and surprisingly direct way in which alcohol impacts the brain, and it … Read more

New method reveals hidden protein motions for improved drug design

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For many of us “protein” is the key element of a food order. However, beyond your preferred choice of meats or plant-based alternatives, proteins encompass a large class of complex biomolecules whose chemical structure is encoded in our genes. Proteins have critical functions in living cells, they help repair and build body tissues, drive metabolic … Read more

Diverse biobank study links genetics to disease risk and treatment

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A new study by UCLA Health published in Cell presents a major advancement in the future of personalized medicine by pinpointing new connections between people’s genes, disease risk and medicine response by using a clinically well-characterized and diverse population-represented biobank. By analyzing genetic data and electronic health records from 93,936 participants in the UCLA ATLAS … Read more