A better model for type 2 diabetes: The Nile rat
Researchers have assembled the first reference genome for the Nile rat — a kind of genetic template of this species that may be used for laboratory and clinical studies. The hope, according to UC Santa Barbara researcher Huishi Toh, is that it will be useful for those who investigate Type 2 diabetes and neurological disorders […]
Thumbs Down for Genetic Test for Opioid Use Disorder, FDA Advisors Say
An FDA advisory committee on Thursday voted strongly against AvertD, a prescription genetic risk assessment tool for opioid use disorder (OUD). In an 11-2 decision, the Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Toxicology Devices Advisory Committee said the probable benefits of the AvertD device did not outweigh its probable risks, taking into account risks and benefits of […]
DNA shed from colon cancers into bloodstream successfully guides chemotherapy after surgery: Helps clarify the benefit of chemotherapy in stage II cancers
A new research study showed that circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) — genetic material shed from tumors into the bloodstream — can identify stage II colon cancer patients who can most benefit from chemotherapy following surgery and spare other patients the need for this form of treatment. The multi-institutional, international study, led by researchers at the […]
Genetic links revealed between severe COVID-19 and other diseases: Large-scale study could help inform novel COVID-19 treatment strategies
A new analysis of data from the Veterans Affairs Million Veteran Program has uncovered genetic links between COVID-19 severity and certain medical conditions that are known risk factors for severe COVID-19. Anurag Verma of the Corporal Michael Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, and colleagues present these findings on April 28 in the […]
Poor diet associated with increased diabetes risk across all gradients of genetic risk: A poor diet, irrespective of genetic risk factors, is associated with a 30 percent increased risk of diabetes
Genetic risk factors and diet quality are independently associated with type 2 diabetes; a healthy diet is linked to lower diabetes risk across all levels of genetic risk. That’s the conclusion of a study of more than 35,000 US adults publishing April 26 in PLOS Medicine by Jordi Merino of Massachusetts General Hospital, US, and […]
Body’s response to different strains of tuberculosis could affect transmission: Study could shed light on disease spread, development of resistance
Two strains of the bacterium causing tuberculosis have only minor genetic differences but attack the lungs in completely different fashion, according to Rutgers researchers. The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications, could help break the cycle of rapid transmission of TB, the second-leading infectious killer in the world after COVID-19, according to the World […]
Genetic Score Shows Promise for Honing PSA Precision
NEW ORLEANS — Adjusting prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels for normal genetic variations showed potential for making PSA testing more useful, including reducing unnecessary prostate biopsies, a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) suggested. A “polygenic score” (PGS) that accounted for noncancerous variations in PSA values explained 7.3%-8.8% of the variation in baseline PSA values in two […]
Nature vs. Nurture: Effects on Genes, Mental & Physical Health
Your Genes and Disease Some genetic diseases and conditions are inherited from your family, while others are caused by changes or mutations in a pre-existing gene, or group of genes. These gene mutations can occur from an environmental exposure or randomly. Click for more about your genes and disease » What is nature vs. nurture […]
In the brain’s cerebellum, a new target for suppressing hunger
People with Prader Willi syndrome, a genetic disorder, have an insatiable appetite. They never feel full, even after a hearty meal. The result can be life-threatening overeating and obesity. According to a new study, their constant hunger results in part to disordered signaling in the brain’s cerebellum, a region of the brain also responsible for […]
AI helps design the perfect chickpea
A massive international research effort has led to development of a genetic model for the ‘ultimate’ chickpea, with the potential to lift crop yields by up to 12 per cent. The research consortium genetically mapped thousands of chickpea varieties, and the UQ team then used this information to identify the most valuable gene combinations using […]