“Researchers identify gene associated with severe kidney failure in diabetes”
(Jan 9) EurekAlert! reports, “A research team at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and the University of Heidelberg has proven that a gene protects some people with diabetes from developing severe kidney failure or "end-stage renal disease.”
“USC study in Nature Genetics supports a stem cell origin of cancer”
(Jan 8) EurekAlert! reports, “Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) recently made significant strides toward settling a decades-old debate centering on the role played by stem cells in cancer development.”
“Researchers Take 'Chips' to the Next Level of Gene Hunting”
(Jan 8) The JHU Gazette reports, “Researchers at the Johns Hopkins High Throughput Biology Center have invented two new gene "chip" technologies that can be used to help identify otherwise elusive disease-causing mutations in the 97 percent of the genome long believed to be "junk."”
“Japan scientists link strokes to gene variant”
(Jan 8) AlertNet reports, “Japanese researchers have identified a gene variant which appears to predispose a person to strokes, but it seems more prevalent in Asians than in those of European or African descent.”
“Scientists Find Guardian Gene's Choices Crucial To Stopping Cancer Process”
(Jan 8) Science Daily reports, “Scientists at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia have uncovered a novel pathway by which the anti-cancer gene p53 springs into action, protecting a damaged cell from becoming cancer.”
“Genes, lifestyle raise macular degeneration risk”
(last accessed 2/2008)
(Jan 10) Optimist reports, “New research suggests that one's genetic make-up interacts with two modifiable risk factors -- obesity and smoking -- to multiply the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a potentially blinding degenerative eye disorder.”
“Genetically altered cells may help artificial skin fight infection”
(Jan 8) EurekAlert! reports, “Cincinnati burn researchers have created genetically modified skin cells that, when added to cultured skin substitutes, may help fight off potentially lethal infections in patients with severe burns.”
“Chaos In The Cell Defect Gene Disrupts Signal Processing Within The Cell And Damages The Immune System”
(Jan 8) Medical News Today reports, “Researchers from the Innsbruck Biocenter and the Hannover Medical School in cooperation with the University of Freiburg have discovered a genetic cause of disrupted signal transduction in cells.”
“Genetic expression speaks as loudly as gene type”
(last accessed 2/2008)
(Jan 7) news@nature.com reports, “Some ethnic differences could be down to the same genes behaving differently.”
“Researchers Looking For Genes That Control The Brain”
(Jan 7) Medical News Today reports, “Although it’s our most vital organ, surprisingly little is known about what constitutes a "normal" brain.”
“Jefferson scientists find guardian gene's choices crucial to stopping cancer process”
(Jan 5) EurekAlert! reports, “Scientists at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia have uncovered a novel pathway by which the anti-cancer gene p53 springs into action, protecting a damaged cell from becoming cancer.”
“Rogue Gene Linked To Breast And Childhood Cancer Risk”
(Jan 5) Medical News Today reports, “Women who inherit one damaged copy of a gene called PALB2 have double the risk of developing breast cancer.”
“Genetic Mutation Alters Response To Heart Failure Drugs”
(Jan 5) Science Daily reports, “The group of drugs known as beta blockers help slow nerve impulses traveling through the heart in order to reduce the heart's workload.”
“G Allele Of Mu-opioid Receptor Gene Is Linked To Craving For Alcohol”
(Jan 5) Science Daily reports, “The study of genes and their influence on alcohol consumption can operate on many different levels.”
“Gender affects genes' influence on blood pressure”
(last accessed 3/2007)
(Jan 4) USPharMD reports, “Variations in genes that play a role in regulating heart rate and kidney function appear to affect blood pressure differently in men and women, new research suggests.”
“MGH Cancer Center researchers find new gene associated with Wilms tumor”
(Jan 4) EurekAlert! reports, “Researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center have discovered a novel gene mutation associated with Wilms tumor, the most common pediatric kidney cancer.”
“Renegade RNA -- Clues to cancer and normal growth”
(Jan 4) EurekAlert! reports, “Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered that a tiny piece of genetic code apparently goes where no bit of it has gone before, and it gets there under its own internal code.”
“British gene team are on the brink of cancer breakthrough”
(Jan 4) The Mail reports, “British scientists are on the verge of producing a drug that could revolutionise cancer treatment.”