“Coffee Consumption Reduces Breast Cancer Risk For Women With Genetic Mutation, Study Says”
(January 5) Medical News Today reports, “Consumption of caffeinated coffee significantly reduces the risk of developing breast cancer among women who have a specific genetic mutation that greatly increases the chance of being diagnosed with the disease, according to a study published in the Jan. 1 edition of the International Journal of Cancer, Reuters Health reports.”
“Genetics plays a role in the side effects experienced by people taking painkillers”
(January 4) EurekAlert! reports, “A study published in the January issue of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) journal Gastroenterology found a difference in how people responded to popular painkillers and that up to 30 percent of this variability can be attributed to an individual's genetic make-up.”
“Gene Plays Key Role in Stopping Spread of Some Cancers”
(January 4) InteliHealth reports, “Researchers have found a genetic reason for the aggressiveness of some cancers, and perhaps a pathway toward taming their spread.”
“Tandem transcripts team together”
(January 4) EurekAlert! reports, “In the January issue of the journal Genome Research, two teams of scientists describe a widespread phenomenon in the human genome called transcription-induced chimerism (TIC), where two adjacent genes produce a single, fused RNA transcript.”
“TUMOR TRAUMA: Unusual genetic disorder strikes children”
(January 3) The Patriot Ledger reports, “As 8-year-old Michelle Barron plays in her Canton living room, there’s no sign of her past trauma.”
“The impact of smoking and genes on rheumatoid arthritis”
(January 3) EurekAlert! reports, “Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common systemic autoimmune diseases, and one of the least understood. Smoking is the major known environmental risk factor for RA, though little is known about the mechanisms involved.”
“University sets up largest gene bank of ethnic minority groups”
(January 3) China View reports, “The largest gene bank of Chinese ethnic minority groups has been set up at Yunnan University in southwest China's Yunnan Province, according to sources with university.”
“Researchers discover how a gene linked to Parkinson’s disease can keep brain cells alive”
(December 29) News-Medical.net reports, “Researchers at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center's School of Medicine have uncovered how a gene linked to Parkinson's disease can keep brain cells alive.”
“Genetic screening could save kids' lives”
(December 27) myDNA reports, “Italian researchers have developed a novel approach for genetic screening for long QT syndrome (LQTS), an inherited disease that predisposes young individuals to cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death, according to a study in the Dec. 21 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).”
“Stem cells fight sickle cell?”
(December 27) myDNA reports, “In a study to be published in the January 2006 issue of Nature Biotechnology, researchers led by a team of scientists at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have devised a novel strategy that uses stem cell-based gene therapy and RNA interference to genetically reverse sickle cell disease (SCD) in human cells.”
“Twins Comparison Suggests Genetic Risk For Dementia”
(December 27) Medical News Today reports, “On average, twins of people who have been diagnosed with dementia score lower on cognitive tests than do the twins of people without dementia, new research has found.”
“New Members Of The Human Genetics Commission Appointed, UK”
(December 27) Medical News Today reports, “UK Health Minister Jane Kennedy and Science Minister Lord Sainsbury today announced the appointment of seven new members to the Human Genetics Commission.”
“Asthma, obesity linked by genetics”
(December 23) myDNA reports, “University of Washington researchers have found a strong genetic link between asthma and obesity.”
“Successful Aging May Be Partly in the Genes”
(December 23) Reuters Health reports, “If you make it to a ripe old age with all your marbles, credit might go to the gene you inherited.”