Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Study aims to explore structural alterations in the brains of people with bipolar disorder

A new study, led by USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute (Stevens INI), will explore structural alterations in the brains of people with bipolar disorder (BD), a chronic mental illness with one of the highest rates of attempted suicide - and for which no biological tools currently exist to guide diagnosis or treatment.

29 Jan 2025

AI technology uncovers genetic factors and treatment options for Parkinson's

Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic Genome Center have successfully applied advanced artificial intelligence (AI) genetics models to Parkinson's disease. Researchers identified genetic factors in progression and FDA-approved drugs that can potentially be repurposed for PD treatment.

28 Jan 2025

Study shows long-term cannabis use disrupts critical brain processes

Heavy lifetime cannabis use is associated with reduced brain activation in key cognitive regions, particularly during working memory tasks, while recent use may cause temporary cognitive impairments.

28 Jan 2025

Pocket on cyclin B ensures correct sequence of cell division

A "pocket" on the protein cyclin B is responsible for ensuring that the steps of cell division take place in the correct order. Two studies by researchers at the University of Konstanz investigated why this is the case.

28 Jan 2025

Developmental epigenetic changes could shape cancer risk later in life

A person's lifetime risk for cancer may begin before they are even born, reports a paradigm-shifting study by Van Andel Institute scientists.

27 Jan 2025

Establishing common nomenclature for mitochondria transfer and transplantation

Most animal, plant and fungal cells contain organelles called mitochondria. These descendants of a primordial bacterial endosymbiont still preserve distinct genes and are known for their ability to create ATP as chemical energy.

27 Jan 2025

How fruit fly genetics could change the fight against mosquito diseases

How fruit flies mate may hold a key to limiting the spread of diseases by mosquitoes.

25 Jan 2025

Long-read sequencing revolutionizes diagnosis of rare diseases

One in every 10 people worldwide is impacted by a rare genetic disease but about 50% of them remain undiagnosed despite rapid increases in genetic technology and testing.

24 Jan 2025

A global look at the gut: Scientists highlight microbiome diversity

Researchers analyzed 168,464 samples to uncover how geographic and technical factors shape global gut microbiome variation, highlighting underrepresented regions and technical biases.

23 Jan 2025

Researchers map genetic differences across children with Wilms tumor

Genetically tailored treatment plans for children with a type of kidney cancer could help provide the most effective care while minimizing side effects as much as possible.

23 Jan 2025

New genomic insights could transform bipolar disorder treatment

Study published in Nature identifies nearly 300 genomic regions associated with bipolar disorder, and 36 key genes involved in the disease.

23 Jan 2025

Complete map of human DNA recombination unlocks secrets of genetic diversity

Scientists at deCODE genetics/Amgen have constructed a complete map of how human DNA is mixed as it is passed down during reproduction.

23 Jan 2025

Genomic insights and new treatment paradigms related to HER2-low breast cancer

A new review was published in Oncotarget's Volume 16 on January 20, 2025, titled "Evolving concepts in HER2-low breast cancer: Genomic insights, definitions, and treatment paradigms."

22 Jan 2025

How gut microbiota impacts childhood obesity

Gut microbiota plays a critical role in childhood obesity by influencing energy metabolism, inflammation, and appetite regulation, with emerging therapeutic strategies like probiotics, dietary interventions, and fecal microbiota transplantation showing promise.

21 Jan 2025

NIH provides $14 million to support human genome research diversification

Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has received two large grants renewing funding for the Human Pangenome Reference Sequencing Project.

21 Jan 2025

Study identifies genetic variations linked to allergic sensitization

Humans are continuously exposed to various environmental allergens (antigens), such as pollen, food, and dust mites.

21 Jan 2025

Smartwatch data unlocks new insights into psychiatric illnesses

Smartwatches that can collect physical and physiological data on users could be potentially interesting tools in biomedicine to gain a better understanding of brain diseases and behavioral disorders and possible driver mutations related to these pathologies.

21 Jan 2025

CDC report reveals COPD as the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S.

Chronic lower respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

21 Jan 2025

How lifestyle-based interventions help manage PCOS

Studies indicate that lifestyle modifications can alleviate PCOS symptoms, improving insulin resistance and hormonal balance through diet and physical activity.

21 Jan 2025

Exploring the use of genomic classifier tests in prostate cancer risk stratification

A systematic review found that while genomic classifier (GC) tests may influence risk classifications or treatment decisions for patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa), there is a need for better data on their cost-effectiveness, clinical utility, and their impact on racial and ethnic groups, particularly Black men.

20 Jan 2025