Genetics
Sea Lamprey’s Genome Offers Clues For Treating Human Disease
Scientists have been working to map the genome sequence of sea lampreys since 2004. This jawless vertebrate lacks the insulating protein, myelin, around its nerve cells. This creature’s body actually contains several proteins that create myelin. Humans suffering from neurodegenerative diseases also experience a loss of myelin. Scientists hope this finding will help them develop a way to synthesize myelin … [ Read more ]
Small Pox Vaccine Virus Transmitted Sexually In San Diego
The Centers for Disease Control issued a report claiming that a San Diego man who recently received a smallpox vaccination transmitted a milder form of the disease to a sexual partner. Then, that sexual partner passed it on to another sexual partner. This is the first report of teritary sexual transmission of a vaccinia virus, being that from a small … [ Read more ]
Common Gene Variants Linked To 5 Psychiatric Disorders
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital compared the genome sequences of more than 33,000 people diagnosed with psychiatric disorders to the gene sequences of roughly 27,000 people within a control group. They found that variants in the genes CACNA1C and CACBN2 were associated with five disorderrs: Autism, ADHD, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. They believe that this information can … [ Read more ]
Deadly New Coronavirus Leaves Many Questions Unanswered
A new and deadly virus never before seen in humans is under intense study by the US Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. The virus, known as coronavirus, or NCoV, has taken the lives of half of the thirteen people who have been infected. Virology experts report that they have a vast amount of information regarding NCoV’s genetic makeup … [ Read more ]
BPA Found To Be Worse Than We Thought
The FDA banned BPA, or Bisphenol A, in baby bottles in July of 2012. The chemical is known to disrupt the normal functioning of sex hormones in both humans and animals. New research reports that BPA is much worse for the body that we previously thought. It has been shown to impair the development of the central nervous system. It … [ Read more ]
Junk DNA May Lead To Cancer Treatments
So called “junk DNA”, or pseudogenes, are portions of DNA that are similarly arranged like functional genes but do not actually make proteins themselves. For many years, scientists believed these mock genes did nothing to help us. New research, however, has found that psuedogenes can prevent the processes that allow cancer genes to be produced. Scientists believe that this can … [ Read more ]
Protein May Explain Why Women Talk More Than Men
Many people believe that women talk more than men do. Now, a new study from the University of Maryland reports that a specific protein within the brains of women might be the reason why. Psychiatrists have estimated that women speak about 20,000 words a day and men only say about 7,000 words per day. This could be why female students … [ Read more ]
3D Printer And Living Cells Used To Create Human Ear
Tissue regeneration has become possible! Scientists from Cornell University created a replacement ear using a 3-D printer and then injected the soft mold with a special collagen gel consisting of cow cells. These cells began to produce cartilage and after a few months, the ear appeared as flexible and functional as a typical outer ear. This breakthrough can help people … [ Read more ]
Can Genetically Modified Plants Be Used For Pharmaceutical Applications?
Scientists from the European Union are proposing amendments to a directive which would allow genetically modified (GM) plants to be cultivated and used for pharmaceutical products. The use of GMs plants for human consumption is a heated topic in Europe. This proposal would maintain that the GMs are grown under strict conditions to ensure that the food chain affecting humans … [ Read more ]
Ancient DNA In Tartar Shows Negative Trend In Oral Health
If you hate going to the dentist, you are not alone. And it could get worse. A new study reports that, over time, oral health in humans has declined as a result of our changing diet. Scientists examined changes in our dietary habits throughout human evolution and found that as the food we ate changed, so did the bacteria within … [ Read more ]
