Tag: genes

Grandsons' health at risk if grandpa ate well in his youth

This odd connection may be due to our genes being affected by the world around us.

Scientists find genetic ‘ignition key’ in human embryos

New study identifies which genes are the first to be activated in a fertilised human egg. They hope the new results will help develop new infertility treatments.

Alzheimer’s prevention can vary between populations

A gene variation that protects against Alzheimer’s is missing in most Danes but not in other Nordic populations.

New study finds proof that creativity and mental illness are genetically linked

Being able to think out of the box puts you at a higher risk of developing certain psychiatric disorders.

Scientists find missing link of microorganisms

The tree of life has to be rewritten after a new type of microorganism was found recently in the depths of the ocean.

Our bodies are riddled with useless genes

New study finds abundance of "junk" genes in the human genome.

Schizophrenia and severe depression share biological process defect

Some of the most severe mental illnesses share the same defective coding of biological processes down to the cellular level.

Smoking gene could be causing weight increase in non-smokers

New study suggests relationship between smoking genes and increased weight.

New method reveals if you have too many genes

Scientists have developed an entirely new method of discovering dangerous changes in our genome.

Scientists reprogram fat cells to increase fat burning

Scientists discover how fat cells can be reprogrammed to burn fat instead of storing it.

Scientists discover which genes determine your height

Your height is the result of an incredible number of small variations in your genetic material. Scientists have now identified these variations by analysing data from more than 250,000 people.

Genetically low vitamin D concentrations cause premature death

A new Danish study indicates that gene variations, which are associated with low levels of vitamin D in the blood, can lead to premature death. It is not yet known whether dietary supplements can counteract this effect.

Scandinavians are the earliest Europeans

Scientists have sequenced a 37,000-year-old genome. The results show that present-day Scandinavians are the closest living relatives to the first people in Europe.

Breakthrough: why MMR vaccine can give children febrile seizures

The highly debated MMR vaccine which protects against measles, mumps and rubella, can give children febrile seizures. Danish scientists have now discovered why this happens to some children.

Mutations in noncoding DNA also cause cancer

New discovery could lead to novel field of study within cancer research.

Genes influence political engagement

Your ideological position, and your participation in demonstrations and elections, are partly determined by your genes.

Alcohol sensitivity is inherited

Do you have a parent or grandparent who is or has been an alcoholic? If so, you should stay away from alcohol when you are stressed.

Risk of autism mainly from common gene variants

Most of the genetic risk of autism comes from variations in common genes, rather than rare mutations.

Diabetes gene found on Greenland

Scientists find genetic variant among Greenlanders that greatly increases the risk of developing diabetes.

Chromosome Y loss explains men’s shorter longevity

Older men’s loss of the Y chromosomes can raise the risk of cancer, diabetes and premature death.

Swedish ferns stuck to their Jurassic game plan

A remarkable finding from Skåne County in the south of Sweden shows that the royal fern has not changed genetically in the past 180 million years.

Genes reveal Palaeolithic genders

It can be hard to determine whether ancient human bones stem from a male or a female. Swedish scientists have come up with a gene technology that can help.

Anxiety could link to a protein

A special protein might explain why some people develop anxiety disorders and others don’t. Swedish scientists have used modified mice to carry a human gene controlling this protein to test its effect