Tag: genetics

Personalised prescriptions according to your genetics

New genetic risk factor identified for a rare but severe reaction to a poplar type of blood pressure medication.

Nature + nurture = genetic nurture

Sequences of our parents’ genes that are not handed down to us can still shape our lives, according to new Icelandic research.

When is genetic diversity lost?

How many individuals of a given species are needed to maintain genetic diversity in the long run?

Traumatic childhood experiences pass down to next generation

Thousands of Finnish refugee children were evacuated to foster homes in Sweden during WWII. Many of their descendants continue to struggle psychologically with the trauma that caused.

Why are some moose white?

Photos of the popular white moose in Sweden’s Värmland County have been spread round the world in social media. Swedish scientists are now trying to find out why the animals are white.

Genetics have remained constant for 8,000 years in world’s melting pot

There is surprising genetic stability in one of the world's most culturally diverse regions: the meeting point between Europe and Asia.

Birdsong is genetically coded

Nature or nurture? Until now, ornithologists assumed that birds passed on their unique songs predominantly via social learning. But a new Swedish study shows that genetics may be a bigger factor.

Fewer born with genetic predisposition for education

A genetic predisposition towards education seems to also be associated with having fewer children, suggests a new study.

Humans and dogs: Is our friendship genetic?

Swedish researchers have discovered the genes that make dogs man’s best friend.

Genes shape our social ideological attitudes

Genes influence our ideological orientation towards topics such as border controls and attitudes towards religious extremism, but not on economics, shows new research.

Fruit fly urine helps scientists understand coeliac disease

Scientists do not know why some people develop coeliac disease. But fruit fly urine could hold some answers.

Immunotherapy does not work for everyone

New research reveals why some patients do not benefit from immunotherapy treatments.

New evidence that environmental change can outpace genetic adaptation

DNA analyses of a now extinct population of butterflies shows they could not adapt fast enough to habitat loss during the 20th century.

Scientists find gene switch for “bad” fat

New study shows that targeting a certain gene can lower fat levels in the blood and reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease.

When and where did wolves become dogs?

Did dogs become domesticated in Southeast Asia or Europe? New study challenges recent research.

Obesity can be passed on through the father’s sperm

Overweight men may pass obesity on to the children via their sperm, according to new research.

Crohn's, eczema, and psoriasis have the same genetic cause

Diseases like Crohn's, psoriasis, and eczema are all caused by defects in the same genes, reveals new study.

The Black Death has been hiding among us for thousands of years

Fossil DNA reveals that the plague is much older than previously suspected. The discovery could shed new light on the evolution of a deadly disease.

Genetics confirm: Migrants brought farming to the Mediterranean

Scientists have sequenced the genomes of early farmers from Spain, confirming that they descended from the same group of migrants who brought farming to Northern Europe.

Scientists discover gene to prevent blindness in diabetics

Diabetics who carry a specific genetic variant may be protected from a severe eye disease, which can lead to blindness if untreated.

Scientists solve the riddle of eel evolution

European and American eels emerged as separate species 3.5 million years ago -- yet they can still breed with each other. Scientists can now tell us how.

Mysterious link between people from South America and Australia

Two DNA studies show that South Americans have an unexpected link to indigenous people of Australia and Melanesia, but disagree on how and when the Americas were populated

When did Tibetans have sex with prehistoric humans?

Sex with ancient humans enabled the Tibetans to adapt to a life at 4,000 metres above sea level and sheds light on our own evolutionary history.

Nose bacteria can reduce risk of hospital infections

Changing the bacterial composition in your nose could combat MRSA and help to avoid infections during surgery.

A new GMO technique that organic farmers will love

Genetic engineering of plants can restore characteristics lost through traditional breeding.

Kennewick Man’s genome suggests Native American ancestry

New genetic evidence turns existing theories on their head and settles a fierce debate over the remains of a prehistoric man once and for all.

Obesity epidemic is not caused by genes or lifestyle

Neither genes nor lifestyle are responsible for widespread obesity. Instead, it may be entirely down to our environment during childhood.

Two birds have cheated scientist for decades

Scandinavian scientists have turned the family trees of two birds upside down using genetic analysis.

Killer whales and walruses more closely related to wolves than each other

New study shows how some animals ended up looking very similar yet share almost none of the same genetic mutations.

New study strengthens link between genes and obesity

Multiple regions in your genome help determine how much you weigh and how fat is distributed in your body.

New research project sets its sights on cure for heart failure

Modern medicine can only slow down development of heart failure, but not prevent it. New project aims to change that.

DNA sequencing reveals how tuberculosis epidemic spread

Scientists describe how a deadly tuberculosis strain came to ravage the entire world.

Our bodies are riddled with useless genes

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

DNA study: Vikings were plagued by intestinal parasites

A study of the remains of a 1,000 year old latrine reveals an unpleasant fact about the Vikings.

Groundbreaking genome sequencings reveal how birds became birds

Scientists have sequenced the genomes of 48 different species of birds. Their findings reveal how birds developed, how all bird species are related, and what made them develop special characteristics.

Fatty liver is the new threat to national health

A Danish scientist is scrutinising millions of Danish and American genes, looking for an explanation to why increasing number of people are afflicted with fatty liver.

DNA study uncovers ancient ancestor of Europeans

A groundbreaking study of fossil genomes reveals that modern Europeans were shaped in a melting pot of immigrants.

Diabetes gene found on Greenland

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

ADHD gene found

If a specific gene is destroyed, it causes an ADHD-like condition, reveals research on mice. That insight could lead to a better medical treatment, say scientists.

Cancer cells on a mission to the ISS

As part of an international project, a Danish professor will soon be sending a batch of thyroid cancer cells out into space. The aim is to figure out why the absence of gravity inhibits the growth of thyroid cancer cells, and to examine the cells’ ability to produce and secrete proteins that can open up new possibilities for cancer treatment.

Computer model to detect prevalent diseases

New research aims to make it possible to assess people’s genetic risk for a variety of widespread diseases using a computer model.

Mutant gene protects against type 2 diabetes

Scientists have identified genetic mutations that lower the risk of type 2 diabetes by 65 percent. Pharmaceutical companies are already looking for ways to develop a drug based on the new discovery.

Junk RNA key to maintaining muscle quality?

miRNA, which was once regarded as useless DNA, turns out to be crucial for muscle cell development. Scientists unveil altered expression levels of muscle-specific miRNAs and speculate that this alteration could be one of the underlying mechanisms behind age-related loss of muscle function, revealing possible new perspectives for treatment.

Adults tested for ADHD symptoms in huge study

In the largest ever study of ADHD symptoms in adults, 85,000 blood donors will help scientists figure out if the disorder is hereditary.

Stressed foetal cells harbour hope for cancer treatment

The body’s cells have a mechanism that helps them attain perfect cell division. Cancer cells also use these mechanisms, but scientists are now trying to prevent them from doing so.

Four new type 2 diabetes risk variants identified

Scientists have discovered four previously unreported genetic variants affecting the risk of type 2 diabetes. One of them lowers the risk of developing the disease.

Genes determine effect of diet and exercise

Your genetic makeup helps determine how much you get out of dieting and exercising. A researcher now aims to identify the genes that determine the effect that diabetes patients get from diet and exercise.

Study explains why H1N1 flu can cause narcolepsy

New study explains why many people were affected by narcolepsy during the swine flu epidemic in 2009. The discovery may lead to improved diagnoses and better treatment.

Hummingbirds can fly with almost no oxygen

The hummingbird’s super-fast wing beats are among the most energy-intensive movements in the animal kingdom. Still, the birds can fly 4,000 metres above sea level, where there is very little oxygen. Scientists have now figured out how this is possible.

New asthma susceptibility gene identified

Scientists have identified a gene that helps trigger asthma attacks in children. The gene has no effect on asthma in adults. The discovery thus confirms the hypothesis that ‘asthma’ covers a variety of diseases.

Political colour is half genetic

New study provides definitive evidence that heritability plays a significant role in the formation of political ideology, regardless of how ideology is measured, the time period or population sampled.

Surviving ash trees help to address evolutionary riddle

A pathogenic fungus is killing thousands of European ash trees every year. Danish researchers are now trying to uncover the genetics behind the unknown defence mechanism in ash trees. Not only to save the ash trees, but also to address an evolutionary mystery in trees.

Potato famine genome secrets unlocked

Using historical botanical collections, scientists have unlocked the genetic code of potato blight – the disease behind the great Irish Potato Famine. New study shows what made the potato famine so ruthlessly dangerous and why it’s still costing billions to fight it.

Personalised prescriptions according to your genetics

Nature + nurture = genetic nurture

When is genetic diversity lost?

Traumatic childhood experiences pass down to next generation

Why are some moose white?

Genetics have remained constant for 8,000 years in world’s melting pot

Birdsong is genetically coded

Fewer born with genetic predisposition for education

Humans and dogs: Is our friendship genetic?

Genes shape our social ideological attitudes

Fruit fly urine helps scientists understand coeliac disease

Immunotherapy does not work for everyone

New evidence that environmental change can outpace genetic adaptation

Scientists find gene switch for “bad” fat

When and where did wolves become dogs?

Obesity can be passed on through the father’s sperm

Crohn's, eczema, and psoriasis have the same genetic cause

The Black Death has been hiding among us for thousands of years

Genetics confirm: Migrants brought farming to the Mediterranean

Scientists discover gene to prevent blindness in diabetics

Scientists solve the riddle of eel evolution

Mysterious link between people from South America and Australia

When did Tibetans have sex with prehistoric humans?

Nose bacteria can reduce risk of hospital infections

A new GMO technique that organic farmers will love

Kennewick Man’s genome suggests Native American ancestry

Obesity epidemic is not caused by genes or lifestyle

Two birds have cheated scientist for decades

Killer whales and walruses more closely related to wolves than each other

New study strengthens link between genes and obesity

New research project sets its sights on cure for heart failure

DNA sequencing reveals how tuberculosis epidemic spread

Our bodies are riddled with useless genes

DNA study: Vikings were plagued by intestinal parasites

Groundbreaking genome sequencings reveal how birds became birds

Fatty liver is the new threat to national health

DNA study uncovers ancient ancestor of Europeans

Diabetes gene found on Greenland

ADHD gene found

Cancer cells on a mission to the ISS

Computer model to detect prevalent diseases

Mutant gene protects against type 2 diabetes

Junk RNA key to maintaining muscle quality?

Adults tested for ADHD symptoms in huge study

Stressed foetal cells harbour hope for cancer treatment

Four new type 2 diabetes risk variants identified

Genes determine effect of diet and exercise

Study explains why H1N1 flu can cause narcolepsy

Hummingbirds can fly with almost no oxygen

New asthma susceptibility gene identified

Political colour is half genetic

Surviving ash trees help to address evolutionary riddle

Potato famine genome secrets unlocked

Why insects always hide in the dark

Microscopic arms race rages on the seabed

Adrenal tumours linked to high blood pressure

Childhood obesity gene identified

’Allergy genes’ identified

Why leprosy is still going strong

Malaria's deadly grip explained

Scientists planning global network of diseases

How bacteria adapt to human hosts

Cause of depression still eludes us, says neuroscientist

Seven new genetic causes of obesity identified

Mathematician discovers possible diabetes cure

Overlooked life on seabed gorges on fish faeces

Special genes suspected to cause lethal overdose in drug addicts

MRSA: scientists on trail of antibiotic resistance

Three in four chimpanzee species live in European zoos

Slim and healthy people also get type 2 diabetes

Miscarriages increase risk of serious blood clots

Common cold can trigger asthma

Ancient horse DNA can help us understand evolution

Huge study finds 60 genetic causes of cancer

Gene defect causes type 1 diabetes

New method for analysing DNA

Why tumours become resistant to treatment

Genes are regulated by microRNA sponges