Category: Genetics
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Advancing the Study of ‘Jumping’ Genes
Mobile genetic elements (MGEs), or transposable elements (TEs), are a kind of mobile genetic material; in nature, they can change places in within the genome of a species, or even move across different genomes. It’s been suggested that half of the human genome is derived from MGEs. While most of the MGEs in the human…
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Are Collagen, Vitamin C, and Methylsulfonylmethane the naturally-occurring secret to youthful skin?
The pursuit of healthy, youthful skin has long been a fascination for both researchers and the general public. A recent study published in the Journal of Functional Foods delves into this quest. The research conducted a detailed examination of the effects of continuous daily administration of collagen, vitamin C, and methylsulfonylmethane (an organosulfur molecule found in many…
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Denisovan Gene Variants May Influence Modern Mental Conditions
As our ancient human ancestors migrated out of Africa about 60,000 years ago, they encountered Denisovans, a subspecies of archaic humans, in Asia. This event led to some type of interaction that resulted in offspring, and modern humans still carry some of the evidence of that event in their genome. A new study has identified…
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Prenatal Fentanyl Exposure Leads to Certain Physical Features in Babies
A small study has identified common features among infants born to women who used fentanyl during their pregnancies. This report, published in Genetics in Medicine Open, has suggested that these cases indicate the emergence of a new syndrome caused by this situation. This study began last year when a group of clinicians and a genetic…
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A Genetic Cause for Some Brain Tumors is Revealed
Meningiomas are tumors that form in the central nervous system, and are the most common type of brain and spinal cord tumors. According to the National Institutes of Health, it’s estimated that about 25,000 Americans get a new meningioma diagnosis every year. Researchers have now discovered a novel genetic link to a subset of meningiomas.…
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THC’s Impact on Teenage Brains: Microglial Structural Changes and Schizophrenia Risk
A recent study published in Nature Communications examines how the primary ingredient in marijuana known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can potentially have adverse effects on the specialized brain immune cells known as microglia within teenage brains. Microglia helps build synaptic connections during adolescent years and this study holds the potential to help scientists and the public better…
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Dietary Selenium May Fight Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Diets that contain high levels of the nutrient selenium may help stave off myeloid leukemia, suggests new research published in Cell Reports. Selenium is a trace mineral that can be found in many types of foods. Some of the highest levels are found in Brazil nuts, halibut, sardines, beef, chicken, rice, eggs, baked beans, and…
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These 8 GMOs tell a brief history of genetic modification
Half a century ago, the first genetically modified organism ushered in a new era of biological innovation. To mark this anniversary, here are eight milestone GMOs. Many have had, or are poised to have, a dramatic impact on our lives. 1. Escherichia coli These E. coli are engineered to produce human insulin.Volker Steger/Science Source In…
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Genetic Factors that Could Extend the Life of Golden Retrievers
One of the most popular dog breeds is the Golden Retriever. Unfortunately, these dogs are also at high risk for developing cancer. New research has investigated genetic factors that may be able to extend the lives of these beloved dogs. This work focused on longevity genes instead of those that have been associated with cancer,…
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Revealing More About the Mysteries of Aging
Broadly, we know what aging is; our bodies get older as time goes on and they begin to decline in a variety of ways. From one person to another, there are huge variations in how that happens, and some people have much shorter or longer periods in which they are healthy, or differences in lifespan.…