The Johns Hopkins Program in Computational Biology aims to bridge the gap between physical and biological sciences by providing interdisciplinary training to graduate students. The program will focus on cutting-edge genomics research, enabling students from diverse scientific backgrounds to tackle complex biological problems.
New research suggests that prolonged alcohol intake can lead to cancer risk due to acetaldehyde production, which damages genetic building blocks and is efficiently inserted into DNA in some people. A large percentage of Asians lack the enzyme needed to break down acetaldehyde, making them more prone to esophageal and liver cancers.
Researchers found that factors like environmental, social, and psychological influences explained why some HIV-infected gay and bisexual men had health insurance and received medical care, while others did not. Despite comparable socioeconomic backgrounds, black and white men differed in their use of healthcare services.
A recent gene study challenges the popular Cambrian Explosion theory, proposing that major animal groups evolved steadily over 1200 million years. The research uses hundreds of gene sequences to calculate evolutionary timelines and suggests that many species existed before their fossils appeared.
A study at Oregon Health Sciences University found that an unloader brace can relieve pain, improve mobility, and delay or even avoid surgery in patients with unicompartmental osteoarthritis of the knee. The device improved walking times, reduced pain medication use, and increased patient activity levels.