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Depression and Alzheimer’s disease share genetic roots

A new study identifies common genetic factors in depression and Alzheimer's disease, suggesting a potential causal role of depression on dementia. The research found that depression played a significant role in AD development, with those experiencing worse depression experiencing faster memory decline.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 17, 2022

Discovery of 29 new acne risk genes provides hope for new treatments

A recent study has identified 29 new genetic variants associated with acne, providing potential new targets for treatment and helping clinicians identify individuals at high risk of severe disease. The research, involving over 20,000 individuals with acne, also found a link between genetic risk and disease severity.

SourceNIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and King’s College London·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 7, 2022

Genetic study suggests more sensitive people respond better to couple’s therapy

A genetic study published at Queen Mary University of London found that individuals with higher genetic sensitivity benefit more from couple's therapy, particularly in the long-term. The researchers used genome-wide data to assess genetic sensitivity and found that it had a significant impact on marital satisfaction over time.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalJournal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2022

Treatment keeps alcoholic monkeys from drinking as much

Researchers discovered that a hormone called FGF21 suppresses alcohol consumption in primates by altering neural transmission in the brain. This finding provides a mechanism for a liver-to-brain endocrine feedback loop to protect the liver from damage and may lead to potential treatment options for alcohol use disorder.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 1, 2022

Refinement of genetic signals for psoriasis by combining European-origin and South Asian populations

A Michigan Medicine study combined genetic samples from patients of different ethnic backgrounds, identifying two new psoriasis genetic signals. The inclusion of South Asian subjects allowed researchers to pinpoint several genetic variations within HLA genes that are likely to play a causal role in psoriasis.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalHuman Genetics and Genomics Advances·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 2, 2021

Largest genetic study of suicide attempts confirms genetic underpinnings that are not driven by underlying psychiatric disorders

A large-scale genome-wide association study has identified a region on chromosome 7 containing DNA variations that increase the risk of attempting suicide. The study found overlap between the genetic basis of suicide attempts and related psychiatric disorders, as well as non-psychiatric risk factors such as smoking and sleep disturbances.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeObservational study·DateNov 30, 2021

Researchers use model of hypothalamus to implicate genes associated with sleep, BMI, puberty, and more

A study led by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers used stem cells to implicate several genes involved in bodily functions associated with the hypothalamus. The findings could help clinicians identify potential causes of dysfunction for traits regulated by the hypothalamus, such as sleep and stress.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 19, 2021

Immunotherapy-chemotherapy treatment coupled with in-depth genomic analyses leads to improved survival for patients with mesothelioma

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center found a new treatment option for inoperable pleural mesothelioma using immunotherapy agent durvalumab combined with platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with epithelioid tumors experienced higher survival rates, including some who remained tumor-free after completing the trial.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateNov 8, 2021

A cryptography game-changer for biomedical research at scale

Researchers have developed a federated analytics system, FAMHE, that enables healthcare providers to collaborate on statistical analyses and machine learning models without exchanging underlying datasets. The system has been proven mathematically secure and accurately reproduced published studies in multi-centric settings.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 11, 2021

Chronic stress may impact treatment completion and survival outcomes in patients with breast cancer

A study found that chronic stress, measured by allostatic load, was associated with a lower likelihood of completing chemotherapy and lower overall survival rate in patients with lymph node-positive or high-risk lymph node-negative HER2-negative breast cancer. Allostatic load may be a better predictor than genetic ancestry for chemothe...

The origin and legacy of the Etruscans

A recent study using genome-wide data from 82 ancient individuals in central and southern Italy has clarified the origins of the enigmatic Etruscans. The results show that despite their unique cultural expressions, the Etruscans were closely related to their Italic neighbors, with genetic transformations associated with historical events.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 24, 2021

After 10,000 years of inbreeding, endangered flightless parrots from New Zealand are in surprisingly good genetic health

Despite 10,000 years of inbreeding, the kākāpō genome sequencing reveals that the species has lost potentially deleterious mutations and now carries fewer harmful mutations than extinct mainland populations. This finding suggests that natural selection may have facilitated genetic purging in small populations.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Genomics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 8, 2021

USC study identifies new risk factor for most common childhood cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

Children genetically predisposed to overproduce lymphocytes in relation to other white blood cells are at higher risk of developing ALL, according to a new USC study. The research found that the ratio of lymphocytes to other key blood cells is significant in predicting leukemia risk.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2021

Cell-type-specific insight into the function of risk factors in coronary artery disease

The study used single cell technology to map epigenetic changes in different cells involved in coronary artery disease, revealing that genetic risk variants are particularly enriched in endothelial and smooth muscle cells. This research provides a new understanding of the role of these cells in transmitting susceptibility to the disease.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalCirculation Research·DateJul 8, 2021

To splice or not to splice...

A study by Karan Bedi and colleagues found that RNA splicing is inefficient, leaving many intronic sequences unspliced. The team analyzed Bru-seq data from six cell lines and identified variable patterns of splicing across genes and cell types.

Comprehensive genetic study of cleft lip and palate

A comprehensive genetic study led by the University of Bonn has identified 45 new regions in the human genome associated with an increased risk of cleft lip and palate. These regions are linked to variations in DNA sequences that regulate gene activity, disrupting normal facial development.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalHuman Genetics and Genomics Advances·DateJul 5, 2021

Gene protection for COVID-19 identified

Researchers discovered a genetic link between the HLA-DRB1*04:01 gene and reduced severity of COVID-19. The study found that individuals with this gene are three times more likely to remain asymptomatic compared to those without, suggesting potential protection against severe illness.

SourceNewcastle University·JournalHLA·DateJun 4, 2021

Higher rates of chronic pain in women linked to genetics

A new study published in PLOS Genetics has found that genetic differences may contribute to higher rates of chronic pain in women. The study analyzed genetic variants associated with chronic pain in 209,093 women and 178,556 men, revealing sex-specific differences in gene activity.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateApr 8, 2021