Research on the human genome and what it shapes. Covers AI genomics, molecular aging, biodesign, and gene-environment effects.
A new study finds that Canada is the slowest country to report genetic information about bird flu, with an average time of 618 days. However, the same researchers note that Canada was able to improve its response to COVID-19, highlighting the need for similar urgency in addressing this public health threat.
Dr. Consuelo Walss-Bass shares her groundbreaking research on schizophrenia, emphasizing the importance of considering both genetic predisposition and environmental factors. She also discusses her work with induced pluripotent stem cells to develop personalized psychiatry and reduce stigma around mental health.
A new genomic analysis suggests that human language capacity emerged at least 135,000 years ago, with regional groups spreading across the globe around 100,000 years after that. The study, which examined 15 genetic studies, provides increasingly converging evidence about the timing of geographic splits among early human populations.
Researchers found that selfish genes use self-assembly properties to harm cells, with aggregate size and distribution being key factors in toxicity. The study also reveals an evolutionary arms race between sabotage and salvation, where rapid evolution of 'selfish' genes can lead to their own destruction.
Genetic changes triggered by environmental factors like pollution, diet, and stress can increase cancer risk. Nearly everyone is exposed to cancer risk factors daily, highlighting the need for public awareness and policy action to reduce exposure.
Researchers found that dogs carrying the genetic variant DENND1B had higher body fat content, while humans also carry this gene linked to obesity. The study highlights the importance of fundamental brain pathways in regulating appetite and body weight.
A new study highlights the need for more diversity in genomics research, as a commonly found gene variant was mistakenly linked to heart disease in people from Oceanian communities. The researchers found that the variant is actually common among healthy individuals from these regions.
Dr. Guy Rouleau, a renowned geneticist and neurologist, has founded the world's first academic institution committed to open science principles. The Neuro institute aims to transform how brain disease research is conducted worldwide by promoting data sharing and collaboration.
A new study discovered that violence can alter human genes for generations, even in grandchildren who never experienced violence themselves. Researchers found epigenetic changes in the genomes of Syrian families affected by the Hama massacre and subsequent civil war.
A new study published in Microorganisms explores the impact of starch on oral health and finds that high AMY1 copy numbers alter the oral microbiome, increasing disease risk. The researchers discovered that populations with a history of agriculture and starch consumption have more copies of the gene, which provides a survival advantage.
A new study found that Neanderthals experienced a drastic loss of genetic variation approximately 110,000 years ago, leading to their eventual extinction. The research measured the morphological diversity in semicircular canals, which revealed lower diversity in classic Neanderthals compared to pre-Neanderthals and early Neanderthals.
An international team led by IU School of Medicine has discovered a novel gene associated with an ultrarare neurodevelopmental disorder. The breakthrough was made using cutting-edge genomic technologies and enabled the diagnosis of a patient at Riley Hospital for Children's Undiagnosed Rare Disease Clinic.
A new study published in Nature Medicine reveals that lifestyle and environmental factors, such as smoking and physical activity, have a profound impact on health and premature death. The research suggests that targeting socioeconomic conditions, reducing smoking, and promoting physical activity can mitigate the risks of chronic diseases.
A study by NYU Abu Dhabi researchers found that children from the Fulani group have a distinct immune response to malaria, with key differences in immune cell activity offering greater protection. The study highlights the impact of genetics and lifestyle on immune responses.
Researchers at the University of Utah Health have identified a gene variant called CNTN2 that may protect against PIGA-CDG, an ultra-rare genetic disease causing seizures and developmental delays. This finding could lead to better therapies for PIGA-CDG by targeting multiple genes involved in symptom severity.
Researchers have uncovered the Fulani people's genetic diversity, tracing their history back to the Green Sahara period. The study found correlations between culture, geography, and genetics, highlighting the importance of Fulani subsistence strategies in shaping their genetic landscape.
A genetic study of burial grounds from the Avar period in Lower Austria found that genes and culture did not have to match. The analysis revealed a high number of relatives among the deceased, reconstructing contemporary six-generation-long pedigrees at each site.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that the genomes of dogs within the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone did not exhibit genetic mutations from radiation exposure. Instead, researchers suggest that low-level environmental toxin exposure over many years may have contributed to genetic differences between dog populations. The findings offer ...
Researchers found 84 rare, large chromosomal abnormalities associated with pediatric solid tumors, primarily inherited from unaffected parents. Smaller gene-disruptive germline SVs also identified as risk factors for childhood cancers.
Researchers found that human cells have higher gene expression rates compared to chimpanzees, with 5-10% of genes showing significant differences. Human glial cells, particularly oligodendrocytes, showed the greatest variations in gene expression, suggesting a link to human brain complexity.
Researchers analyzed nuclear genomes of ancient European specimens to shed light on the genetics of early Europeans and their interactions with Neandertals. The study reveals a small, isolated group that interbred with Neandertals but left no present-day descendants.
Researchers at Salk Institute establish a novel framework for the relationship between nutrition and cell identity. They found that a nutritional switch from acetate to citrate plays a key role in determining T cell fates, shifting them from active effector cells to exhausted cells.
Researchers have unraveled the precise timing and functional legacy of Neandertal gene flow into early modern humans. The study suggests that most non-African individuals harbor one to two percent Neandertal ancestry, with the majority tracing back to a single shared period between 50,000 and 57,000 years ago.
A genomic study spanning over 300 genomes reveals that modern humans acquired several Neanderthal genes advantageous for our lineage, including those in skin pigmentation, immune response, and metabolism. The study also found rapid natural selection of Neanderthal ancestry within 100 generations after gene flow.
Engineers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering have developed a new CRISPR toolkit that allows for precise, remote-controlled genome editing using focused ultrasound. This breakthrough enables the treatment of various genetic disorders and diseases by activating or silencing specific genes with precision.
A new whole-genome study challenges the long-held belief that Armenians are descendants of Phrygian settlers from the Balkans. Instead, researchers found a genetic input into the region from Neolithic Levantine farmers, suggesting a large-scale post-Early Bronze Age migration wave across the Middle East.
A recent study found that Viking colonizers of the Faroe Islands and Iceland came from different Scandinavian populations. The researchers analyzed genetic samples from 139 men and compared them to samples from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Ireland, revealing a 'founder effect' that persists in today's male populations.
Researchers are using genetic data from Le Bonheur and UT Health Science Center to better diagnose patients with childhood interstitial and diffuse lung diseases. The goal is to identify genetic causes and provide earlier diagnosis and treatment for this rare disease.
Scientists have discovered multiple instances of genetic interbreeding between Denisovans and modern humans, shaping early human history. Denisovan genes confer advantages in distinct environments, such as tolerance to low oxygen conditions and heightened immunity.
A study analyzing DNA from skeletal remains in Pompeii casts reveals the cosmopolitan origin of the city's inhabitants, contradicting previous physical appearance-based assumptions. Genetic data also sheds light on ancestry, sex, and familial relationships, challenging traditional notions.
The study shows an alternating series of interaction and gene flow between inhabitants of mountainous upland regions and steppes to the north of the Caucasus. Innovations in herd management, dairying, and mobility enabled autonomous nomadic lifestyles adapted to exploit the Eurasian steppe zone.
The ASHG 2024 Annual Meeting will showcase the latest research in human genetics and genomics. The event will feature a Presidential Symposium on Mendelian traits and a Distinguished Speakers Symposium on the promise of human genetics and genomics, among other sessions.
A new study finds that the gene for starch-digesting saliva may have first duplicated more than 800,000 years ago, seeding genetic variation that shapes modern diet. This early duplication set the stage for significant variation in the amylase region, allowing humans to adapt to shifting diets with increasing starch consumption.
Researchers identified a protein that could improve the cardiovascular health of patients with progeria, a rare genetic disorder. The discovery provides promising insights into potential treatments targeting cardiovascular complications in HGPS.
Researchers at Colorado State University have identified an alternate method to study changes during the DNA replication process in lab settings using genetically modified yeast. This new approach provides a less toxic and quickly reversible alternative to hydroxyurea, allowing for better insight into cell cycle arrest mechanisms.
A study found that HLA-DRB1*01:03 is associated with severe ulcerative colitis, requiring major operations and systemic corticosteroid use. The allele has previously been linked to ulcerative colitis incidence, supporting earlier genetic studies.
A study of a 2000-year-old Yayoi individual's genome found that the majority of Japanese immigration came from the Korean Peninsula during the Yayoi and Kofun periods. The discovery provides new insights into the details of ancient immigration patterns to Japan.
Researchers have identified six epigenetic hallmarks that characterize transformed cells, including DNA methylation, viral reactivation, and histone protein modifications. These properties enable cancer cells to evolve and resist therapy, making them a key target for improving diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers developed a compact 'gene scissor' tool, TnpB, which shows a 4.4-fold increase in efficiency of modifying DNA, making it more effective as a gene editing tool. The tool can be used to treat patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, reducing cholesterol levels by nearly 80%.
Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have identified a novel genetic variant associated with intellectual capacities and educational outcomes. Tandem repeats in the AFF3 gene were found to disrupt genetic instructions, impacting cognitive abilities.
A study published in Nature Communications found that one in eight newborn babies has a genetic protection against jaundice. The researchers identified a specific gene variant that codes for an enzyme linked to increased bilirubin metabolism, providing an opportunity for personalized medicine.
Researchers identified a genetic cause of TNF deficiency, which incapacitates a specific immune process in the lungs, leading to targeted and severe illness. This finding may upend long-held assumptions about the immune system and have far-reaching clinical implications.
A study by the Open Wild Wheat Consortium explains how Aegilops tauschii, a wild grass, contributed to the genetic diversity of bread wheat, enabling its rapid spread across different climates. This hybridization event allowed humans to settle down and form societies.
Researchers unveil retrotransposon-derived DNA zip codes that enable myeloma cell internalization, shedding light on cancer evolution and treatment response. The findings highlight the potential of zip-code technology in improving patient outcomes and advancing human health.
Researchers genetically engineered Toxoplasma gondii to produce and release therapeutic proteins in the human brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. The method has potential implications for treating diseases caused by protein deficiencies or abnormal expression.
A new model developed by Penn State researchers more accurately predicts the causal relationship between genetic and environmental factors in disease development. The study found that lifestyle and environmental factors play a larger role than previously believed, offering new opportunities to mitigate disease risk.
Scientists have discovered a novel mechanism of dosage compensation in platypus and chicken, where protein levels are balanced despite imbalanced mRNA levels. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the role of RNA in gene expression.
A new study using data from the VA Million Veteran Program reveals substantial similarities in the genetic architecture of complex traits across four population groups. The analysis identified 26,049 variant-trait associations and showed that non-European populations contribute significantly to genetic diversity.
A new study has generated a global catalog of human gene expression data from around the world, increasing representation of understudied populations. The increased diversity empowers researchers to attain more-accurate insights into genetic factors driving human variation and disease risk.
A study found that living in disadvantaged neighborhoods is associated with higher stress-related gene activity, which could contribute to aggressive prostate cancer in African American men. The research also linked five genes related to inflammation to an increased risk of prostate cancer.
Researchers found evidence of multiple waves of genetic intermingling between modern humans and Neanderthals, challenging previous theories. The study reveals a more intimate connection between early human groups than previously believed.
A genetic investigation of 64 child remains found at Chichén Itzá reveals that all the children were male, indicating related male twins were likely selected for ritual activities. The findings suggest a post-sacrificial burial site, with the sacrificed individuals having been chosen for a specific reason.
Researchers discuss Ibrutinib, a BTK inhibitor approved for chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment, noting 20-25% of patients experience dose-limiting cardiovascular toxicities. A recent study identifies genetic biomarkers, such as KCNQ1 and GATA4, associated with cardiotoxic events, which may improve risk stratification.
A new genetic analysis of Celtic burial mounds in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, confirms the long-held suspicion that two princes were biologically related. The study finds a close relationship between the two individuals and suggests that power structures among early Celtic elites may have been based on biological kinship.
A new study has discovered that bank voles in southern Sweden carry a virus that can cause hemorrhagic fever in humans, spreading the disease further south than previously known. The virus strain is closely related to strains from Finland and Karelia.
A study led by Andrea Migliano from the University of Zurich has discovered previously unknown links between culture, language, and genes among different hunter-gatherer populations in Central Africa. The team found that musical instruments were exchanged long before agricultural populations arrived in the region, suggesting extensive ...
Researchers sequenced ancient genomes to understand the genetic composition of western plateau populations over 3,500 years. They found complex interactions between southern and western plateau populations, with Central Asian components introduced around 2,300 years ago.
FutureNeuro, a leading SFI Research Centre, is expanding its research programme with a focus on diagnostics, therapeutics, and digital health. The centre aims to develop precision diagnostics, future treatments, and systems using real-time health data.
A University at Buffalo-led research team has found that the same genes whose mutations gave rise to a low functioning male gorilla reproductive system may also be responsible for human male infertility. Researchers identified 109 reproductive-related gorilla genes that are often mutated when present in infertile men.
A large-scale study has identified over 2,000 genetic signals associated with blood pressure, providing a more detailed understanding of the complex trait. The findings lead to improved polygenic risk scores, which can predict blood pressure and hypertension risk.