If we don’t take out the trash regularly, our homes become unpleasant and even a danger to our health. The same applies to our cells: If excess proteins and strands of genetic material aren’t removed, the cell and ultimately the entire organism can fall ill. For instance, scientists suspect there is a connection between Alzheimer’s … Read more
Scientists have developed a technique to rapidly and reliably detect genetic changes in malaria parasites in Ghana, using just a gaming laptop and portable MinION sequencer from Oxford Nanopore. Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and University of Ghana were able to demonstrate for the first time that end-to-end, real-time pathogen monitoring from clinical blood … Read more
A pioneering study led by Professor Ashok Venkitaraman from the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI Singapore) at the National University of Singapore and Dr Mona Shehata from the University of Cambridge (UK) has uncovered vital insights into the distinct effects of BRCA2 mutations on breast tissue cells, shedding light on early breast cancer development … Read more
Rett syndrome is a rare devastating neurological disorder that primarily affects young girls and manifests as an impaired ability to walk and talk, along with characteristic ‘hand-wringing’ movements, seizures, and cognitive disability. This incurable condition results from mutations in the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) gene that impairs the role of the MeCP2 protein in … Read more
In a recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers at the University of Cambridge assessed pre-fortification United Kingdom (UK) folate trends (2008-2019), especially in females of reproductive age, using National Diet and Nutrition Survey data. Study: National Diet and Nutrition Survey data reveal a decline in folate status in the UK … Read more
High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most common type of ovarian cancer. It is also the most lethal form, in part because clinicians do not have effective ways to screen women for it during the cancer’s early stages, when it’s easiest to treat. For patients with a pelvic mass (an abnormal lump or growth … Read more
A team led by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the National Cancer Institute has developed a new algorithm for genetic risk-scoring for major diseases across diverse ancestry populations that holds promise for reducing health care disparities. Genetic risk-scoring algorithms are considered a promising method to identify high-risk groups of individuals … Read more
In a recent review published in the Nutrients Journal, researchers reviewed existing data on dietary patterns, foods, and nutrients to ameliorate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Study: Dietary Patterns, Foods, and Nutrients to Ameliorate Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Scoping Review. Image Credit: sweet marshmallow/Shutterstock.com Background Despite being the most frequent cause of chronic liver disease globally, … Read more
New research provides insight about the bedrock scientific principle that mitochondrial DNA -; the distinct genetic code embedded in the organelle that serves as the powerplant of every cell in the body -; is exclusively passed down by the mother. The study, a collaboration among Oregon Health & Science University and other institutions, published today … Read more
In a recent review published in the journal Nutrients, researchers in Italy investigated the influence of gut microbiota changes during the first 1000 days of life on the onset of food allergies (FAs) in children. Background Allergic diseases, encompassing conditions like asthma, FAs, and eczema, have seen a global uptick, especially in children. These diseases … Read more