Virus hybridization could create pandemic bird flu

Virus hybridization could create pandemic bird flu – Genetic interactions between avian H5N1 influenza and human seasonal influenza viruses have the potential to create hybrid strains combining the virulence of bird flu with the pandemic ability of H1N1, according to a new study.

Embryonic stem cell lines lack genetic diversity

University of Michigan (U-M) study reveals lack of diversity in embryonic stem cell lines – The most widely used human embryonic stem cell lines lack genetic diversity, a finding that raises social justice questions that must be addressed to ensure that all sectors of society benefit from stem cell advances, according to a University of Michigan research team.

XMRV virus may cause prostate cancer in people

Researchers find first evidence of virus in malignant prostate cells in prostate cancer — XMRV retrovirus is associated with more aggressive tumors of prostate gland. – XMRV (Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus) — a type of virus known to cause leukemia and sarcomas in animals has been found for the first time in malignant human prostate cancer cells.

New biomarker predicts response to hepatitis C treatment

New Biomarker Predicts Response to Hepatitis C Treatment – Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified the first genetic marker that predicts response to hepatitis C treatments, and a single letter of DNA code appears to make a huge difference.

2 new locations of genes causing multiple sclerosis

Aussie and Kiwi researchers make double MS genetic discovery – 2 new locations of genes causing multiple sclerosis. – Two new locations of genes responsible for multiple sclerosis are discovered which will help to unravel the causes of MS and other autoimmune disease, revealed by Australian and New Zealand researchers

Genetic code mistake causes ovarian cancer

Found: 1 in 3 billion — The spelling mistake in the genetic code that causes a type of ovarian cancer. – Eureka! Vancouver scientists from the Ovarian Cancer Research (OvCaRe) Program at BC Cancer Agency and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute have discovered that there appears to be a single spelling mistake in the genetic code of granulosa cell tumours, a rare and often untreatable form of ovarian cancer.

New lead on malaria treatment

New lead on malaria treatment – Variation of natural compound cures malaria in mice. – Approximately 350 million to 500 million cases of malaria are diagnosed each year mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. While medications to prevent and treat malaria do exist, the demand for new treatments is on the rise, in part, because malaria parasites have developed a resistance to existing medications.

Narcolepsy is an autoimmune disorder

Narcolepsy is an autoimmune disorder, Stanford researcher says. Genetic study confirms the immune system’s role in narcolepsy. – Ten years ago, Stanford University School of Medicine scientist Emmanuel Mignot, MD, PhD, and his colleagues made headlines when they identified the culprit behind the sleep disorder narcolepsy.

New monkey model for HIV

A slightly altered HIV-1 strain can infect pig-tailed macaques in the first animal model for human immunodeficiency virus infection. – By altering just one gene in HIV-1, scientists have succeeded in infecting pig-tailed macaque monkeys with a human version of the virus that has until now been impossible to study directly in animals.

Obesity starts in the head?

Obesity starts in the head? Six newly discovered genes for obesity have a neural effect – Obesity is known to increase the risk of chronic disorders, such as diabetes (type 2). An international team of scientists with German participation through the Helmholtz Zentrum M?nchen identified six new obesity genes.

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