The genes are composed of DNA and are carried on the chromosomes. Genes direct the production of all the molecules that form the structures that of a cell. Genes determine the inherited characteristics that distinguish one individual from another. Each human has an estimated 90,000 genes.
Blueberries may inhibit development of fat cells – Using blueberry polyphenols, researcers were able to inhibit obesity at a molecular stage. The study was performed in tissue cultures taken from mice. The polyphenols showed a dose-dependent suppression of adipocyte differentiation.
Boosting protein garbage disposal in brain cells protects mice from Alzheimer’s disease — Gene therapy shows that clearing toxic proteins inside brain cells prevents plaque formation outside neurons – Gene therapy that boosts the ability of brain cells to gobble up toxic proteins prevents development of Alzheimer’s disease in mice that are predestined to develop it, report researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center.
Researchers identify molecular predictor of metastatic prostate cancer — Finding lays the groundwork for gene-based test – Researchers conducted an elaborate series of experiments to identify the genes most closely linked to the aggressive biology of prostate cancer. They found about 300 genes that distinguished the two groups – indolent versus aggressive prostate cancers.
Scripps Research scientists convert skin cells to beating heart cells — Breakthrough discovery offers hope for new therapies for range of diseases – Adult skin cells are converted into beating heart cells efficiently without generating embryonic-like stem cells, revealed by researchers.
Biomarker test shows promise for melanoma diagnosis – Biomarker test for DNA methylation is technically feasible and could aid in earlier, more precise diagnosis of melanoma, revealed by US researchers.
Research provides new kidney cancer clues — Gene is mutated in 1 in 3 patients with common form of renal cancer – Researchers have identified a gene that is mutated in one in three patients with the most common form of renal cancer. The identification of a frequently mutated gene will provide new insights into the biology of the disease.
Reducing diet early in pregnancy stunts fetal brain development — Study shows that the fetal brain is vulnerable to moderate decreases in maternal nutrition – Eating less during early pregnancy impaired fetal brain development in a nonhuman primate model, revealed by researchers from The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio.
MicroRNA suppresses prostate cancer stem cells and metastasis — UT MD Anderson preclinical research boosts case for new drug approach – A small slice of RNA inhibits prostate cancer metastasis by suppressing a surface protein commonly found on prostate cancer stem cells, revealed by researchers.
See off Alzheimer’s with the color purple – Ground-breaking research from Professor Douglas Kell, published in the journal Archives of Toxicology, has found that the majority of debilitating illnesses are in part caused by poorly-bound iron which causes the production of dangerous toxins that can react with the components of living systems.
University of Minnesota engineering researcher finds new way to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria — Treating municipal wastewater solids at higher temperatures proves effective – Treating municipal wastewater solids at higher temperatures may be an effective tool in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, says researchers from the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering.
Research strengthens evidence of link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and childhood asthma – Evidence suggesting that the risk of childhood asthma associated with prenatal paracetamol exposure may depend on antioxidant genes in the mother has been found by a team of UK scientists.
Surprise finding: Pancreatic cancers progress to lethal stage slowly – Pancreatic cancer develops and spreads much more slowly than scientists have thought, according to new research from Johns Hopkins investigators.
