Common gene variants increase risk of hypertension, may lead to new therapies – A new study has identified the first common gene variants associated with an increased incidence of hypertension ? a significant risk factor for heart attack, stroke and kidney failure.
The genes in your congeniality: Researchers identify genetic influence in social networks – Researchers from Harvard University and the University of California, San Diego have found that our place in a social network is influenced in part by our genes.
Vitamins C and E and beta carotene again fail to reduce cancer risk in randomized controlled trial – Women who took beta carotene or vitamin C or E or a combination of the supplements had a similar risk of cancer as women who did not take the supplements, according to data from a randomized controlled trial in the December 30 online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Early and accurate diagnosis of pediatric weight issues is an essential first step in identifying the obesity problem. – Despite recent widespread media attention given to studies that have indicated one-third of American children have a weight problem, a new study shows just one-third of children who are overweight or obese actually receive that diagnosis by a pediatrician.
Third hand smoke – Another reason to quit smoking; Adults who recognize dangers of third-hand smoke more likely to ban smoking at home. – Need another reason to add “Quit Smoking” to your New Year’s resolutions list? How about the fact that even if you choose to smoke outside of your home or only smoke in your home when your children are not there ? thinking that you’re keeping them away from second-hand smoke ? you’re still exposing them to toxins?
Blind man walking: With no visual awareness, man navigates obstacle course flawlessly – Researchers have demonstrated for the first time that people can successfully navigate an obstacle course even after brain damage has left them with no awareness of the ability to see and no activity in the visual cortex, a region of the brain’s cortex that is primarily responsible for processing visual inputs.
New research suggests that genes that predispose people to obesity act in the brain and that perhaps some people are simply hardwired to overeat. – A genetic study of more than 90,000 people has identified six new genetic variants that are associated with increased Body Mass Index (BMI), the most commonly used measure of obesity. Five of the genes are known to be active in the brain, suggesting that many genetic variants implicated in obesity might affect behaviour, rather than the chemical processes of energy or fat metabolism.
Measures imposed to reduce exposure to nuts are often based on irrational fears of nut allergies and are becoming increasingly sensationalist, according to a doctor on bmj.com – Measures to control nuts are instead making things worse in a cycle of over-reaction and increasing sensitisation, to the point where the responses bear many of the hallmarks of mass psychogenic illness.
New genes present drug targets for managing cholesterol and glucose levels – Scientists have identified 12 new genes that are somewhat strange bedfellows: Some link gallstones and blood cholesterol levels, others link melatonin and sleep patterns to small increases in glucose levels and larger jumps in the risk of diabetes.
New evidence may explain why it is that we lose not only our youthful looks, but also our youthful pattern of gene activity with age. – Researchers have discovered that DNA damage decreases a cell’s ability to regulate which genes are turned on and off in particular settings. This mechanism, which applies both to fungus and to us, might represent a universal culprit for aging.
Diabetes medications (rosiglitazone – Avandia) in same class carry different risks of heart failure, death – Older adults who take the diabetes medication rosiglitazone appear to have a higher risk of death and heart failure than those taking the related medication pioglitazone, according to a report in the November 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Genetic screening no better than traditional risk factors for predicting type 2 diabetes, Value of screening may improve as more risk genes identified. – Screening for a panel of gene variants associated with the risk for type 2 diabetes can identify adults at risk for the disorder but is not significantly better than assessment based on traditional risk factors such as weight, blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
