Faulty body clock genes could cause bipolar disorder in kidsNovember 12th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Genes behind malfunctioning circadian clock could be responsible for bipolar disorder in children, according to a study. In a collaborative study, researchers found four versions of the regulatory gene RORB that were associated with paediatric bipolar disorder.
Gene linked to abnormalities in learning, behaviour identifiedNovember 9th, 2009 LONDON - Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine have identified a new gene linked to significant abnormalities in learning and behaviour. They said that the loss of CHRNA7 gene through deletion of genetic material on chromosome 15 is associated with abnormalities.
Certain antibiotics may be safe to use during pregnancy: StudyNovember 3rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has revealed that penicillin and several other antibacterial medications commonly taken by pregnant women are not associated with many birth defects. However, the study also showed that other antibiotics, such as sulfonamides and nitrofurantoins, may be linked to several severe birth defects and require additional scrutiny.
Study links some antibiotics with birth defects; others appear safe for fetusNovember 2nd, 2009 more images
more images
Study ties common antibiotics with birth defects
CHICAGO — Researchers studying antibiotics in pregnancy have found a surprising link between common drugs used to treat urinary infections and birth defects. Reassuringly, the most-used antibiotics in early pregnancy — penicillins — appear to be the safest.
Sleep disorder, inflammation linked to heightened pain in arthritis patientsOctober 29th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has found that inflammation and sleep problems are associated with increased pain in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Researchers from the Division of Rheumatology and Pain Management Center of Brigham and Women's Hospital, and the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Center of the University of Michigan Medical School, claim that while inflammation is linked to heightened pain sensitivity at joint sites, increased sleep problems are associated with heightened pain sensitivity at both joint and non-joint sites.
Genes that drive people to drink identifiedOctober 27th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Genetic make up may predispose a person to indulge in booze more but may not raise one's genetic risk for alcoholism, says a new study. Published in the open access journal, BMC Biology, the study pinpoints genetic pathways and genes associated with levels of alcohol consumption but not with alcohol dependence in rats and humans.
Gene linked to human kidney aging identifiedOctober 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a novel study, researchers claim to have identified a gene linked to human kidney aging. Kidneys age at different rates, such that some people show little or no effects of kidney aging whereas others show rapid functional decline.
Single-letter genetic change linked to autismOctober 8th, 2009 LONDON - In a first of its kind study, an international team of researchers, including an Indian origin scientist, has found a single-letter change in the genetic code that is linked with autism. The finding implicates a neuronal gene not previously tied to the disorder and more broadly, underscores a role for common DNA variation.
Depression leads to increased inflammatory protein linked to heart diseaseOctober 6th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Depression leads to elevated inflammatory proteins in the human body, according to researchers at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Led by Dr.
How living conditions affect reproductive healthSeptember 29th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Indiana University researchers have shed light on how a person's living conditions can affect his/her reproductive health. Virginia J.
Exposure to PCE-contaminated water linked to birth defectsSeptember 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Expectant mothers exposed to drinking water contaminated with tetrachloroethylene or perchlorethylene (PCE) are likely to give birth to kids with congenital defects, according to a new study. The study found an increased risk of oral clefts and neural tube defects in their children.
Mechanism related to onset of genetic diseases identifiedSeptember 18th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists from Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) have identified a mechanism that could trigger onset of various genetic diseases. They have found a process by which proteins with a tendency to cause conformational diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, familial amyloidotic cardiomyopathy, etc.
Chromosomal birth defects linked to absence of a geneSeptember 17th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a breakthrough study, a cell biologist at The Florida State University has found that the absence of a key molecular player, known as Pds5, could lead to a number of chromosomal birth defects like Down syndrome. For the study, Hong-Guo Yu used yeast genetics and a novel scheme to selectively remove a single protein from the cell division process called meiosis.
Missing protein in rare genetic brain disorder restoredSeptember 7th, 2009 WASHINGTON - By using protease inhibitors, researchers at the University of California-San Francisco (UCSF) have restored to normal levels a key protein that is involved in early brain development, and causes the rare brain disorder lissencephaly. Reduced levels of the protein called LIS1 have been shown to cause lissencephaly, which is characterized by brain malformations, seizures, severe mental retardation and very early death in human infants.
Sickle cell anaemia grips 18 percent of Chhattisgarh's peopleSeptember 5th, 2009 RAIPUR - Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh Saturday said his government has planned to pump in massive funds to detect carriers and patients hit by genetic disorder sickle cell anaemia. "Sickle cell anaemia has gripped some 18 percent of the state's 20 million plus population.
