Drug-free cannabis plant comes closer to realitySeptember 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists have come closer to engineering drug-free cannabis plant after identifying genes that produce psychoactive substance in marijuana. University of Minnesota researchers have identified genes producing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive substance in marijuana, which could lead to new and better drugs for pain, nausea and other conditions.
Scientists isolate genes that imbue us with uniquely human traitsSeptember 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Humans and chimpanzees are genetically very similar yet clearly distinct in many ways. Scientists have isolated genes that evolved in humans after branching off from other primates, making us uniquely human.
What makes us uniquely humanSeptember 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a remarkable piece of detective work, scientists working at Trinity College Dublin have discovered three genes that are unique to humans. In the study published online in Genome Research, boffins have made a crucial discovery of genes that have evolved in humans after branching off from other primates.
'Snorkel' genes, boon for rice output in flooded areas of IndiaAugust 31st, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers have identified a couple of genes that could script a new story of rice production in India and Bangladesh and Asia in general. The two genes allow deep-water rice varieties to elongate their stems to be above the rising water level, especially during floods, instead of drowning in it.
Male sex chromosome on way to extinctionJuly 17th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The sex chromosome that only males carry is deteriorating and could disappear within a few million years. A pair of Penn State University (PSU) scientists discovered that the male Y chromosome evolved at a much more rapid pace than X chromosome, which both males and females carry.
Weed killers can improve nutritional value of important food cropJuly 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new study, scientists have obtained first evidence that the use of weed killers in farmers' fields boosts the nutritional value of an important food crop. The study determined that the application of two common herbicides to several varieties of sweet corn significantly increased the amount of key nutrients termed carotenoids in the corn kernels.
Are genes behind musicians' pitch recognition skill?July 3rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Practice makes perfect in music, but fresh evidence thrown up by research shows that for aspiring musicians, genes may also influence the outcome. Perfect pitch, also known as absolute pitch, is the rare ability to recognise and name musical notes without any reference pitch for comparison, detecting, for instance, A before middle C.
Genes that affect aggression in fruit flies identifiedJune 11th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists have identified a set of genes that affect aggression in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. By studying male flies from a large panel of lines, which each carry a mutation in a single gene but are otherwise genetically identical, researchers identified particularly angry and particularly placid insects, uncovering 59 mutations in 57 genes that affect aggressive behaviour.
Genes that influence the onset of menstruation identifiedMay 30th, 2009 WASHINGTON - An international team of researchers have identified genes that influence the start of menstruation, a milestone of female reproductive health that has lifelong influences on overall health. The team includes two scientists at the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife.
Genes switching on menstruation identifiedMay 18th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In findings that could improve understanding of human growth, researchers have identified two genes that switch on the process of menstruation among women. The finding could help scientists address short stature and increased body weight, as both are connected to early onset of menstruation.
How cocaine-linked genes enhance behavioural effects of addictionMay 14th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists from Mount Sinai School of Medicine have shed light on how cocaine-linked genes enhance behavioural effects of addiction - a find that will lead to new strategies for battling the habit. The research team led by Dr Eric J.
Genes that protect against aging identifiedApril 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON - University of Liverpool researchers have developed a novel method to help scientists identify genes that can help protect the body during the ageing process. The team developed a method of analysing genes in multiple ageing tissue types in both animals and humans.
Genes from fireflies shed light show causes of infertilityMarch 28th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Genes from fireflies and jellyfish are virtually shedding light on possible causes of infertility and auto-immune diseases in humans. Auto-immune diseases are those in which something goes wrong with your immune system and it attacks healthy cells and tissues and makes you sick.
Scientists identify genes that determine right warfarin doseMarch 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers at Uppsala University, together with colleagues at Karolinska Institute and Sanger Institute, have identified three genes that would help determine the optimal dose of blood-thinning drug warfarin. The team led by Mia Wadelius have come across three genes VKORC1, CYP2C9, and CYP4F2 that would help determine adequate warfarin dosage.
Common genes could explain alcohol, nicotine, cocaine addictionsMarch 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers may be honing in on specific genes tied to all types of addictions and finding that some of the same genes associated with alcohol dependence are also closely linked with addictions to nicotine, cocaine, opoids, heroin and other substances. Addiction experts at the Universities of Virginia (UV) and Michigan have presented new insights into the significant progress made within the last several years in understanding the genetics of addiction.
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