New drug safer than rat poison for reducing stroke riskSeptember 30th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new drug has been found to be safer than warfarin (also commonly used in rat poison) for reducing stroke risk, according to a review. Generally, patients at risk of stroke are given warfarin to prevent blood clotting, but the treatment is risky and requires regular monitoring.
Learn how to 'speak' from songbird genesSeptember 30th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The ability to manipulate songbird genes may yield secrets of vocal learning and how nerve cells (neurons) are replaced. For the first time, researchers have devised a way to alter the genes of the zebra finch, one of a handful of social animals that learn to "speak" by imitating their fellows.
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.
Insects' biological clocks could pave way for more effective pest controlAugust 13th, 2009 WASHINGTON - The circadian rhythms or biological "clocks" in some insects can make them far more susceptible to pesticides at some times of the day instead of others, reveal researchers at Oregon State University. The scientists said that with further research, they can tap into this genetic characteristic, identify the times that a target insect is most vulnerable to a specific pesticide, and use that information to increase the effectiveness, reduce costs and decrease the amounts of pesticide necessary for insect control.
Insects' bio-clocks could help more effective pest controlAugust 13th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers have discovered that the circadian rhythms or biological "clocks" in some insects can make them far more susceptible to pesticides at certain times of the day than other. With further research, it may be possible to tap into this genetic characteristic, identify the times that a target insect is most vulnerable to a specific pesticide, and use that information to boost the effectiveness of a pesticide.
Scientists identify genes that let creepy-crawlies in Arctic survive deep freezeJuly 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON - A team of scientists has identified a suite of genes that help Arctic springtails survive freezing temperatures by dehydrating themselves before the coldest weather sets in. Melody Clark led a team of researchers from the British Antarctic Survey and the University of Novi-Sad, Serbia, who studied the arthropods.
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.
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.
Scientists zero in on genes responsible for changing flower colorJune 30th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists at UC (University of California) Santa Barbara have zeroed in on the genes responsible for changing flower color. In an article published recently in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences, two researchers document their studies of the evolution of columbine flowers in North America.
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 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.
Genes linked to spinal disc degeneration identifiedMarch 14th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers from University of Alberta have identified certain genes responsible for spinal disc degeneration. Michele Crites-Battie and Tapio Videman, in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, have discovered eight genes linked to lumbar disc degeneration.
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