genetics

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Worldwide Mega-Organism Spawned All Life

Ocean-wide network of cells survived by sharing proteins

(Newser) - Here's a subject for a monster movie—only there would be no victims, because it happened about 3 billion years ago. According to a new theory, the first life form on Earth was a mega-organism that once filled the world's oceans, then split up into parts that later...

Female Orgasm Exists for Unique Reason: Study
 Women's Orgasms 
 Exist Because... 
study says
Sep 10, 2011 1:41 PM CDT

Women's Orgasms Exist Because...

...well, who knows, but they serve a purpose: study

(Newser) - Turns out there is a unique reason for the female orgasm... but nobody knows what it is yet. The latest foray into female ecstasy involved asking about 10,000 pairs of opposite-sex siblings and twins about their sexual habits. The upshot: Most of the girls had no similarity with their...

Autism Tied to Environment in New Study

But which environmental factors remain a mystery

(Newser) - Burgeoning cases of autism are strongly linked to the environment, researchers have discovered. A study of twins indicates that while genetics plays a role, the environment is a more significant factor. The study used results among both identical and fraternal twins, and a mathematical formula that determined that genetics accounts...

Genetic Mutation Study: We Could All Be X-Men
 We're All Mutant X-Men 
study says
Jun 13, 2011 5:30 PM CDT

We're All Mutant X-Men

We're all chock-full of mutations, scientists find

(Newser) - Wolverine’s not so different from you and me: Scientists have found that each person has as many as 60 mutations in our genomes—portions of our DNA that aren’t matched in either of our parents. Mutations happen in both eggs and sperm cells, and neither cell’s mutations...

The King's Speech Has It Wrong: Stuttering Is Genetic, Says New Research
 Stuttering Is in the Genes 
study says
Feb 21, 2011 10:58 AM CST

Stuttering Is in the Genes

It's physical, not psychological: researcher

(Newser) - Stuttering has long been considered a psychological issue, something born of anxiety or trauma—but new research suggests it’s in the genes, the Telegraph reports. “The brain actually looks different in people who stutter compared with those that don’t,” says a scientist. Certain gene variations often...

Glass Half-Full, or Half-Empty? Ask Your Genes

New link made between genes, risk of depression

(Newser) - Bad—or, potentially, good—news for pessimists: Some people's negative outlook on life appears to be caused by a genetic condition, according to a new study. Researchers found that people with low levels of the brain chemical NPY are likelier to be pessimistic, to deal poorly with stress, and to...

Scientists to Pentagon: Map Every Soldier's Genome

Report prompts fears over flaws in process, discrimination

(Newser) - A secretive group of top scientists is pushing the Pentagon to map the genomes of all military personnel, the Huffington Post reports. Such mapping could reveal information about troops' "responses to battlefield stress"—for example, how well they can tolerate "sleep deprivation, dehydration, or prolonged exposure to...

Ancient Pinkie Reveals Your New Relatives

DNA helps decode history of Denisovans

(Newser) - A 30,000-year-old finger is pointing the way to a population of humans experts never knew existed. The pinkie bone, discovered in southern Siberia in what's known as the Desinova Cave, contains DNA that scientists used to sequence the entire genome of the young girl it belonged to, NPR reports....

Gene Mutation May Turn Men Into Vicious Drunks

Genetic variant is linked to impulsive violence under influence of alcohol

(Newser) - Scientists believe they've discovered a genetic mutation that may turn usually mild-mannered individuals into obnoxious, violent brutes once they get drunk. The mutation is linked to a brain abnormality that may contribute to violently impulsive behavior under the influence of alcohol, reports the Telegraph . The mutation interferes with a gene,...

Researchers Create Mice With 2 Daddies

No one's entirely sure why

(Newser) - Scientists at the University of Texas have managed to create mice from the genetic material of two males. A female mouse was involved, of course—researchers engineered one whose eggs contained only DNA from a male, then mated her with another male—but genetically the mice have two fathers. Scientists...

Being a Good Gambler Is Genetic: Study

'Warrior Genes' makes you make better, riskier decisions

(Newser) - If you’re good at poker, you may have your DNA to thank for it. A new study published today found that people with MAOA-L, the so-called “warrior gene,” were both more likely to take risks, and more likely to be able to identify advantageous gambles. Past studies...

Scientists Zero In on Genetic Clues to Anorexia

Markers linked to autism show up in eating-disorder patients

(Newser) - Researchers have found a set of genetic alterations linked to the development of anorexia, LiveScience reports. The eating disorder had previously been thought to be highly heritable, but specific genetic markers hadn't been identified. If more are found, people at risk for the disorder could be identified early.

Genetics Could Make You a Liberal
Genetics Could Make You a Liberal
Oct 28, 2010 7:51 AM CDT

Genetics Could Make You a Liberal

...but only if you had a lot of friends in high school, finds study

(Newser) - Is political ideology something you’re born with? Scientists have uncovered a gene that predisposes people to be liberals—provided they had a lot of friends in high school. The study, conducted at UC San Diego and Harvard, matched 2,000 subjects’ genetic information with maps of their social networks,...

Why Women Live Longer Than 'Disposable' Men

Females built to last for reproductive success: scientist

(Newser) - Women have their hardworking cells to thank for the fact that they tend to live longer than men, argues a scientist. Experts believe aging is caused by tiny problems in the body, and we die when our bodies stop repairing these issues, the Daily Mail reports. Women, suggests the UK...

Key Depression Gene Identified

May pave way for new drugs, scientists say

(Newser) - American scientists have identified a gene that appears to play a key role in the onset of depression , a finding which may help researchers develop new treatments. A team from Yale University found that a gene called MPK-1 is twice as active in those who suffer from depression. The gene...

Genetics No Excuse for Obesity: Scientists

Exercise can easily offset predisposition

(Newser) - The idea that your genetics might doom you to obesity is a “myth,” a team of scientists has concluded. Yes, some people are genetically predisposed to being overweight, but after examining the genes and habits of 20,000 subjects, researchers at the Medical Research Council in Cambridge found...

'Zombie' DNA Can Wake Up, Cause Disease

Long-inactive gene triggers form of muscular dystrophy

(Newser) - Geneticists have found the culprit causing a common form of muscular dystrophy—zombie DNA. Sort of. They've discovered that long-inactive genes—so-called junk DNA lying dormant in the human genome for thousands of years—"can rise from the dead like zombies" and cause trouble, explains Gina Kolata in the...

Scientists Find Secret of Regeneration

Boosting cancer risk might allow humans to regrow limbs

(Newser) - Researchers think they’ve found a trick that could allow humans to someday regrow limbs or heart tissue in much the same way some lizards do. The scientists say humans gave up much of their regenerative power as part of an evolutionary trade-off: Our genes suppress cell growth, and with...

Black Couple Gives Birth to White, Blonde Baby

Doctors, parents stunned

(Newser) - Genetics experts—as well as readers of this tidbit, we're guessing—are amazed at the recent case of a black British couple who gave birth to a white daughter bearing blue eyes and blonde hair. Nmachi was born to Nigerian ex-pats Benjamin and Angela Ihegboro, and is not an albino,...

Walgreens to Wait on Cheap Genetic Tests


 Walgreens to 
 Wait on Cheap 
 Genetic Tests 
YIELDS TO FDA
May 13, 2010 6:32 AM CDT

Walgreens to Wait on Cheap Genetic Tests

FDA: No proof kits are safe, effective

(Newser) - Drugstore giant Walgreen Co. will hold off selling over-the-counter genetic tests. The company announced Tuesday that the kits would be on shelves this month, but reversed the decision after a stiff response from regulators. "These kits have not been proven safe, effective, or accurate," an FDA rep said....

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