http://medicalxpress.com/ en-us Medical Xpress internet news portal provides the latest news on Health and Medicine. Joslin scientists report the first generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells from patients with an uncommon form of diabetes, maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY). These cells offer a powerful resource for studying the role of genetic factors in the development of MODY and testing potential treatments. The findings appear in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-scientists-human-ipsc-patients-maturity.html Medical research Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:55:40 EST news278859298 Australian scientists have shown in the laboratory how a 'transcription factor' causes breast cancer cells to develop an aggressive subtype that lacks sensitivity to estrogen and does not respond to known anti-estrogen therapies. The research, which has significant implications for breast cancer treatment, is published December 27 in the open access journal PLOS Biology. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-12-factor-future-breast-cancer-treatment.html Cancer Thu, 27 Dec 2012 17:00:11 EST news275848914 Cancer therapies often have short-lived benefits due to the emergence of genetic mutations that cause drug resistance. A key gene that determines resistance to a range of cancer drugs has been reported in a study published by Cell Press November 21st in the journal Cell. The study reveals a biomarker that can predict responses to cancer drugs and offers a strategy to treat drug-resistant tumors based on their genetic signature. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-11-drug-resistance-biomarker-cancer-treatment.html Cancer Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:00:34 EST news272714503 Dramatic expansion of the human cerebral cortex, over the course of evolution, accommodated new areas for specialized cognitive function, including language. Understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying these changes, however, remains a challenge to neuroscientists. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-11-gene-reveals-molecular-mechanisms-underlying.html Neuroscience Fri, 09 Nov 2012 08:10:01 EST news271669483 (Medical Xpress)—Many antibiotics can lose their ability to kill bacteria – Duke University bioengineers believe they can explain one of the reasons why. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-10-mechanism-antibiotic-tolerance.html Medical research Fri, 19 Oct 2012 07:27:45 EST news269850459 Two papers led by scientific teams from the Cancer Genetics Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) shed new light on the genetic mechanisms underlying cellular energy and metabolism and, at the same time, highlight both the challenges and opportunities of genetic approaches to cancer treatment. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-08-uncovers-diverse-metabolic-roles-pml.html Cancer Thu, 30 Aug 2012 12:44:04 EST news265549439 Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide and is associated with exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV). Patients carrying the virus have a 100-fold greater risk of developing HCC, but exactly why was unclear until now. Wing Kin Sung at the A*STAR Genome Institute of Singapore and the National University of Singapore, John Luk at the A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology and the National University of Singapore and co-workers have now identified genetic mechanisms by which a virus contributes to this common form of cancer. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-08-molecular-mechanisms-virus-contributes-cancer.html Cancer Wed, 29 Aug 2012 08:50:05 EST news265447292 "It's in their genes" is a common refrain from scientists when asked about factors that allow centenarians to reach age 100 and beyond. Up until now, research has focused on genetic variations that offer a physiological advantage such as high levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol. But researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology of Yeshiva University have found that personality traits like being outgoing, optimistic, easygoing, and enjoying laughter as well as staying engaged in activities may also be part of the longevity genes mix. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-05-personality-genes-account-longevity.html Genetics Thu, 24 May 2012 17:41:23 EST news257100058 Scientists at Queen Mary, University of London have shown that zebrafish could be used to study the underlying causes of psychiatric disorders. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-05-zebrafish-key-psychiatric-disorders.html Neuroscience Thu, 17 May 2012 10:20:02 EST news256467189 A study led by Eric Courchesne, PhD, director of the Autism Center of Excellence at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has, for the first time, identified in young autism patients genetic mechanisms involved in abnormal early brain development and overgrowth that occurs in the disorder. The findings suggest novel genetic and molecular targets that could lead to discoveries of new prevention strategies and treatment for the disorder. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-gene-abnormalities-autism.html Autism spectrum disorders Thu, 22 Mar 2012 17:00:04 EST news251654116 A new research report appearing in the March 2012 issue of the journal Genetics shows why the development of a cure and new treatments for HIV has been so difficult. In the report, an Australian scientist explains how he used computer simulations to discover that a population starting from a single human immunodeficiency virus can evolve fast enough to escape immune defenses. These results are novel because the discovery runs counter to the commonly held belief that evolution under these circumstances is very slow. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-simulations-hiv-elusive.html HIV & AIDS Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:51:10 EST news251023845 Scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have identified a gene that tells cells to develop multiple cilia, tiny hair-like structures that move fluids through the lungs and brain. The finding may help scientists generate new therapies that use stem cells to replace damaged tissues in the lung and other organs. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-scientists-gene-crucial-lungs-brain.html Medical research Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:13:05 EST news245581965 Arrhythmia is a potentially life-threatening problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat, causing it to go too fast, too slow or to beat irregularly. Arrhythmia affects millions of people worldwide. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-12-mutation-gene-critical-human-linked.html Genetics Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:40:29 EST news244226422 (PhysOrg.com) -- A research team at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health is the first to use heart cells derived from stem cells to specifically study certain genetic mechanisms of heart diseases. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-05-heart-cells-derived-stem-diseases.html Cardiology Mon, 09 May 2011 07:02:07 EST news224143162 Using a pair of powerful genome-search techniques, researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), Harvard University, and the Broad Institute have identified several genes that may be implicated in the malaria parasite's notorious ability to rapidly evade drug treatments. Further testing revealed that one of the genes, when inserted into drug-sensitive parasites, rendered them less vulnerable to three antimalarial drugs. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-04-genes-antimalarial-drug-resistance.html Genetics Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:21:55 EST news222625303