Genetic

A breakthrough statistical tool by University of Chicago researchers enhances the accuracy of finding genetic variants linked to diseases, offering new insights into LDL cholesterol and potential treatments. Credit: SciTechDaily.comStatistical model developed by University of Chicago researchers incorporates genome and gene expression data to reliably identify causal genes.A new statistical tool developed by researchers at the University of Chicago improves the ability to find genetic variants that cause disease. The…

In an effort to reduce the spread of marine invasive species, Canada ordered lobster pounds to euthanize all egg-bearing female lobsters. But two years after the measure was introduced, some in the business are still unaware of the requirement.The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has banned the long-held practice of releasing egg-bearing or "berried" female lobsters when they are discovered in holding facilities.Instead pounds "must immediately euthanize the lobster," according to licence conditions quietly introduced…

We don't have a cure for Parkinson's disease yet, but a recently discovered mutation in mitochondrial DNA that seems to protect the body against the condition could one day point the way to one.Discovered in a small protein called SHLP2, the genetic variant is relatively rare – found in just 1 percent of Europeans. Yet an analysis of the health records of 16,167 people led by researchers from the University of Southern California (USC) suggests the number of Parkinson's cases among people with the mutation is half what…

Efficient Feature Selection via Genetic AlgorithmsUsing evolutionary algorithms for fast feature selection with large datasetsThis is the final part of a two-part series about feature selection. Read part 1 here.Brief recap: when fitting a model to a dataset, you may want to select a subset of the features (as opposed to using all features), for various reasons. But even if you have a clear objective function to search for the best combination of features, the search may take a long time if the number of features N is…

Researchers have identified genes that determine human head shape, shedding light on cranial diversity and conditions like craniosynostosis, potentially impacting our understanding of cranial development and disease. Credit: SciTechDaily.comResearchers from the University of Pittsburgh and KU Leuven have identified a group of genes that play a role in determining the shape of human heads. Their study, recently published in Nature Communications, sheds light on the variety of human head shapes. Additionally, it could…

Researchers at the John Innes Centre have discovered a gene cluster in wheat that produces triticein, an unexpected isoflavone, paving the way for advances in wheat’s nutritional enhancement and disease resistance. This finding opens new avenues for research into the health benefits and applications of triticein.An unexpected genetic discovery in wheat has led to opportunities for the metabolic engineering of versatile compounds with the potential to improve its nutritional qualities and resilience to disease. Researchers…

All present-day and ancient Mesoamericans belonged to haplogroups A2, B2, C1, D1, and D4. Credit: Dr. Fuzuki Mizuno Teotihuacan was one of the largest metropolitan centers in ancient Mesoamerica in the pre-Columbian era. Six ancient individuals unearthed from the Teotihuacan between the third and seventh centuries AD were examined in a study led by Dr. Fuzuki Mizuno at the Toho University School of Medicine.…

MIT researchers propose a theoretical model explaining how cells maintain their identity over generations. The model suggests that a cell’s 3D genome structure guides the restoration of epigenetic marks lost during cell division. This mechanism enables cells to remember their specific type, with implications for understanding diseases and aging processes. Credit: SciTechDaily.comMIT study suggests 3D folding of the genome is key to cells’ ability to store and pass on “memories” of which genes they should express.Every…

Researchers at Oregon State University have sequenced the chia genome, unveiling significant potential for enhancing human health and nutrition. The study identifies genes beneficial for pharmaceutical use and nutritional enhancement, proposing chia as a valuable crop in agricultural research. This breakthrough, coupled with the plant’s diverse nutritional profile and adaptability, positions chia as a key player in future food security and health-oriented research.A breakthrough in sequencing the chia genome opens new…

In a converted shipping container perched oceanside in Ketch Harbour, N.S., a group of people gather to peer into tanks filled with fuzzy pieces of gravel. The rocks are covered with tiny blades of sugar kelp. Soon, the squares of steel mesh they're fixed to will be suspended in the water at a kelp farming demonstration site in Mahone Bay, in the hopes of safeguarding the future Nova Scotia's kelp beds.It's an effort by scientists, conservationists and a West Coast company working together on the restoration technique for…