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news archive April 2008

your information resource in human molecular genetics

2008-04-28

Molecular Basis for Neurodegeneration in Ataxia telangiectasia
Ataxia telangiectasia (ATM) gene has been found to regulate the cell cycle in neurons, so cell cycle inhibitors may have therapeutic potential in A-T
Researchers Make New Finding about How Memory is Stored
Localized protein destruction regulates nerve cell connections

2008-04-17

'What' And 'Where' In Auditory Cortex
A study published online reports conclusive evidence for auditory brain areas being segregated by whether they contribute to recognizing an object -- the 'what' pathway -- or processing where an object is located -- the 'where' pathway.
Decisions Occur Before Awareness
Activity in certain areas of the brain signals what choice people are going to make up to ten seconds before they become consciously aware of their decision.
Host-To-Graft Disease Spread In Parkinson Disease?
Cell transplants have long been proposed as a possible therapy for Parkinson disease, but a series of reports suggest that the pathology may spread from the host to the transplants.
Common Genetic Variants Influencing Adult Height
Scientists have discovered dozens of common genetic variants influencing adult human height, according to three studies published online.
Arsenic Action On Leukaemia
Scientists have identified the mechanism by which compounds of arsenic can actually have therapeutic properties when used to treat certain types of cancer.
p53 Hampers Energy Metabolism In Cancer Cells
The tumour suppressor p53 can limit tumour development by inhibiting aerobic glycolysis.
Pinpointing Lymphoblastic Leukaemia Lesions
Scientists identify another mutant protein that causes bone marrow cells to multiply uncontrollably in ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukaemia) patients.

2008-04-03

How Synaptic Activity Protects Neurons
Scientists have identified a key signalling pathway that could protect areas of the brain at risk of damage from ageing and neurodegenerative diseases.
A New Therapy Of Cystic Fibrosis
A potential treatment for cystic fibrosis has been identified in mice.
The Best Of Both Worlds
The creation of a combined positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner is reported online.
Therapeutic Cloning Treats Neurodegenerative Disease
Therapeutic cloning can be used to treat Parkinson's disease in mice.
Colorectal Cancer Risk Variants
Three new variants are associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer.
New Genetic Risk Factors For Type 2 Diabetes
At least six regions of the genome harbor variants that predispose to type 2 diabetes.
RNA Trojan Horses Zero In On Liver Cirrhosis
Using vitamin A to target the cells that cause liver cirrhosis may improve the treatment of the disease.
Route To Thwarting Skin Cancer
A paper has identified how the cells in epithelial tumours signal to one another in order to keep the population of rogue stem cells topped up.
Moving In On Drug Resistance
A paper in reveals a mechanism of how antifungal drugs have the unwanted effect of boosting the fungus' arsenal of pumps used to fight them off.
Smoking Receptors Mirror Lung Cancer Genes
A region on chromosome 15 that hosts three nicotine receptor subunit genes is associated with risk of lung cancer.
MicroRNA Silencing In Non-Human Primates
Researchers have effectively silenced microRNAs (miRNAs) in monkeys for the first time, targeting a liver-specific miRNA and reducing blood cholesterol as a result.
Genetic Blindness Treatments Emphasize Immune Role
A promising treatment for age-related macular degeneration - responsible for up to 50 million cases of blindness worldwide - works by a more general mechanism than had previously been thought.
Novel Fullerene Shows Potential For Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
A water-soluble fullerene-NMDA receptor antagonist hybrid prevented disease progression in an animal model, by protecting against axonal loss and demyelination.