news archive genetic news - February 28, 2007

February 28, 2007

your information resource in human molecular genetics

-	Let-ting Cancer Develop The microRNA let-7 regulates a gene frequently activated in human cancer
-	Mouse Model of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Shows How To Extend Survival Discovery of a truncated form of gene in spinal muscular atrophy leads the search for treatments for this untreatable disease.
-	Influenza Virus Genomes Now Completed and Publicly Accessible Two thousand influenza virus genomes have now been completed and are publicly available. This is information critical to developing treatments and vaccines.
-	Reduced Brain Growth in Alcoholics with Family Drinking History The brains of alcohol-dependent individuals are affected not only by their own heavy drinking, but also by genetic or environmental factors associated with their parents’ drinking.
-	Experimental Vaccine Given During Pregnancy Reduces Stillbirths from Cytomegalovirus An experimental vaccine has been developed that reduces stillbirths among rodents born to mothers infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV) — a common virus that can also cause mental retardation and hearing loss in newborn children.