news archive genetic news - October 16, 2008

October 16, 2008

your information resource in human molecular genetics

-	A new tool for the screening of literature in genetic epidemiology A paper describes a new online tool for the automatic survey of literature in genetic epidemiology
-	How the Brain Helps Us Deal with Loss Researchers have pinpointed a chemical messenger in the brain that plays a crucial role in dealing with the long term separation or loss of a partner.
-	Linking Schizophrenia to Neuronal Changes Alterations in neuronal development and connectivity may contribute to the psychiatric and cognitive symptoms seen in patients with a chromosomal mutation linked to schizophrenia.
-	Nervous System Signals Direct Host Defence Early host defence against pathogens -- at least in earthworms -- relies on communication between the nervous system and the intestine, suggests a paper online.
-	New Risk Factors for Basal Cell Carcinoma Two genetic variants associated with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) are identified online.
-	Hair Follicle Stem Cells Identified Scientists have discovered a group of stem cells in mice that can repopulate and maintain all cell types of the hair follicle.
-	Susceptibility to Male-Pattern Baldness New genetic risk factors for male-pattern baldness have been identified in two studies published online.
-	Gene Mutation in Retinitis Pigmentosa Scientists have found mutations in a gene that account for a significant number of cases of retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary disorder of the retina that leads to visual impairment, and in some cases, blindness.
-	The Genetic Origins of Cleft Lip The first common genetic variant strongly associated with cleft lip has been identified in a study published online.
-	Risk Factors for Ulcerative Colitis Scientists have discovered genetic variants that predispose people to the common inflammatory bowel disease ulcerative colitis.
-	Pluripotent Cells from Human Testis Pluripotent adult stem cells have been derived from cells in adult human testis for the first time.
-	Crick Hypothesis Vindicated Two groups of brain cells together help to filter visual information before it reaches the brain's higher processing regions.