Genes Behind Depression Could Pave Way for Other Mental Disorders

Summary: Researchers completed the largest-ever genetic study on depression, encompassing 1.3 million genomes. Their findings indicate that individuals with hospital-treated depression have an increased genetic risk for other psychiatric conditions…

Research team completes long-anticipated genome sequencing of Y chromosome

Researchers have filled in the final pieces of the puzzle for mapping a complete Y chromosome in humans. Credit: N. Hanacek/NIST Twenty years ago, when researchers from the Human Genome…

Scientists discover mutations in blood stem cells can exacerbate colon cancer

Compared with normal mice (top), colonoscopies detect more, and larger, tumors in the intestines of mice with clonal hematopoiesis (bottom). Credit: © 2023 Feng et al. Originally published in Journal…

Unlocking Schizophrenia: Mitochondria Dysfunction at the Forefront

Summary: Researchers have identified a pivotal role of impaired mitochondrial function in the development of schizophrenia by examining the genetic risk factor 3q29 deletion syndrome. The genetic condition, known to…

A ‘memory wipe’ for stem cells may be the key to better therapies

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Stem cells are special kinds of cells in our body that can become any other type of cell. They have huge potential for medicine, and trials…

Research identifies gene ‘fingerprint’ for brain aging

Graphical abstract. Credit: Cell (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.07.027 Most of us who’ve reached middle age have noticed a slowing in memory and cognition, but scientists don’t have a clear picture of…

AI Pinpoints Parkinson’s Subtypes Using Stem Cell Images

Summary: Researchers enabled machine learning to accurately predict Parkinson’s disease subtypes using stem cell images. This breakthrough showcases computer models classifying four Parkinson’s subtypes, with top accuracies reaching 95%. This…

Team identifies 169 genes associated with production of melanin in the skin, hair and eyes

Genetic screen finds previously unidentified loci for human melanogenesis. By exploiting melanin’s light-scattering properties, we conducted a genome-wide screen and uncovered genes regulating melanin content and hence, melanogenesis, in human…

Investigating Stress Response in PTSD and Depression Through Gene Analysis

Summary: Researchers conducted an analysis of genes in nearly 575,000 brain cells from individuals with and without post-traumatic stress and major depressive disorders (PTSD and MDD), yielding new insights into…

Researchers identify genes that directly influence what we eat

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain In one of the first large-scale studies of genes related to diet, researchers have uncovered almost 500 genes that appear to directly influence the foods we…