An international team of genetics researchers has discovered four new gene regions that contribute to low birth weight. Three of those regions influence adult metabolism, and appear to affect longer-term outcomes such as adult height, risk of type 2 diabetes and adult blood pressure. "This large study adds to the evidence that genes have a strong influence on fetal growth," said one of the co-authors, Struan F.A. Grant, Ph.D., associate director of the Center for Applied Genomics at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "The cumulative effect of the genes is surprisingly ...

LA JOLLA, CA – December 2, 2012 – Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have determined how two proteins help create organelles, or specialized subunits within a cell, that play a vital role in maintaining cell health. This discovery opens the door for research on substances that could interfere with the formation of these organelles and lead to new therapies for cancer. The study, published online ahead of print on December 2, 2012, by the journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, focuses on the structure and function of the two proteins, ATG12 and ...

In a genome sequencing study of 74 neuroblastoma tumors in children, scientists at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) found that patients with changes in two genes, ARID1A and ARID1B, survive only a quarter as long as patients without the changes. The discovery could eventually lead to early identification of patients with aggressive neuroblastomas who may need additional treatments. Neuroblastomas affect nerve tissue throughout the body and are the most common, non-blood cancer in children. "These cancers have a ...

Scientists have discovered for the first time how humans – and other mammals – have evolved to have intelligence. Researchers have identified the moment in history when the genes that enabled us to think and reason evolved. This point 500 million years ago provided our ability to learn complex skills, analyse situations and have flexibility in the way in which we think. Professor Seth Grant, of the University of Edinburgh, who led the research, said: "One of the greatest scientific problems is to explain how intelligence and complex behaviours arose during evolution." ...

This press release is available in German. Abused children are at high risk of anxiety and mood disorders, as traumatic experience induces lasting changes to their gene regulation. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich have now documented for the first time that genetic variants of the FKBP5 gene can influence epigenetic alterations in this gene induced by early trauma. In individuals with a genetic predisposition, trauma causes long-term changes in DNA methylation leading to a lasting dysregulation of the stress hormone system. As a result, ...

Solvents are omnipresent in the chemical industry, and are a major environmental and safety concern. Therefore the large interest in mechanochemistry: an energy-efficient alternative that avoids using bulk solvents and uses high-frequency milling to drive reactions. Milling is achieved by the intense impact of steel balls in a rapidly moving jar, which hinders the direct observation of underlying chemistry. Scientists have now for the first time studied a milling reaction in real time, using highly penetrating X-rays to observe the surprisingly rapid transformations as ...

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (December 2, 2012) –Whitehead Institute scientists report that certain molecules present in high concentrations on the surfaces of many cancer cells could be exploited to funnel lethal toxic molecules into the malignant cells. In such an approach, the overexpression of specific transporters could be exploited to deliver toxic substances into cancer cells. Although this finding emerges from the study of a single toxic molecule and the protein that it transports, Whitehead Member David Sabatini says this phenomenon could be leveraged more broadly. "Our ...

MAYWOOD, Il. - A Loyola University Medical Center neurologist is reporting surprising results of a study of patients who experience both epileptic and non-epileptic seizures. Non-epileptic seizures resemble epileptic seizures, but are not accompanied by abnormal electrical discharges. Rather, these seizures are believed to be brought on by psychological stresses. Dr. Diane Thomas reported that 15.7 percent of hospital patients who experienced non-epileptic seizures also had epileptic seizures during the same hospital stay. Previous studies found the percentage of such ...

Bulk solvents, widely used in the chemical industry, pose a serious threat to human health and the environment. As a result, there is growing interest in avoiding their use by relying on "mechanochemistry" – an energy-efficient alternative that uses high-frequency milling to drive reactions. Because milling involves the intense impact of steel balls in rapidly moving jars, however, the underlying chemistry is difficult to observe. Now, for the first time, scientists have studied a milling reaction in real time, using highly penetrating X-rays to observe the surprisingly ...

A tiny, translucent zebrafish that glows green when its liver makes glucose has helped an international team of researchers identify a compound that regulates whole-body metabolism and appears to protect obese mice from signs of metabolic disorders. Led by scientists at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), the work demonstrates how a fish smaller than a grain of rice can help screen for drugs to help control obesity, type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders, which affect a rising 34 percent of American adults and are major risk factors for cardiovascular ...

STANFORD, Calif. — The surface of your skin, called the epidermis, is a complex mixture of many different cell types — each with a very specific job. The production, or differentiation, of such a sophisticated tissue requires an immense amount of coordination at the cellular level, and glitches in the process can have disastrous consequences. Now, researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a master regulator of this differentiation process. "Disorders of epidermal differentiation, from skin cancer to eczema, will affect roughly one-half ...

STANFORD, Calif. — Fifteen new genetic regions associated with coronary artery disease have been identified by a large, international consortium of scientists — including researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine — taking a significant step forward in understanding the root causes of this deadly disease. The new research brings the total number of validated genetic links with heart disease discovered through genome-wide association studies to 46. Coronary artery disease is the process by which plaque builds up in the wall of heart vessels, eventually leading ...

Say goodbye to that annoying buzz created by overhead fluorescent light bulbs in your office. Scientists at Wake Forest University have developed a flicker-free, shatterproof alternative for large-scale lighting. The lighting, based on field-induced polymer electroluminescent (FIPEL) technology, also gives off soft, white light – not the yellowish glint from fluorescents or bluish tinge from LEDs. "People often complain that fluorescent lights bother their eyes, and the hum from the fluorescent tubes irritates anyone sitting at a desk underneath them," said David Carroll, ...

A new study suggests that the common diabetes medication metformin may be considered for use in the prevention or treatment of ovarian cancer. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the study found that ovarian cancer patients who took the drug tended to live longer than patients who did not take it. New treatments are desperately needed for ovarian cancer. Previous research has indicated that metformin, which originates from the French Lilac plant, may have anticancer properties. To look for an effect of the medication ...

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (December 3, 2012) – Food allergies are on the rise, affecting 15 million Americans. And according to a new study published in the December issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), pesticides and tap water could be partially to blame. The study reported that high levels of dichlorophenols, a chemical used in pesticides and to chlorinate water, when found in the human body, are associated with food allergies. "Our research shows that high levels ...

ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Diabetic patients with ovarian cancer who took the drug metformin for their diabetes had a better survival rate than patients who did not take it, a study headed by Mayo Clinic shows. The findings, published early online in the journal Cancer, may play an important role for researchers as they study the use of existing medications to treat different or new diseases. Metformin is a widely prescribed drug to treat diabetes, and previous research by others has shown its promise for other cancers. The Mayo-led study adds ovarian cancer to the list. Researchers ...

WASHINGTON – For people living in both rich and poor countries, the average person's happiness is based on a combination of individual wealth, possessions and optimism, according to an analysis of new worldwide survey findings published by the American Psychological Association. A country's gross domestic product per capita did not have as much of an impact on the average person's happiness, according to research based on responses of 806,526 people in 135 countries from 2005 to 2011. Happiness expert and psychologist Edward Diener, PhD, of the University of Illinois, ...

Public relations and social media expert Joyce Luhrs will provide free one-on-one consulting about public relations and publicity to nonprofit leaders attending the Center for Non-Profits' annual conference, Riding the Winds of Change: Harnessing Our Collective Power. Nonprofit leaders and executive directors of organizations throughout New Jersey will participate in the daylong event on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at the Crowne Plaza Monroe in Jamesburg, New Jersey. A public relations, marketing and grants consultant with over 20 years experience, Ms. Luhrs is volunteering ...

Dr. James Perdue an, author, public speaker and inspirational motivator has launched a new book to support the new addition to his website "A One More Play" new print version published by Westbow Press. Many people lose sight of their dreams especially those that have suffered a disability as Dr. Perdue. Some people deny their dreams or simply fall into depression because of certain failures. After becoming a quadriplegic at the age of nineteen, James persevered past his paralysis by completing his doctorate degree, becoming an educator and coach, and now ...

Exploring complex contemporary family life and couples through the lens of photography, fine art photographer Steve Giovinco is included in the stunning museum exhibition, "the kids are alright." The fine art photography show is at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, Wisconsin and runs through January 20, 2012. The exhibition concentrates on contemporary photography and time-based media by nearly 40 artists who bring the bedrock theme of family into the 21st Century. THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT includes award winning and widely exhibiting photographers ...

"Payroll tax processing and year-end tax reporting should not be a pain for small business owners," said Halfpricesoft.com founder Dr. Ge. "We believe small business software should be simple, reliable and affordable - so we intentionally engineered this software for business owners who are not professional accountants and payroll tax experts." EzPaycheck, the payroll and check printing software, from Halfpricesoft.com gives small and mid-size businesses another option to calculate payroll tax, print paychecks and file tax forms easily and quickly. ...

The Maltese Cross Corps charity organization has a long, great tradition of organizing the "Saint Nicholas Goes to Orphans" action shortly before Saint Nicholas Day on December 19th. The mission of the action is to raise funds and get presents for orphans and disadvantaged children. Every child in the Ukraine looks forward to the night of December 19th, when Saint Nicholas, the Ukrainian version of Santa Claus, comes to their room and leaves presents under their pillow. Also, on this day, children write letters to Saint Nicholas with their list of presents. This ...

Starlight Children's Foundation Florida is making helping seriously ill children as simple as a text message. With their new mobile giving campaign, anyone can text the word "SMILES" to 80000 to donate $10 to the non-profit organization. When a child or teenager has a serious medical condition, everyone in the family is affected. Ongoing donations will ensure that more families have access to Starlight's entertainment, education and family activity programs which distract children from their pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses, and ...

Career Woman, Inc., a Seattle-based career coaching and consulting firm, recently received the Gold Blog of the Year award from the Stevie Awards for Women in Business for its insightful, resource-rich and action-oriented blog. CareerWomanInc.com also received a Bronze award in the Website of the Year category. Founded by Lisa Quast, Career Woman, Inc.'s mission is to close the gender gap around inequality of pay and stature by providing women with the necessary tools to obtain career success. Offering timely and thoughtful blog entries, Career Woman, Inc. offers readers ...

A century after the iconic French designer Jacques Fath's birthday, the Parisian design house, The House of Fath, reemerges with an accessories collection that gives air to the same mysterious edge, wild imagination, and playful excess that earned this self-taught designer the moniker "Little Prince of Paris Haute Couture". Not only was Jacques Fath considered one of the three most dominant influences on postwar haute couture, along with Christian Dior and Pierre Balmain, but he was also one of the first designers to introduce prêt-a-porter to the American ...