What is being hailed as major news in the genetic science community this week -- the identification of more than 80 genomes that raise a person's risk of different cancers -- may receive a lukewarm reception from the general public until the ramifications of such discoveries is evident. Collaborative Oncological Gene-Environment Study, COGS Learning the causes of cancer can only mean positive things in the development of screening, treatment, and perhaps, one day, prevention of those cancers. A consortium of more than 160 EU-based research groups working together in the Collaborative Oncological Gene-Environment Study, COGS, brought science and medicine one step closer to these positive outcomes with the discovery of more than 80 genome regions that can increase an individual's risk for prostate, breast and ovarian cancers, reported MedicalNewsToday.com . The COGS research was submitted as 13 different scientific papers and published in five journals this week, including PLOS Genetics . (PLOS is the Public Library of Science , a non-profit and open access group of scientific journals.) COGS Research Team Members Weigh in on Genome Discovery Value Professor Ros Eeles of the Royal Marsden and the Institute of Cancer Research explained to the Telegraph that this discovery is hoped … Continue reading →

Jose Luis Pelaez / Getty Images Almost every toddler will sniffle through a cold by the time they are three, but if they wheeze while theyre sick, they may be at higher risk of developing asthma. Previous research found that wheezing-related illnesses can increase a childs risk for developing asthma, and other studies connected certain genetic factors to this heightened tendency to wheeze. In a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers connected the two and found that 90% of three-year-olds with a combination of specific genes and a particular wheezing illness were diagnosed with asthma by the age of 6. The scientists focused on a region of chromosome 17, known as 17q21 that has been associated with an elevated risk of asthma early in life. Two genes in the region likely increase this risk ORMDL3 and GSDMB. Variants of these genes, which are relatively common, seemed to confer higher risk of wheezing when children were infected with the rhinovirus, which is responsible for the common cold. About half of the infants in the study had one copy of the variant, while a quarter had both copies, which significantly increased their likelihood of wheezing and developing … Continue reading →

Newswise BETHESDA, MD April 1, 2013 -- A surprising research discovery in mosquitoes could affect future prospects for malaria control. A team of scientists from West Africa, the United States and the United Kingdom found that the mosquito, Anopheles gambiae, which was thought to be splitting into two completely new species, may actually have a more complex range of forms due to frequent inter-mating. The resulting hybrids may have implications for insecticide resistance and malaria parasite infectivity. The study published in the April 2013 issue of the journal GENETICS (http://www.genetics.org), documents substantial amounts of hybridization among two separate mosquito types in a large area spanning four countries in sub-Saharan western Africa. Our research shows that Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, which are responsible for most cases of malaria in Africa, are more genetically complex than we thought due to interbreeding, said David J. Conway, Ph.D., one of the researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in the United Kingdom, and the Medical Research Council Unit in The Gambia. Mosquitoes are very good at evolving quickly and this information will help us use existing control methods appropriately and consider possible new tools that will further malaria control efforts in Africa. … Continue reading →

Avis Gibons, a licensed and board-certified genetic counselor joins Northwest Community Healthcare's genetic counseling program. Arlington Heights, IL (PRWEB) March 28, 2013 Avis Gibons, MS, CGC, a licensed and board-certified genetic counselor with experience in both clinical and research settings, is now serving patients whose personal or family medical histories indicate an increased risk of developing cancer. In her role, Gibons meets with patients to review personal and family medical histories, assesses patients risks of developing cancer, coordinates genetic testing and discusses results, and presents cancer screening and risk reduction options. We are thrilled that Avis has joined NCHs genetic counseling team, Keith Ammons, director of cancer services at NCH, says. Her previous experience will be an asset to the genetic counseling team. Before joining NCH, Gibons served as genetic counselor at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital in Chicago, where she assisted in establishing a formal high-risk cancer genetics clinic. Dedicated to raising awareness about genetic contributions to disease, she also has designed human genetics course curriculum for clinical research professionals, presented seminars in genetics to community members, and delivered continuing medical education in cancer risk assessment and hereditary cancer syndromes to healthcare providers. Gibons has completed a certificate in … Continue reading →

By Barbara Bronson Gray HealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, March 27 (HealthDay News) -- Critical clues to understanding who is at the greatest risk for particular types of cancer may be found in "spelling mistakes" contained in a person's DNA. In a step toward personalized medicine and the ability to better understand individual risk factors for three common hormone-related cancers, a large team of international researchers have unveiled what might be the clearest picture to date of the genetic alterations associated with some forms of the disease. Although more research is needed, the study authors predict that genetic testing to help determine a person's risk for some of the most potentially deadly cancers may be available within five to 10 years. "We think the most immediately practical application will be in people already at risk for the disease and going through the genetic counseling process," said Douglas Easton, a professor of genetic epidemiology at the University of Cambridge, in England. A combination of five studies that include work from 160 different research groups has identified more than 80 genetic errors that are linked to increased risk of breast, prostate and ovarian cancers. The research was published March 27 in the journal Nature … Continue reading →

Stem Cell Therapy for Pets - Bandit Before After Amazing before and after footage of Bandit, a 5 year old dog who received stem cell therapy for his arthritis and hip dysplasia. For more information about s... By: NewmanVets … Continue reading →

By Catherine Hornby ROME (Reuters) - Scientists have criticized an Italian government decree allowing a group of terminally-ill patients to continue using an unproven stem cell treatment, saying such therapies may cause harm and risk exploiting desperate people. The treatment, created by the privately-owned Stamina Foundation, was banned by Italian medicines regulator AIFA last year after it inspected their laboratories, leading to a series of legal challenges by families of patients. In early March, Health Minister Renato Balduzzi allowed a terminally ill child to continue using the Stamina treatment after hearing the emotional pleas of her parents. The Health Ministry then issued an official decree on March 21 allowing 32 patients, mainly children, already using the treatment to continue it. Scientists from around Europe released a statement on Thursday criticizing the decree, warning that Balduzzi was "riding roughshod over existing European licensing criteria", failing to protect patients from exploitation and ignoring the need for sound evidence that therapies are effective. "These unproven and ill-prepared stem cell therapies, for which there is no scientific basis, will do nothing for patients and their families except make them poorer," said Charles French-Constant from the University of Edinburgh's Center for Regenerative Medicine. "DANGEROUS PRECEDENT" … Continue reading →