Kristen Hovet
Can big data fight cancer by identifying those genetically predisposed to disease?
Present-day cancer care is reactive. When an individual begins to have symptoms of cancer, a tumor has typically already formed ...
Using CRISPR to fight antibiotic-resistant ‘superbugs’
The superbugs are winning the antibiotics wars. CRISPR could turn the tide ...
Childhood trauma: The kids are not alright, and part of the explanation may be linked to epigenetics
The old adage about kids being resilient and able to bounce back from early traumas isn't necessarily borne out by ...
Viewpoint: Should autism be treated as an illness that should be cured?
“Many of the greatest artists, actors, musicians, scientists, and entrepreneurs of all time were and are autistic. We all serve ...
Brave new world? Why the public might be ready for gene-edited babies
Gene-editing tools like CRISPR/Cas9 are rapidly bringing the possibilities forward ...
Kim Kardashian West’s battle with psoriatic arthritis: Will understanding the genetics of the autoimmune disorder point to a cure?
While there is no cure, appropriate and early treatment can help prevent major damage to affected parts of the body ...
How the pursuit of better education, career opportunities may be creating regional genetic inequalities
Highlighting non-ancestral genetic differences could be an important step in alleviating the harmful results of social stratification ...
4 things to know about epigenetics, including that most changes are not passed on to offspring
Far more is unknown about epigenetics than is known. Let’s have a look at what we do know ...
Chasing origins of anorexia: Are there genetic links to the complicated disorder?
Anorexia has long been treated as a psychological condition. But recent research, including a landmark genome-wide association study, are prompting scientists ...
Sensory overload: Some people genetically wired to detest bright lights, big sounds
'This world is not built for sensitive people. In fact, our world is designed perfectly for those who are detached.' ...
Knowledge without context: Why consumer genetic tests can spark needless fears, behavioral changes
Direct-to-consumer genetic tests are growing in popularity. They can tell us a lot about our personal building blocks. But there ...
GMO wheat could put bread and pasta back on the menu for people with celiac disease
A new wheat could help celiac patients return to a gluten-rich diet without fear of health repercussions ...
Why this lesser-known CRISPR sibling could be a key tool in fight against drug-resistant bacteria, viruses and parasites
A “highly specific and programmable” CRISPR tool could become one of our main tools for fighting pathogens ...
Do humans have a ‘ghost’ ancestor? Artificial intelligence thinks so.
A third archaic human species may have been identified, this time with deep learning methods ...
Autism and depression: Study shows why ‘gold standard treatment’ sometimes fails
The 'gold standard' therapy does not always work and can lead to a worsening of symptoms ...
Can consumer genetic tests actually make us healthier?
“I believe genetic testing saved my life,” says Kim Horner, author of “Probably Someday Cancer." ...
Magic and morality: Why some consumers are afraid of GMOs
In the eyes of Susan Schenck, GMOs are pretty much the worst thing going in food. As the author of ...
Genetics and Type 2 diabetes: Why weight loss alone may not be enough for some people
People who develop Type 2 diabetes fall into one of two categories — those whose blood sugar can be controlled ...
Selling yourself? These companies want to pay for your genetic information
Some companies want to rent your DNA - should you let them? ...
When antidepressants fail: Are we looking at a new kind of depression?
Depression is one of the most frequently diagnosed mental illnesses, with an estimated 15 percent of the global adult population ...
Using CRISPR to block production of HIV in infected cells
Contracting HIV is no longer the death sentence that it was in the 1980s and early 90s. The first cases ...
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome may be linked to genetic mutations
It’s been called a parent’s worst nightmare, and one that very few of us have ever needed words to describe ...
Fighting deadly adverse drug reactions through precision medicine
Lee Tan, a 41-year-old marketing professional and copywriter in Vancouver, Canada, was diagnosed with high blood pressure three years ago ...
Chasing the ‘warrior gene’ and why it looks like a dud so far
The year is 2025. The US has gone to war. Young Americans are being conscripted in droves, and those with ...
Marijuana and epigenetics: Are we moving too quickly with legalization?
Some research suggests there could be health implications related to a surge in legalized marijuana use in the US. One ...
Yoga may be good for your mind, body–but what about your genes?
Research suggests that yoga, and similar mindfullness-focused activities, may foster genetic changes that help people cope with stress and avoid ...
Lose energy after eating broccoli or taking aspirin? Mystery behind salicylate intolerance
The rare disorder has proven difficult for doctors to diagnose, but some estimates suggest the condition is more common than ...
Proceed with caution: National Academies offers ‘qualified support’ for gene editing ‘abnormal’ embryos
The door to gene-edited humans was opened a crack by a joint National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of ...