Biomedicine & Disease
Gene testing revolution: Disease prediction results skyrocket for whole genome and whole exome sequencing
New research suggests that focusing on the protein-coding region of our DNA that makes up about 1.5 percent of each ...
Plant disease research experts oppose GMO labels
The American Phytopathological Society, which represents 5,000 scientists who "investigate plant pathogens," came out with a statement paper opposing mandatory ...
Scientists change an organism’s entire genome
In an advance that could help battle disease and create new biotech materials, researchers at Yale and Harvard universities have ...
New app allows users to access their genetic info from smartphone
A new smartphone app, developed by researchers at Tel Aviv University, will allow individuals who’ve had their genome sequenced to ...
“Find and Replace” across an entire genome
It couldn’t be easier to make sweeping edits on a computer document. If I were so inclined, I could find ...
Does finding cancer mutations lead to cures?
We don't have drugs to treat most cancer mutations. So how does hunting for mutations help? ...
Gene and stem cell therapy could speed up wound healing
Even though there are effective medications and therapy for healing wounds, the recovery process can still be slow. In a ...
New Washington Post food columnist addresses GMOs, challenges health fears
The debut article for the new Washington Post food column "Unearthed," this narrative begins a critical yet seemingly objective, fact-based ...
Craig Venter working on device that could send DNA over the internet
Craig Venter, who created the world’s first synthetic life, is working on a “DNA box” that could transport genetic sequences ...
Data-driven medicine: understanding the link between genetics and disease
From Google to Facebook and GCHQ to the NSA, every day we hear more about the lengths to which organizations ...
Post Supreme Court ruling, Quest to offer genetic test for breast cancer risk
Quest Diagnostics Inc on Tuesday became the largest U.S. company to start offering gene-based tests for inherited forms of breast ...
Scientist find living genetic relatives of ancient iceman
No next-of-kin was around to claim the frozen 5,300-year-old body of Ötzi the Iceman when it was found in the ...
Organics versus GMO: Why the debate?
There is a global consensus on the safety of GMOs. Yet, anti-GMO activists and proponents of organic crops are fighting ...
Do your genes influence who you love?
Imagine a dating site where, in addition to a completed survey, you have to submit a genetic profile. This could ...
Engineered mice show jet lag could become a thing of the past
Scientists have discovered a genetic mechanism that regulates the effects of jet lag. While a cure for the disorder is ...
Diamonds in the junkyard of noncoding DNA? About humped bladdeworts and being human
Genes comprise only about two percent of the human genome. The other 98% is noncoding DNA, often referred to as ...
Stomach cells naturally revert to stem cells
New research has shown that the stomach naturally produces more stem cells than previously realized, likely for repair of injuries ...
Using the Human Genome Project as a model for scientific success
Obama should take a lesson from the Human Genome Project if he wants his ambitious brain-mapping project to succeed ...
Corporate governance, transparency issues shadow ‘designer baby’ innovations
The “designer baby” debate, which has reached new heights in recent weeks, has focused largely on the ethical questions raised ...
Low yields could force East Africa to adopt GM crops
In spite of ongoing campaigns against growing genetically modified crops in East Africa, the effects of climate change, pests and diseases ...
DNA can challenge religious doctrines
Advancements in medical genetics challenge the long-standing relationship between science and religion. Both genetics and religion can affect notions of ...
Unless blocked by GMO opponents, biotechnology could save the American Chestnut
A team of researchers at SUNY-ESF have developed the first American chestnut tree that is resistant to the devastating blight ...
For Myriad Genetics, the gene patent fight isn’t over yet
Whether sequences of genetic material can be patented has been a matter of heated debate for the past decade or ...
No Nobel, but epigenetics finally gets the recognition it deserves
Adrian Bird, Howard Cedar and Aharon Razin were hotly tipped to win this year’s Nobel Prize for Medicine for their ...
The latest on Google’s battle plan against death: analyzing the genetics of aging
Google Venture's Calico plans to capitalize take on the problem of aging and age-related disease by studying genetics. What's known ...
Golden Rice myths given careful scrutiny
In the comments section of David Tribe's recent piece, "For GM food and vaccination, the panic virus is a deadly ...
Massive DNA study points to new heart drug targets and a key role for triglycerides
A global hunt for genes that influence heart disease risk has uncovered 157 changes in human DNA that alter the ...