Human Genetics Features
Scientists create fertile sperm from mice stem cells — Does this translate to humans?
Scientists have made sperm cells from stem cells in vitro, while most are excited about the achievement, ethical and biological ...
Sex not as simple as X and Y
Everybody assumed that the Y chromosome's sole purpose was to rigidly assign male sex. The truth is much more complicated ...
Link between inflammation and cancer
People with chronic inflammatory conditions may be more susceptible to DNA-induced cell mutations which could contribute to getting cancer ...
Scoop on ‘leaky gut syndrome’–And effect of pathogenic gut microbes on health
Do microbes in your gut cause pathologies elsewhere in the body like the heart? ...
Drugs that target ‘epigenetic scars’ may reverse drug addiction
Research is mounting that not only does epigenetics play an important role in drug addiction, it may also provide a ...
Ultimate personal diet plan? Follow your genes
As the obesity problem in America continues, some scientists are looking at how food influences the way our genes behave ...
Madonna may suffer from ‘DNA paranoia’
Madonna is famous for her work on stage particularly her singing and performing, but behind the scenes, she's famous for ...
‘Bad genes’ may not mean you’ll get a disease
Today, personalized medicine hinges on genetic information on risks of disease. Unfortunately, having a disease-associated mutation may bear little to ...
Why is your memory so bad when you’re hungry?
Why is it so hard to think while you're hungry? Researchers now believe it may come down to one protein ...
Could gene editing, Prozac or choline treat Down Syndrome?
Scientists may be closing in on an effective treatment for Down Syndrome. But questions abound as to the ethics of ...
Where should scientists focus search for extraterrestrial intelligence?
As scientists continue to probe the far-reaches of the universe for other intelligent beings, some are suggesting we switch our ...
‘Scientists grow human brain in a lab’–The science reality behind the headlines
Reports of an "almost fully formed brain" grown in the lab using stem cells made headlines recently. Did media jump ...
Mutated genes don’t always lead to genetic diseases
Sonia Vallabh, a scientist, carries a rare mutation that normally causes a neurodegenerative disease. But how likely is it she ...
If you’re indifferent about reading this article, it may be genetic
Being apathetic may feel like following the path of least resistance. But studies of apathy in the brain show otherwise ...
Are genetically engineered mosquitoes realistic solution to Zika?
Several modern genetic tools are being developed to reduce or eliminate mosquitoes that carry epidemic causing viruses. Is it realistic ...
Gene editing on human embryos would not create ‘designer babies’
Despite some concerns over 'super-humans' and 'designer babies,' genome editing of human embryos likely to produce only modest edits to ...
Spread of GM mosquito conspiracy theory hurts fight against Zika
False claims circulating about GM mosquitoes causing the Zika virus outbreak are threatening to take the focus away from more ...
Does ‘humanizing’ mice for drug experiments pose ethical challenges for researchers?
Mice are being genetically altered to aid in drug research. What ethical and medical concerns might this pose? ...
Biotechnology, synthetic biology keys to humans colonizing other planets
The lack of technology for such sustainable life support systems is a major factor underlying criticism of human space exploration ...
Meditation, mindfulness may affect way your genes behave
Mindfulness has shown efficacy in treating some conditions, which has lead researchers to look for a biological mechanism. One theory ...
Ape-to-human, pig-to-human blood donations: Could xenotransfusions work?
Scientists have long known of blood similarities between humans and other animals, so why have xenotransfusions yet to become common ...
What next for Editas? First gene-editing company to go public
Is the Cambridge-based company Editas truly ready for the big time or is it trying to capitalize on technological hype? ...
Could genetically engineered mosquitoes fight vector-borne diseases like dengue and Zika?
Can genetically engineering mosquitos control Zika and dengue? Field trials in Brazil may provide the answer ...
Everything you need to know about Zika, virus that’s spreading like wildfire
What is known about the Zika virus, an infection linked to birth defects. Could it arrive in the United States ...
Ultrasound may help cancer drugs penetrate blood-brain barrier
The blood-brain barrier serves as a major obstacle for treating brain cancers, but several groups are having success forcing the ...
Are products touted as supporting ‘healthy gut-biome’ scamming consumers?
The microbiome is a promising area of research for disease treatments. Just avoid the scams ...