All articles tagged with #health and genetics
A large-scale study using whole-genome sequencing in over 700,000 individuals identified new genetic factors influencing metabolic health, including genes like IRS2 linked to type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, highlighting the benefits of WGS over exome sequencing for understanding complex traits.
Scientists have discovered a "fat gene," known as the BSM gene or "Bassoon," which increases the risk of adult obesity sixfold and is exclusively associated with adulthood obesity, not lifelong obesity. Another gene, ABPA1, was also found to increase the risk of adult obesity twofold. The faulty genes may interfere with the brain's ability to control hunger and appetite, potentially leading to weight gain. While the gene is rare, it has a significant impact on body size, and future studies will focus on understanding why it only takes effect in adulthood.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) has uncovered over 275 million new genetic variants in a study of 245,000 Americans, with nearly 4 million linked to higher risks of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. This data, part of the 'All of Us' project, aims to build one of the largest genetic databases in the world by including diverse populations, particularly those from minority backgrounds. The findings could lead to new drug targets and treatments for specific populations, and help refine tools for assessing disease risk.
The All of Us programme, aiming to improve healthcare by focusing on underrepresented groups, has uncovered over 275 million new genetic markers, with nearly 150 potentially linked to type 2 diabetes. This initiative, which has enrolled 413,000 participants, aims to bridge the gap in genetics research on non-white populations and provide a diverse genomic dataset for researchers. The findings emphasize the urgent need to study non-European genomes in more detail and update existing algorithms to improve the accuracy of personalized health care for minority populations.
A study has found that a variant of the lactase LCT gene may explain the link between milk intake and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The research, which analyzed genetics data from multiple cohorts, suggests that the interaction between genetics, diet, and gut microbiome composition plays a role in this association. The findings shed light on the complex interplay between host genetics, diet, and gut microbiota in influencing the risk of type 2 diabetes.