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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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NEWS ABOUT: genetic defects

genetic defects stories: 7 news summaries

Down Syndrome on Decline as Moms Abort

Trend bucks statistics, raises fears that funding will dry up

Nov 2, 09 1:26 PM CST
(Newser) - With women waiting longer to have children, the number of Down syndrome cases in the US ought to be on the rise—advanced maternal age increases Down syndrome risk. But instead it fell 15% from 1989 to 2005, ABC News reports. The reason: prenatal screenings. Roughly 92% of women who... More »

MORE ABOUT:
abortion • genetic screening • genetic defects • Down Syndrome • women's issues

(Newser) - Anorexia might not be a social or psychological malady but rather an inherited genetic problem, Time reports. Furthermore, researchers see commonalities between that condition and autism. “Both autism-spectrum conditions and anorexia share a narrow focus of attention, a resistance to change and excellent attention to detail,” one doctor... More »

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anorexia • autism • England • medical research • gender gap • Asperger's Syndrome • genetic defects


 Birth Defects, 
 IVF Linked, but 
 How Linked? 

Study finds increased genetic issues among test tube babies

Feb 17, 09 11:03 AM CST
(Newser) - Though the octuplets have pushed in vitro fertilization into the spotlight, there's still one question that's going largely unasked, reports the New York Times: "What is the chance that an IVF baby will have a birth defect?" Though a November study provided preliminary evidence—of 9,584 babies... More »

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genetics • in vitro fertilization • medical research • genetic defects • multiple births • birth defect • octuplets

New Prenatal Gene Test Proves Safer

Checks mom's blood for defects without miscarriage risk

Oct 7, 08 3:41 AM CDT
(Newser) - Scientists have developed a prenatal test for genetic defects much safer than the ones currently in use, reports the San Jose Mercury News. Methods like amniocentesis can spot chromosomal disorders like Down Syndrome, but involve inserting a needle into the uterus, which carries close to a 1-in-200 risk of miscarriage.... More »

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pregnancy • genetic testing • DNA • prenatal care • miscarriage • chromosomal disorders • genetic defects • Down Syndrome

Study Yields More Clues About Autism

Scientists find genes needed for learning stuck in the off position

Jul 10, 08 6:20 PM CDT
(Newser) - Scientists have found six new genes linked to autism, inching closer to a fuller understanding of the disorder and how to treat it, the AP reports. The genes in question are necessary for learning but are essentially stuck in the "off" position. The finding lends credence to the philosophy... More »

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Middle East • autism • DNA • genetic defects • scientific study • neurons • synapse

 Stem Cells Are
 Beating Boy's
 Deadly Disease 

Doctors believe treatment may cure skin disorder

Jun 7, 08 2:43 PM CDT
(Newser) - A stem cell treatment has apparently cured a 2-year-old boy's rare genetic disease, the Los Angeles Times reports. Nate Liao suffered a disorder that made his skin so fragile, it had to be wrapped in bandages at all times. Now the fatal disease is retreating, and Nate is eating, dressing,... More »

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stem cell research • genetics • stem cells • rare diseases • genetic defects

US Settlers Spread Rare Cancer Gene

Scientists trace
1630s couple to
NY and Utah families

Jan 7, 08 6:18 PM CST
(Newser) - Two American settlers braved cross-Atlantic travel in the 1630s with unusual baggage: a genetic mutation that increases the risk of colon cancer 17-fold, the Los Angeles Times reports. Researcher Deborah Neklason traced two cancer-ridden families, one in Utah and one in New York, back to colonists George Frye and his... More »

MORE ABOUT:
colon cancer • genetic mutation • genetic defects • family diseases

7 Stories


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