genetic abnormalities

13 Stories

After IVF and Genetic Testing, She Had a Big Decision to Make

Implant the 'mosaic' embryo or not?

(Newser) - Jacquelynn Kerubo made a big decision right before New York City went into lockdown: to transfer a "mosaic" embryo into her uterus. As she explains in an essay for the New York Times , "mosaic" has been used since 2015 to describe the roughly 20% of IVF embryos that...

New Indiana Law: No Abortions for Fetal Defects

Gov. Mike Pence says bill he signed 'affirms the value of all human life'

(Newser) - Republican Gov. Mike Pence signed a bill into law Thursday making Indiana the second state to ban abortions because of fetal genetic abnormalities such as Down syndrome. It's due to take effect in July, but Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky says it will ask a court to block...

Mystery Disease Strikes Just One Family on the Planet

Joselin, Hilary Linder determined to wipe out strange genetic ailment

(Newser) - In the late 1980s, William Linder, a healthy 40-year-old doctor, came home from a vacation fatigued and with swollen legs. By 1996, he was dead, with the cause officially listed as "unknown." The years in between were full of gruesome symptoms: Swelling squeezed some of his veins so...

Scientists Zero In on Genetic Clues to Anorexia

Markers linked to autism show up in eating-disorder patients

(Newser) - Researchers have found a set of genetic alterations linked to the development of anorexia, LiveScience reports. The eating disorder had previously been thought to be highly heritable, but specific genetic markers hadn't been identified. If more are found, people at risk for the disorder could be identified early.

Is She a Man? Is Phelps a Fish?
 Is She a Man? 
 Is Phelps a Fish? 
OPINION
Aug 21, 2009 8:55 AM CDT

Is She a Man? Is Phelps a Fish?

(Newser) - It's wrong to be subjecting South African sprinter Caster Semenya to "a public slaying," writes Antonia Senior, who says that debating her gender has no more credibility than asking if "Michael Phelps is really a fish." For the Times of London columnist, sports are now "...

Nation's Only Late-Term Abortionist: 'I Will Never Be Safe'

(Newser) - The murder of George Tiller has left the nation with only one provider of late-term abortions—and that makes Warren Hern public enemy No. 1 on the fringes of the anti-abortion camp. "I will never be safe," Hern tells Esquire in a long profile. "I will always...

Down Syndrome Gene Holds Cancer Clue

Downs patients long seen to have lower deadly tumor risk

(Newser) - Scientists have noticed for years that Down syndrome patients are far less likely to die from solid tumors—and now, scientists in Boston think they know why. Down syndrome patients’ extra chromosome holds a gene that helps cut blood flow to tumors, restricting their growth, the Globe reports. “Individuals...

12 Museums of Odd Things
 12 Museums of Odd Things 
May 18, 2009 5:02 PM CDT

12 Museums of Odd Things

(Newser) - Trying to awake from the nightmare of history? Mental Floss' list of 12 "oddly specific" American museums may only give you bad dreams:
  • The SPAM Museum: Complete with a wall of 5,000 SPAM tins and a scale plant where visitors can suit up in white coats and
...

Genes Reveal Elevated Risk of Stroke
Genes Reveal Elevated Risk
of Stroke
Apr 16, 2009 11:54 AM CDT

Genes Reveal Elevated Risk of Stroke

Variations found in millions of people may help drugs find targets

(Newser) - Two genetic variations that increase the risk of stroke are present in an unexpectedly large proportion of the population, Reuters reports. Scientists analyzed the genomes of over 19,000 people, looking for single-letter changes in DNA in those who had experienced ischemic strokes. The two variations they identified, located near...

Docs Warn Would-Be Parents of Higher IVF Risks

Test-tube babies at 30% greater risk for genetic health conditions

(Newser) - British doctors will begin warning fertility patients about in vitro fertilization, which has been shown to increase the risk of genetic health problems in babies by 30%, the Independent reports. Experts say the “small risk” could be caused by weaker eggs in older women or fertilization medication that harms...

Missing DNA Sheds Light on Roots of Schizophrenia

Scientists disocover 3 genetic hot spots

(Newser) - Missing chunks of DNA increase a child's chance of developing schizophrenia by up to 10 times, say to two major international studies. Scientists are calling the data from more than 3,000 schizophrenia patients a huge step toward finding the genetic source of the disease, which could ultimately help doctors...

'Toxic Sperm' Linked to Child Ills
'Toxic Sperm' Linked to
Child Ills
Feb 19, 2008 2:50 AM CST

'Toxic Sperm' Linked to Child Ills

Gene material in sperm may be hurt by heavy drinking, smoking: study

(Newser) - Men who smoke or drink heavily may transmit genetic abnormalities through their damaged sperm, leading to child health complications, miscarriages or stillbirth, researchers have found. The effects of environmental toxins on paternal health—long held to be far less important than that of mothers—may play a crucial role in...

Scientists ID Leukemia Stem Cells
Scientists ID Leukemia
Stem Cells
Jan 18, 2008 7:09 AM CST

Scientists ID Leukemia Stem Cells

Discovery holds promise for treatment of childhood cancer

(Newser) - British scientists have identified the stem cells that cause the most common type of childhood leukemia, the Times of London reports. The unprecedented discovery means doctors can monitor cell levels in young cancer patients and stop treatment when those cells are gone, said a leading oncology expert. The work also...

13 Stories