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In diatom, scientists find genes that may level engineering hurdle
01-21-2008 · EurekAlert!Denizens of oceans, lakes and even wet soil, diatoms are unicellular algae that encase themselves in intricately patterned, glass-like shells. Curiously, these tiny phytoplankton could be harboring the next big breakthrough in computer chips.
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Keywords: diatom, scientists, genes, level, engineering, hurdle, scientist, gene
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- Ultrathin films deliver DNA as possible gene therapy tool
03-26-2007 · EurekAlert!
Gene therapy -- the idea of using genetic instructions rather than drugs to treat disease -- has tickled scientists' imaginations for decades, but is not yet a viable therapeutic method. One sizeable hurdle is getting the right genes into the right place at the right time. Engineers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are now developing a tool to tackle this problem.
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- Individuals and populations differ in gene activity levels, not just genes
03-01-2007 · EurekAlert!
Much like how a person's genetic code differs from other individuals, the level at which those genes are activated in the body differs from one person to another, scientists have learned. And though some of those differences in gene activity are seen between different populations -- Asians versus Europeans, for instance -- more of those variations are due to individual-level factors, further obscuring the biological meaning of "race."
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- Losses of long-established genes contribute to human evolution
12-13-2007 · EurekAlert!
While it is well understood that the evolution of new genes leads to adaptations that help species survive, gene loss may also afford a selective advantage. A group of scientists at the University of California-Santa Cruz led by biomolecular engineering professor David Haussler has investigated this less-studied idea, carrying out the first systematic computational analysis to identify long-established genes that have been lost across millions of years of evolution leading to the human species.
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- Scientists find major susceptibility gene for Crohn's disease
04-15-2007 · EurekAlert!
Using a novel approach, researchers identified that the PHOX2B, NCF4 and ATG16L1 genes constitute genetic risk factors for Crohn's disease. In addition, their study identified two regions of the genome where genetic risk factors are located but no known genes were implicated -- further work will be necessary to identify the causal genes in these regions.
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- High and mighty: first common height gene identified by researchers behind 'obesity gene' finding
09-02-2007 · EurekAlert!
Whilst we all know that tall parents are more likely to have tall children, scientists have been unable to identify any common genes that make people taller than others. Now, however, scientists have identified the first gene, known as HMGA2, a common variant of which directly influences height.
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- Ecologists, material scientists pursue genetics of diatom's elegant, etched casing
01-23-2008 · EurekAlert!
Scientists have discovered of whole subsets of genes and proteins that govern how one species of diatom builds its shell. For oceanographers, the work might one day help them understand how thousands of different kinds of diatoms -- and their ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere -- might be affected by something like global climate change.
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- Patterns on tropical marine mollusk shell mirror gene expression patterns
11-21-2006 · EurekAlert!
Scientists have identified a group of genes that control the formation of shapes and color patterns on the shell of the tropical marine mollusk referred to as "abalone." A study published today in the open access journal BMC Biology reveals that the shape and color patterns on the shell of the mollusc mirror the localised expression of specific genes in the mantle, a layer of skin situated just below the shell.
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- Genes and genius: Researchers confirm association between gene and intelligence
02-26-2007 · EurekAlert!
A team of scientists, led by psychiatric geneticists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, has gathered the most extensive evidence to date that a gene that activates signaling pathways in the brain influences one kind of intelligence. They have confirmed a link between the gene, CHRM2, and performance IQ.
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- Massive gene screening points way to more effective chemotherapy
04-12-2007 · UT Southwestern Medical Center
Using a technology that can quickly screen all 20,000-plus human genes for biological activity, scientists have isolated 87 genes that seem to affect how sensitive human cancer cells are to certain chemotherapy drugs.
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- Genome study shines light on genetic link to height
09-02-2007 · EurekAlert!
Using a new "genome-scanning" method, a team of scientists has identified the first robust link between genes and stature in humans. A single letter change in a gene called HMGA2 enables people who carry it to gain as much as a centimeter in height. The work provides insights into how genes hardwire growth in humans and suggests that finding additional height-related genes may be feasible.
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