Health News

New maps link thousands of genetic variants to disease genes

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified thousands of genetic variants that are associated with a wide range of diseases. But these studies often fall short of establishing what a genetic variant does to bring about a particular trait or disease. “The challenge has been that many of these variants are difficult to interpret,” said Jesse […]

Health News

Elusive link between seizures, cell signaling protein ID’d in zebrafish

For the brain to learn, retain memories, process sensory information, and coordinate body movements, its groups of nerve cells must generate coordinated electrical signals. Disorder in synchronous firing can impair these processes and, in extreme cases, lead to seizures and epilepsy. Synchrony between neighboring neurons depends on the protein connexin 36, an essential element of […]

Health News

Vaping and lung damage in teens: What’s the real link?

(HealthDay)—The purported link between e-cigarettes and lung damage might be more complicated than first thought, a new study reports. Teen e-cigarette users are not more likely to have wheezing episodes than nonusers, researchers found—but only after taking into account a host of other tobacco-related factors also at play. “We were surprised to find that use […]

Health News

Players at risk as clubs ignore injury link to mental health

Injury is a major cause of mental health problems in top footballers, shows a study of counsellors working with players’ union, the Professional Footballers’ Association. The first evidence linking long-term injury with psychological distress in pro players calls for a culture change to one where clubs routinely offer injured players psychological support. Sports psychologists from […]

Health Problems

Link between paid employment and slower age-related memory decline

Over the past century, patterns of employment, marriage and parenthood have changed drastically for women across the Western World. In a study presented today at the Alzheimer’s Association Internal Conference 2019, researchers have explored how differences in life experiences affect later life memory decline. A team of researchers from the University of California looked at […]

Health News

Link found between delivery method and asthma, allergies

Babies born via cesarean delivery may have an increased risk of developing asthma and food allergies, according to research out of the School of Public Health. The prevalence of children with asthma and allergies has increased over the past two decades, and although genetics may play a role, previous studies have suggested that other factors […]