In Canada, a big study is looking at how DNA testing helps people with rare diseases. This isn't just about finding out what's wrong. It's about seeing if this kind of testing actually makes a difference in people's lives. The study is following a group of patients. These are people who have rare d
Heart muscles growing too thick is a big problem. It's called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM for short. It's not just one thing causing it. Genes, where you live, how you live, and what you're around can all play a part. Scientists have been digging into this for a while. They know one gene, M
Obesity is a serious health problem that often leads to early death. Most studies on body mass index (BMI) have focused on people of European background. A recent study looked at the DNA of 88, 873 people from the Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) Program. Half of these participants came f
Genome sequencing has made huge leaps forward. Now, some methods can map out chromosomes from end to end. However, these advanced techniques often need a lot of data from different sources. This can make the process expensive and time-consuming. The good news is that researchers are finding ways to
Imagine trying to solve a complex puzzle where some pieces look almost identical but have tiny differences. That's what scientists are up against when studying LILRB3 and LILRA6, two genes that are part of a larger family called Leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptors (LILRs). These genes are found
Ever wondered if the age of a father can affect the mental health of his children? Well, it turns out that there might be a link between a father's age and the risk of mental health issues in his kids. The idea is that as men get older, their sperm can accumulate more mutations.
The immune system is like a superhero squad, always on the lookout for invaders like pathogens and cancer cells. It's the adaptive immune system, with its T cells and B cells, that's really good at recognizing and taking out these bad guys. So, knowing exactly how many of these immune cells are arou
Lion-head geese are fascinating creatures. Scientists wanted to understand what makes them different in size and weight. They used a powerful tool called whole-genome sequencing. This tool helps to find tiny changes in the genes called copy number variations (CNVs). These CNVs can make animals look
Have you ever wondered how fish survive in different types of water? Scientists have been studying this adaptation in Eurasian perch. They looked at the genes of perch from 42 different populations using whole-genome sequencing. By comparing individuals and pooled samples, they found over 2, 600 gen
Alaska's red king crabs, known for their massive size and delicious meat, are not just beloved seafood but also a vital resource for many communities. These crabs live in the rich and icy waters of the North Pacific, facing threats like climate change and overfishing. To better understand and protec
