Genes too decide how empathetic you are

London :  Not just upbringing and experience as you age, genes too decide the level of empathy in humans, a team led by an Indian-origin scientist has found. The study, led by University of Cambridge PhD student Varun Warrier, also said that women are, on average, more empathetic than men. However, this difference was not […]

Scientists identify 36 new genes implicated in cardiac disease

New York : Researchers have identified 36 new genes that plays a causal role in cardiac hypertrophy — abnormal thickening of the heart muscle — which can lead to heart failure. “This is an exciting direction for personalised medicine, and also for identifying genes and therapeutic targets for complex diseases that involve many genes,” said […]

Gene responsible for autism identified

Toronto :  Scientists, including one of Indian-origin, have identified a gene that is responsible for neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, an advance that may pave the way for developing treatments. The findings showed that alterations of the gene thousand and one amino-acid kinase 2, known as TAOK2, plays a direct role in these disorders. TAOK2 is […]

Light marijuana use not linked to kidney disease: Study

New York : Occasional and relatively light use of marijuana may not increase risk of kidney disease in healthy adults below the age of 60, suggests new research. The study, published in The American Journal of Medicine, found no association between current or previous marijuana use and kidney function. “Our research provides some reassuring evidence […]

Diabetes can be divided into five different groups: Study

London :  People suffering from diabetes can be divided into five separate groups, not just two, as commonly thought, says a new study. Diabetes is currently divided into two major groups – Type-1 diabetes which accounts for around 10 per cent of the cases and Type-2 diabetes which accounts for 85-90 per cent of the […]

Kids with low birth weight at higher risk of heart disease

London :  Children with a birth weight under 2.5 kgs may be at increased risk of becoming underweight and can experience cognitive difficulties as well as diabetes and cardiovascular disease later in life, a study says. The researchers found that early iron supplements seem to provide some protection. “The results were surprising. That low birth […]

Antibiotic misuse may adversely affect cancer treatment

New York : Long-term antibiotic overuse or misuse may make people drug resistant and vulnerable to infection, impacting cancer treatment efficacy in a negative way, new research suggests. Antibiotic use is known to have a near-immediate impact on our gut microbiota and any negative impact of antibiotics on cancer treatment appears to go back to […]