Bethesda, MD (Scicasts) – Combing regions of the genomes more than 17,000 people from around the world, an international team of researchers has uncovered new evidence of potential genetic influences on blood lipid levels in three ethnic groups: African Americans, East Asians and Europeans.

Evanston, IL (Scicasts) – Northwestern University scientists have shown a gene involved in neurodegenerative disease also plays a critical role in the proper function of the circadian clock.

Japan (Scicasts) – Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences in Japan have identified the first gene to be associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (also called AIS) across Asian and Caucasian populations. The gene is involved in the growth and development of the spine during childhood.

Boulder, CO (Scicasts) – A particular tumour suppressor gene that fights cancer cells does more than clamp down on unabated cell division -- the hallmark of the disease -- it also can help make cells more fit by allowing them to fend off stress, says a University of Colorado Boulder study.

Cold Spring Harbor, NY (Scicasts) – Two teams of investigators led by Professor Gregory Hannon of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) have publish studies revealing many previously unknown components of an innate system that defends sex cells – the carriers of inheritance across generations – from the ravages of transposable genetic elements.

University Park, PA (Scicasts) – A gene associated with both protection against bacterial infection and excessive blood clotting could offer new insights into treatment strategies for deep vein thrombosis -- the formation of a harmful clot in a deep vein.

Durham, NC (Scicasts) – People have long taken for granted that glasses and contact lenses improve vision for nearsightedness, but the genetic factors behind the common condition have remained blurry.

Philadelphia, PA (Scicasts) – RNA, once considered a bit player in the grand scheme by which genes encode protein, is increasingly seen to have a major role in human genetics.

San Francisco, CA (Scicasts) – A UC San Francisco-led research team has identified a genetic mutation that is strongly linked with a typical form of migraine.

Chapel Hill, NC (Scicasts) – University of North Carolina researchers have discovered that disrupting a gene that acts as a regulatory switch to turn on other genes can keep blood vessels from forming and developing properly.

Riverside, CA (Scicasts) – RNA molecules, made from DNA, are best known for their role in protein production. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), however, are short (~22) nucleotide RNA sequences found in plants and animals that do not encode proteins but act in gene regulation and, in the process, impact almost all biological processes ― from development to physiology to stress response.

Manchester, UK (Scicasts) – Scientists from The University of Manchester have identified 14 new genes which could have important consequences for future treatments of childhood arthritis.

Hinxton, UK (Scicasts) – Researchers have newly associated nine genetic regions with a rare autoimmune disease of the liver known as primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). This brings the total number of genetic regions associated with the disease to 16.

Dallas, TX (Scicasts) – Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a specific gene that regulates the heart's ability to regenerate after injuries.

Hinxton, UK (Scicasts) – Researchers at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and University of Cambridge have unpicked genetic variants that affect the formation of blood cells.

San Francisco, CA (Scicasts) – Researchers from UC San Francisco have reportrd linking autism in a mouse model of the disease with abnormalities in specific regions of the animals’ chromosomes.

Columbia, MO (Scicasts) – Studies show 97 percent of American adults get less than 30 minutes of exercise a day, which is the minimum recommended amount based on federal guidelines. New research from the University of Missouri suggests certain genetic traits may predispose people to being more or less motivated to exercise and remain active.