genes

British researcher Madeleine Lancaster is growing human brains in her Cambridge University lab. A few hundred of them, in fact. That’s about 2 million neurons. [1]
No, this isn’t a Halloween gag. This sci-fi experiment is intended to help scientists understand disorders like autism and schizophrenia.
It’s not just Lancaster who is invested in growing human brains outside of the body. It’s a project being undertaken by scientists around the world.

A new study published in the American Heart Association (AMA) journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics finds that smoking cigarettes affects the human genome in the form of DNA methylation. [1]
If you quit smoking, the majority of the damage goes away, but not all of it. Translation: smoking causes some permanent damage.

The world’s first 3-parent baby was born into the world 5 months ago, but the news was only announced on September 27. [1]
Why the wait? Doctors wanted to make sure little Abrahim Hassan reached the 5-month mark to make sure he didn’t have the same condition that killed his siblings.

Scientists have identified a gene that may explain why some people have undeniable coffee cravings and hit the coffee pot multitudinous times a day. [1]
For the study, researchers looked at a population of people in villages in Italy, and conducted a genome-wide association study in which they examined markers in DNA and identified a gene called PDSS2 that could play a role in caffeine metabolism.

Gene-testing company 23andMe, known for giving customers insight into their heritage, has made a major breakthrough in the study of depression. With data linked to 450,000 volunteers, they have pinpointed 15 regions of the human genome that link to a risk of the mental health issue. [1]
The study was done in conjunction with the drug company Pfizer, which allowed them to access one of the largest pools of participants in a genetic study. Getting this number of people to participate is often extremely difficult, especially when factoring in travel and other efforts and costs.

According to a new study, life does go on after death, at least for your genes. For some animals, their genes may remain turned on for up to four days after death. This discovery can be used to help in preserving organs for transplants and determining when a victim of a murder was killed.
Scientists have even discovered that genes associated with creating an embryo and cancer can actually turn on and remain increasingly-active after death.

If you’re the type of person who loves getting together with friends, meeting new people, and conversing with others, new research suggests you might have been genetically “programmed” that way.

A new study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution suggests that consuming a long-term vegetarian diet may alter human DNA and make people more susceptible to some cancers and heart disease.

Californians and Russians must think alike. The U.S. state recently considered reinstating a soda tax, and now Russian government officials are thinking of adding soda, potato chips, and palm oil to a list of excisable goods. The measure would be part of a plan to promote a healthier diet for Russians as well as boost tax revenues.

BASF, one of the big six pesticide and GMO corporations, has announced that it is closing GM test sites in Hawaii, India, and Puerto Rico, and cutting its work force by 350.