TUESDAY, Dec. 28, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Every year in the United States, a few hundred children die suddenly and without explanation. Now researchers have found gene variants that may contribute to some of those tragic deaths. The hope, experts said, is that understanding the underlying mechanisms will eventually leadContinue Reading

MONDAY, Dec. 27, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Genes in human embryos become active far sooner than once thought, according to a study that provides fresh insight into development. Contrary to the old view that gene activity begins two to three days after conception when the embryo is made up ofContinue Reading

MONDAY, Dec. 20, 2021 (HealthDay News) — French Bulldogs are incredibly cute, sporting adorable snub snouts, big round heads, bright wide eyes and large bat ears. Unfortunately, the physical traits that make them one of the most popular breeds in the United States and United Kingdom also saddle them withContinue Reading

THURSDAY, Dec. 16, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Have you just turned 60 and feel like you’re in great health? Well, new research suggests that unseen dangers lurk: Scientists found that cancer-free people older than 60 have at least 100 billion cells with at least one cancer-associated mutation. But there’s goodContinue Reading

TUESDAY, Dec. 14, 2021 (HealthDay News) — For certain leukemia patients, some welcome findings: New research confirms long remissions after treatment with the drug ibrutinib and chemotherapy. The study involved 85 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). All were 65 or younger, and 46 had more aggressive, unmutated IGHV subtypeContinue Reading

MONDAY, Dec. 13, 2021 (HealthDay News) — A gene therapy that could provide a permanent cure for sickle cell disease continues to show success through a third wave of patients, researchers report. The therapy, LentiGlobin, restored normal blood function in 35 sickle cell patients who had the one-time procedure, accordingContinue Reading

THURSDAY, Dec. 9, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Children at risk for multiple sclerosis (MS) might find some protection from the disease by spending more time in the sun, a small study suggests. Although MS is rare in children and young adults, those with relatives who have the condition have increasedContinue Reading

TUESDAY, Dec. 7, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Genetic testing can help guide management and treatment of unexplained epilepsy in children, new research suggests. “A genetic diagnosis impacted medical management for nearly three out of four children in our study,” said study author Dr. Isabel Haviland. She’s a postdoctoral research fellowContinue Reading

FRIDAY, Dec. 3, 2021 (HealthDay News) — A rare gene variant discovered among Amish people may help lower “bad” cholesterol and protect against heart disease, a new study suggests. Researchers found that among nearly 7,000 Amish people, the gene variant was tied to reductions in both LDL cholesterol and fibrinogenContinue Reading

FRIDAY, Dec. 3, 2021 (HealthDay News) — A boy or a girl? New research suggests that the air pregnant women breathe or the water they drink could play a role in their baby’s sex. The finding stems from tracking hundreds of factors — including pollution exposure — surrounding the birthContinue Reading

MONDAY, Nov. 29, 2021 (HealthDay News) — A defect in the blood-brain barrier may play a role in Parkinson’s disease, a groundbreaking research study suggests. The blood-brain barrier acts as a filter to keep out toxins while still allowing the passage of nutrients to nourish the brain. This study foundContinue Reading

THURSDAY, Nov. 18, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Gene therapy might soon offer a new option for children with a rare genetic disorder that damages tissues throughout the body, researchers are reporting. In a study of eight children with the condition, called Hurler syndrome, researchers found that the gene therapy wasContinue Reading

TUESDAY, Nov. 16, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Researchers have identified a second HIV-positive person whose body might have naturally cleared the infection — sparking hope that studying such exceedingly rare events will help lead to a cure. The researchers cautioned that they cannot prove the woman has fully eradicated theContinue Reading