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Colorful DNA strands
Scans of Sundry Variant Types Uncover Autism-Linked Genes
Troves of sequencing data reveal genes tied to autism through different variant types, providing a more complete picture of the condition’s genetic roots and new clues to its heterogeneity.
Scans of Sundry Variant Types Uncover Autism-Linked Genes
Scans of Sundry Variant Types Uncover Autism-Linked Genes

Troves of sequencing data reveal genes tied to autism through different variant types, providing a more complete picture of the condition’s genetic roots and new clues to its heterogeneity.

Troves of sequencing data reveal genes tied to autism through different variant types, providing a more complete picture of the condition’s genetic roots and new clues to its heterogeneity.

gene variants, genetics & genomics

Dogs of various breeds running in the field.
They’re All (Potentially) Good Dogs
Natalia Mesa, PhD | Apr 29, 2022 | 2 min read
Research finds that a dog’s behavior has little to do with its genes.
Colored artistic rendition of neurons and plaque buildup
Alzheimer’s Risk Gene Paradoxically Protects Against Memory Loss
Chloe Tenn | Oct 8, 2021 | 2 min read
A new study links a variant of the apolipoprotein E gene called APOE ε4 to better memory in older age, even in the presence of amyloid plaques—a possible explanation for the variant’s persistence despite its association with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
“Rogue” Protein Could Contribute to Humans’ High Cancer Rates
Asher Jones | Apr 1, 2021 | 2 min read
A mutant protein called Siglec-XII may promote carcinoma progression in humans, but inactivation of its gene seems to avoid the problem, according to a study.
giraffe, genetics & genomics, CRISPR, gene editing, genome, physiology, hypertension, bone growth, techniques, mouse model
Genome Reveals Clues to Giraffes’ “Blatantly Strange” Body Shape
Amanda Heidt | Mar 19, 2021 | 5 min read
The physiological demands of that long neck get support from a gene involved in strengthening bones and blood vessels, researchers find after inserting the sequence in mice.
Q&A, functional genomics, genetic privacy, bioinformatics, data science, Yale School of Medicine, Genetics & Genomics
Q&A: A New Tool for Ensuring Genetic Privacy
Amanda Heidt | Nov 12, 2020 | 6 min read
Gamze Gursoy and Mark Gerstein of Yale Medical School have developed a strategy for stripping identifying variants from functional genomic data, balancing privacy with utility.
NPSR1 Variant Linked to Less Sleep in People: Study
Emily Makowski | Oct 16, 2019 | 2 min read
“Short sleeper” mice engineered to have the same sequence in the gene sleep less but show the same performance on memory tests as animals that sleep a normal amount.
rahul desikan als amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Neuroscientist Rahul Desikan Dies
Kerry Grens | Jul 19, 2019 | 2 min read
He developed an MRI-based map of the human cortex, discovered genetic risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases, and wrote about his struggles with ALS.
More Autism Genes Identified
Ashley Yeager | Oct 17, 2018 | 2 min read
Researchers parse genes linked with intellectual disability and autism from those tied to autism alone.
NIH Plans to Enroll 1 Million People for Health Database
Catherine Offord | May 3, 2018 | 2 min read
The agency says it has taken various steps to ensure the privacy of participants’ data. 
Researchers Identify Gene Variants Linked to Synesthesia
Catherine Offord | Mar 5, 2018 | 2 min read
A whole-genome analysis of people who experience color when they listen to sounds points to a handful of genes involved in neural development.
Genetic Risk Factors for Breast Cancer Identified
Ashley P. Taylor | Oct 23, 2017 | 4 min read
Researchers identify 72 novel genetic variants associated with breast cancer risk.
Abundant Sequence Errors in Public Databases
Ruth Williams | Feb 16, 2017 | 3 min read
A new algorithm reveals hoards of preparation-induced DNA mutations in publicly available human sequences.
Genetic Connections Among Human Traits
Anna Azvolinsky | May 16, 2016 | 3 min read
A study identifies genetic variants that are linked to multiple phenotypes.
Genetics of Educational Attainment?
Jef Akst | May 12, 2016 | 1 min read
In a study of nearly 300,000 people, researchers identify 74 gene variants that are linked with how long subjects stayed in school.
A Tree Takes Root
Ashley P. Taylor | Apr 1, 2016 | 4 min read
Four apparently unrelated individuals share a common ancestor from whom they inherited a rare mutation that predisposed them to the cancer they share.
Death in the Dust
The Scientist | Mar 31, 2016 | 1 min read
Follow Michele Carbone as he tracks down the genetic and environmental drivers of mesothelioma and other cancers.
Disease-Linked Genes Questioned
Jef Akst | Jan 6, 2016 | 2 min read
Many patients with genetic variations linked to cardiac disorders do not exhibit any symptoms, raising concerns about the validity of incidental findings of genetic tests.
Domesticationā€™s Downsides for Dogs
Ashley P. Taylor | Dec 21, 2015 | 3 min read
The selection of traits suitable for human companionship may have dragged along some unfavorable alleles.
Autism in the Genes
Jef Akst | Jul 22, 2014 | 2 min read
Researchers determine that heritability outweighs non-genetic risk factors when it comes to the developmental disorder.
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