Category Archives: DNA

DNA analysis validates link between short stature and heart risk

Posted: Published on April 11th, 2015

When Randy Newman sang his tongue-in-cheek tune about short people, he called attention to their little hands, little eyes and their little baby legs. Nowhere does his1978 hit mention that short people also have an increased risk of coronary artery disease. But scientists have established this link in several large studies, and a new one shows that its not just a coincidence. Some of the genetic variants that cause people to have short stature also tend to boost their levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides two risk factors for coronary artery disease. After examining the DNA of 65,066 people with coronary artery diseasealong with that of 128,383 controls, researchers calculated that the risk for the condition rose by 13.5% for each 2.5-inch drop in height below the average. They also found thatLDL cholesterol andtriglycerides explain about one-third of this unfortunate relationship. Theresults were published this week by the New England Journal of Medicine. Coronary artery diseaseis a condition in which cholesterol and other substances in the blood form plaques that build up inside the vessels that supply the heart. This narrows the vessels and, over time, can weaken the heart muscle by depriving it of oxygen and nutrients. It also … Continue reading →

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Long Island Town Giving Residents DNA Tool To Fight Crime

Posted: Published on April 11th, 2015

HUNTINGTON STATION, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) The Town of Huntington on Long Island is using science to fight crime. As CBS2s Tracee Carrasco reported, a company will use DNA from plants to track down jewelry and other valuables stolen in home burglaries. Im excited that Huntington will be one of the first in the nation to trial this technology, said Suffolk County Legislator Dr. William Spencer (D-Huntington). The Town of Huntington is providing 500 residents with a vial containing a plant-based product that can be used to leave an invisible print on valuables. The product includes DNA extracted from an assortment of common plants in homes and yards. If those items are stolen and recovered or pawned, an ultraviolet light can be used to reveal the mark which would then be traced to the owners so the items can be returned, WCBS 880s Sophia Hall reports. The program that makes it all possible is called DNANET. In Huntington Station on Friday, state lawmakers and police joined the head of the local startup tech company that created the DNA Net kit. Application is easy, said Jim Hayward of Applied DNA Sciences. Just swab the DNA onto an item, creating a marking just smaller … Continue reading →

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Oldest Neanderthal DNA Ever Found Is Discovered in Skeleton in Italy

Posted: Published on April 11th, 2015

TIME Science Archaeology Oldest Neanderthal DNA Ever Found Is Discovered in Skeleton in Italy The molecules are from 130,000 to 170,000 years ago Researchers studying a skeleton from a cave in Italy have discovered the oldest Neanderthal DNA ever found. Scientists have dated the molecules to about 130,000 to 170,000 years ago, according to Live Science. The skeleton was first found in 1993, but a new study evaluating the DNA from a piece of its right shoulder blade suggests that the fossil was a Neanderthal, the closest extinct relative of modern humans. We have a nearly complete human fossil skeleton to describe and study in detail. It is a dream, Fabio Di Vincenzo, the studys co-author, told Live Science. His morphology offers a rare glimpse on the earliest phase of the evolutionary history of Neanderthals and on one of the most crucial events in human evolution. He can help us better understand whenand, in particular, howNeanderthals evolved. [Live Science] See the original post: Oldest Neanderthal DNA Ever Found Is Discovered in Skeleton in Italy … Continue reading →

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DNA Chief-Prosecutor explains institution of the denouncer

Posted: Published on April 11th, 2015

The Chief-Prosecutor of the National Anti-corruption Directorate (DNA), Laura Codruta Kovesi continued her media exposure of the last days and came out with new statements and clarifications meant to shed light on the points of interest insistently raised by the mass-media over the recent weeks. Following her interviews to Romania Libera and Radio Romania News and Current Affairs on Wednesday, Wednesday night, Kovesi made new statements on digi24.ro TV on parliamentary immunity or the institution of the denouncer or the weight of denunciations in the DNA investigations. Parliamentary immunity should be abrogated altogether, Kovesi said on Digi24. Invited to the evening news, Laura Codruta Kovesi said it was not normal that a political vote should be a substitute for justice. The DNA chief denounced the members of Parliament for raising a shield around their colleagues in conflict with the law, blocking the efforts of the judiciary. In addition, Laura Kovesi accuses, thats discriminative against the rest of the people. It should be completely abrogated. It is not normal that a vote given by politicians should block justice or be a substitute for justice, she said, as the Senate had declined DNAs request to remand Dan Sova in custody although the … Continue reading →

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