Health And Genetics News

The latest health and genetics stories, each synthesized from multiple sources with added background and context.

Genetic Insights into Human Metabolism and Blood Molecule Levels

A large-scale study using whole-genome sequencing in over 700,000 individuals identified new genetic factors influencing metabolic health, including genes like IRS2 linked to type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, highlighting the benefits of WGS over exome sequencing for understanding complex traits.

1 year ago•Source: Nature

"New Genetic Discovery: Link Between BSN Variants and Adult Obesity Risk"

health-and-genetics

3.315 min•2 years ago

"New Genetic Discovery: Link Between BSN Variants and Adult Obesity Risk"

Scientists have discovered a "fat gene," known as the BSM gene or "Bassoon," which increases the risk of adult obesity sixfold and is exclusively associated with adulthood obesity, not lifelong obesity. Another gene, ABPA1, was also found to increase the risk of adult obesity twofold. The faulty genes may interfere with the brain's ability to control hunger and appetite, potentially leading to weight gain. While the gene is rare, it has a significant impact on body size, and future studies will focus on understanding why it only takes effect in adulthood.

via The Telegraph