Genetic ancestral testing cannot deliver on its promise, study warns

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For many Americans, the potential to track one's DNA to a specific country, region or tribe with a take-home kit is highly alluring. But while the popularity of genetic ancestry testing is rising - particularly among African Americans - the technology is flawed and could spawn unwelcome societal consequences, according to researchers from several institutions nationwide, including the University of California, Berkeley.


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All News summaries for October 18, 2007

Bird diversity lessens human exposure to West Nile Virus

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A study by biologists at Washington University in St. Louis shows that the more diverse a bird population is in an area, the less chance humans have of exposure to West Nile Virus (WNV).

Social problems dominate concerns in neighborhoods with unsatisfied residents

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A new study reveals that the general appearance of a neighborhood is the single most important factor affecting how satisfied residents are about the area where they live.

Bioengineers fill holes in science of cellular self-organization

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The chemical and biological aspects of cellular self-organization are well-studied; less well understood is how cell populations order themselves biomechanically – how their behavior and communication are ...

Landmark discovery of 'engine' that drives cell movement

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This research by Thomas Leung, Ph.D., and his team in the GSK-IMCB Group at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), under Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research, is fundamental to the understanding ...

Research finds customers' fixation on minimum payments drives up credit card bills

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New research by the University of Warwick reveals that many credit card customers become fixated on the level of minimum payments given on credit card bills. The mere presence of a minimum payment is enough to reduce the ...