http://www.physorg.com/ en-us Physorg.com internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. (PhysOrg.com) -- If you've ever wondered why a close group of friends might like completely different types of music, blame their genes. A study by Nokia and Kings' College London into the musical tastes of nearly 4,000 twins reveals genetic influences on the music people like varies with genre. http://www.physorg.com/news177233156.html Medicine & Health Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:26:29 EST news177233156 Carotenoids, the family of yellow to red pigments responsible for the striking orange hues of pumpkins and the familiar red color of vine-ripe tomatoes, play an important role in human health by acting as sources of provitamin A or as protective antioxidants. Pumpkins and squash, available in a wide range of white, yellow, and orange colors, are excellent sources of dietary carotenoids, particularly lutein, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene. The colors of these nutritional vegetables are determined by their genetic makeup -- the concentration and type of carotenoids they contain -- which are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. http://www.physorg.com/news176556146.html Biology Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:30:02 EST news176556146 Generating energy on a large scale by mixing salt and fresh water is both technically possible and practical. The worldwide potential for this clean form of energy - 'blue energy' or 'blue electricity' - is enormous. However, it will be necessary to work actively on several essential technological developments and to invest heavily in large-scale trials. On 3 November, Jan Post hopes to obtain his doctorate on this subject from Wageningen University, The Netherlands. http://www.physorg.com/news176125611.html Technology Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:00:02 EST news176125611 A research report published in the July 2009 issue of the journal Genetics complicates the debate over whether nature or nurture plays the most important role in complex diseases such as psychiatric disorders, heart disease, and cancer. In the report, a scientist from the University of California, Berkeley explains how epigenetics (temporary changes in gene function) and gene mutations (permanent, heritable changes in gene structure) contribute to disease risk in a population at a given time and in subsequent generations. This study provides an important theoretical foundation for future public health interventions designed to reduce a population's genetic risk of disease by limiting or eliminating epigenetic changes brought on by the environment. http://www.physorg.com/news167415044.html Medicine & Health Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:18:05 EST news167415044 It's easy to explain why we act a certain way by saying "it's in the genes," but a group of University of Iowa scientists say the world has relied on that simple explanation far too long. http://www.physorg.com/news167319952.html Medicine & Health Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:30:03 EST news167319952 Adolescent alcohol use and behavior problems are influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. A new study has found that socio-regional factors moderate the importance of genetic influences on early adolescent behavior problems in a way that parallels moderating effects observed for alcohol use later in adolescence. http://www.physorg.com/news166982631.html Medicine & Health Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:10:01 EST news166982631 The research team led by Dr. Timm Schroeder, stem cell researcher at Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Germany, has developed a new bioimaging method for observing the differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) at the single-cell level. With this method the researchers were able to prove for the first time that not only cell-intrinsic mechanisms, but also external environmental factors such as growth factors can control HPC lineage choice directly. http://www.physorg.com/news166874343.html Medicine & Health Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:59:25 EST news166874343 When humans and animals delay reproduction because food or other resources are scarce, they may live longer to increase the impact of reproduction, according to a new study by University of Minnesota researchers published in the June 25 issue of PLoS (Public Library of Science) One. http://www.physorg.com/news165147535.html Biology Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:19:26 EST news165147535 Incidence of Type 1 diabetes in children aged under five in Europe is set to double by 2020 over 2005 levels while cases among the under-15s will rise by 70 percent, according to a study published on Thursday. http://www.physorg.com/news162708446.html Medicine & Health Thu, 28 May 2009 05:52:17 EST news162708446 Premature ejaculation can be embarrassing, but a new study suggests that it might be a genetic disorder. http://www.physorg.com/news162649525.html Medicine & Health Wed, 27 May 2009 13:25:52 EST news162649525 Exposure to particulate matter has been recognized as a contributing factor to lung cancer development for some time, but a new study indicates inhalation of certain particulates can actually cause some genes to become reprogrammed, affecting both the development and the outcome of cancers and other diseases. http://www.physorg.com/news161787724.html Medicine & Health Sun, 17 May 2009 14:02:56 EST news161787724 California saw a 12-fold increase during the past two decades in the number of autistic people who are receiving services through regional centers, a new state study reveals. http://www.physorg.com/news160906373.html Medicine & Health Thu, 07 May 2009 09:13:22 EST news160906373 Women who have babies naturally in their 40s or 50s tend to live longer than other women. Now, a new study shows their brothers also live longer, but the brothers' wives do not, suggesting the same genes prolong lifespan and female fertility, and may be more important than social and environmental factors. http://www.physorg.com/news160635326.html Medicine & Health Mon, 04 May 2009 05:55:59 EST news160635326 Scientists funded by the National Institutes of Health have identified a gene associated with narcolepsy, a disorder that causes disabling daytime sleepiness, sleep attacks, irresistible bouts of sleep that can strike at any time, and disturbed sleep at night. The gene has a known role in the immune system, which strongly suggests that autoimmunity, in which the immune system turns against the body's own tissues, plays an important role in the disorder. http://www.physorg.com/news160592892.html Medicine & Health Sun, 03 May 2009 18:08:51 EST news160592892 Even grinding recession has not undone growth in one corner of California's drought-parched landscaping sector, where Robert Cornell has spent more than two decades fine-tuning climate friendly gardens. http://www.physorg.com/news156406828.html Biology Mon, 16 Mar 2009 07:21:13 EST news156406828 Scientists and regulators have a golden opportunity to reduce the health toll from a range of diseases by focusing more attention on identification of environmental factors that can damage the prenatal immune system as well as that of infants and children, according to an article scheduled for the Jan. 19 issue of ACS' Chemical Research in Toxicology. http://www.physorg.com/news151582960.html Chemistry Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:22:40 EST news151582960 Homosexual behaviour is largely shaped by genetics and random environmental factors, according to findings from the world`s largest study of twins. http://www.physorg.com/news134052249.html Medicine & Health Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:44:09 EST news134052249 Homosexual behaviour is largely shaped by genetics and random environmental factors, according to findings from the world's largest study of twins. http://www.physorg.com/news133928602.html Medicine & Health Sun, 29 Jun 2008 03:23:22 EST news133928602