Genes, Not Healthy Living, Get Most to Age 100! FOXO 3A gene varient associated with longevity!

FOXO 3A gene belongs to a forkhead family of so called "superintendent genes" which are critical for the surveillance and maintenance of cellular functions. Having this right variant has been shown in several studies across different species including all races and cultures among humans. Please click on the Link below for more details.

 

Link

 

New research suggests that your life choices might not be the crucial factor in determining whether you make it to 95 or beyond; it finds that many extremely old people appear to have been as bad as everyone else at indulging in poor health habits during their younger years.

Olshansky said the findings underscore the importance of genetics to life span. "The only way anyone has any chance at all of living an exceptionally long life is if they won the genetic lottery at birth," he said.

Sources: Jill P. Crandall, M.D., professor, clinical medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City; S. Jay Olshansky, Ph.D., professor, epidemiology, University of Illinois at Chicago; 2011 Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

References:

Link 1

Link 2

Gene Mutation Can Leave People Without Fingerprints (adermatoglyphia)

Study published in the Aug. 4 online edition of the American Journal of Human Genetics,  of a Swiss family with skin-specific version of gene sheds light on rare condition. Fingerprints are fully formed by 24 weeks after fertilization and do not undergo any modification throughout life. Skin-specific version of the gene SMARCAD1 is implicated in the regulation of fingerprint development and also sweat gland development.

 

Source: Cell Press, news release, Aug. 4, 2011

 

References:

Link 1

Link 2

Early Morning Smoking Riskier For Cancer

The online version of journal Cancer Those who have a cigarette as soon as they wake may be more addicted than others.

The findings suggest the desire to have a cigarette immediately after waking up may increase smokers' risk for cancer, the researchers concluded. As a result, these smokers would benefit from smoking cessation programs that specifically target this early morning behavior and the greater risks involved, they added.

Source: Cancer, news release, Aug. 8, 2011

Link 1

Link 2

Maternal Blood Test Can Determine Sex of Fetus at 7 Weeks

Noninvasive Fetal Sex Determination Using Cell-Free Fetal DNA.

The study concluded that "Despite interstudy variability, performance was high using maternal blood. Sensitivity and specificity for detection of Y chromosome sequences was greatest using RTQ-PCR after 20 weeks' gestation. Tests using urine and tests performed before 7 weeks' gestation were unreliable. "

Source: Diana W. Bianchi, M.D., executive director, Mother Infant Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston; Susannah Baruch, J.D., policy consultant, Generations Ahead; August 10, 2011 Journal of the American Medical Association

Link 1

Link 2

Intelligence largely rooted in GENES!

Journal Molecular Psychiatry reports that there's no one 'smart' gene, but many genes that play a role in high IQs.

References:

Source: Ian Deary, Ph.D., MBChB, professor, differential psychology, University of Edinburgh, Scotland; Peter Visscher, Ph.D., professor, statistical genetics, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia; Aug. 12, 2011, Molecular Psychiatry

Link 1

Link 2

High Protein diet raises risk of Type 2 Diabetes

According to the abstract, presented at Lisbon, Portugal, at European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 47th Annual Meeting, Swedish researchers found a 37% increased risk for type 2 diabetes associated with high protein intake (hazard ratio [HR], 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17 to 1.61; P for trend < .001]. High intake of processed meat was also associated with an elevated risk for diabetes (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.36; P for trend = .005). Even after controlling for the intake of processed meat, the positive association between protein intake and diabetes remained statistically significant.



High-protein diets have been shown to be effective for short-term weight loss and glycemic control. However, the results of this trial suggest caution when considering this approach for weight loss or better control of diabetes which might be counterproductive in the long run.



The researchers suggested that replacing protein with carbohydrates, especially breads and cereals rich in fiber, might be preferable.



Reference: Medscape medical news, http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/749500 accessed on Sep. 13, 2011

Hypertension linked to increased Cancer Risk in men and increased mortality in Cancer patients of both sexes.

According to a study released on September 27, 2011 (Stockholm, Sweden), hypertension is associated with an increased risk for cancer death, and that hypertension increases the risk of developing cancer — although the latter effect reached statistical significant only in men, not women.



Link 1