Closely related species of Pairie dog don’t live together (Photo credit Imperial College) Ever wondered why family feuds result in fighting relatives keeping their distance … often for a very long time? Well, reseachers at Imperial College, UK have observed that steering clear of your rels may have evolutionary beginnings. Mammals cannot share their habitat with closely related species because the need for the same kind of food and shelter would lead them to compete to the death. This idea that closely related species would be unlikely to be found together because they compete ferociously was first put forward by Charles Darwin in 1859. This study provides the most evidence so far for Darwin’s prediction, thanks to the new... [Read more]

  Logo by Ricardo at My Biotech Life Gene Genie Genetics Carnival #33  is hosted by Mo from Neurophilosophy.   Mo has a great series of genetics related articles from all the best genetics blogs in the world.  In this edition, there is a strong emphasis on cancer. There’s also a focus on leukodystrophy, and a special section on personalized genetics. Well worth a read! Elaine Warburton  www.geneticsandhealth.com [Read more]

(Image credit: medicineworld.org)  This week b5 media’s Health and Wellness channel is focusing on celebrities health.  Our focus is not on ‘tittle tattle’  and hot gossip about Angelina, Brad or ’Tomkat’ but rather a serious look at health issues that high profile individuals share with all of us.  In the genetics world, our ‘celebrities’ are the likes of Craig Venter and James Watson – pioneering geneticists but basking in the eye of the media. The race to sequence genomes has resulted in some major PR, particularly for Craig and James. 454 is sequencing James Watson’s genome and Craig has announced some of his results in PLoS.  TV star Larry King, cosmologist Stephen Hawking,... [Read more]

b5 media’s very own Kristina Chew, PhD – the mastermind behind Autism Vox – is going to be on Good Morning America on abc tomorrow morning! Both Kristina and Ari Ne’eman, the president of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN), were interviewed about autism, and the director for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Tom Insel, will be in the segment as well. Be sure to watch Kristina, Ari Ne’eman, and Tom Insel on Good Morning America tomorrow. You may just learn a thing or to about autism and mental health from three really good sources! Elaine Warburton  www.geneticsandhealth.com [Read more]

It’s celebrity health week at b5 media’s Health and Wellness channel! We will be taking a look at health issues which not only affect ourselves but also our celebrities.  Often, a celebrity who is suffering from a health related problem can do so much to support the cause and bring disease warning signs to the attention of the public.  Cancer survivors such as international singers Kylie Minogue, Olivia Newton-John, cyclist Lance Armstrong and singer Sheryl Crowe have all shared their battles with us, to great effect. Their celebrity status earned through achievements in sports, entertainment, government and the arts brings the spotlight center stage to their anti-cancer message. Elaine Warburton  www.geneticsandhealth.com [Read more]