Dr. Hsien Lei of the DNA Network informed us about a new blog launch, HUGO MATTERS from the International Human Genome Organization (HUGO).
The HUGO is a group of scientists involved in genetic and genomic research whose aims are to assist coordination of research and foster collaboration of scientists.
HUGO Matters will be a central hub for HUGO’s HUGO’s social networking efforts. Readers can discuss relevant topics in genomics including research, ethics, social issues and even education, according to HUGO president Prof. Edison T Liu.
As part of the blog launch, HUGO is offering a free meeting registration at …read more

In this ultra-modern, health-conscious world, one would not have thought this to happen. But the World Health Organization has just declared a swine flu pandemic has begun.
Although the WHO declared the danger as “moderate severity”, the agency stressed that the threat of the H1N1 virus needs to be taken seriously, as “the virus is now unstoppable.”
The A(H1N1) virus is a combination of three viruses – human, swine and avian, and that made it particularly dangerous to humans as there is no immunity, nor vaccine (to date), to this strain.

UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES
As of June11, there are 28,774 people infected by the A(H1N1), …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

(Image courtesy of Ricardo Vidal at My Biotech Life) 
Many thanks to Razib at Gene Expression for hosting Gene Genie#30, the carnival of genetics blogs. Click on the following link to get a great summary on all that is happening in the genetics blog word.  There are some great articles, including some from G&H.
http://scienceblogs.com/gnxp/2008/04/gene_genie_30.php
Here are links to all the previous Gene Genie Carnivals.

Issue #1: Scienceroll
Issue #2: Sciencesque
Issue #3: Genetics and Health
Issue #4: Sandwalk
Issue #5: Neurophilosophy
Issue #6: Scienceroll
Issue #7: Gene Sherpa
Issue #8: Eye on DNA
Issue #9: DNA Direct Talk
Issue #10: Genomicron
Issue #11: Med Journal Watch
Issue #12: My Biotech Life
Issue #13: The Genetic Genealogist
Issue #14: …read more

Hi everyone!
Even the best of companies have IT problems and b5 media the group which www.geneticsandhealth.com is part of, is no exception.  An upgrade provided an array of glitches  and server crashes so I took the opportunity of having some time out.
Spent quality time with the kids on their short school vacation, fine tuned the details on the sale of my healthcare company, worked on the launch of my new biotech company (details in a later blog), oh  … and made strong representations to the UK’s Home Office to stop my favourite South African Headmaster and Headmistress from being deported because of …read more

 
Fellow science blogger Pharyngula has blogged this but I just have to show Genetics and Health readers this wonderful video showing dolphins’ version of home entertainment!
Elaine Warburton

Grace at Kids Health Notes and Kristina at Autism Vox have both written about the gene CNTNAP2 being unequivocally implicated in Type 1 Autism.
In her article CNTNAP2, an autism susceptibility gene which I highly recommend,  Kristina writes a personal account of her ongoing experience with her son Charlie’s autism and discusses the recent research findings.
Do read Grace’s article titled CNTNAP2 ‘unequivocally implicated’ in Type 1 autism which summarizes the three main pieces of research appearing in the American Journal of Genetics.
For the scientists:
Contactin Associated Protein-Like 2 is also known as CDFE; NRXN4; CASPR2; DKFZp781D1846. This gene encodes a member of the …read more

My colleague Kristina at Autism Vox has written a great article about the genetic basis of Autism.  Research has indicated that either a deletion or a duplication of a section of chromosome 16 seems to contribute strongly to susceptibility to autism.
I highly recommend you click on the following link to read more:
http://www.autismvox.com/like-father-like-son/
Elaine Warburton

 
It’s theme day at b5’s Science and health channel and this month’s theme is New Year’s resolutions.
I don’t really ‘do’ resolutions as I never keep them for more than a couple of weeks but here is my own ‘home-made’ recipe for a healthy, eventful and happy life.
Into life add in a large quantity of ‘everything in moderation with the occasional excess’. Sieve in ‘treat others how you would wish to be treated’. Add a large spoonful of both ’see the best in everyone’ and ‘work-life balance’ and a pinch of  ‘healthy argument and debate’. Stir ingredients together but don’t beat them, this has the effect of introducing …read more

This is not strictly a genetics related topic but having given my hubbie an iPhone (awesome!) for Christmas, the following article caught my eye.  I’ve worked in the health industry for quite somewhile and surgical equipment names have, by and large, been dull as ditch water and lacking any ‘wow’ factor.  At last this looks to be changing….
Scientists at Imperial College, London are developing the “i-snake” – a flexible, surgical robot capable of transforming keyhole surgery.
 
The i-snake (picture courtesy of BBC website)
The i-Snake is a long tube housing special motors, sensors and imaging tools and could be used for heart bypass surgery. But it could also be used …read more