Pregnant women with obesity often worry about their baby's health. New research shows that insulin levels in these moms during pregnancy might affect their baby's fat and DNA. This study looked at 232 mom-baby pairs. It found that higher insulin levels in moms at 18-20 weeks of pregnancy were linked
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a disease that often strikes older adults. Scientists have been studying how our bodies age at a cellular level, using something called DNA methylation (DNAm) to measure this. This process can show how old our cells really are, not just how old we are in years. Interestin
In the small Dutch fishing village of Urk, the sea is both a provider and a taker. For decades, families have mourned loved ones lost at sea, their bodies never recovered. But now, a glimmer of hope shines through thanks to modern technology. Jan van den Berg, now 70, has spent his life wondering a
Lung cancer is becoming more common in people who never smoked. Scientists think air pollution might be a big reason why. A recent study looked at the DNA of lung tumors in 871 non-smokers from around the world. They found that people exposed to more pollution had more DNA changes linked to cancer.
Premature babies often face serious lung problems. One big issue is bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), which happens when there's too much oxygen. Scientists are trying to understand how this happens at a tiny level, focusing on something called epigenetics. Epigenetics is like a switch that turns g
Scientists have found a clever way to spot lead using tiny glass holes. They can't see lead directly, so they use a special trick. Here's how it works: they mix lead with some smart DNA bits. These bits react and create a signal. This signal is big enough for the glass holes to notice. The cool par
Scientists wanted to see how body temperature changes can impact DNA floating in the blood. They looked at two ways to heat up the body: from outside (like a warm bath) and from exercise. First, they thought about how DNA in the blood changes when the body gets warmer. They wondered if this DNA cou
Mosses are tiny but mighty. They are some of the oldest plants on land and play a big role in nature. They also have uses in gardening and medicine. But studying them is tough. There aren't many experts who can tell one type of moss from another. That's where DNA barcoding comes in. It's a tool tha
Scientists are exploring a fascinating and controversial field: creating human DNA from scratch. This isn't about tweaking existing DNA; it's about constructing it entirely in labs. The aim is to understand DNA better and find innovative treatments for diseases like heart failure, aging, and infecti
Kids with brain tumors might soon have a better way to track their illness. Scientists have found a way to test tiny amounts of DNA in their blood and spinal fluid. This could help doctors figure out what's going on inside their brains without big surgeries. The problem has always been that kids do
