News & Reviews Archives | Page 28 of 38

Overweight Fathers May Epigenetically Increase Their Daughters’ Risk of Breast Cancer

July 5, 2016 Bailey Kirkpatrick

Although we typically think the mother has a large impact on her child’s health, epigenetic research is beginning to suggest that a father’s behavior may also have a significant amount of influence. Recently, we posted a blog article on the epigenetic influence a father’s lifestyle has on his children, showing that both mothers and fathers contribute to their offspring’s health through epigenetic alterations. Other research has indicated that a father’s diet could impact his sperm epigenome and influence pregnancy outcomes. [more…]

Epigenetic Gift of Gab: Could Chemical Tags on DNA Influence a Person’s Social Skills?

June 28, 2016 Bailey Kirkpatrick

Do you think of yourself as an extravert or introvert – or perhaps somewhere in between? Although the meaning behind these terms has shifted over time, we typically associate an extroverted person with being talkative and highly sociable, whereas introverts prefer quiet and are typically more reserved. But is there an underlying reason that explains human social behavior? Could these and many other personality traits originate in our genetic information, or do they form as a result of our environment [more…]

Exercise Linked to Epigenetic Benefits that Keep the Brain Healthy

June 21, 2016 Bailey Kirkpatrick

When was the last time you exercised? Was it yesterday, a few weeks ago… or maybe a few months ago? Well, you may want to tack on “epigenetics” to the long list of reasons why you should exercise more often. We all know exercise is beneficial, but the difficulty usually lies in trying to be motivated enough to actually do it. The CDC states that frequent physical activity is one of the most important things for your health. It can [more…]

Air Pollution Found to Alter Important Epigenetic Mark

June 14, 2016 Bailey Kirkpatrick

Air pollution is not only a significant threat to our environment, but also to our health. Ranging from vehicles to industrial facilities, common sources of air pollution are all around us. These pollutants are linked to serious health issues, such as respiratory disease, impaired lung function, asthma, cancer, chronic bronchitis, and increased morbidity. According to the WHO, outdoor air pollution was estimated to cause 3.7 million premature deaths worldwide in 2012. It’s most abundant in urban areas in Southeast Asia [more…]

socioeconomic status, dna methylation and depression

Poor Socioeconomic Status May Leave Epigenetic Mark on Gene Linked to Depression

June 7, 2016 Bailey Kirkpatrick

Could there be connections between socio-economic status, epigenetics, and one’s likelihood of developing depression? Previous and current research has long revealed a relationship between poverty and depression, and now new research suggests that there could be an underlying epigenetic influence. This new finding may help mediate the association between lower socioeconomic status and the risk of developing the disease. The study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, utilizes epigenetics, brain imaging, and behavioral data of adolescents collected over three years as part [more…]

epigenetic marks of father could affect child's health

Dad’s Life Experiences May Epigenetically Influence His Children’s Health

May 31, 2016 Bailey Kirkpatrick

Mothers have often – unfortunately and unfairly – had to carry the burden of being “to blame” for any of their child’s health-related shortcomings. When pregnant women are advised: eat more of this but not too much of that, drink this but definitely none of that… why does dad get off scot-free amid these typically well-intentioned suggestions? Previous studies have, for example, epigenetically linked dad’s drinking to his son’s sensitivity and preference for alcohol and connected a father’s diet to [more…]

phthalates influence epigenetics and could tip the scales towards obesity

Could Common Chemicals Tip the Epigenetic Balance and Program Someone for Obesity?

May 24, 2016 Bailey Kirkpatrick

We’ve all heard of the risks of the BPA, or Bisphenol A, a chemical used to make durable plastics. BPA can be found in baby bottles, toys, water bottles, and the lining of food cans, but it has also leached into the water and air, travelling around the world. Research has shown this endocrine disruptor can cause adverse health effects during development and impact the reproductive system by mimicking estrogen, binding to nuclear estrogen receptors and even androgen receptors. It [more…]

Could a New Epigenetic Blood Test Predict Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes?

May 17, 2016 Bailey Kirkpatrick

Diabetes is a disease characterized by the body’s inability to properly use insulin and it affects over 29 million Americans. With new epigenetic research, however, the disease may be mitigated with a simple blood test that offers early knowledge and the possibility for pre-emptive lifestyle management. Lund University researchers in Sweden published their study in Nature Communications, in which they discovered a novel biomarker to predict a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. By using a blood test to [more…]

epigenetics, aging, and memory in the elderly

Could Epigenetics Rescue Cognitive Impairment Caused by Getting Old?

May 10, 2016 Bailey Kirkpatrick

As we get older, our cognitive ability declines, especially our memory. Although aging-related cognitive impairment occurs naturally, humans have been fascinated since ancient times with uncovering a “fountain of youth” to ensure that our beauty, minds, and youthful qualities stay with us forever. What if we could stave off or protect our brain function as we age? With new research in epigenetics, we may be closer to finding out what’s behind memory loss and cognitive impairment. A study published in [more…]

Epigenetic Mark Might Make Some People More Prone to Drug Addiction

May 3, 2016 Bailey Kirkpatrick

Why are some people more vulnerable to drug addiction than others? Why is it possible for a person to use a drug once and be able to put it down forever, whereas another person becomes hooked and cannot stay clean, no matter how hard they try? These questions are far from being completely understood, and the answers may lie in several different factors, including environmental, societal, and genetic. Yet, understanding the interplay among these factors is difficult, since they vary [more…]

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