More Than 500 Genes Linking Depression And Anxiety Discovered in New Study
16 APRIL 2021
Find any two people with a diagnosis of depression, and there s more than a fair chance one of them will also experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their life.
While the triggers for each condition are undoubtedly complex, it s clear the genes we inherit can play a strong part in setting us up for a lifetime of bad mental health.
A new study led by researchers from the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Australia has now identified 509 genes shared by both psychiatric disorders.
Studies to identify genes associated with mood disorders such as depression and anxiety have uncovered a vast library of candidates in the past. But most of these are like suspects found standing around at the scene of the crime. Little is known about their role in events.
10,000 Australians invited to take part in a study of childhood experience of abuse
A national survey commences this week to find out for the first time how many Australians have experienced child abuse.
The Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS) is led by QUT Professor Ben Mathews in collaboration with an international team of researchers.
The $2.8 million study, funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Australian Government, and the Australian Institute of Criminology, has three main parts, and is the most comprehensive national study in this field.
The survey will be conducted with 10,000 randomly drawn participants, aged 16 and over from across Australia, who will be invited to participate by advance text message and then by mobile phone.
Dr Maria Ikonomopoulou leads research to save Tasmanian devils from deadly facial tumour disease neoskosmos.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from neoskosmos.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Common cholesterol drugs could help devils out of facial tumour hell
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Common drugs used to lower cholesterol in humans could help save Tasmanian Devils from a terrible plague of facial tumours.
The tumours are passed from devil to devil through bites, which the famously aggressive animals do to each other often throughout their lives.
The research found statins, which reduce cholesterol, can prevent the tumours from growing.
Credit:Save the Tasmanian Devil Program
It is estimated that Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease has caused an 80 per cent drop in the animals’ population since it was first identified in the 1990s, with fewer than 15,000 left in the wild.
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A team of Spanish and Australian scientists have discovered drugs used to help humans could be successful in treating Tasmanian devils suffering from the deadly facial tumour disease.
Key points:
Spanish researchers say drugs used to lower cholesterol in humans could be successful in treating Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease
The researchers discovered that tumour cells require a minimum amount of cholesterol to multiply
Lead researcher Dr Maria Ikonomopoulou says the next stage would be to test the drug on diseased animals
It is hoped the breakthrough could help delay the spread of the tumour and help protect the endangered marsupials from extinction.