Carmen Leitch

The farm effect refers to a phenomenon in which children who grow up in a rural environment are less likely to develop allergies or asthma compared to their urban counterparts. Multiple observational studies have found evidence for the farm effect around the world, but there has not yet been a conclusive explanation for it. Many researchers have suspected that children who are exposed to more bacteria or microbes found in barns obtain protection from excessive immune responses, which can otherwise lead to problems, like allergies.

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that can lead to symptoms like fatigue, widespread sensitivity, aches, and pains, as well as memory, mood, and sleep problems. At one time, clinicians and researchers debated whether fibromyalgia even existed. But thousands of people were vindicated when we started to learn more about the disorder, and find relevant biomarkers. Now scientists have conducted a genetic analysis of over 2.5 million people, including 55,000 fibromyalgia patients. This work, which was

The protein TRF2 is known for its ability to protect the ends of chromosomes, but a new study has revealed that it also aids in the preservation of muscle stem cell identity, and tissue regeneration. The work, which was

While fat is generally thought of as something we could have less of, there are some fats that are healthy and important, highlighted by new research. Fat, or adipose tissue, can help support crucial processes including hormone release, energy storage, and metabolic health. Although excessive fats in the body can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, metabolic disease and other problems, too little fat can be harmful as well. For example, in a genetic disorder known as familial partial lipodystrophy type 2 (FPLD2), uneven fat distribution and fat loss can cause similar problems.

Fructose is a common simple sugar that can be found in many natural foods like pears, apples, grapes, raisins, or bananas. It is also a common food additive, and can be found as high fructose corn syrup in lots of packaged foods and drinks including sweetened yogurt, sodas, and prepared sauces. Now scientists have revealed a surprising connection between fructose and the spread of a serious type of ovarian cancer. This work, which was

The genome is not just a string of bases; in order to fit into the nucleus of cells, it has to be carefully arranged into the right shape so that it is compact, but the right parts are still accessible to cellular machinery. Advanced genomic techniques have enabled scientists to begin to analyze the three-dimensional (3D) structure of DNA, and how that structure might be altered in some cases of disease. This type of analysis has not revealed more about some of the genetic causes of the gastrointestinal disorder Crohn's disease, and potentially some other autoimmune disorders. The findings have been

The huge community of microorganisms that resides in the human gut has been linked to a wide variety of health conditions and diseases. But this is a complex system that can vary significantly even among healthy people, and there are millions and even trillions of microbes in the gut, all with their own genomes. These microbes also generate proteins.

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Plant-based diets can provide many health benefits, some of which derive from how those foods affect the microorganisms that live in the gut. Scientists are starting to learn more about how certain foods and microbes can produce positive health results, and we may one day be able to use certain diets as part of a treatment for some diseases. In new work