Carmen Leitch

Blood samples are often used to evaluate gene expression in people. But those samples only provide a snapshot of gene activity at one moment in time. This point has been emphasized by a recent paper

Heart disease is still the leading cause of death worldwide, and high cholesterol is a major driver of that problem. Researchers have revealed a previously unknown pathway that can show how high cholesterol levels gradually disrupt the body's ability to eliminate low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, a bad cholesterol, from the blood. This study, which was

The community of microbes in the human gastrointestinal tract is vast and very influential on human health and well-being. The gut microbiome has been linked to a wide range of health conditions and biological systems. Now, researchers have connected the gut microbe to healthspan, aging, and longevity. A study

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.