The Male Y Chromosome May Be Disappearing

There's new information, at least theoretically, that the male Y chromosome could be disappearing.  This work was done at Penn State.  It's in the journal PLoS Genetics.  Researchers say there is a dramatic loss of genes from the human Y chromosome and it could eventually lead to its complete disappearance over the next million years or so.  While some genes seem to be essential, like those for sperm development, most have been lost and the researchers say that they found evidence that many are on a track to disappear as well.  If this happens, researchers say a new pair of chromosomes will likely start down the path of becoming X and Y sex chromosomes.  It's pretty fascinating how you can actually see mutations occur, but this is essentially how the world has developed; changes and development.  With those differences came different people.  

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Research on Genes and Cigarette Addiction

It could become one of the major developments of genetic research. Duke researchers believe that as many as 221 different gene variants play a role in cigarette addiction and the ability to quit. Researchers from Duke and the National Institute of Drug Abuse hope this may someday lead to a new tool for tailoring smoking cessation treatments to a patient’s individual genetic makeup. Researchers admit it isn’t entirely this simple. Certainly, the environment plays a role, but knowing how to manipulate or alter genes could be crucial.

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Genetics, Brain Chemicals, and Obesity

There is no doubt there is a genetic link for certain people with obesity. The latest study looking at such a connection was conducted at the University Buffalo. What they found is people who genetically had a lower level of the brain chemical dopamine might be driven to eat more food. People who have fewer of the dopamine receptors need to take in more of a rewarding substance, such as food or drugs, to get an effect than other people with less. Now, the report does not mean if you have the genetic makeup that you are doomed to be obese, but it is clear there is a relationship. Naturally, much of this work is done because scientists are looking for ways to help offset obesity.

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