Number of Autism Genes Now Tops 100

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- The number of genes known to be associated with autism now stands at 102, researchers report.

They also said that they've made significant progress in distinguishing between genes associated with autism and those associated with intellectual disability and developmental delay, conditions that often overlap with autism.

The analysis of more than 37,000 genetic samples collected worldwide is the largest genetic sequencing study of autism to date, the researchers said.

The results were presented Tuesday at the annual meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics, in San Diego.

"With about twice as many samples as any previous studies, we were able to substantially increase the number of genes studied, as well as incorporate recent improvements to the analytical methodology," said study author Mark Daly, chief of the Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital.

"By bringing together data from several existing sources, we hope to create a resource for definitive future analysis of genes associated with [autism]," he added in a society news release.

Of the 102 genes identified by the researchers, 47 were found to be more strongly associated with intellectual disability and developmental delay than autism, while 52 were more strongly related to autism. Three genes were reportedly related to both.

Study co-author Jack Kosmicki is a Ph.D. candidate at Harvard University. "Being able to look at other disorders in connection to [autism] is significant and valuable for being able to explain the genetics behind the variety of possible outcomes," Kosmicki said.

Research presented at meetings is considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

More information

Learn more about autism at Autism Speaks.

from Healthday - Health.com https://ift.tt/2CMy8ew

Comments

30 Math Puzzles (with Answers) to Test Your Smarts

Math is not everyone’s favorite, understandably. Hours of math homework and difficult equations can make anyone sour on the subject. But when math problems are outside of a school setting, there’s no time limit to do them, and they’ve got a fun, more whimsical concept than just finding x, they can be great activities for kids. (And adults, of course!) They test your brain and critical thinking skills, provide some constructive, educational fun, and provide tangible examples of math lessons you’ll actually use in real life . Math puzzles come in plenty of different varieties, too. Some more straightforward number puzzles do require calculations to find the solution. Others are more like logic puzzles and challenge you to look for a pattern. Still others present the puzzle through pictures, making them great for visual learners. From Reader’s Digest ‘s “Mind Stretchers” books, these math puzzles have a bit of everything! If you’re more of a riddles person, we’ve got reg...

41 of the Most Useful Mac Keyboard Shortcuts

Everyone wants everything they do on their computer to be fast. Their Internet connection, the speed they type, and how quickly they can save, open, and alter documents. These mac keyboard shortcuts can help you do just that. Try out these Mac hotkeys to make your browsing, typing, and viewing experiences a little more convenient. Here are some keyboard shortcuts that will make web browsing so much easier . Mac keyboard shortcuts allow you to do things on your computer that would typically require you to use a mouse, trackpad, or another device with a combination of the keys on your keyboard. To find the Mac shortcuts that are already set up on your device, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts. From there you can look through the different mac keyboard shortcuts that are set up for your keyboard, launchpad and dock, Mission Control, Spotlight, and so on. To change an existing shortcut you can select the one you want to change, click on the key combination, and then ty...

Will Cicadas Destroy Your Garden? 10 Things You Need to Know

It’s easy to wince thinking about the mass emergence of insects like cicadas. Their numbers can reach millions per acre, creating a near-deafening buzzing chorus. So it’s understandable that questions like, “Will cicadas eat my plants?” immediately spring to mind. But cicadas are also pretty fascinating and play important roles in the ecosystem. “Cicadas inspire wonder in our world!” says Jennifer Hopwood, senior pollinator conservation specialist at the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. “They spend most of their life underground next to the same plant roots. Somehow, these creatures are able to track the years that pass by and time their emergence with other periodical cicadas in the region to overwhelm predators. They are amazing little critters.” Here’s a rundown of what to know about cicadas, good and bad, including whether or not they eat plants and how to protect your trees during an emergence. Get Readers Digest s Read Up newsletter for more gardening, humor, cl...

Health Tips Line

Search This Blog