I’ve been really swamped this month and apologize for the lack of posts on this site. One of the important things I’ve realized about health is that we need to stress less so I admittedly took some liberties lightening my workload. But rest assured I’ll be back in June with more articles. In the meantime, here are some news items from this month.
Epigenetics
New research has found that a woman’s diet before conception can affect her offspring, indicating that methyl groups are extremely sensitive to nutritional deficiencies (Medical Daily). Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) scientists proposed that an epigenetic switch can turn cancer progression “on and off” (Medical Xpress).
Meanwhile, scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are discovering new insights into the way long noncoding RNAs interact with protein-encoding genes (Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News). And researchers in Singapore made progress in determining how both genetic and environmental factors affect fetal development in the womb (Korea Bizwire).
Overprescribed Antibiotics Cause Resistance
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its first report on global antibiotic resistance, revealing a dire situation where life-threatening illnesses are concerned (WHO). This comes as a new study reveals that doctors are increasingly writing ineffective prescriptions for illnesses like acute bronchitis, despite countless studies that antibiotics won’t help (Los Angeles Times).
United Kingdom Recognizes Significance of Homocysteine
The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has added testing for homocystinuria to its mandatory newborn screening program (NHS). While this is not the same as testing for MTHFR, it is a step in acknowledging the significance of elevated homocysteine in infant health.
