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A genome-wide association study for overlap of 12 psychiatric disorders

A team of researchers from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands and the Veterans Administration in the U.S. has conducted a genome-wide association study looking into genetic overlap between 12 common psychiatric disorders. The group describes profiling pleiotropic genetic incidences to 12 common psychiatric disorders in their paper published in the journal Nature Genetics.

Many years ago, psychiatrists and other preferred to think of psychiatric conditions as separate diseases, unrelated to one another. More recently, genetics findings involved in psychiatric disorders have suggested that not only are some of them related, but some have overlap, which suggests that illnesses such as might have multiple forms, giving rise to a spectrum of diseases.

In this new effort, the research team conducted a cross-examination of 12 , looking specifically for genetic overlap. Their work involved conducting a cross-trait meta-analysis to study the impact of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), genes in general, cells, pathways and tissue types that might be shared by the 12 disorders ADHD, alcoholism, anorexia, anxiety disorder, autism, bipolarism, depression, OCD, PTSD, schizophrenia and Tourette syndrome.

A new AI testing system could help unlock secrets of the human genome

The new method, called GOPHER, helps researchers to determine the best AI program to use for analyzing the human genome.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is an innovative tool that can be trained to make predictions and solve problems quickly and with accuracy. However, the reasoning behind the output, or information sent out after the AI software receives input from datasets, is not yet clearly understood.

Understanding how AI creates its predictions.


Metamorworks/iStock.

Researchers have been trying to comprehend the way AI produces information and what rules and regulations the AI follows, or creates, as it processes data.

Neuralink allegedly rushes research, killing thousands of animals unnecessarily

According to an exclusive report by Reuters, Elon Musk’s Neuralink is facing a federal probe to investigate claims of unnecessary animal welfare violations.

According to an exclusive report by Reuters, the medical device company Neuralink, owned by Elon Musk, is reportedly under federal investigation for possible animal welfare violations. The investigation comes from internal staff complaints that its animal testing is being rushed, resulting in needless suffering and deaths.

However, it is important to note that Neuralink has a robust commitment to animal welfare within its organization.

Microphone-equipped toilet will detect diseases and give you advice

The microphone sensor can classify bowel diseases using machine learning.

There are many diseases that could potentially be detected through human waste. One such infection includes cholera. Cholera is a bacterial disease.

Cholera is spread through contaminated food and water. Large epidemics that spread the bacterium are related to fecal contamination of water or food. It can sometimes be spread through undercooked shellfish and other seafood-related infections, as well. is spread through contaminated food and water. Large epidemics that spread the bacterium are related to fecal contamination of water or food. It can sometimes be spread through undercooked shellfish and other seafood-related infections, as well.

Advanced “Lab on a Chip” — Scientists Have Created a Powerful, Ultra-Tiny Spectrometer

Researchers in the field of optical spectrometry have created a better instrument for measuring light. This advancement could improve everything from smartphone cameras to environmental monitoring.

The research, led by Finland’s Aalto University, developed a powerful, incredibly small spectrometer that fits on a microchip and is run by artificial intelligence. Their research was recently published in the journal Science.

The study used a relatively new class of super-thin materials known as two-dimensional semiconductors, and the result is a proof of concept for a spectrometer that could be easily integrated into a number of technologies such as quality inspection platforms, security sensors, biomedical analyzers, and space telescopes.

Implementing a MRIdian program

Join the audience for a Women in Medical Physics live webinar at 3 p.m. GMT/10 a.m. EST on 14 December 2022 exploring how to begin a new MR-Linac program for MRIdian in your radiation oncology department.

MRIdian is the world’s first radiation therapy system to integrate a diagnostic-quality MRI with an advanced linear accelerator and the only system with MR-guided, real-time, 3D, multiplanar soft-tissue tracking and automated beam control. MRIdian offers precise and personalized care through on-table adaptive treatments without the need for fiducials. The technological foundations of MRIdian allows for the delivery of ablative dose with tighter margins in five or fewer fractions, all while maintaining low to no toxicity. With tens of thousands of patients treated, and an ever-growing body of clinical evidence, MRIdian is leading the MRI-guided revolution in radiation therapy.

The future of replacement organs is (quite possibly) here: Robust human intestinal organoids created in a lab

Growing miniature organ-like tissues in the lab is already within our reach. Now, researchers from Japan have developed a new approach that enables intestinal mini-organs to be grown more easily and efficiently in the lab. This holds immense promise for regenerative medicine.

In a study published in November in Cell Reports Methods, researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) reveal that applying a few specialized lab techniques yields intestine-like tissues of predictable size and composition.

Organoids are organ-like balls of cells that are grown in the lab from spheroids (even smaller balls) of and mimic the properties of the organ from which the “seed” cell was taken. Organoids are used for studying organ function in a lab setting and are also promising tools in the field of regenerative medicine.

A gastroenterologist shares 2 diet rules she follows for a healthy gut and to prevent colon cancer

With all the factors that may impact gut health, it can be hard to know what’s causing stomach troubles and potentially affecting long-term wellness.

In a recent TikTok video via Houston Methodist hospital system, gastroenterologist Dr. Neeharika Kalakota shared a few simple rules of thumb she follows to maintain a healthy gut.

As an expert on digestive health, Kalakota said she recommends that her patients stay up-to-date on colon cancer screenings and avoid colonic “cleanses,” which can wreak havoc on the bowel and rectum.