Genes play a role in sweaty palms
A new UCLA study in the February issue of the Journal of
Vascular Surgery shows strong evidence that sweaty palms syndrome
is genetic. It may be caused by a dominant gene, indicating that
family members of those who have the disorder may suffer from it
more than has been previously reported.
“Traditionally, this syndrome was thought of as
stress-related and has not been taken seriously by the medical
community,” said Dr. Samuel S. Ahn, principal investigator
and professor at the Division of Vascular Surgery.
According to Ahn and his collaborators in the Department of
Human Genetics, the study indicates that as much as 5 percent of
the population may be at risk for some form of hyperhidrosis,
commonly known as sweaty palms syndrome.
Geneticists ID migraine gene
UCLA geneticists have discovered the first evidence that
migraine with aura is a hereditary condition. Reported in the March
1 edition of the American Journal of Human Genetics, the findings
will enable researchers to isolate the gene that predisposes people
to the disorder.
Dr. Aarno Palotie, principal investigator and UCLA professor of
pathology and human genetics, and his team analyzed genetic markers
in blood samples from 50 Finnish families with three or more
multigenerational members who suffer from the disorder.
In 30 percent of the 430 people studied, Palotie and colleagues
discovered three common markers consistently linked to the q23
region of chromosome 4.
Migraines affect roughly 12 percent of the population.
Entrepreneurs compete at UCB
Smart metal technology, biochips, cancer treatments, innovative
security solutions and new technology for the home and hospitals
are among the concepts proposed by entrepreneurs who are entering
the fourth annual UC Berkeley, Business Plan Competition.
In sharp contrast to previous years, more than 30 percent of
this year’s plans submitted by 66 teams are focused on
biotechnology.
Each team must have at least one UC Berkeley student or alumnus
as an active member. Teams are competing for $90,000 in cash and
in-kind prizes.
This year’s teams include students from Berkeley, UC San
Francisco, Stanford University, MIT, UCLA and California
Polytechnical Institute. Other participants are from India, the
United Kingdom, France, Brazil, China and Vietnam.
Eight teams will advance to the final round of judging, to be
held on the Berkeley campus April 22 and 23.
Reports from Daily Bruin wire services.