Categories
Cardiovascular
Diagnostics
Endocrinology
Health Insurance
Medical Devices
Mental Health
Nutrition
Oncology
Public Health
Sexual Health
Popular Articles

Veterans Call For Greater Improvements For Veteran Services
Services for veterans have improved recently, but many veterans say more improvements still need to be made.
generic viagra online
Young Parents Helped To 'Know More' About Drugs And Alcohol
In the run up to National Tackling Drugs Week (8th-12th June), drug and alcohol services in Liverpool have gathered together to host "Know more" an event which will showcase a range of services that offer advice and support to young people and their families.
News of the day
Health Plans Support Consumer Protections
Health plans reiterated their strong support for new market rules and consumer protections to cover all Americans and guarantee coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Medical Devices

Identification Of Genes That Influence Start Of Menstruation

Researchers from the Peninsula Medical School, along with collaborators from research institutions across Europe and the United States, have for the first time identified two genes that are involved in determining when girls begin menstruation. The work will be published in Nature Genetics this weekend. The findings of the study could have ramifications for normal human growth and weight too, because early-age menstruation is also associated with shorter stature and increased body weight. In general, girls who achieve menstruation earlier in life tend to have greater body mass index (BMI) and a higher ratio of fat compared to those who begin menstruation later. The study carried out an analysis of 17,510 women across eight different international population-based s. This number included women of European descent who reported the age at which they reached menstruation of between nine and 17 years. The two genes identified were on chromosomes nine and six. One in 20 females carry two copies of each of the gene variations which result in menstruation starting earlier, and they will start menstruating approximately four and half months earlier than those with no copies of the gene variants. Dr Anna Murray from the Peninsula Medical School, commented: "This study provides the first evidence that common genetic variants influence the time at which women reach sexual maturation. Our findings also indicate a genetic basis for the associations between early menstruation and both height and BMI." She added: "The study takes us nearer to understanding the biology of the processes involved in puberty and early growth and to understand what constitutes "normal" in growth and development." Fellow author John Perry, also from the Peninsula Medical School, added: "Understanding the biological mechanisms behind reproductive lifespan may also help inform us about associated diseases that affect a lot of women as they get older, including diabetes, heart disease and breast cancer." Andrew Gould The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry


Add your comment:
Name:
Site address: http://
Your message:
Enter today\\\\'s date, 2 digits
(spam protection):

© Copyright 2009