Article looks at another David Page contribution to the science of genetics.
A weakness in the system that allows the male Y chromosome to protect and repair itself can explain an array of genetic sexual disorders.:
The palindromes were discovered in 2003 when the Y chromosome's sequence of bases, represented by the familiar letters G, C, T and A, was first worked out by David Page of the Whitehead Institute and colleagues at the DNA sequencing center at WUSTL medical school.

References:

1. Sept. 15, 2009 — New Clues to Sex Anomalies in How Y Chromosomes Are Copied in the The New York Times

An international team of scientists has reported finding two more genetic risk factors of Alzheimer's disease. Includes comments by co-author and WUSTL professor of genetics in psychiatry Alison Goate.

References:

1. Sept. 8, 2009 — More Alzheimer genetic risk factors found in the United Press International

and 3 others.

Scientists know surprisingly little about the common sensation of itching. But in a recent study of mice, researchers identified specific nerve cells that pass along an itch signal to the brain. And these cells appear to be independent of the pathway for pain. WUSTL anesthesiology professor and co-author Zhou-Feng Chen comments on the study that was published in Science Express.

References:

1. Aug. 6, 2009 — Scientists Identify 'Itchy' Neurons In Mice in the NPR.org

Decoding the genome of a man with acute myeloid leukemia revealed genetic mutations that may be common among other cancer patients. The findings could help scientists understand the genetic basis of cancer. Includes comments by WUSTL researchers Richard Wilson, co-author and director of the Genome Center, and Timothy Ley, study senior author and medicine professor.

References:

1. Aug. 5, 2009 — Genome of Leukemia Patient Reveals Common Mutations in the U.S. News & World Report online

and 13 others.

WUSTL neuroscientist David Holtzman and colleagues have devised a test that shows whether an experimental medication has a chance of working in Alzheimer's patients.

References:

1. June 30, 2009 — David Holtzman: Attacking Alzheimer's With a New Test for Amyloid Beta in the U.S. News & World Report online

WUSTL biochemists Elaine Mardis and Richard Wilson helped decode the human genome and are now working to find genetic mutations associated with acute myeloid leukemia.

References:

1. June 30, 2009 — Elaine Mardis and Richard Wilson: Taking Cancer's Genetic Measure in the U.S. News & World Report online

Are some people hardwired to get the blues? Scientists have long believed that a tendency toward melancholy runs in families. A new study published on June 16 in JAMA now threatens to send researchers back to the drawing board. The meta-analysis of 14 prior studies concludes that the so-called depression gene may not be associated with an elevated risk for depression, as many researchers had believed. WUSTL psychiatric geneticist Alexandre Todorov, whose 2007 peer-reviewed study was included in the JAMA piece, comments.

References:

1. June 17, 2009 — Study: 'Depression Gene' Doesn't Predict the Blues in the Time.com

A genetic marker for aggressive endometrial cancer has been identified by U.S. researchers, who said their finding could lead to more targeted and risk-appropriate treatments. WUSTL gynecologic oncologist Israel Zighelboim comments on the study that appears online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

References:

1. May 27, 2009 — Gene Mutation May Up Risks of Endometrial Cancer in the U.S. News & World Report online

and 8 others.

A screening regimen that combines ultrasound and a blood test to detect a marker for ovarian cancer, fails to discover the cancer in its early stages and often results in unnecessary surgery, a new study shows. WUSTL ob gyn professor David Mutch, who wrote an accompanying journal editorial, comments.

References:

1. March 20, 2009 — Combo Screening Doesn't Spot Early Ovarian Cancer in the U.S. News & World Report

and 3 others.

Some genetic traits are easier to defy than others. Others, such as cancer or diabetes, are not so simple to escape. Advice on how you can reduce your risk with proven tips for protecting your health from head to toe. WUSTL surgery professor Ming You, director of the Chemoprevention Program at WUSTL's Siteman Cancer Center, comments on the role heredity plays in asthma, allergies and lung cancer.

References:

1. March 12, 2009 — Control your DNA destiny in the MSNBC.com

Depression almost doubles the risk of developing heart disease over 12 years, according to a long-term study of twins. It contributes to the risk of heart disease as much as diabetes, high cholesterol or obesity does, says study leader and WUSTL psychiatry professor Jeffrey Scherrer.

References:

1. March 4, 2009 — Depression can break the heart in the USA Today

The days of one-size-fits-all cancer treatment are numbered: A rush of new research is pointing the way to tailor chemotherapy and other care to what's written in your tumor's genes. WUSTL oncologist Matthew Ellis, co-inventor of a different breast cancer genetic approach, comments.

References:

1. Feb. 16, 2009 — Push is on to tailor cancer care to tumor's genes in the Associated Press

and 122 others.

Worms that can survive with almost no oxygen are teaching scientists how to rescue oxygen-starved cells in humans who suffer a heart attack or stroke, said WUSTL medical researcher Michael Crowder, whose study appears in Science.

References:

1. Jan. 29, 2009 — Lowly worm offers new clues on stroke, heart drugs in the Reuters

and 3 others.

Examining the Bush legacy, which won't be an easy one for future historians to assess. While most unsuccessful presidencies involved presidents who were considered captives of events, unable to muster effective responses, Bush's was one of bold strokes that, for better or worse, will be debated for a long time. WUSTL law professor Rebecca Dresser, who serves on the President's Council on Bioethics, comments on the stem cell research decision.

References:

1. Jan. 12, 2009 — The Bush Legacy in the The Boston Globe

Black churches that hold blood drives after informing parishioners about the importance of blood donations for children with sickle cell disease will get a big upsurge in first-time donors, new research shows. WUSTL School of Medicine sickle cell researcher Michael DeBaun comments.

References:

1. Dec. 24, 2008 — Black churches help enlist first-time blood donors in the Reuters Health Medical News

and 4 others.

British and U.S. medical scientists say they have identified a gene that protects the body from developing lung cancer. One of the lead researchers is WUSTL molecular cell biology professor Greg Longmore.

References:

1. Dec. 4, 2008 — Gene found to protect against lung cancer in the United Press International

and 3 others.

WUSTL researchers led by WUSTL biology professor Craig Pikaard have made major headway in explaining a mechanism by which plant cells silence potentially harmful genes.

References:

1. Nov. 17, 2008 — New gene silencing pathway found in plants in the ScientistLive.com (UK)

Scientists are baffled by one of humankind's most annoying problems — itching — an almost universal misery for which there is, as yet, no adequate explanation or treatment. The recent discovery of an ''itchy gene,'' however, may offer hope for better treatments, says WUSTL neuroscientist Zhou-Feng Chen.

References:

1. Nov. 18, 2008 — Itching puzzles experts in the The Miami Herald

and 18 others.

People who carry two copies of a particular gene have roughly eight to 10 times the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease than people who do not. WUSTL neuroscientist David Holtzman and graduate student Mary Beth Finn, were among the group of scientists that conducted research for this study.

References:

1. Nov. 14, 2008 — Alzheimer's Gene Slows Brain's Ability To Export Toxic Protein in the ScienceDaily.com

For the first time, researchers have decoded all the genes of a person with cancer and found a set of mutations that might have caused the disease or aided its progression. Includes comments by Richard Wilson, senior study author and director of WUSTL's Genome Sequencing Center, and WUSTL hematologist Timothy Ley, director of the study.

References:

1. Nov. 6, 2008 — Experts Decode Cancer Patient's Genes, Seeking Treatment Clues in the The New York Times

and 57 others.