HEALTH ISSUE: SHORT CUTS

SHORT CUTS


DNA sweep reveals new
autism genes


   Aconsortium of hundreds of scientists said Wednesday they had uncovered dozens of previously unknown genetic mutations that contribute to autism in children. Some of these rare DNA glitches are inherited from parents. But many, the researchers discovered, arise for the first time in the person with autism. "Tiny genetic errors may occur during formation of the parents' eggs and sperm, and these variations are copied during creation of their child's DNA," said co-author Daniel Geschwind, a professor at the University of California at Los Angeles, The discovery came after the researchers harnessed massive computing power spread across 60 institutes worldwide for combing through children's DNA.

Soon, shell implants that turn into bone?

    Scientists have made a significant step towards seashell-based orthopaedick implants -  which the human body could eventually convert into bone. An international team, led by Benjamin Mathewson of Victoria University, spent five years investigating sea urchin shell in order to find out how its interior is formed. It found that certain parts of the macromolecule structure were not important for controlling shell shape. This is a major finding, as it brings the scientists further down the track towards learning how to create orthopaedic implants made of shell.