Scientists witness birth of solar system in unique spectacle
Using a powerful telescope, researchers witnessed the initial material clumping together to form planets.
This breakthrough offers new insights into how solar systems, including our own, develop.
The nascent system is forming around HOPS-315, a young star approximately 1300 light-years from Earth.
The observations captured the very beginning of planet formation within the star's protoplanetary disc.
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Reuters
22 minutes ago
- Reuters
UK scientists find genes linked with chronic fatigue syndrome
Aug 6 (Reuters) - Researchers at the University of Edinburgh said on Wednesday they have discovered differences in the DNA of people with chronic fatigue syndrome that should help dispel the notion that the debilitating condition is psychological or driven by laziness. Their study found eight areas of genetic code that are different in people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) than in healthy volunteers. The finding provides 'the first robust evidence that genes contribute to a person's chance of developing the disease,' the researchers said in a statement. The key features of the condition include worsening of fatigue, pain and brain fog after even minor physical or mental activity. Very little has been known about the causes of ME/CFS, and there is no diagnostic test or cure. The condition is believed to affect around 67 million people worldwide, the researchers said. The DecodeME study analyzed DNA samples from 15,579 people who reported having chronic fatigue on a questionnaire and 259,909 people without it, all of European descent. Gene variants that were more common in people reporting ME/CFS were linked to the immune and nervous systems, according to a report of the study that has not yet been peer-reviewed. At least two of the gene regions relate to how the body responds to infection, which aligns with reports that the symptoms often start after an infectious illness, the researchers said. Another gene region has previously been identified in people with chronic pain, another common symptom of the condition. The findings 'align with decades of patients reporting on their experiences,' researcher Andy Devereux-Cooke said in a statement, adding that they "should prove game changing in the ME/CFS research field.' 'These results will not mean that a test or cure will be developed straight away, but they will lead to a greater understanding," he said. Scientists who were not involved in the study said using volunteers who self-reported chronic fatigue syndrome rather than restricting participation to those with a diagnosis from a medical professional somewhat weakened its conclusions. They called for larger studies to replicate the results. Substantial work will be necessary 'to translate these findings into new treatments," said Dr. Jackie Cliff, who studies infection and immunity in ME/CFS at Brunel University of London. "This will take considerable investment in academia and by industry.'
The Independent
40 minutes ago
- The Independent
People with ME have key genetic differences to other people, study finds
People diagnosed with ME/chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have significant differences in their DNA compared to those without the condition, according to a 'groundbreaking' new study. Scientists said the findings offer the first robust evidence that genes contribute to a person's chance of developing the disease. The DecodeME study, said to be the largest of its kind in the world, uncovered eight areas of genetic code in people with ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) that are markedly different to the DNA of people without the condition. Researchers hope the findings will boost 'validity and credibility' for patients, and help rebuff some of the stigma and lack of belief that exists around the condition. There is currently no diagnostic test or cure for ME/CFS, which is believed to affect around 67 million people worldwide, and very little is known about what causes it. A key feature of the condition is a disproportionate worsening of symptoms following even minor physical or mental activity, which is known as post-exertional malaise (PEM,) while other symptoms include pain, brain fog and extreme energy limitations that do not improve with rest. For the new study, researchers analysed 15,579 DNA samples from the 27,000 people with ME/CFS participating in DecodeME, described as the world's largest data set of people with the disease. The eight regions of DNA where scientists found genetic differences involve genes linked to the immune and nervous systems. At least two of the genetic signals relate to how the body responds to infection, which researchers said aligns with long-standing patient reports that the onset of symptoms often followed an infectious illness. Professor Chris Ponting, DecodeME investigator from the University of Edinburgh, said: 'This is a wake-up call. These extraordinary DNA results speak the language of ME/CFS, often recounting people's ME/CFS symptoms. 'DecodeME's eight genetic signals reveal much about why infection triggers ME/CFS and why pain is a common symptom. 'ME/CFS is a serious illness and we now know that someone's genetics can tip the balance on whether they are diagnosed with it.' As a person's DNA does not change over time, experts say the genetic signals identified would not have developed because of ME/CFS and are therefore likely to reflect the causes of the disease. Populations used in the initial study were limited to those from European ancestries. DecodeME research studying DNA data from all ancestries is ongoing. ME/CFS, thought to affect around 404,000 people in the UK, affects more females than males, although researchers found nothing to explain why this is the case. The DecodeME team is now calling on researchers from around the world to access its 'rich' dataset and help drive forward targeted studies into ME/CFS. Sonya Chowdhury, chief executive of Action for ME and a DecodeME co-investigator, said: 'These results are groundbreaking. 'With DecodeME, we have gone from knowing next to nothing about the causes of ME/CFS, to giving researchers clear targets.' She also hopes the discoveries will help change the way the condition is viewed. Ms Chowdhury said: 'This really adds validity and credibility for people with ME. 'We know that many people have experienced comments like ME is not real, or they've been to doctors and been disbelieved or told that it's not a real illness. 'Whilst things have changed and continue to change, that is still the case for some people and we hear that repeatedly as a charity. 'Being able to take this study into the treatment room and say there are genetic causes that play a part in ME is going to be really significant for individuals. 'It will rebuff that lack of belief and the stigma that exists.' The findings have been reported in a pre-print publication, or unpublished study. During a media briefing about the study, researchers were asked about similarities between the symptoms of long Covid and ME/CFS. Prof Ponting said: 'It's very clear that the symptomology between long Covid and ME is highly similar. 'Not for everyone but there are substantial similarities but as a geneticist the key question for me is are there overlapping genetic factors, and we haven't found that in DECode ME with the methods that we've employed. ' One of the key things that we're doing is enabling others to use their different approaches to ask and answer the same question.' DecodeME is a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh, the charity Action for ME, the Forward ME alliance of charities, and people with ME/CFS. It is funded by the Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health and Care Research.
Times
an hour ago
- Times
Breakthrough genetic study offers treatment hope for ME patients
Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) could have genetic roots, researchers have found, in the biggest scientific breakthrough yet into the disease. A team at the University of Edinburgh analysed DNA samples from people with ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), in a hunt to uncover the biological roots of the illness. About 400,000 people in Britain have the disease, which leads to profound exhaustion and pain, but until now scientists knew 'next to nothing' about what causes it. The new study revealed eight 'signals' in genetic code where people with ME tended to have markedly different gene variants compared to the healthy population. It is the first robust evidence that genes predispose people to the disease and suggests that ME may be caused by processes in the immune and nervous systems.
