Monthly Archives: September 2020

This topic involves gene-environment interactions. Octinoxate (a sunscreen) is the “environmental signal”, and genetic activation via aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)-signaling represents the “response to the signal.” We are constantly exposed to varying levels of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun … Continue reading →

This topic is within the theme of gene-environment interactions. The “environmental signal” is — loss of a body part. ☹ The “response to that signal” is — let’s mobilize our transcription factors and regulatory elements and activate our genetic networks … Continue reading →

At first glance, this topic might not seem to be related to the GEITP theme of gene-environment interactions. However, the “environmental signal” (in this case, an endogenous compound from cells other than the target neurons) is a “somnogenic factor” and … Continue reading →

This timely article (surprisingly, from The New York Times) fits very nicely with GEITP’s gene-environment interactions theme. The author writes very clearly and eloquently, with elegant similes. And his approach (in this article) is the same way that we should … Continue reading →

This study might be of interest to some GEITP’ers. Perhaps the most significant news in this study — is that both drugs are already FDA-approved, over-the-counter (OTC), and easy to acquire. 😊 DwN Antihistamines May Help Calm COVID-19 Cytokine Storm … Continue reading →

Today we have a “natural” as a topic for gene-environment interactions. And “prions” are mentioned again — just after an article about prions 2-3 days ago in these GEITP pages. Today the “environmental signal” is temperature (heat vs cold), and … Continue reading →

Just as “prions” were first discovered in humans — and now are realized to exist in not only all animals but also yeast, fungi and plants — and carry out important functions — so we learn [from the attached article] … Continue reading →

As these GEITP pages have often stated, any trait (phenotype) reflects contributions of: genetics (differences in DNA sequence); epigenetic factors (chromosomal events independent of DNA sequence: DNA methylation, RNA interference, histone modifications, and chromatin remodeling); environmental effects (smoking, diet, lifestyle); … Continue reading →

This topic fits nicely the theme of gene-environment interactions — the “environmental signal” is the life cycle of Camponotini (ant tribe containing two extinct genera and eight extant genera — including the carpenter ant); the “response to the signal” is … Continue reading →

“Consensus science” is the risky situation whereby “a majority of ‘scientists’ might agree upon a ‘fact’ they fervently believe to be true.” The consensus may or may not turn out to be confirmed by further research, but we should remember … Continue reading →