"Gene Discovered That Raises Asthma Risk in Blacks"

"U.S. researchers have discovered a genetic mutation unique to African Americans that could help explain why blacks are so susceptible to asthma.

Prior studies looking for asthma genes have turned up several, but most of the studies have been too small to confirm these genes or to detect genetic changes unique to different races.

The new study, published on Sunday in the journal Nature Genetics, pools research from nine different research groups looking for genes associated with asthma among ethnically diverse North American populations.

It confirmed four genes that had been seen in previous studies and a fifth that shows up only in people of African descent."

Julie Steenhuysen reports for Reuters July 31, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"Study Links Asthma To Magnetic-Field Exposure of Pregnant Moms" (Toronto Globe and Mail)

"Pylons Linked To Babies' Asthma: Hairdryers, Vacuum Cleaners And Microwave Also a Risk, Say Scientists" (London Daily Mail)

"Asthma Risk Linked To Exposure From Powerlines in Pregnancy" (Australian)

"Study Links Hairdryers to Kids' Asthma" (West Australian)

"Magnetic Field Exposure Linked To Asthma Risk" (Reuters)