DNA from the descendants of President Abraham Lincoln helped researchers identify the gene responsible for ataxia, a rare, incurable degenerative brain disease.

The University of Minnesota Medical School researchers found that Spinocerebellar ataxia type 5 (SCA5) is linked to a mutation in the a-III spectrin protein, which is crucial to maintaining the health of nerve cells, reports HealthDay News

Authorities unintentionally found the suspected killer of an Ohio University freshman after matching DNA taken in an unrelated child-support case three years ago.

Jonathan J. Gravely's DNA was taken under a new state law that mandated convicted felons to submit DNA samples. The 35-year-old was found guilty in 2003 of failing to pay child support

A study conducted in Iceland concluded that a simple change in genetics could predispose almost 40 percent of the population to type-2 diabetes.

Researchers released results of the study Sunday. Kari Stefansson and his team of colleagues say that they are hoping their findings will help pave the way for better treatments and a possible cure

Bioenvision Inc. announced Monday that its continuing study of an experimental leukemia treatment shows "encouraging" data for some high-risk groups.

The company's analysis 44 patients showed 36 percent of those with a high-risk genetic profile responded to Bioenvision's clofarabine drug. Moreover, 56 percent of patients older than 70 years of age responded to the drug

A German molecular medicine company called Genekam has developed the most reliable and accurate DNA-based test to date and is able to detect the avian influenza virus H5N1 along with the not less dangerous H9 virus in a very short time.

The new tests can even be performed under field conditions, before the new development such tests were not available and caused an indeterminate number of "suspected" bird flu deaths