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Genes play a role in sweaty palms

A new UCLA study in the February issue of the Journal of Vascular Surgery shows strong evidence that sweaty palms syndrome is genetic. It may be caused by a dominant gene, indicating that family members of those who have the disorder may suffer from it more than has been previously reported.

“Traditionally, this syndrome was thought of as stress-related and has not been taken seriously by the medical community,” said Dr. Samuel S. Ahn, principal investigator and professor at the Division of Vascular Surgery.

According to Ahn and his collaborators in the Department of Human Genetics, the study indicates that as much as 5 percent of the population may be at risk for some form of hyperhidrosis, commonly known as sweaty palms syndrome.

Geneticists ID migraine gene

UCLA geneticists have discovered the first evidence that migraine with aura is a hereditary condition. Reported in the March 1 edition of the American Journal of Human Genetics, the findings will enable researchers to isolate the gene that predisposes people to the disorder.

Dr. Aarno Palotie, principal investigator and UCLA professor of pathology and human genetics, and his team analyzed genetic markers in blood samples from 50 Finnish families with three or more multigenerational members who suffer from the disorder.

In 30 percent of the 430 people studied, Palotie and colleagues discovered three common markers consistently linked to the q23 region of chromosome 4.

Migraines affect roughly 12 percent of the population.

Entrepreneurs compete at UCB

Smart metal technology, biochips, cancer treatments, innovative security solutions and new technology for the home and hospitals are among the concepts proposed by entrepreneurs who are entering the fourth annual UC Berkeley, Business Plan Competition.

In sharp contrast to previous years, more than 30 percent of this year’s plans submitted by 66 teams are focused on biotechnology.

Each team must have at least one UC Berkeley student or alumnus as an active member. Teams are competing for $90,000 in cash and in-kind prizes.

This year’s teams include students from Berkeley, UC San Francisco, Stanford University, MIT, UCLA and California Polytechnical Institute. Other participants are from India, the United Kingdom, France, Brazil, China and Vietnam.

Eight teams will advance to the final round of judging, to be held on the Berkeley campus April 22 and 23.

Reports from Daily Bruin wire services.