Beshear announces launch of Kynect, the state's new online shop for health insurance; open enrollment starts Oct. 1

Gov. Steve Beshear has announced the launch of Kentucky’s Healthcare Connection, which is referred to as Kynect and is Kentucky's one-stop onlineshop for the state's new health insurance exchange.

Beginning next year, most Americans will be required to have health insurance, and Kynect is designed to help an estimated 640,000 uninsured Kentuckians get coverage through private insurance plans, Medicaid or the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program. The online service is also aimed to promote public education and awareness about the health benefit exchange, says a recent press release.

“When I issued an executive order last year creating a state-based health benefit exchange, I did so to ensure that our health benefit exchange would be designed to best meet the unique needs of Kentuckians,” Beshear said. “Individuals, families and small businesses will be able to use kynect for one-stop shopping to find health coverage and determine if they are eligible for payment assistance or tax credits to help cover costs.”

During open enrollment, which begins Oct. 1, Kentuckians and small businesses can compare and select health insurance plans using the Kynect website, a toll-free contact center, a mail-in application or in person, says the release. People can also use the website to find out if they qualify for payment assistance and special discounts on deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance.

For example, the website indicates that a family of four making $48,000 will receive a tax credit that can be used to pay insurance premiums, which is estimated to be $252 per month, in addition to government subsidies for medical care. A family of four making $80,000 will a receive tax credit too, and insurance premiums are estimated to be $634 per month. Small businesses can also use the website to see if they qualify for specific tax credits (Click here for a PDF fact sheet about payment assistance)

“Starting today, we are undertaking a major education and awareness campaign to ensure that all uninsured Kentuckians understand how Kynect can help them and their families find affordable health coverage,” said Audrey Haynes, secretary for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, which will oversee Kynect along with the Kentucky Office of the Health Benefit Exchange.

Beshear created the health exchange by an executive order in July 2012. A recent lawsuit alleges this action was not authorized and should first be approved by the General Assembly. To date, Kentucky has received about $250 million in federal grants to cover the initial costs of exchange, but the state will be responsible for all funding for the exchange beginning in 2015. Kentuckians can visit the service's website or watch the video below to learn more about the program. 

Gov. Steve Beshear has announced the launch of Kentucky’s Healthcare Connection, which is referred to as Kynect and is Kentucky's one-stop onlineshop for the state's new health insurance exchange.

Beginning next year, most Americans will be required to have health insurance, and Kynect is designed to help an estimated 640,000 uninsured Kentuckians get coverage through private insurance plans, Medicaid or the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program. The online service is also aimed to promote public education and awareness about the health benefit exchange, says a recent press release.

“When I issued an executive order last year creating a state-based health benefit exchange, I did so to ensure that our health benefit exchange would be designed to best meet the unique needs of Kentuckians,” Beshear said. “Individuals, families and small businesses will be able to use kynect for one-stop shopping to find health coverage and determine if they are eligible for payment assistance or tax credits to help cover costs.”

During open enrollment, which begins Oct. 1, Kentuckians and small businesses can compare and select health insurance plans using the Kynect website, a toll-free contact center, a mail-in application or in person, says the release. People can also use the website to find out if they qualify for payment assistance and special discounts on deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance.

For example, the website indicates that a family of four making $48,000 will receive a tax credit that can be used to pay insurance premiums, which is estimated to be $252 per month, in addition to government subsidies for medical care. A family of four making $80,000 will a receive tax credit too, and insurance premiums are estimated to be $634 per month. Small businesses can also use the website to see if they qualify for specific tax credits (Click here for a PDF fact sheet about payment assistance)

“Starting today, we are undertaking a major education and awareness campaign to ensure that all uninsured Kentuckians understand how Kynect can help them and their families find affordable health coverage,” said Audrey Haynes, secretary for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, which will oversee Kynect along with the Kentucky Office of the Health Benefit Exchange.

Beshear created the health exchange by an executive order in July 2012. A recent lawsuit alleges this action was not authorized and should first be approved by the General Assembly. To date, Kentucky has received about $250 million in federal grants to cover the initial costs of exchange, but the state will be responsible for all funding for the exchange beginning in 2015. Kentuckians can visit the service's website or watch the video below to learn more about the program. 

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New study finds texting and driving kills and injures more teens than drinking and driving, and is becoming more prevalent

A new study finds that texting while driving has become more dangerous among teenagers than drinking and driving, and it says the number of teens who are dying or being injured as a result of this habit has "skyrocketed."

Nationwide, more than 3,000 teens are killed and 300,000 are injured as a result of texting and driving, compared to 2,700 deaths and 282,000 injuries from drinking and driving, said researchers at Cohen Children's Medical Center in New Hyde Park, N.Y.

"A person who is texting can be as impaired as a driver who is legally drunk," said Dr. Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Cohen.

Adesman and his team found that the number of teens who text and drive exceed the number who drink and drive, that more boys admit to texting than girls, and that texting increases with age, writes Delthia Ricks of Newsday. While teens' texting is increasing, the CDC reports alcohol use among teen drivers has decreased by 54 percent over the past 14 years.

On Wednesday, officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration described texting as among the worst of driver distractions, and Adesman says texting is as hazardous as "drinking and driving, binge drinking, drug and tobacco use, unsafe sex and tanning devices," writes Ricks.

"We have very strong taboos against drinking and driving. Kids don't drink and drive every day," Adesman said. "But some kids are out there texting and driving seven days a week -- and they admit it."

A new study finds that texting while driving has become more dangerous among teenagers than drinking and driving, and it says the number of teens who are dying or being injured as a result of this habit has "skyrocketed."

Nationwide, more than 3,000 teens are killed and 300,000 are injured as a result of texting and driving, compared to 2,700 deaths and 282,000 injuries from drinking and driving, said researchers at Cohen Children's Medical Center in New Hyde Park, N.Y.

"A person who is texting can be as impaired as a driver who is legally drunk," said Dr. Andrew Adesman, chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Cohen.

Adesman and his team found that the number of teens who text and drive exceed the number who drink and drive, that more boys admit to texting than girls, and that texting increases with age, writes Delthia Ricks of Newsday. While teens' texting is increasing, the CDC reports alcohol use among teen drivers has decreased by 54 percent over the past 14 years.

On Wednesday, officials from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration described texting as among the worst of driver distractions, and Adesman says texting is as hazardous as "drinking and driving, binge drinking, drug and tobacco use, unsafe sex and tanning devices," writes Ricks.

"We have very strong taboos against drinking and driving. Kids don't drink and drive every day," Adesman said. "But some kids are out there texting and driving seven days a week -- and they admit it."

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The country that eats worm and weed killer regularly can’t find a cure for cancer

A recent study by Natural News has shown that canola oil has been a very effective pesticide. It has been generously used to spray on vegetables to kill bugs. The book called 25 Amazing Facts About Foods by Mike Adams and David Guiterrez covers wonderfully detailed description on such topics.  The word ‘canola’ was originally a registered trademark by the manufacturers who wanted to sell rapeseed in low erucic acid content. In fact the sell of rapeseed was banned by the FDA in many countries because of its pesticide-like properties. The word has been derived from ‘Canadian oil, low acid’ for popular usage. Read more about it on: http://www.naturalnews.com/034733_canola_oil_rapeseed_food_labels.html#ixzz2SiHYtEea

The canola oil is being used at the whole foods “fresh foods” bar as an attractive ingredient for its aromatic properties. Natural News argues whether the customers should be charged extra for adding rather harmful oil to their misleading repertoire. There are food items alongside of canola oil which have minimal potential additives which are risky to your general health. This could lead to cancer, allergies and lower immunity in the human body. The claims by grocery food lines to be absolutely natural are a vague cry, whereas the government should take actions to remove canola from it sale list. There is much more information on this: http://www.naturalnews.com/040246_Whole_Foods_canola_oil_GMO.html

Did you know that global warming is also caused by harmful chemicals and pesticides which are being used for non-organic farming activities? This affect is also seen in green house gas pollution. Conventional food in making the planet toxic! It may come at the cheaper price than the organic foods, but the health and environment price to pay is HUGE. Moreover, GMOs are now becoming even costlier to produce and harvest due to superbugs and superweeds. You can read more on this topic on http://www.naturalnews.com/038242_dr_oz_flip-flopper_organic_consumers_association.html

 

 

A recent study by Natural News has shown that canola oil has been a very effective pesticide. It has been generously used to spray on vegetables to kill bugs. The book called 25 Amazing Facts About Foods by Mike Adams and David Guiterrez covers wonderfully detailed description on such topics.  The word ‘canola’ was originally a registered trademark by the manufacturers who wanted to sell rapeseed in low erucic acid content. In fact the sell of rapeseed was banned by the FDA in many countries because of its pesticide-like properties. The word has been derived from ‘Canadian oil, low acid’ for popular usage. Read more about it on: http://www.naturalnews.com/034733_canola_oil_rapeseed_food_labels.html#ixzz2SiHYtEea

The canola oil is being used at the whole foods “fresh foods” bar as an attractive ingredient for its aromatic properties. Natural News argues whether the customers should be charged extra for adding rather harmful oil to their misleading repertoire. There are food items alongside of canola oil which have minimal potential additives which are risky to your general health. This could lead to cancer, allergies and lower immunity in the human body. The claims by grocery food lines to be absolutely natural are a vague cry, whereas the government should take actions to remove canola from it sale list. There is much more information on this: http://www.naturalnews.com/040246_Whole_Foods_canola_oil_GMO.html

Did you know that global warming is also caused by harmful chemicals and pesticides which are being used for non-organic farming activities? This affect is also seen in green house gas pollution. Conventional food in making the planet toxic! It may come at the cheaper price than the organic foods, but the health and environment price to pay is HUGE. Moreover, GMOs are now becoming even costlier to produce and harvest due to superbugs and superweeds. You can read more on this topic on http://www.naturalnews.com/038242_dr_oz_flip-flopper_organic_consumers_association.html

 

 

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Poll shows strong support for medical marijuana in Kentucky

A statewide poll has found that 78 percent of Kentucky adults support the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes if recommended by their doctor, while only 26 percent of favor it for recreational purposes.

There were no significant differences in the poll results among the regions of the state on the medical-marijuana question, but on the recreational-use question, the Louisville area and Northern Kentucky were more likely to favor it, at about 37 percent. For geographic and demographic breakdowns of the poll results, click here.

Nationally, 17 states and the District of Columbia allow medical marijuana, and three states have recently legalized it for recreational use.

“Our Kentucky Health Issues Poll is designed to be informative to Kentucky policymakers,” said Susan Zepeda, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, which co-sponsored the poll. “Over the past several years, bills dealing with legalization of marijuana have been filed in the Kentucky General Assembly. This research gives policymakers a snapshot of Kentuckians’ views on this issue and should be helpful as lawmakers consider issues for the 2014 legislative session.”

For years, Sen. Perry Clark, D-Louisville, has introduced bills in the Kentucky Senate aimed to legalize medical marijuana. Although the bills, referred to as The Gatewood Galbraith Medical Marijuana Memorial Act, gained media coverage in the 2012 and 2013 legislative sessions, they have not received a committee hearing and have not passed.

The poll was funded by the foundation and the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati and was conducted last year from Sept. 20 to Oct. 14 by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati. A random sample of 1,680 adults from throughout Kentucky was interviewed by telephone, including landlines and cell phones, and the poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

A statewide poll has found that 78 percent of Kentucky adults support the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes if recommended by their doctor, while only 26 percent of favor it for recreational purposes.

There were no significant differences in the poll results among the regions of the state on the medical-marijuana question, but on the recreational-use question, the Louisville area and Northern Kentucky were more likely to favor it, at about 37 percent. For geographic and demographic breakdowns of the poll results, click here.

Nationally, 17 states and the District of Columbia allow medical marijuana, and three states have recently legalized it for recreational use.

“Our Kentucky Health Issues Poll is designed to be informative to Kentucky policymakers,” said Susan Zepeda, president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, which co-sponsored the poll. “Over the past several years, bills dealing with legalization of marijuana have been filed in the Kentucky General Assembly. This research gives policymakers a snapshot of Kentuckians’ views on this issue and should be helpful as lawmakers consider issues for the 2014 legislative session.”

For years, Sen. Perry Clark, D-Louisville, has introduced bills in the Kentucky Senate aimed to legalize medical marijuana. Although the bills, referred to as The Gatewood Galbraith Medical Marijuana Memorial Act, gained media coverage in the 2012 and 2013 legislative sessions, they have not received a committee hearing and have not passed.

The poll was funded by the foundation and the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati and was conducted last year from Sept. 20 to Oct. 14 by the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Cincinnati. A random sample of 1,680 adults from throughout Kentucky was interviewed by telephone, including landlines and cell phones, and the poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

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Genetics of inherited hypokalemia in Burmese cats

Gandolfi B, Gruffydd-Jones TJ, Malik R, et al. First WNK4-hypokalemia animal model identified by genome-wide association in Burmese cats. PLoS ONE. 2012; 7: e53173. [Free, full text article]
 
Potassium is an important cation required for establishing normal cell resting membrane potential and for normal cell excitability in all mammals. Generalized or localized episodic or persistent muscle weakness can occur due to low potassium levels secondary to low dietary potassium intake or abnormal metabolism or elimination of potassium caused by disease. Low potassium can also result from inherited defects and previous genetic studies have identified heritable syndromes of muscle weakness in humans, horses, and non-USA Burmese cats. Burmese hypokalemia periodic polymyopathy is thought to be an autosomal recessive condition characterized by episodic or constant muscle pain from palpation, generalized muscle weakness, or local muscle weakness evidenced by ventroflexion of the head and neck and head bobbing, stilted or crouched gait, dorsal scapulae protrusion, and muscle tremors. The disease usually becomes evident in kittens at 2 to 6 months of age, or rarely up to 2 years old.

Researchers from University of California, Davis and collaborators used performed a genome-wide association study to localize the gene responsible for hypokalemic periodic polymyopathy in non-USA Burmese breed. Thirty-five affected Burmese cats and 25 unaffected Burmese cats were identified from Australia, UK, and Germany and their DNA was used in the genetic case-control study. A significant association was identified on feline chromosome E1, and a mutation discovered in the WNK4 gene. All affected cats were homozygous for the mutation. The mutation causes a premature stop codon resulting in a truncation of the C-terminal coiled coil domain and the loss of its phosphorylation site. WNK4 is a serine-threonine protein kinase that is virtually exclusively expressed in the kidneys and is involved in salt, water, potassium, and pH homeostasis. WNK kinases have also recently been recognized to comprise a signalling pathway essential for normal development, regulation of arterial pressure, normal electrolyte balance, and for sensory nerve function. It is postulated that the mechanism causing hypokalemia in Burmese cats may involve a potassium-losing nephropathy. The researchers also developed a genetic test for identification of carrier cats prior to mating, and thus avoid propagation of the mutated gene. [GO]

Funding: This project was partially funded by the Cat Health Network grant D12FE-508.

See also: Mason K. A hereditary disease in Burmese cats manifested as an episodic weakness with head nodding and neck ventroflexion. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 1988; 24: 147-51.

Lantinga E, Kooistra HS and van Nes JJ. [Periodic muscle weakness and cervical ventroflexion caused by hypokalemia in a Burmese cat]. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd. 1998; 123: 435-7. 

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Gandolfi B, Gruffydd-Jones TJ, Malik R, et al. First WNK4-hypokalemia animal model identified by genome-wide association in Burmese cats. PLoS ONE. 2012; 7: e53173. [Free, full text article]
 
Potassium is an important cation required for establishing normal cell resting membrane potential and for normal cell excitability in all mammals. Generalized or localized episodic or persistent muscle weakness can occur due to low potassium levels secondary to low dietary potassium intake or abnormal metabolism or elimination of potassium caused by disease. Low potassium can also result from inherited defects and previous genetic studies have identified heritable syndromes of muscle weakness in humans, horses, and non-USA Burmese cats. Burmese hypokalemia periodic polymyopathy is thought to be an autosomal recessive condition characterized by episodic or constant muscle pain from palpation, generalized muscle weakness, or local muscle weakness evidenced by ventroflexion of the head and neck and head bobbing, stilted or crouched gait, dorsal scapulae protrusion, and muscle tremors. The disease usually becomes evident in kittens at 2 to 6 months of age, or rarely up to 2 years old.

Researchers from University of California, Davis and collaborators used performed a genome-wide association study to localize the gene responsible for hypokalemic periodic polymyopathy in non-USA Burmese breed. Thirty-five affected Burmese cats and 25 unaffected Burmese cats were identified from Australia, UK, and Germany and their DNA was used in the genetic case-control study. A significant association was identified on feline chromosome E1, and a mutation discovered in the WNK4 gene. All affected cats were homozygous for the mutation. The mutation causes a premature stop codon resulting in a truncation of the C-terminal coiled coil domain and the loss of its phosphorylation site. WNK4 is a serine-threonine protein kinase that is virtually exclusively expressed in the kidneys and is involved in salt, water, potassium, and pH homeostasis. WNK kinases have also recently been recognized to comprise a signalling pathway essential for normal development, regulation of arterial pressure, normal electrolyte balance, and for sensory nerve function. It is postulated that the mechanism causing hypokalemia in Burmese cats may involve a potassium-losing nephropathy. The researchers also developed a genetic test for identification of carrier cats prior to mating, and thus avoid propagation of the mutated gene. [GO]

Funding: This project was partially funded by the Cat Health Network grant D12FE-508.

See also: Mason K. A hereditary disease in Burmese cats manifested as an episodic weakness with head nodding and neck ventroflexion. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 1988; 24: 147-51.

Lantinga E, Kooistra HS and van Nes JJ. [Periodic muscle weakness and cervical ventroflexion caused by hypokalemia in a Burmese cat]. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd. 1998; 123: 435-7. 

More on cat health:
Winn Feline Foundation Library
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Join us on Google+

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Education in modern America reiterating the history

 

The best way to rule people is to keep them stuck to a specific dogma beyond which they would not dare to venture. Perhaps the best way of achieving this is taking the general public through such an education system that will inculcate the dogma deep into their minds, hence, standardized "dummy" tests for easy results and easy grading.

 

Natural News reports that the U.S. government has started to make use of such a method, as it has already stepped forward to educate the children in the U.S. with ideas that are essentially socialist in nature. Most of the states more or less “signed up” for this new curriculum, but many of them are now opting out, after gaining a clear view of the consequences of such and education system. More at http://www.naturalnews.com/040179_common_core_public_education_socialism.html#ixzz2SEoi5Woh.

 

It is not a new practice in the world. In fact, governments across the globe have taken resort to this method from time to time in order to push forward with their own objectives. Adolf Hitler, for example, made use if the dilapidated condition of post World War I Germany to educate Germans that he was their the true messiah and that only he could lead them to glory. The atrocities of Nazi rule that followed in Germany is no more unknown to the world. The holocaust of the Jews, the slaughter of the Russians and the oppression on the French, all started with a simple yet deceptive education and brainwashing process. Read more of this at http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/hitler.html.

 

The history of America is also in no way free of bloodshed and brutality. According to Natural News, Christopher Columbus, a divine figure for many Americans, started his conquest of America without showing any mercy to the Native Americans who had been protecting the land and its resources for centuries. http://thedailybanter.com/2012/10/christopher-columbus-should-a-mass-murderer-really-be-celebrated/This article clearly points out how the Spanish settlers looted the land and brought down a reign of terror on the Native Americans only to secure their own ends. The irony is that in the schools of the United States, Christopher Columbus is cast as a hero!

 

The best way to rule people is to keep them stuck to a specific dogma beyond which they would not dare to venture. Perhaps the best way of achieving this is taking the general public through such an education system that will inculcate the dogma deep into their minds, hence, standardized "dummy" tests for easy results and easy grading.

 

Natural News reports that the U.S. government has started to make use of such a method, as it has already stepped forward to educate the children in the U.S. with ideas that are essentially socialist in nature. Most of the states more or less “signed up” for this new curriculum, but many of them are now opting out, after gaining a clear view of the consequences of such and education system. More at http://www.naturalnews.com/040179_common_core_public_education_socialism.html#ixzz2SEoi5Woh.

 

It is not a new practice in the world. In fact, governments across the globe have taken resort to this method from time to time in order to push forward with their own objectives. Adolf Hitler, for example, made use if the dilapidated condition of post World War I Germany to educate Germans that he was their the true messiah and that only he could lead them to glory. The atrocities of Nazi rule that followed in Germany is no more unknown to the world. The holocaust of the Jews, the slaughter of the Russians and the oppression on the French, all started with a simple yet deceptive education and brainwashing process. Read more of this at http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/hitler.html.

 

The history of America is also in no way free of bloodshed and brutality. According to Natural News, Christopher Columbus, a divine figure for many Americans, started his conquest of America without showing any mercy to the Native Americans who had been protecting the land and its resources for centuries. http://thedailybanter.com/2012/10/christopher-columbus-should-a-mass-murderer-really-be-celebrated/This article clearly points out how the Spanish settlers looted the land and brought down a reign of terror on the Native Americans only to secure their own ends. The irony is that in the schools of the United States, Christopher Columbus is cast as a hero!

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Researchers identify link between GPR126 gene and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences in Japan have identified the first gene to be associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (also called AIS) across Asian and Caucasian populations. The gene is involved in the growth and development of the spine during childhood.

Their study is published today in the journal Nature Genetics.

AIS is the most common pediatric skeletal disease, affecting approximately 2% of school-age children. The causes of scoliosis remain largely unknown and brace treatment and surgery are the only treatment options. However, many clinical and genetic studies suggest a contribution of genetic factors.

To understand the causes and development of scoliosis, Dr Ikuyo Kou, Dr Shiro Ikegawa and their team have tried to identify genes that are associated with a susceptibility to develop the condition.

By studying the genome of 1,819 Japanese individuals suffering from scoliosis and comparing it to 25,939 Japanese individuals, the team identified a gene associated with a susceptibility to develop scoliosis on chromosome 6. The association was replicated in Han Chinese and Caucasian populations.

The researchers show that the susceptibility gene, GPR126, is highly expressed incartilage and that suppression of this gene leads to delayed growth and bone tissue formation in the developing spine. GPR126 is also known to play a role in human height and trunk length.

"Our finding suggest the interesting possibility that GPR126 may affect both AIS susceptibility and height through abnormal spinal development and growth," explain the authors.

"Further functional studies are necessary to elucidate how alterations in GPR126 increase the risk of AIS in humans," they conclude.

Source: RIKEN

About Dr Kevin Lau

Dr Kevin Lau is a Singapore chiropractor and the founder of Health In Your Hands, a series of tools for Scoliosis prevention and treatment. The set includes his book Your Plan for Natural Scoliosis Prevention and Treatment, a companion Scoliosis Exercises for Prevention and Correction DVD and the innovative new iPhone application ScolioTrack. Dr Kevin Lau is a graduate in Doctor of Chiropractic from RMIT University in Melbourne Australia and Masters in Holistic Nutrition. He is a member of International Society On Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT), the leading international society on conservative treatment of spinal deformities. In 2006 I was awarded the "Best Health-care Provider Awards" by the largest Newspaper publication in Singapore on October 18 2006 as well as being interviewed on Primetime Channel News Asia as well as other TV and Radio. For more information on Dr Kevin Lau, watch his interviews or get a free sneak peek of his book, go to:

Website - http://www.hiyh.info.
ScolioTrack Website - http://www.ScolioTrack.com.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HealthInYourHands.
Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/user/DrKevinLau.
Twitter - http://www.Twitter.com/DrKevinLau.

Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences in Japan have identified the first gene to be associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (also called AIS) across Asian and Caucasian populations. The gene is involved in the growth and development of the spine during childhood.

Their study is published today in the journal Nature Genetics.

AIS is the most common pediatric skeletal disease, affecting approximately 2% of school-age children. The causes of scoliosis remain largely unknown and brace treatment and surgery are the only treatment options. However, many clinical and genetic studies suggest a contribution of genetic factors.

To understand the causes and development of scoliosis, Dr Ikuyo Kou, Dr Shiro Ikegawa and their team have tried to identify genes that are associated with a susceptibility to develop the condition.

By studying the genome of 1,819 Japanese individuals suffering from scoliosis and comparing it to 25,939 Japanese individuals, the team identified a gene associated with a susceptibility to develop scoliosis on chromosome 6. The association was replicated in Han Chinese and Caucasian populations.

The researchers show that the susceptibility gene, GPR126, is highly expressed incartilage and that suppression of this gene leads to delayed growth and bone tissue formation in the developing spine. GPR126 is also known to play a role in human height and trunk length.

"Our finding suggest the interesting possibility that GPR126 may affect both AIS susceptibility and height through abnormal spinal development and growth," explain the authors.

"Further functional studies are necessary to elucidate how alterations in GPR126 increase the risk of AIS in humans," they conclude.

Source: RIKEN

About Dr Kevin Lau

Dr Kevin Lau is a Singapore chiropractor and the founder of Health In Your Hands, a series of tools for Scoliosis prevention and treatment. The set includes his book Your Plan for Natural Scoliosis Prevention and Treatment, a companion Scoliosis Exercises for Prevention and Correction DVD and the innovative new iPhone application ScolioTrack. Dr Kevin Lau is a graduate in Doctor of Chiropractic from RMIT University in Melbourne Australia and Masters in Holistic Nutrition. He is a member of International Society On Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT), the leading international society on conservative treatment of spinal deformities. In 2006 I was awarded the "Best Health-care Provider Awards" by the largest Newspaper publication in Singapore on October 18 2006 as well as being interviewed on Primetime Channel News Asia as well as other TV and Radio. For more information on Dr Kevin Lau, watch his interviews or get a free sneak peek of his book, go to:

Website - http://www.hiyh.info.
ScolioTrack Website - http://www.ScolioTrack.com.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HealthInYourHands.
Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/user/DrKevinLau.
Twitter - http://www.Twitter.com/DrKevinLau.

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