Latest news with #Caucasian


Indian Express
18 hours ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Indian study finds what makes thyroid cancer aggressive, recurrent and treatment-resistant: What this means for precision therapy
In a significant leap for cancer research and precision medicine, an Indian study has decoded the complex genetic architecture of thyroid cancer — one of the most common endocrine malignancies. Researchers from Tata Memorial Centre and the University of Delhi, South Campus, have shed new light on how thyroid cancer behaves in Indian patients, identifying novel risk genes and molecular subtypes that could revolutionise diagnosis and treatment. Published in 'JCO Global Oncology,' the research is spearheaded by graduate student Vaishakhi Trivedi under the mentorship of Dr Kumar Prabhash and Dr Amit Dutt. 'Our work not only adds data to global cancer databases —it also redefines what is known about thyroid cancer in the Indian population,' Dr Dutt said. The rogue gene in the most common thyroid cancer The study concerns papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), which accounts for 80-85 per cent of all thyroid cancer cases in India. This is considered treatable. The team analysed DNA from 100 Indian patients and found mutations in the DUOX2 gene found in nearly nine per cent of cases. 'This gene, previously known for its role in thyroid hormone production, now appears to be a genetic red flag for recurrence and poor prognosis. This is the first time DUOX2 has been implicated as a predisposing factor in PTC. It offers an opportunity for early detection and potentially life-saving interventions,' Dr Dutt said. Study uncovers two distinct molecular subtypes The study even identified two different subtypes associated with aggressive cancer and high recurrence. The BRAF-RAS-driven subtype makes up 62 per cent of cases and is identified by mutations that are often tied to more aggressive tumour behaviour. The iBR (Independent of BRAF-RAS) subtype is a newly-defined category. 'This group lacks traditional mutations but shows alarming signs of treatment resistance and high recurrence. It is marked by alterations in genes like SMAD4 and TG — a previously uncharted territory for thyroid oncologists,' said Dr Dutt. This dual classification signals a new era of care where treatments are tailored to the patient's genetic profile rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Cracking the genetic code of an aggressive form of thyroid cancer While PTC is common and often curable, anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is its deadly cousin — rare, fast-moving and resistant to nearly every treatment in the book. The research team examined 68 samples and found mutations in the THRA gene in 11 per cent of Indian patients. This is in sharp contrast to Caucasian datasets. 'THRA, a gene tied to thyroid hormone signalling, appears to be a key player in cellular plasticity or the process by which cancer cells morph, lose their identity and become more aggressive. THRA mutations are like flipping the switch. They make the cancer harder to kill but they also give us a target. That's a rare silver lining,' Dr Prabhash explained. What this means for Indian patients — and the world These findings offer practical methods of how thyroid cancers are diagnosed, treated and managed in Indian patients. 'Patients with DUOX2 mutations could be monitored proactively, much like BRCA testing in breast cancer. This may help in diagnosing aggressive PTC early and prevent a relapse,' Dr Dutt said. Researchers also added that therapies that restore THRA function may finally give ATC patients a fighting chance. 'We need a personalised roadmap for thyroid cancer. With the promise of advanced tools like CRISPR gene editing and small-molecule inhibitors, these discoveries could soon migrate from the lab bench to the bedside,' the researchers said. 'Genetic profiling should be as routine as a biopsy,' said Vaishakhi Trivedi. 'We have the science. Now we need the systems to support it.' Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition. ... Read More

Sky News AU
a day ago
- Sky News AU
Police urge mum to come forward as new images released of three children including new-born baby missing from Gold Coast
Police have released images of three children including a new-born baby girl who have vanished along with their mother more than five days ago from Gold Coast, Queensland. As urgent searches continue for the family-of-four, police have uploaded new pictures of a missing 7-week-old baby girl and 41-year-old mother, Monique, who the children are known to and are believed to be with in New South Wales. Police first sounded the alarm on Friday after receiving initial reports of a 10-year-old girl and 6-year-old boy missing as they were last seen near Mirambeena Drive in Pimpama about 8.50am. They are both described as Caucasian, with brown hair and brown eyes. Police are seeking urgent assistance to locate these three children. Picture: QPS The images of the two children have also been made public. Monique is described as Caucasian, with dark brown hair and brown eyes. Police have also released an image of a white Nissan X-Trail, similar to the vehicle they are believed to be travelling in. "Monique is driving a white Nissan X-Trail with Queensland registration 992XPS and may be in the Tenterfield area in New South Wales," Queensland Police said in a statement. "Family and police are concerned for their welfare due to their young age. "Police are urging Monique to come forward." Anyone who may have sighted them or the vehicle has been urged to contact police.

9 News
a day ago
- 9 News
New images of baby girl, kids missing from Gold Coast
New images have been released as police search for three children who went missing from the Gold Coast on Friday, July 18. Initial reports indicated a 10-year-old girl and a six-year-old boy were last seen near Mirambeena Drive in Pimpama around 8.50am on July 18. They are both described as Caucasian, with brown hair and brown eyes. A six-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl are missing from the Gold Coast. (Queensland Police) Now, police have also released a photo of a missing seven-week-old baby girl. Another image is of 41-year-old Monique, who the children are believed to be with. The children are known to her. READ MORE: Staggering number of workers about to quit their jobs A seven-week-old baby girl is missing too. (Queensland Police) Monique is described as Caucasian, with dark brown hair and brown eyes. They are believed to be travelling in a white Nissan X-Trail with Queensland registration 992XPS. Police believe the group may be in the Tenterfield area of New South Wales. An image has also been released of Monique, 41, whom the children are known to and believed to be travelling with. (Queensland Police) Police are urging Monique to come forward and contact Policelink on 131 444. Anyone who may have seen them or the car is also urged to contact police.


Irish Daily Star
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Star
12 times Trump's fake tan has looked horrible and exposed shocking reality
Donald Trump's skin tone has been a topic of intrigue for years, and the curiosity surrounding his unique hue doesn't seem to be fading anytime soon Donald Trump's signature "orange hue" has long been a source of fascination, and the intrigue about his distinctive skin tone shows no signs of waning. The former US president is notorious for his glowing complexion, but it wasn't always so. Observers note that Trump's tanning booth-kissed appearance became a staple only after 2012, during his time on The Apprentice, when he began to apply makeup more frequently for TV appearances and public engagements. From then on, his orange tint became a hallmark, and by 2015, as he stepped into the political arena as a presidential hopeful, the world took a keen interest in his tanning practices. There's been plenty of speculation over the years about how Trump achieves his "orange" look. 'Fake Melania' theory sparked as critics spot four signs after odd sunglasses and cap Donald Trump's 7-word quip to Speaker Mike Johnson about his wife Experts agree that at times, Trump's artificial tan appears particularly vivid, with the orange intensity peaking in 2020, only to be toned down as the 2024 election approaches. A notably poor photo from 2020 even sparked a scientific investigation. Researchers have concluded that Trump's fluctuating skin color is likely due to self-tanner rather than heavy makeup application. A PubMed study titled 'Fake tan or fake news?' delved into the distinctive skin tone of Donald Trump, comparing it to natural and artificial tanning ranges. "We then compared the estimated skin colours with two existing data sets of skin colours: the range of skin tans that occur naturally in the Caucasian population and the range skin colors brought about by a sunless tan. We find that Trump's skin color is close to the edge of the natural skin tan gamut and firmly within the gamut of a sunless skin tan," the study reported. The lighter area around his eyes has been attributed by some to wearing protective goggles while tanning. Despite this analysis, Trump's camp has consistently denied using spray tans or sunbeds. In 2019, an anonymous White House insider claimed to The New York Times, under strict anonymity, that Trump's unique hue was simply due to 'good genes.' Despite his denials, here are 12 times when Trump's tan situation took the internet by surprise. Trump before the tan and makeup Tan peaks in 2020 Pressure on means tanning bed is on Two different skin tones in court


7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
Woman charged after allegedly interfering in police arrest of wanted man in Blue Mountains
A woman has been charged after allegedly interfering with police as they attempted to arrest a wanted man. Police began chasing a 34-year-old man along Railway Parade in Hazelbrook, a town about 15 minutes east of Katoomba, just before 10.20am on Monday in connection with a pursuit through the Blue Mountains last week. Officers deployed a Taser during the attempted arrest, but the 40-year-old woman allegedly intervened, leading to a confrontation between the man and police. The man allegedly punched both officers in the head before fleeing, prompting a police helicopter to circle overhead and broadcast urgent appeal messages. Following inquiries, the woman was arrested in Blackheath later that day and charged with hindering police in the execution of their duty. She was granted conditional bail to appear before Katoomba Local Court on August 11. The search for the man remains ongoing. On Monday, PolAir could be heard describing the man over loudspeakers as it hovered above the quiet town, leaving some residents feeling frightened. Some took to social media to express their fears and frustrations about the police operation. 'Should we lock up? Stay inside until they have a handle on the situation? I'm a little terrified,' one resident wrote on social media. 'They are circling my block it's all we can hear right now. My eight-year-old is freaked,' another added. 'Police should update their (Facebook) page instead of scaring people. Is this guy dangerous?,' a third comment read. The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm to 180cm tall, of thin build, with blond hair and a ginger beard. He was last seen wearing black pants and a black hoodie. 'Anyone who sees him is urged not to approach him but to contact Triple Zero (000) immediately,' police said.