Childhood Stress Leaves Genetic Scars
Researchers have found that violence in the lives of children can cause changes in their DNA equivalent to seven to 10 years of premature aging. Scientists measured this cellular aging by studying the ends of children's chromosomes, called telomeres. Telomeres are DNA sequences that act like the plastic tips on shoelaces, which prevent the DNA in chromosomes from unraveling. Each time a cell divides, the telomeres become shorter until a cell dies when it can't divide anymore, reports Liz Szabo for USA Today. Idan Shalev, a post-doctoral researcher in psychology and neuroscience at the Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy and lead author of the study in today's Molecular Psychiatry says, "This is the first time it has been shown that our telomeres can shorten at a faster rate even at a really young age, while kids are still experiencing stress." The researchers analyzed DNA samples from twins at ages 5 and 10 and compared telomere length to three kinds of violence: domestic violence between the mother a
Childhood Stress Leaves Genetic Scars
Abuse may shorten the caps of chromosomes, potentially leading to premature aging and disease
Tue 24 Apr 12 from Science Now
Violence puts wear and tear on kids' DNA
Children who have experienced violence might really be older than their years. The DNA of 10-year-olds who experienced violence in their young lives has been found to show wear and tear normally ...
Tue 24 Apr 12 from Medical Xpress
Violence puts wear and tear on kids' DNA, Tue 24 Apr 12 from Labspaces.net
Violence puts wear and tear on kids' DNA, Tue 24 Apr 12 from e! Science News
Bullying, child abuse hasten aging in kids
Children exposed to multiple instances of violence age faster on a cellular level than children without violent experiences
Thu 26 Apr 12 from FOXNews
Old before their time: Children exposed to violent abuse age PHYSICALLY - and signs can be read in their DNA
Scientists at the Duke Institute believe that stress may shorten their telomeres - DNA sequences found at the tips of chromosomes which have been linked to ageing
Thu 26 Apr 12 from Daily Mail
Exposure to violence in children harms DNA, study says
The damage is similar to that seen in aging, Duke researchers report. The study may help explain why people from abusive backgrounds have more risk of disease.Children who are exposed to violence ...
Tue 24 Apr 12 from L.A. Times
Bullying, Child Abuse Hastens Aging in Kids
Childhood violence puts wear and tear on DNA.
Tue 24 Apr 12 from Livescience
Kids Exposed to Bullying & Violence May Age Faster
New research shows that the genetic material, or DNA, of children who experienced violence shows the type of wear and tear that is normally associated with advancing age.
Tue 24 Apr 12 from WebMD
Children Age Faster When Exposed To Violence And Bullying
Researchers have found that violence in the lives of children can cause changes in their DNA equivalent to seven to 10 years of premature aging. Scientists measured this cellular aging by studying ...
Wed 25 Apr 12 from RedOrbit
Total number of sources: 13
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