Traditional media (i.e. television, print) are the principal sources of science information for the public. This is changing however; adult home broadband users under the age of 30 report that the internet is the most popular source for science news and information [1]. Unfortunately, while the public is consuming science reporting today more than ever before, the media is doing a poorer job covering the field. This is particularly troublesome for genomic medicine and personal genetics, since many physicians who lack training in genomics and genetics frequently get their information from the same mainstream media sources as the public.

Welcome to the 32nd edition of Gene Genie, a blog carnival devoted to genes and genetic conditions. This edition includes some excellent articles on genes and gene-related diseases, genetics, genomics and personalized genetics.

logo credit: Ricardo @ My Biotech Life

Google Health launched publicly this week and to recognize the event, the last section of the carnival is devoted to articles specifically about the service. Google, financial backer of 23andMe, also funds the Personal Genome Project, which plans to unlock the secrets of common diseases by decoding the DNA of 100,000 people in the world’s biggest gene sequencing project [1]. With the vast number of genetic data points collected for each genome sequenced, a digital system for the movement and storage of personal health information is critical for the widespread use of individualized healthcare. Google’s entrance into the online personal health records market may thus help to accelerate the era of personalized medicine.

With these thoughts in mind, let’s get to this month’s edition of the Genie.

Health Highlights is a biweekly summary of particularly interesting articles from credible sources of health and medical information that we follow & read. For a complete list of recommeded sources, see our links page.

• New Pew Study Shows Patients Turn to Internet for Health Information; Now Can We Get Docs to Do The Same? | The Health Wisdom Blog

  The internet is changing the way patients not only get information but the way they interact with doctors and their families. Unity Stoakes discusses one of the major healthcare challenges today – lack of a credible online resource for physicians to recommend to their patients.

• Introducing . . . The Digital Health Revolution | HealthCareVox

  Fard Johnmar introduces a new bi-weekly program he’s hosting that will chronicle how the Internet, computers, mobile phones and other technologies are impacting health globally, with a major emphasis on social media (blogs, podcasts, social networks).

• The e-Patient Revolution | HealthDot @ ScribeMedia.Org

  One of the first episodes of The Digital Health Revolution featuring Susannah Fox of the Pew Internet & American Life Project discussing the e-patient revolution.
  To view all episodes, visit the Digital Health Revolution home page.

• Ability to email Your Doctor Improves Care | Comments on the e-Patient Revolution

  Charlie Smith MD writes about a recent study in Pediatrics showing that patients who were allowed to email their doctors improved their perceptions of care.

• Medical 2.0 – A new health 2.0 directory for all of you | Medical 2.0

  Uri Ginzburg introduces a new directory resource that aggregates medical and life science applications, platforms and websites that are based on web 2.0 tools.

• The first Journal dedicated to Personalized Genetics? | ScienceRoll

  Berci Mesko writes about BMC Medical Genomics, a new open access journal that will publish original peer-reviewed research articles on functional genomics, genome structure, genome-scale population genetics, epigenomics, proteomics, systems analysis and pharmacogenomics in relation to human health and disease.

• Why Do People Enjoy Being Frightened? | Dr. Val and the Voice of Reason

  Next week is Halloween. Dr. Val discusses the reasons why people enjoy being frightened. Boo!