- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Ice Bucket Challenge leads to ALS breakthrough
- Updated: September 23, 2016
Pete Frates and the Ice Bucket Challenge are helping researchers move closer to finding a cure for ALS.
Frates, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2012, created the Ice Bucket Challenge two years ago, and it grew into one of the most famous viral sensations of all-time during the Summer of ’14.
There were over 17 million videos posted of people pouring ice-cold water over their heads, in addition to more than $220 million raised for the ALS Association. Those funds helped increase research, which led to a breakthrough in July, when scientists identified a new ALS gene, NEK1, which is among the most common genes that contribute to the disease. This breakthrough has given scientists another potential object for therapy development.
“Thanks to the Ice Bucket Challenge, we found NEK1, this gene that is one of the most common in people living with ALS that we’ve identified yet,” ALS Association executive vice president Brian Frederick …
