MONDAY, April 28 (HealthDay News) -- The inflammatory bowel diseases ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease appear to share several genetic variants and risk factors, two new British studies suggest.

Though similar in many ways, the two diseases are distinct, and scientists have been trying to pinpoint the underlying relationship between them to improve their understanding of and treatment for both. The latest findings, expected to be published online in the April 27 issue of Nature Genetics, may be a significant step forward.

FRIDAY, April 4 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers have identified new genetic markers for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in a study they say provides further evidence that people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent are more likely to develop the conditions.