Articles tagged with Behavior Genetics
Researchers at York University have identified a group of genes controlling hygienic behavior in honeybees, which helps to limit the spread of harmful mites and bacteria. These genes are associated with improved colony survival and may be used to breed healthier colonies through selective breeding programs.
A recent survey by Michigan State University found that the oldest Americans are most focused on reducing food waste, with 88% of all respondents taking steps to reduce it. Among those who make efforts, 71% try not to purchase excess food and 71% often consume food before it spoils.
A new study found that male squirrels store more food than females and inheriting a territory from a male squirrel can increase lifetime pup production by 50%. This means young squirrels that take over prime real estate from a male will have better survival rates and reproductive success.
Researchers at Cardiff University discovered a genetic mutation in the CYFIP1 gene linked to autism-related motor issues. Early intervention with movement therapies shows promise in reversing these difficulties.
A study at Binghamton University found that variation on the Oxytocin Receptor gene impacts marital quality by influencing how partners provide and receive support from each other. Couples with certain genotypes, particularly those associated with social deficits, reported lower satisfaction with their marriages.
Research reveals three genome regions control butterfly mating behavior, explaining why hybrids are rare. The study also finds that despite genetic mixing, distinct species traits remain intact due to natural selection. Further research may apply lessons from butterflies to human evolution and behavior.
A large-scale genetic study has linked hundreds of genes to depression, providing new insights into the condition's origins. The study also suggests that neuroticism may contribute to depression risk and could inform personalized treatments.
A large-scale genetic analysis reveals associations between impulsive personality traits and psychiatric disorders, including substance use. The study identifies specific genes, such as CADM2 and CACNA1I, linked to impulsiveness and drug experimentation history.
Researchers reconstructed the phylogenetic tree of six African baboon species, revealing that genes were exchanged between species, leading to new species emergence. This study sheds light on fundamental biological processes producing new species and provides an analogous model for understanding human evolutionary history.
A recent study analyzing genomic differentiation among six baboon species found evidence for hybridization of ancient and recent generations. This research provides new insights into the evolution of the genome, shedding light on complex evolutionary divergence and genetic admixture in modern humans and extinct relatives.
Researchers have created a novel mouse model that demonstrates how epigenetic changes can negatively impact a key gene involved in neurodevelopment and behavior. The study provides direct causal evidence linking this gene to autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-like behavior.
A large-scale genomic analysis reveals the inner workings of the body clock and its link to mental health and disease. Being genetically programmed to rise early may lead to greater well-being and a lower risk of schizophrenia and depression, while morning people are found to have lower risk
Research led by Professor Yukie Sato found that male spider mites' aggressive behavior varies depending on their geographical location. In colder regions, males display low aggression, while in hotter regions, they show high aggression. This variation is linked to climate and the resulting population dynamics.
A study by Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg found that a single gene enables worker bees to produce female offspring, leading to the colony's takeover. This phenomenon, known as thelytoky, is a dominant genetic trait that allows these 'false queens' to reproduce and invade other colonies.
Researchers found that inhibition decreases in autistic mice brains but does not affect spiking rates, instead stabilizing brain activity through compensation. This finding challenges the 'inhibition' theory of autism and suggests other mechanisms may contribute to disease symptoms.
Researchers identified 13,000 epigenetic regions with varying activity levels in different brain regions. These changes were found to co-locate with genetic signals contributing to addictive behavior, schizophrenia, and neuroses.
A large international study has identified 124 genetic variants linked to risk tolerance, revealing biological mechanisms underlying willingness to take risks. The findings shed light on the shared genetic influences across various specific risky behaviors.
Russian neuroscientists discovered that early stress in mice impacts both the individual and their offspring, affecting memory, learning, and maternal behavior. The study found that separated mice showed reduced hippocampus neurons and altered exploratory behavior, while their offspring exhibited behavioral changes related to sex.
Researchers found a single gene mutation responsible for thelytoky syndrome, a phenomenon where worker bees ignore queen orders and reproduce on their own. The dominant Thelytoky (Th) gene requires only one copy to express selfish behavior, but its partner gene is necessary for fertility.
A University of Oxford study reveals that genomic research has been limited by a lack of diversity, with most subjects from the UK, US, and Iceland. The study analyzed nearly 4,000 scientific studies between 2005 and 2018, finding that ancestral diversity has stalled and non-white groups are under-represented.
Researchers have identified a group of genes that induce differences in the developing brains of male and female roundworms, triggering puberty. This genetic pathway may serve the same function in controlling human sexual maturation timing, providing new insights into sex-based brain differences.
A new study reveals that incorporating genetic diversity into a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease improves translatability, enabling more accurate predictions and potential treatments. The Resilience-Alzheimer's Disease Consortium has created a genetically diverse panel of mice with Alzheimer's mutations.
A Genetic Data Protection Act is needed to control access to medical genetic data by law enforcement agencies, according to a University of Queensland analysis. The researchers warn that current laws do not fit well with genetic data, putting vulnerable individuals and their descendants at risk.
Researchers at Sainsbury Wellcome Centre found that male mice recognize pups through a mixture of pheromones and multisensory cues, but distinct signals trigger infanticide and parental behavior. This discovery advances our understanding of social cue recognition in animals.
Researchers studied 91,105 UK Biobank participants and found 14 genetic regions related to physical activity, including seven new discoveries. The analysis also showed that increased physical activity lowers blood pressure and has a causal link to better health outcomes.
A CWRU researcher has secured a $14.6 million grant to study Alzheimer's disease in diverse populations, including African-Americans and Hispanics. The project aims to identify new genetic factors and improve understanding of the disease's impact on these communities.
A major international collaboration has identified genetic variants that increase the risk of ADHD, providing new insights into the biology behind the disorder. The study found twelve locations in the genome where people with a particular genetic variant have an increased risk of ADHD compared to those who do not.
Researchers found a clear connection between gene expression and behavior in little male fish building patterns to attract mates. The study also suggests that the genes behind this behavior have human cousins implicated in autism spectrum disorder.
Donnelly Centre researchers have identified a genetic network linked to autism, revealing a mechanism underlying alternative splicing events. The study reveals that microexons, small protein-coding gene segments, are disrupted in autism and could be targeted for therapeutic applications.
A team of evolutionary biologists discovered the genetic basis for the repeated evolution of color patterns, specifically horizontal stripes, in East-African cichlid fishes. The study found that a specific gene, agrp2, is responsible for the emergence and loss of stripes, making repeated evolution possible within a short period.
A Florida State University study found that nicotine exposure in fathers can cause cognitive deficits in their children and grandchildren. The study showed that changes in the father's sperm attributed to nicotine exposure led to problems in genes related to memory and learning.
A research team has identified the genetic mechanism responsible for black cottonwood poplars' susceptibility to Septoria, a deadly disease. The study could lead to more successful hybrid poplar varieties for biofuels and forestry production.
Two projects have analyzed 5,000 disease-associated genes and found unanticipated risk variants in 14.5% of adults and 11.3% of infants, leading to discoveries of previously unrecognized genetic conditions.
Researchers discovered rare functional variants in genes AAED1 and ATAD2 associated with ADHD risk. These findings may lead to the development of genetic diagnostic methods and a better understanding of the disorder's underlying mechanisms.
Researchers from the University of Bath have identified the genetic basis for iridophore formation in zebrafish, a process that allows shoals to flash silver. The study used a combination of genetic techniques and mathematical modeling to pinpoint key genes driving this complex process.
Researchers will assess reactions to genomic test results, including the impact on views of normality, capacity, responsibility, treatability, and prognosis, in individuals with autism and their family members. The Center aims to explore the benefits and challenges of using genetic information in clinical and research settings.
A new Cornell University-led study has identified genes that were altered in tame animals in two areas of the brain involved with learning and memory. Genes impacting serotonergic and glutaminergic neurons, important for learning and memory, were clearly affected by selection toward tameness.
A study by neurobiologists at UChicago sheds light on the grim final days of a female octopus after reproduction. The researchers found that the optic gland produces distinct molecular signals that control a mother octopus' behavior, leading to its decline and eventual death.
A $929,475 project aims to understand genetic variation and its role in optimizing smoking cessation treatment choice using data from nine existing clinical trials. The research will provide unparalleled precision medicine to improve the prediction of who is more likely to quit smoking based on their genetics.
A new USC Dornsife study reveals that genetic mutations can behave unpredictably due to interactions with the environment and pre-existing genetic differences. This complexity makes it difficult to predict how these mutations will affect individuals, even for well-studied diseases.
Scientists have documented how individual side-blotched lizards can change colors to become darker on lava; they identified genes that regulate coloration and found genetic changes in the population adapted to the lava flow. These findings provide a detailed example of the Baldwin effect occurring in a wild population.
A new study found that children carrying the ε4 variant of the APOE gene may experience adverse effects from traffic-related air pollution, including higher behaviour problem scores and slower attention capacity. The findings suggest that this genetic variant could exacerbate air pollution's impact on neurodevelopment.
Researchers found that fruit flies use a small, bright spot (the simulated sun) as a landmark to fly straight with respect to its position. The study also shows that these flies have compass neurons in their brains associated with this navigational behavior.
Scott Juntti, UMD professor, develops genomic tools for testing genes' impact on organism traits in cichlid fish. The goal is to predict an organism's phenotype by understanding the sets of rules that govern genetic variation.
A recent study found that genetic diversity among shelter dogs exceeds expectations, revealing over 125 distinct breeds. Breed labels assigned by shelters often lead to inaccurate assessments, with accuracy rates as low as 10%. Behavioral assessments may be a more informative alternative.
A study published in Age and Ageing found that women whose mothers lived to at least age 90 were 25% more likely to also live to 90 without serious diseases or disabilities. Additionally, if both parents lived to 90, the likelihood of their daughter's longevity increased by 38%.
The fox genome study identifies genomic regions associated with tame and aggressive behaviors, revealing potential links to domestication in dogs and Williams-Beuren syndrome in humans. A single gene, SorCS1, is found to be linked to specific behaviors in foxes.
Researchers re-analyzed genetic data from diverse humans and Neanderthals, revealing no evidence of recent human-specific selection on the FOXP2 gene. This challenges previous theories on the origin of human language and highlights the importance of using diverse datasets in population genetics.
Researchers analyzed genetic data from diverse humans and Neanderthals, finding no evidence for recent, human-specific selection of FOXP2. The study revises the history of how humans acquired language, highlighting the importance of using diverse datasets in population genetics.
A new genetic screen developed at Stanford University School of Medicine can predict a person's future risk of osteoporosis and bone fracture. The screen identified 899 regions in the human genome associated with low bone-mineral density, with those deemed high-risk being nearly 17 times more likely to develop osteoporosis.
An international research team has identified more than 1,200 genetic variants associated with educational attainment. The study found that a polygenic score developed from these variants can predict 11-13% of the variation in years of completed schooling, comparable to demographic factors like household income.
A study of European mothers has identified a gene involved in steroid signaling as a potential factor in early birth. Mutations in the HSPA1L gene are rare but may disrupt proper functioning of cells lining the uterus, leading to preterm labor.
Researchers found that evolutionary changes occur deep in the fly brain, in a small cluster of neurons controlling mating behavior. The study overturned long-held beliefs about how evolution ensures animals perpetuate their species.
Researchers have identified 40 genes related to aggressive behavior in humans and mice, shedding light on the genetic basis of aggression. The study suggests a shared genetic base between aggressiveness in children and adults and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as well as with major depression.
A study found that stickleback fish respond similarly to predation risk regardless of parental or personal experience, with similar molecular and developmental responses. This challenges traditional models assuming additive effects from different sources.
A recent study has identified 246 candidate genes involved in dog domestication, which influence brain function, development, and behavior. The research suggests that changes in these genes may have contributed to the evolution of dogs from wolves, making them more active during the day rather than at night.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio used gene editing to decrease repetitive behaviors in mice with fragile X syndrome, an inherited cause of autism spectrum disorders. The approach resulted in significant reduction of symptoms, including digging behavior slowed by 30 percent and leaping behavior reduced by 70 percent.
A study found domesticated rabbits have smaller amygdalas and larger medial prefrontal cortices, suggesting genetic changes may reduce fear processing. Reduced white matter anisotropy indicates compromised information processing, supporting the link between domestication and altered brain architecture.
Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to reduce repetitive behavior in mice with fragile X syndrome, a common cause of autism spectrum disorder. The technique successfully edited the receptor responsible for excessive signaling between neurons, leading to reduced repetitive behaviors such as digging and leaping.
Researchers found substantial overlaps in genetic risk for psychiatric disorders, including ADHD, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia. In contrast, neurological disorders showed limited evidence of common genetic risk factors, suggesting greater diagnostic specificity.