Articles tagged with Twin Studies
A study of twins reveals that certain bacteria in the small intestine may trigger MS. Researchers identified two specific bacteria, Lachnoclostridium sp and Eisenbergiella tayi, which are associated with the disease. The findings suggest a new potential therapeutic target for MS treatment.
A study found that genetic predisposition to higher muscle strength is associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in aging men. The association remained significant even after adjusting for lifestyle factors such as smoking and body mass index.
A Finnish twin study investigated the relationship between long-term leisure-time physical activity and mortality, finding that moderate activity offers a 7% lower mortality risk. The study also found no additional benefit from high levels of physical activity in reducing mortality risk.
Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark found that tattooed individuals are more frequently diagnosed with skin and lymphoma cancers compared to those without tattoos. The study suggests that chronic inflammation in the lymph nodes triggered by tattoo ink may lead to abnormal cell growth and an increased risk of cancer.
A study of twins found that a diet low in fruits and veggies and high in red meat and sugary drinks accelerates biological aging. Conversely, healthier diets slow down biological aging. The study suggests that diet plays a significant role in aging, even after accounting for other lifestyle factors.
Researchers analyzed data from 12,794 participants and found that those who experienced childhood maltreatment were three times more likely to experience intimate partner violence at age 21. The risk continued to grow over time, with a four-fold increase by age 26.
A new study from Johns Hopkins APL suggests that robust and rapid test development, production, and distribution are crucial for addressing future public health threats. The research found that public-private partnerships saved an estimated 1.4 million lives in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A new study finds that parents' perceptions shape twin dynamics, with typically developing twins taking the dominant role over their nontypically developing siblings. The research suggests that genetic similarity and asymmetry in abilities between twins drive dominance imbalances.
A national study found that walkable neighborhoods increase walking by 23% due to factors like density of people, roads, and amenities. Living in a walkable area also reduces the chance of no transit use, while vigorous exercise is not necessarily linked to neighborhood walkability.
Research published in PLOS ONE reveals that prolonged sitting can boost the risk of heart disease and accelerate aging in young adults. The study found that even moderate exercise may not be enough to counteract the negative impacts of prolonged sitting.
A new study by Dr. Meir Barneron found that genetically diverse groups outperform homogeneous groups in making collective judgments, suggesting genetic diversity enhances collective intelligence.
A study published in Cell Reports found that environmental factors play a significant role in shaping metacognitive abilities, including mentalizing. The researchers used twin studies to investigate the interplay between genetics and environment on cognitive processing.
Researchers discovered that twin stars differ in composition due to one star devouring planets or planetary material. The study used high-precision analysis and found the phenomenon in about eight percent of 91 pairs of twin stars, shedding light on planet evolution theorists.
A recent study by Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research found that parents in low-income families support their children equally regardless of grades. In contrast, parents from higher income groups tend to give more support to children with lower grades. This suggests that these patterns may contribute to low social mobility.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet has found a clear link between childhood adversity and the risk of mental illness later in life. The research suggests that genetics and environment play a significant role in contributing to adult psychiatric disorders, highlighting the need for targeted health care interventions within families ...
A study using twin data suggests an association between adverse childhood experiences and poor mental health in adulthood. Targeted interventions may be associated with reduced risks of future psychopathology.
A new study found that genetic factors contribute around 33% to the variation in levels of trust among individuals, while life circumstances such as age, health, and relationship status also increase trust. The research used twin studies to disentangle genetic and environmental influences on trust.
A recent twin study published in Human Brain Mapping has found that genetics play a significant role in brain activity during emotional and cognitive tasks, with some factors being exclusive to environment. The study used functional MRI scans on twins to analyze the relationship between genetics and environment in brain function.
A study at Uppsala University found that infant face preference is influenced by genes and linked to later language development. The researchers analyzed over 500 infant twins and found that individual infants' preferences for faces could be largely explained by their genetics.
A new study using adult Finnish twins has identified protective and detrimental factors that precede weight gain, providing valuable insights into how people can maintain a healthy weight. The researchers found that individuals who deviated from their genetically-informed BMI had a higher risk of obesity.
Researchers found an epigenetic signature in cheek cells of obese twins that differs from their thinner siblings, suggesting a susceptibility to obesity may be written into molecular processes. The discovery could lead to a simple cheek swab test for an obesity biomarker and enable earlier prevention methods.
A study of twins found that having a concussion early in life is tied to lower scores on tests of thinking and memory skills decades later. The twin who had a concussion showed faster decline in those scores compared to their identical twin with no history of TBI.
Research from the University of Gothenburg reveals that both innate factors and environmental influences contribute to an individual's attitude towards nature. The study suggests that a wide range of factors shape how people express their love for nature, and emphasizes the importance of considering these variations in urban planning.
A 37-year study in Finland found that evening types have a slightly increased risk of dying compared to morning types, primarily linked to smoking and drinking habits. The study tracked nearly 23,000 twins and found that lifestyle factors, such as alcohol consumption and smoking status, play a significant role in mortality rates.
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet found that people with obesity due to genetic predisposition have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. The study analyzed data from over 15,000 twins and medical registries, suggesting that genetics may play a role in mitigating the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Nicotinamide riboside has been found to increase muscle mitochondria, improve gut bacterial composition, and boost NAD+ concentrations in humans. The findings suggest that NR supplementation may be a promising therapeutic option for diseases characterized by muscle mitochondrial dysfunction and/or gut microbiota imbalance.
A Tufts-led team discovered a brain region marker that indicates vulnerability to developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study found heightened amygdala activation in response to neutral facial expressions, suggesting an acquired characteristic of PTSD. This finding may inform early intervention strategies for individual...
A recent twin study found that serious eating disorder ARFID is highly influenced by genetic factors, with a significant 79% genetic component. Researchers estimate that between 1-5% of the population is affected by ARFID.
A new twin study by Karolinska Institutet suggests that the same genes may be behind both cardiometabolic diseases and dementia. The study found that individuals with multiple cardiometabolic conditions had a significantly increased risk of developing dementia.
A new study led by UCL researchers found small causal effects of childhood maltreatment on internalising and externalising disorders, including depression, anxiety, and psychosis. The study analysed 34 quasi-experimental studies involving over 54,000 people and suggests that preventing eight cases of child maltreatment could prevent on...
A new study of twins found that consistent exercise can change the molecules in the human body that influence gene behavior, leading to lower signs of metabolic disease. The study suggests that markers of metabolic disease are strongly influenced by how a person interacts with their environment, rather than just their inherited genetics.
Researchers found that substantial exercise, sleeping longer and later, and eating a low sugar, high carb breakfast can increase alertness. A high carbohydrate breakfast was linked to individuals revving up their alertness quickly in the morning.
Researchers have identified genetic variants associated with natural resistance to SARS-CoV-2, including a gene linked to mucin production. These findings may help develop vaccines and treatments for viral diseases by understanding the mechanisms underlying immune responses.
A new study found that genetic factors may underlie the link between unhealthy teenage behaviors and accelerated biological aging. The research, involving 824 twins, suggests that individuals with high body mass index scores or substance use are more likely to experience rapid aging.
A recent study published in The Journals of Gerontology Series A found that men are biologically older than women due to factors such as smoking and body size. Despite the initial sex difference, the gap between men and women has narrowed in recent decades.
A Rutgers-led study of over 2,700 pairs of twins found that adolescent alcohol misuse is associated with poorer life satisfaction, physical symptoms, and self-rated health in midlife. The study's findings suggest that teenage drinking may have long-lasting indirect effects on physical health and well-being.
A study of over 2,700 twin pairs found that adolescent drinking can lead to long-term physical health issues and life dissatisfaction in midlife. The research suggests that prevention strategies targeting teens with alcohol misuse may help mitigate these consequences.
A study of over 3,400 adult twins found that residents in states where cannabis is legal use it 24% more frequently than those in illegal states. This trend holds true for identical twins, with those living in legal states using cannabis 20% more often.
A new study published in the journal Addiction found that recreational cannabis legalization in US states led to a 20% increase in cannabis use frequency, particularly among identical twin pairs. The study analyzed data from over 1,400 individuals and suggested that recreational legalization caused an increase in cannabis use.
A new study has found that mothers of twins are not more fertile than other women, but rather, their increased frequency of childbirth increases the likelihood of a twin birth. The researchers used pre-industrial data from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany, and Switzerland to reach this conclusion.
A new analysis of over 100,000 births reveals that women with a high chance of having twins generally have reduced fertility. The study found that twin survival and increased pregnancies can compensate for reproductive aging, leading to higher total child numbers.
A new study of over 100,000 births in pre-industrial Europe found that mothers of twins are not more fertile than average. In fact, the researchers discovered that women who give birth to twins actually have lower fertility rates when accounting for 'lottery ticket effect' biases.
A recent Sri Lankan twin study reveals that genetic factors contribute to approximately one-third of the variation in depressive symptoms, while environmental influences account for around two-thirds. The study also found a strong association between depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life.
A new study found that siblings of children with disabilities score higher in self-reported cognitive empathy than typically developing peers. This may be due to the specific 'advantage' of cognitive empathy in understanding and supporting their sibling relationship.
A new study of over 1.1 million new mothers worldwide found that first-time mothers, women under 25, and mothers of twins are at higher risk for postpartum depression. Women aged 40 and older having twins are particularly vulnerable to the condition.
Researchers used identical twins to exclude genetic influences and track immune system changes responsible for triggering multiple sclerosis. The study found that an error in the communication of immune cells leads to greater activation of T cells, causing damage in the central nervous system.
A Finnish twin study found that individuals with lower education are more susceptible to the negative effects of cardiovascular risk factors on late-life cognition. The study suggests that higher education can act as a cognitive reserve, helping to mitigate dementia risk.
A large-scale study of UK twins found that identical twins shared a greater affinity for nature and frequent visits to natural spaces compared to fraternal twins. Heritability estimates ranged from 46% for nature orientation to 34% for garden visits, suggesting a moderate genetic influence.
A new study using the world's largest twin registry data finds that hormone levels before birth may contribute to migraine risk in adulthood. The research also suggests that genetic factors for migraine risk are different between men and women, potentially leading to more effective treatment options.
A Swedish twin study discovered epigenetic differences in twins with one developing type 2 diabetes. The researchers found lower levels of microRNA-30, a gene that regulates glucose uptake, in the affected twins' fatty tissue.
A new study from Cornell University uses digital twins to identify optimal times and locations for detecting Listeria bacteria in produce facilities, reducing the risk of contamination. The researchers' model provides a novel way for food safety managers to visualize microbial contamination risks and experiment with different sampling ...
Researchers developed a digital twin of circular plunge-cut grinding to simulate processes and optimize cutting cycles. The technology reduces rejects and improves processing accuracy.
Researchers investigated the association between net worth at midlife and subsequent longevity. The study found a significant positive correlation between wealth and longevity among individuals, as well as their siblings and twins.
Researchers found a strong association between higher net worth and lower mortality risk among adults in the US. Even within sibling pairs, those with greater wealth tended to live longer, suggesting that wealth accumulation may have a causal impact on longevity.
A new study led by University of Minnesota researchers shows that the stiffness of protein fibers in tissues is a critical factor in controlling cell movement. The discovery could have major impacts on fields such as regenerative medicine, wound healing, and cancer research.
A new twin study reveals that certain genes are similarly affected in PTSD and migraine, suggesting they may share some risk factors. The study found common epigenetic changes between the two conditions, which could lead to new treatment targets.
Research published in Acta Paediatrica suggests that a pregnant woman's mental health impacts the touch behavior of twins and singletons, with maternal depression affecting soothing mechanisms for fetuses. The study also found differences in touch and movement behaviors between singletons and twins.
Researchers used slice-and-view scanning electron microscopy to uncover a twin boundary defect in a soft-block copolymer. The defect may be exploited to create materials with novel acoustic and photonic properties.
Research from Georgia State University psychology researchers shows that twins produce fewer gestures and use language less than their singleton peers. However, when one child lags behind in gesture, the other tends to lag as well, suggesting a close link between gesture and speech in early development.
Researchers found obesity reduces mitochondrial function in fat tissue, leading to proinflammatory state and increased risk of diseases like diabetes and liver disease. Muscle tissue also shows decreased mitochondrial function, but to a lesser extent.