Articles tagged with Twin Studies
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A nationwide analysis of over 8,000 children conceived through ART found no difference in educational test scores compared to spontaneously conceived children. The study suggests that ART pregnancies, particularly twins, do not have a negative impact on academic performance in adolescence.
Researchers analyzed thousands of women's genomes to determine how genes affect the age of first-time mothers and family size. They found that genes account for about 15% of the differences in these outcomes, suggesting an inherited reproductive advantage.
A study on identical and non-identical twin pairs found that genetic mechanisms may play a role in human attractiveness to mosquito bites. The level of heritability was similar to height and IQ, indicating a strong genetic component.
A recent study by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found a strong genetic component to how attractive individuals are to mosquitoes, linked to body odour. The research used identical and non-identical twin pairs to demonstrate this connection.
A study discovered that smoking can raise the likelihood of producing twins in women with certain genetic backgrounds, particularly those with a variant in the TP53 gene. The researchers found significant interactions between smoking and genetic variations, suggesting a possible explanation for reports of mothers of twins being more li...
African American mothers who smoke and have a specific genetic profile are more likely to conceive twins. The study found that the presence of a TP53 gene variant is crucial in 'twinning'. Researchers discovered a significant interaction between smoking and this genetic factor, leading to an increased likelihood of having twins.
A study of over 13,000 twins found that genetic inheritance can explain 40-50% of the differences in children's motivation to learn. The results suggest that personality differences inherited from parents have a major impact on motivation, challenging the idea that environment is solely responsible.
A UK twin study found that genetics account for up to 95% of the risk of developing autism spectrum disorder, with moderate environmental influences also playing a role. The study's results provide new insights into the complex causes of autism and may help inform future treatments.
Research reveals an association between aggressive tendencies and increased physical strength in adolescent males, which may be linked to evolutionary pressures.
A large twin study suggests that genetic factors may explain the association between low back pain and depression. The study, published in PAIN, analyzed data from nearly 2,150 Spanish twins and found a significant link between symptoms of depression and low back pain.
A Stanford University School of Medicine investigation found that the environment, rather than genetics, influences the state of the human immune system. The study compared monozygotic and dizygotic twins to determine the relative contributions of nature and nurture to immune variation.
A twin study suggests that genetic factors contribute to insomnia in children and teenagers, with heritability rates ranging from 14% to 38%. The study found that genetic influences change over time, with a significant role of genes controlling the sleep-wake system playing a key role in childhood insomnia.
A twin study found that specific gut microbes are heritable and more common in lean individuals, protecting against weight gain. The findings suggest that genetic variation influences the composition of gut microbes, which can be used to develop personalized probiotic therapies to reduce obesity-related diseases.
Researchers found that a blood sugar level of ≥135 mg/dL is the optimal first step cutoff for additional screening in women carrying twins, yielding 100% sensitivity with a 28.6% test positive rate. This cutoff may decrease cost and anxiety without compromising treatment effectiveness.
A new acoustics study suggests that mothers alter their speech patterns to both babies in a twin pair, even if only one infant has hearing loss. Mothers use lower pitch and more variable intonation with the normal-hearing twin compared to the hearing-impaired twin.
Researchers from Lund University found epigenetic changes in DNA methylation and genetic code alterations that contribute to type 2 diabetes. Identical twins showed strong heredity similarities, suggesting a strong link between genetics and lifestyle.
Research found that environment plays a significant role in the development of eosinophilic esophagitis, a severe and often painful food allergy. The study also identified several environmental risk factors, including food allergies and high twin birth-weight difference.
Researchers discovered a genetic link between changes near the ROBO2 gene and the number of words spoken by children in early stages of language development. The study found significant association between genetic variations and expressive vocabulary in infancy, suggesting a strong role for genetics in early language skills.
A new study has discovered that progestogen hormones can significantly reduce the risk of preterm birth for a specific group of high-risk twin pregnancies. Women with short cervices who are pregnant with twins saw a 50% decrease in preterm birth, highlighting a potential game-changer in obstetric care.
A study of over 4,000 UK women found that dry eye disease affects nearly one-tenth of the population, with symptoms worsening with age. The condition is linked to various health issues, including pain syndromes, autoimmune diseases, and fertility problems.
A new study published in The FASEB Journal found that identical twins who eat fast food have similar levels of metabolites, regardless of weight. This suggests that genetics and gut microbiota play a crucial role in the development of Type 2 diabetes.
A study by King's College London found that children's drawings at age 4 are moderately associated with their intelligence at ages 4 and 14. The researchers also measured the heritability of figure drawing, finding a strong genetic link between drawing ability and cognitive development.
A large new genetic study in thousands of children and adolescents offers early glimpses of the overall patterns and connections among cognitive abilities such as language reasoning, reading skill, and types of memory. The findings may lead to new tools in understanding human cognitive development and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Researchers identified a gene mutation associated with short sleep duration and resistance to sleep deprivation in humans. The BHLHE41 variant allowed some adults to function normally on less than six hours of sleep per night.
A twin study found that brain appetite centers respond more to immediate nutritional needs than genetics and upbringing. The study used fMRI scans to compare identical twins' responses to high- and low-calorie foods, showing a greater response in the twin with lower blood glucose levels.
A new study of identical twins found that early reading skills are positively associated with later intellectual abilities. The researchers tested 1,890 pairs of twins from ages 7 to 16 and found a link between reading ability and intelligence.
A large twin study found that language delay in 24-month-old twins was significantly higher than in single-born children, with identical twins having twice the rate of late language emergence. The study suggests that language traits are highly heritable, with genes accounting for approximately 43% of the overall deficit.
A new study found a possible genetic link between cerebral palsy and family ties, with increased risks seen in twins, first cousins, and closer relatives. The study identified a stronger recurrence rate among co-twins of affected children and families with an affected single child.
Astronomers have used a new technique to measure the ages of 22 Sun-like stars, revealing properties similar to our Sun. The study's lead author found 'solar twins' that can be studied to predict planetary system evolution.
A study published in Nature Communications found that around half of the genes influencing reading ability also impact mathematics skills. The research suggests a substantial overlap in genetic variants affecting both traits, with complex interactions between genetics and learning environment playing a crucial role.
A twin study found a strong association between socioeconomic deprivation and decreased sleep duration, even after accounting for genetics and shared family environment. The study suggests that improving neighborhood-level factors may lead to better sleep habits.
Researchers found that genes influenced the propensity to practice and music accomplishment in musicians, with genetics becoming more important as individuals practiced. The study challenged the theory that innate ability can be overcome with enough training.
A study of North European and twin populations found sagging eyelids to be more common among older adults and those with certain physical characteristics. The study also suggests a possible link between current smoking and sagging eyelids.
A large family study found that genetic relatedness in families increases the risk of autism spectrum disorder, while unique environmental factors also play a significant role. The study used a population-based sample of over two million Swedish children and revealed a strong link between genetic and environmental influences.
A new study found that genetic influence on body weight increases from 43% at age 4 to 82% at age 10, with environmental factors playing a lesser role. The research used twin and genomic analyses to demonstrate the rising association with BMI.
A study published in Nature Genetics identified a large number of heritable genes associated with disease risk, providing a new resource for understanding the genetic control of transcription. The researchers analyzed blood sample data from twins and found that heritable genes are more likely to be associated with disease.
A new study found that genetic factors explain about 40 percent of individual differences in math anxiety, while environmental factors account for the rest. The research suggests that genetic predispositions can both exacerbate and reduce the risk of poor math performance.
A UBC study shows corporate leaders rush into new innovations without scrutiny, leading to inferior products and tragic consequences like the DC-10 airline disasters. The authors warn that history may repeat itself as Boeing's 787 Dreamliner faces competition from Airbus.
Researchers found that twin brains with identical diagnoses showed similar combinations of pathologies, including damage to two or more areas of the brain. This study provides evidence that there may not be a single cause of Alzheimer's, but rather multiple factors contributing to its development.
A study by King's College London suggests that pain sensitivity can be altered by lifestyle and environmental factors through epigenetics. Researchers found variations in chemical modifications within genes involved in pain sensitivity, including the TRPA1 gene.
Studies of adult twins and adolescents reveal a strong connection between short or long sleep durations and increased risk of depressive symptoms. Optimal sleep duration is essential for mental health, suggesting that prioritizing sleep may enhance treatment effectiveness for depression.
A UW study of 1,228 female twins found that caregiving's relationship with depression, anxiety, and perceived mental health is influenced by genetics and upbringing. Anxiety is the most closely linked to caregiving, while environmental factors have a greater impact on perceived stress.
A new study conducted at the University of Nottingham has found that strong genetic factors do not influence handedness. The researchers examined nearly 4,000 subjects and were unable to detect a single major genetic determination for handedness.
A Finnish population-based study found that hypertensive smoking women have an exceptionally high risk of a fatal brain bleeding, with a rate 20 times higher than never-smoking men. The study identified new risk factors for Subarachnoid Haemorrhage (SAH), including previous myocardial infarction and elevated cholesterol levels in men.
A new review of dozens of studies involving twins found that genetics significantly affect parenting behavior. Children's genetically-influenced characteristics influence how they are parented, with 23% of differences in parenting attributed to a child's genotype.
Astronomers have discovered an ancient solar twin that is 8.2 billion years old, providing insights into the Sun's life-giving properties and lithium content. The star, HIP 102152, has low levels of lithium, supporting the theory that stars destroy their lithium as they age.
A CU-Boulder study finds that the link between height and IQ is due to both genetic factors, such as pleiotropy, and mate choice, where taller individuals are more likely to pair with smarter counterparts. The research used data from over 7,900 twins and their parents to disentangle these causes.
A recent study of nearly 6,000 adult twins found that genetic factors contribute to both alcoholism and certain eating disorder symptoms, such as binge eating and purging habits. The study suggests that genes explain 38-53% of the risk of developing these disorders.
Researchers found common genetic factors underlying alcoholism and certain eating-disorder symptoms, including binge eating and purging habits. The study included nearly 6,000 adult twins and suggests that some genes influencing alcohol dependence also influence binge eating in men and women.
A long-term study measuring the association between PTSD and heart disease found that male twin Vietnam veterans with PTSD were almost twice as likely to develop heart disease, even after accounting for lifestyle factors. The study suggests a link between PTSD and cardiovascular health.
A new study examines the influence of genetics versus environment on alcohol-related problems in European-American (EA) and African-American (AA) women. Environmental factors play a larger role in EA, particularly parenting and school influences.
Researchers discovered distinctive patterns of DNA methylation associated with both autism diagnosis and related behavior traits, suggesting a quantitative relationship between the two. The study provides insight into the biological mechanism mediating gene-environment interaction in autism spectrum disorder.
A team led by MSU assistant professor Michael Wagner confirmed a two-headed bull shark in the Gulf of Mexico. The specimen had two distinct heads, hearts, and stomachs with a single tail, challenging theories about the cause of such deformities.
New research from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill suggests that genes are a primary factor influencing food neophobia, or aversion to trying new foods, in children. The study found that genetic factors explain 72 percent of the variation in children's tendency to avoid new foods.
Researchers studied over 2800 women and found that planned vaginal birth is as safe as a planned cesarean section for twins born between 32-38 weeks. The study reveals no advantage in choosing cesarean births for these types of twins, with no decrease or increase in perinatal/neonatal death or serious neonatal morbidity.
Researchers found that progesterone shots do not reduce the risk of preterm delivery among women with twin pregnancies, contrary to previous findings. A study of 165 women with short cervixes found an increased rate of preterm delivery in the treatment group compared to the non-treatment group.
A study of young twins in Malawi reveals that dysfunctional gut microbes contribute to severe acute childhood malnutrition. The researchers found that feeding malnourished children a high-calorie, nutrient-rich food temporarily improved their gut microbiomes, but the benefits were short-lived. The findings suggest that repairing gut mi...
A UK study found that attitudes towards speed among learner drivers are a significant predictor of unsafe driving behavior once they become licensed. The research suggests that focusing on technical skills alone may not be enough to ensure road safety, and instead, efforts should be made to develop safer driving attitudes from the begi...
Researchers found a significant association between regional hypermutability and autism in monozygotic twins. The study also discovered that paternal age accounts for a substantial portion of variability in mutation rates, while maternal age has no significant effect.
A longitudinal study will investigate the development of social inequalities across 12 years, combining psychological and sociological research traditions. The study will analyze the interaction between genetic and social influences on five central life domains.