Articles tagged with Twin Studies
A twin study found that genes involved in satisfaction and positivity give protection against major depression, with a heritability of 34% for depression and 72% for overall life satisfaction. Environmental factors play a smaller role in protecting against depression than genetic factors.
A new study of human twins suggests that environmental factors play a larger role in shaping the types of microbes in the mouth than genetic background. The research found that saliva samples from identical and fraternal twins showed similar microbial communities, indicating that environment contributes more to oral bacteria.
Researchers sequenced microbial DNA in twins and found salivary microbiomes were not significantly more similar to identical twins as fraternal twins, suggesting genetic relatedness is less important than environment. The study also revealed that the salivary microbiome changes most during early adolescence.
The study, which analyzed over 300 female twins, suggests that genetic factors play a significant role in the development of body dissatisfaction and thin ideal internalization. Environmental influences, such as exposure to media, also contribute to these issues.
A Michigan State University study found that genetic factors play a significant role in the development of thin-ideal internalization, with heritability at 43%. Environmental influences also contribute to the pressure, but non-shared factors have a greater impact.
A recent study found that two-thirds of the variation in avoidant and dependent personality disorder traits can be explained by genes, highlighting the importance of genetic influences in their development. The study's use of both questionnaire and interview measures provided a more comprehensive understanding of heritability.
A study has identified five genes responsible for human facial morphology, with three previously implicated in vertebrate craniofacial development and disease. The remaining two genes are new players in the molecular networks governing facial development.
Recent studies suggest genes play a significant role in shaping political preferences and traits. Twin studies have implicated several genes in influencing political issues such as the death penalty, unemployment, and abortion, with future research holding promise for deeper insights into genetic influences on politics.
A new study suggests that women carrying twins should aim to give birth at 37 weeks, as this reduces the risk of serious complications. Babies born early were found to be less likely to be small for their gestational age compared to those born later.
Researchers found that genetic and environmental factors influence childhood characteristics differently across the UK, with some traits more strongly linked to genes in certain regions. The study's nature-nurture maps provide a global overview of how environment interacts with genetics.
A study of over 800 sets of twins found that genetics had a greater impact on forming key traits such as self-control, decision-making, and sociability than previously thought. The results suggest that genetically influenced characteristics may be the key to a person's success in life.
Researchers found a strong association between early drug and alcohol use and lower levels of educational attainment. The study of over 6,000 male twins found that those who started drinking or using drugs before age 14 were less likely to finish college.
A new study examining male twins from a veteran population found a strong relationship between early alcohol use, alcohol dependence, daily nicotine use, and fewer years of educational attainment. The study controlled for familial influences, suggesting that substance use may directly impact academic success.
Research with twin infants suggests that environmental factors, including maternal diet and interactions, play a significant role in determining testosterone levels. The study found that genetic factors do not significantly contribute to testosterone levels in infancy.
A new study examining sleep and body mass index (BMI) in twins found that sleeping more than nine hours a night suppresses genetic influences on body weight. Genetic influences accounted for 70% of BMI differences in short sleepers, while extended sleep reduced these factors.
A recent study discovered a common genetic basis for touch and hearing, revealing that gene mutations affecting one sense can also impair the other. The research found that patients with Usher syndrome, a hereditary form of deafness, often experience impaired touch sensitivity due to a specific gene mutation.
A new study found that children who experienced violence in their young lives have shorter telomeres, a sign of accelerated aging. This can increase the risk of chronic diseases and poor survival rates. The research suggests a link between cumulative childhood stress and telomere maintenance.
A team of researchers at King's College London has identified a group of 'ageing' genes that are switched on and off by natural mechanisms called epigenetic factors. These epigenetic processes can be caused by external factors such as diet, lifestyle and environment, and may be initiated from an early age.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine found that the genetic reach of autism extends to half siblings, suggesting a central role for genetic mechanisms in transmission. The researchers analyzed over 5,000 families with a child diagnosed with autism and found that half siblings were at higher risk than full siblings.
The incidence of twin births in the US has increased significantly over the past three decades, with one in every 30 babies born being a twin in 2009. Fertility treatments are a key factor in this increase, accounting for two-thirds of the rise.
Epigenetic changes in gene structure lead to higher incidents of obesity and diabetes for mothers with poor nutrition at the time of conception. The study found that dieting around the time of conception and early pregnancy can alter genes controlling food intake and glucose levels, increasing the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
A new Harvard study found that nearly every case of hypothesized genetic pathways failed to replicate, indicating intelligence may be tied to many genes and their interactions. The researchers used large data sets to examine a dozen genes and found only one gene associated with intelligence, which had a small effect.
A new study of over 1,000 twins confirms that preschool programs are beneficial for children from minority families and poor backgrounds. The study found that preschool attendance reduces the gap in test scores between rich and poor children, suggesting a potential way to break the cycle of disadvantage.
A study led by Uppsala University reveals that structural modifications of DNA are duplicated or lost more commonly in older individuals. This may explain the impaired immune system with age. The researchers found large rearrangements in blood cells of people over 60, as well as smaller changes in younger individuals.
A new study published in Psychological Medicine found that low birth weight is an important environmental factor contributing to the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The researchers used a unique study design involving discordant twin pairs and found that lower birth weight more than tripled the risk for autism.
Researchers discovered a statistically significant association between occupational exposure to trichloroethylene, percholorethylene, and carbon tetrachloride and an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The study suggests a lag time of up to 40 years between exposure and onset of the disease.
Researchers used magnetic resonance imaging data from 406 adult human twins to confirm the long-standing idea that human cortical regionalization is similar to and consistent with patterns found in other mammals. The study found genetic influences on brain development progress along an anterior-to-posterior scale, with differences base...
A CU-Boulder study of twins reveals that genetic factors are playing a larger role in smoking habits, with identical twins more likely to quit together. The study suggests that current anti-smoking policies may be less effective and could benefit from a shift towards treating smoking as an addiction.
A study in twins found a significant association between trichloroethylene exposure and an increased risk of Parkinson's disease, with a more than 6-fold increased risk. The study also suggested a lag time of up to 40 years between exposure and symptom onset.
A recent NIH-funded twin study found a significant link between occupational chemical exposure and the development of Parkinson's disease. The study, published in Annals of Neurology, suggests that two common solvents, trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PERC), may increase Parkinson's risk sixfold and ninefold, respectively...
A new study finds that children's reading achievement at age 10 predicts their independent reading at 11, suggesting a causal relationship between the two. However, independent reading does not directly improve reading achievement, especially among children at the end of elementary school.
Moderate alcohol intake of 1-6 units per week reduces the risk of developing asthma by less than 4% compared to rare or no drinking. Heavy drinkers and those who prefer beer are more likely to develop asthma.
A twin study at King's College London found significant epigenetic differences between psychosis discordant twins, suggesting a role for epigenetic processes in neuropsychiatric disease. The study provides potential new avenues for treatment and may lead to the development of novel therapeutic drugs.
A twin study found that a diet rich in vitamin D, betaine, and methionine may slow macular degeneration progression. Higher smoking rates were linked to increased disease severity.
A large twin study found that shared environment influences autism susceptibility more than previously thought, accounting for 55% of strict autism cases. Genetic heritability accounted for 37%, with moderate genetic and environmental contributions observed in spectrum disorders.
Researchers found that identical twins were more likely to both have autism than fraternal twins. The study suggests that shared environment accounts for about 55% of the risk, while genetic factors contribute less, around 40%. This finding may shift future research paradigms.
The California Autism Twins Study suggests that both genetic and shared environmental factors significantly increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in twins. Environmental influences such as parental age, low birth weight, multiple births, and maternal infections during pregnancy may greatly increase the risk for ASD.
A new study published in Psychological Science reveals that life experiences significantly influence the set points for anxiety and depression. Researchers used a large sample of over 12,000 twins to show that environmental factors have a lasting impact on mood stability.
A recent Yale study examining the rise in cesarean births found that a significant proportion of the increase was due to slow progress in labor and fetal heart rate concerns. The researchers also discovered that suspected large infants, twin pregnancies, and preeclampsia contributed to the increase despite stable rates in the population.
A study of 1,811 pairs of twins found that shorter sleep durations were associated with increased expression of genes related to obesity, while longer sleep durations were linked to decreased body mass index. This suggests that genetic influences on body weight may be suppressed by adequate sleep duration.
A longitudinal twin study found no correlation between early sexual initiation and later sexual risk-taking, contradicting the long-held assumption that waiting for sex until marriage reduces risk. The study suggests that genetic and environmental factors contribute to early sexual initiation and risk-taking.
A new study from the University of Utah found that mothers of twins tend to be healthier and live longer than singleton mothers, with stronger women being more likely to naturally conceive twins. The research analyzed data from over 58,000 Utah women born between 1807 and 1899, revealing a link between twin birth and longevity.
A study by Lee A. Thompson and colleagues found that genetic influence was greater on reading than math, with shared environment influencing math more so than reading. The researchers analyzed the data from twins to determine the similarities in genetic and environmental influence between ADHD symptoms and academic ability.
A population-based study found that parental alcohol use disorders significantly increase the risk of offspring developing an AUD. Female offspring were particularly vulnerable to this increased risk, suggesting a stronger genetic component for female development of AUDs.
A study of twins found that genetic factors play a significant role in urinary incontinence, accounting for around 50% of the variation. Various forms of urinary incontinence, including stress and urge incontinence, have also been linked to genetic explanations.
A study of twin veterans found that antidepressant use is linked to thicker arteries, contributing to the risk of heart disease and stroke. The data suggests that antidepressants may combine with depression for a negative effect on blood vessels.
A study by molecular geneticist Shiva Singh found that even identical twins have distinct DNA profiles due to random genetic variations. The research uses monozygotic twins with one having schizophrenia to investigate the genetic determinants of schizophrenia.
A new study confirms the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index (RAPI) is predictive of later diagnoses of alcoholism in young adulthood. Adolescent RAPI scores were associated with a higher likelihood of alcohol dependence seven years later, especially in females.
Researchers found no reduction in preterm delivery or neonatal morbidity in twin pregnancies treated with 17-hydroxyprogesterone. The study, presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's annual meeting, involved over 240 mothers and 480 babies.
New research suggests that measures of school effectiveness are partly influenced by genetic factors in students. The study found that changes in student performance over time must be explained not only by the quality of the school environment but also by genetic factors that children bring to the classroom.
A large-scale study found a significant genetic component in the development of symptomatic lumbar disc disease, with individuals with the condition more likely to have family members with disc disease. The study's findings support a genetic basis for the disease, although shared environmental risks cannot be ruled out.
Researchers found that nearly 95.6% of 3,271 civilian WTC survivors reported posttraumatic stress symptoms and 15% screened positive for PTSD two years after the disaster. The study identified five predictors of PTSD: late evacuation initiation, high floor exposure, dust cloud exposure, personal horror, and employer fatalities.
A new study published in Psychological Science found that genetic traits are linked to difficult students' inherited characteristics, which affect teacher effort and classroom behavior. The researchers used a twin study of over 1,100 pairs of British twins to identify heritable factors influencing challenging student behavior.
A new twin study links ADHD behaviors, reading achievement, and math skills in children, suggesting a common genetic and environmental influence. The researchers found that identical twins were more alike on these traits than fraternal twins, indicating a strong genetic component.
Researchers have identified 30 new genes responsible for determining the age of sexual maturation in women, with many also influencing body fatness and energy metabolism. The findings could help combat diseases linked to early menarche, such as breast cancer and type 2 diabetes.
Researchers found that genetics play a significant role in determining vitamin D status during the winter months. Lifestyle choices and sun exposure are more influential in maintaining optimal vitamin D levels during the summer.
An Australian study discovered a rare genetic form of epilepsy can originate from an embryonic genetic mutation, challenging previous assumptions about its inheritance. Researchers believe this finding may have implications for siblings of individuals with other genetic diseases that could be caused by an embryo mutation.
A new study explores how genetic and environmental factors influence educational outcomes in identical and fraternal twins across Minnesota and Sweden. Family background plays a significant role in determining education, especially in Minnesota, while Sweden prioritizes grades and test scores.
A recent study published in Psychological Science found that females with a male co-twin score higher on mental rotation tasks than those with a female co-twin. The study suggests that prenatal masculinization may play a role in this skill, which is often associated with testosterone levels.
The Epitwin project will analyze methylation patterns of 20 million sites in DNA from 5,000 twins to identify differences that explain why identical twins don't develop the same diseases. This study has the potential to uncover key genes responsible for disease and accelerate research into human healthcare.