Articles tagged with Twin Studies
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Whitfield, a professor at Duke University, will receive the award for his influential work on aging and health disparities. He has mentored numerous colleagues and developed research programs focused on African-American communities, making him a prominent figure in the field of gerontology.
A nationwide study in Denmark suggests a genetic component to pyloric stenosis in infants, with a high concordance rate in monozygotic twins and significant familial aggregation among siblings. The study found an 87% heritability estimate, supporting the notion that inherited genes play a key role in the development of this condition.
A pilot study led by MSU found that higher estradiol levels during puberty may increase the risk of eating disorders. The study suggests a possible biological culprit in the development of eating disorders, which could lead to new treatments and prevention efforts.
A recent MS study analyzed identical twins to identify environmental factors contributing to the disease. The research found that environmental factors play a significant role in multiple sclerosis development, with genes influencing but not determining individual susceptibility.
A Tel Aviv University study found that young men who smoke cigarettes have lower IQs compared to non-smokers, with an average difference of seven points. The study tracked over 20,000 Israeli army recruits and found a strong correlation between cigarette smoking and lower cognitive function.
A population-based study confirms exposure to TCE increases the risk of Parkinson's disease, with workers five and a half times more likely to develop the condition than those not exposed. The study used twins to evaluate environmental risk factors and found significant associations between TCE exposure and Parkinson's disease.
A new study by Ohio State University shows that the environment plays a significant role in the development of reading skills in children. The study found that while genetics influence initial reading skills, environmental factors such as instruction and parental care have a more pronounced impact on growth over time.
Researchers analyzed DNA methylation in identical twins discordant for autoimmune disease lupus, finding widespread epigenetic changes that may play a role in the disease. The study suggests environmental factors and lifestyle differences may contribute to differential disease onset.
A twin study has identified factors associated with sun damage and skin aging, including smoking and being heavier. The study found that a history of skin cancer and photodamage were highly associated in twin pairs, while sunscreen use was not.
Researchers found a significant association between cardiovascular disease diagnosis and increased risk of subsequent hip fracture. The study, using twins from the Swedish Twin Registry, suggests that genetic predisposition plays a major role in this relationship.
A new study published in Pediatrics reveals that children born with low birth weight are at a higher risk of developing asthma later in life. The study, which analyzed data from 10,918 twins, suggests that impaired fetal growth affects lung development and contributes to the development of asthma.
A study of over 2,000 identical twins found that early-life medical problems are associated with an individual's risk for developing learning disabilities, rather than anesthesia exposure. The research suggests that screening for learning problems should take place before surgery.
A study of twins found that habitual sleep duration affects body mass index (BMI), with optimal sleep duration between 7 and 8.9 hours per night. The relationship remained even after controlling for genetics and environment.
Researchers found that twins conceived through assisted reproductive technology (ART) have a higher risk of complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and death compared to spontaneously conceived twins. ART twins also require longer hospital stays and are more likely to be admitted to neonatal intensive care.
A new study by researchers from the University of Minnesota found that individuals with higher cognitive ability are more likely to make good economic decisions, including taking calculated risks and being cooperative. The study also found a positive correlation between cognitive skill and perseverance in job retention.
Researchers analyzed data from over 1,200 male twins to find that a history of major depression significantly increases the risk of heart disease. Men with depression were twice as likely to develop heart disease compared to those without a history of depression.
A new study involving identical twins suggests that certain environmental factors can accelerate facial aging. Divorce and antidepressant use were found to contribute to a greater perceived age difference between siblings.
A study using twin data revealed that genetic factors play a significant role in linking sleep problems to later depression in young children. The stability of sleep problems across time is mainly caused by genetic influences, while non-shared environmental influences dominate the development of depressive symptoms.
A twin study found that getting diabetes before 65 significantly increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other dementia. The study also suggests that maintaining a healthy lifestyle during adulthood can reduce this risk.
A two-year study led by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that combining a vaginal delivery with a Caesarean section for the second twin is generally safe. The researchers compared over 1,000 women who underwent this procedure and found that it was associated with a slightly higher risk of infection, but this risk was easily treated.
A large study of Finnish twins found that early-onset depressive disorders at age 14 predicted daily smoking, tobacco use, and frequent alcohol consumption later. The findings suggest a significant association between early depression and substance abuse in adolescents, regardless of genetic or family factors.
Researchers at Yale University discovered a link between genetics and reduced brain response to food in obese individuals, predicting future weight gain. The study used brain imaging and genetic analysis to show that individuals with a specific genetic variant exhibited a blunted response to food, leading to overeating.
Research found that a specific gene variation associated with pair-bonding in voles also affects human males, leading to weaker relationships and increased marital problems. Women married to men carrying the variant reported lower marital quality without lower satisfaction.
A study found that alcohol dependence in women is associated with delayed reproduction, including menstrual disorders and unplanned pregnancies. Women who drink may want to consider the long-term consequences of drinking on later childbearing.
A twin study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that flossing can decrease gum disease-causing bacteria. Regular flossing can help reduce the amount of periodontal disease-causing bacteria in the mouth, contributing to healthy teeth and gums.
Research at Karolinska Institutet found that people with schizophrenia have an increased number of unusual chromosomal changes, particularly structural changes that can alter gene function. These changes, known as copy number variants, may contribute to the development of the disorder.
Research by James H. Fowler and colleagues shows that genes influence voter turnout and a range of political activities, with identical twins exhibiting significantly more similar voting behavior than fraternal twins. The findings also suggest that family upbringing has little effect on children's future participatory behavior.
The study found that genetics accounted for around 35% of the differences in homosexual behavior among men, while non-shared environmental factors explained 64%. For women, genetic influences were more modest, accounting for 18%, with non-shared environment and shared family factors explaining 64% and 16% respectively.
A Finnish study of identical twins found that physical inactivity and acquired obesity impair the expression of genes involved in energy production, contributing to insulin resistance. The study suggests that lifestyle factors play a significant role in developing diabetes and heart disease.
A recent study using twins found that genetic factors contribute significantly to the development of alcohol dependence, with heritable influences tracing back to a common factor. Environmental influences, on the other hand, are more prominent in earlier stages of drinking behaviors, such as initiation and first problem onset.
A long-term study of twins has led USC researchers to find potential links between Hodgkin lymphoma and levels of an immune response protein, interleukin-12. Lower levels of this protein may increase susceptibility to the disease.
Myopia research reveals no link between glasses-wearing and introversion, but a small association with Agreeableness; good eye care is key, dispelling preconceived notions about wearing glasses
New MSU study finds that prenatal testosterone exposure may protect against anorexia and bulimia in females, with those exposed to male twins showing lower risk. The findings suggest a biological link between testosterone and eating disorders.
Researchers found that genetic factors account for 40% of the risk for chronic bronchitis, but also identified a link between genetic predisposition to smoking and the development of the disease. The study suggests that smoking remains a primary risk factor for chronic bronchitis, regardless of genetic background.
Researchers studying 19 pairs of identical twins discovered that they had virtually identical DNA but still exhibited small genetic variations. These findings may help explain why one twin can develop a disorder while the other remains healthy.
A recent study by Yale University researchers found that IVF twin pregnancies have a higher prevalence of congenital heart disease (CHD) compared to singletons. The study, which examined almost 2,000 patients, revealed a three-fold increase in CHD among IVF twins.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found a significant link between asthma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among adults. The research suggested that the association is not primarily due to genetic influences, but rather may be related to immune system functioning or common risk factors.
A new study found that environmental factors, such as family resources and parent-child interactions, have a significant impact on children's school readiness. Genetic factors also play a role, but the environment is the most important factor overall.
A study of 3,065 male twin pairs found that those suffering from PTSD symptoms were 2.3 times more likely to have asthma compared to those with fewer symptoms. The association between asthma and PTSD was not primarily explained by genetic factors.
Nancy L. Pedersen of Karolinska Institutet will receive the GSA's 2007 Award for her contributions to behavioral genetics and aging research. Her work, including leadership of the Swedish Twin Registry, has significantly advanced our understanding of genetic and environmental factors in aging.
Researchers found that consumers are more likely to anthropomorphize products with features associated with human traits, such as loyalty or helpfulness. This study's findings suggest that marketers' efforts to create personable brands may shift the evaluation process from product to human characteristics.
Researchers found that genes influencing risk for psychoactive drug abuse or dependence vary between illicit and licit substances, with caffeine addiction appearing to be genetically independent. Heritability estimates suggest that genetic factors account for over 70% of risk for cocaine, cannabis, and nicotine dependence.
Research suggests that genetic factors significantly influence human brain structure and intelligence, particularly in regions involved in attention, language, and visual processing. Heritability estimates range from 70-90% for gray matter volume and 40-69% for the hippocampus.
A large-scale twin study found that short sleep (less than seven hours) and long sleep (more than eight hours) were linked to increased mortality rates in both men and women. Frequent use of medications also contributed to a higher risk of death.
Researchers discovered that genes significantly impact people's perception of fairness in economic games, with identical twins showing greater similarity in gameplay than fraternal twins. Genetic influences account for up to 40% of the variation in response to unfair offers.
Researchers studying 523 pairs of twins aim to understand the role of environmental stress in cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes. The study, funded by a $1.7 million grant, will evaluate twins' living environments and stress coping mechanisms over four years.
Researchers found that progesterone treatment did not decrease the risk of premature birth in women carrying twins compared to placebo injections. In contrast, earlier studies showed a significant reduction in preterm birth among pregnant women with a history of preterm delivery and single-baby pregnancies.
A nationwide outcome study reveals anorexia as a common, severe but highly transient illness, with most women recovering before age 30. The study found that anorexic symptoms usually started between ages 10 and 25 and took 5-10 years to resolve.
A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that weekly progesterone injections did not reduce the rate of preterm birth in women pregnant with twins. In contrast, previous research showed that these injections reduced additional preterm births by one-third in women whose previous babies were born prematurely.
A study published in Neurology found that people who spent more time in the sun as children may have a lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis. The study involved 79 pairs of identical twins and found that the twin with MS spent less time in the sun as a child, leading to a reduced risk of 25-57% depending on the activity.
A twin study published by Monell Chemical Senses Center found that genes account for 53% of the variation in sour taste sensitivity, suggesting a genetic component to individual differences. This discovery may help identify the elusive taste receptor for sourness and inform strategies for promoting healthy eating.
A study of over 4000 twin pregnancies found that complex assisted reproduction procedures increase the likelihood of abnormal umbilical cord development. The research suggests that embryo implantation may play a role in this increased risk.
A study of nearly 2,000 7-year-old twin pairs suggests a strong genetic connection between hyperactivity and poor academic performance. The researchers found that common genetic factors influence both behaviors, possibly due to genes affecting attention span and classroom learning.
A new Cornell study found that people who experienced traumas, such as being close to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, have brains that are more reactive to emotional stimuli, increasing their risk of developing mental disorders like PTSD and depression.
A study by Roseanna Armitage found that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is associated with reduced slow wave sleep and impaired sleep drive, even after a regular night's sleep. After a four-hour sleep delay, CFS individuals exhibited significantly less slow wave activity than healthy twins.
A new benchmark study finds that timeliness is a critical factor in the success of treatment for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). The study, led by Dr. Timothy Crombleholme, highlights the importance of early diagnosis and aggressive intervention to improve survival rates. Fetal echocardiography is recommended as a crucial diagno...
Researchers found that Minnesotans in the Twin Cities metro area are expending a significantly greater amount of energy participating in moderately intense physical activities than they were five years ago. The majority of this energy expenditure came from leisure-time physical activities such as walking, running, or biking.
A new study published in Child Development found that children report more frequent sleep problems than their parents acknowledge. The researchers suggest that genetic and environmental influences play a role in most sleep problems. Parents may be unaware of night waking or delayed sleeping patterns, leading to overestimation by children.
A study of over 800 twin pairs found that premature ovarian failure was three to five times greater in twins at ages 40 and 45 compared to the general population. This finding applies to both identical and non-identical twins, with a significant association observed between twin disparities in menopausal ages.
The Genetic Association Information Network (GAIN) has selected six studies to undergo whole genome analysis to identify genetic contributions to common illnesses. The studies focus on disorders of the brain, skin, and kidney, including depression, bipolar disorder, and diabetes.