Articles tagged with Monozygotic Twins
Research published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology found that children aged 6 and older are significantly less likely to invite peers with a visible squint to their birthday party. This discrimination may have lasting psychological impacts on individuals concerned.
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.
Research at University College London found that genetic differences are responsible for the majority of variation in face recognition ability among individuals. Identical twins showed a stronger correlation in their face recognition skills compared to non-identical twins, indicating a significant role of shared genes.
A twin study found that face recognition is heritable and influenced by separate genes than general intelligence or IQ. The study's findings support a modularity hypothesis, suggesting specialized brain regions for specific cognitive skills like face recognition.
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.
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 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 by Stanford University scientists reveals that type 1 diabetes may not be caused by bad genes but by how normal genes and gene variants are expressed. Researchers found differences in gene expression between two groups of mice, suggesting a role for environmental stimuli in triggering the disease.
A study using identical twins found that taking 1000mg of olive leaf extract EFLA®943 lowers cholesterol and blood pressure in people with mild hypertension. The treatment has substantial effects on borderline hypertensive individuals, confirming its antihypertensive properties.
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.
Astronomers have discovered identical twin stars that formed at different times, challenging current star-formation theories. The analysis reveals significant differences in brightness, surface temperature, and possibly size between the two stars, with one being about 2x brighter and 300 degrees hotter than its twin.
A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology suggests that identical twins with the same lifestyle can have different body weights due to infinite number of possible body weight solutions. This challenges traditional understanding of body weight change, suggesting it may be influenced by multiple factors beyond diet and exercise.
Finnish research reveals clear changes in gene-networks and mitochondria function in obese individuals, associated with pre-diabetic changes and increased insulin release. Mitochondrial inefficiency may maintain obesity state.
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.
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.
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 the NIH/NIDCD found that a person's ability to process multiple sounds simultaneously is largely inherited. The researchers discovered that identical twins were more similar in their dichotic listening abilities, with a strong genetic component responsible for up to 73% of the variation.
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.
A study published in Gut found that babies with low birthweight are at a higher risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome. The research, which analyzed data from 3334 twin pairs, suggests that genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of IBS.
A new study of twins found that genetic susceptibility to Multiple Sclerosis is significantly increased among those born in the northern environment, with a higher concordance rate among identical twins. Northern residence also contributed to an earlier onset of the disease, suggesting environmental factors play a crucial role.
Researchers found three genes over-expressed in rheumatoid arthritis that varied between identical twin pairs, suggesting environmental factors influence gene expression. The discovery provides insights into the variability of disease symptoms and response to treatment.
A study of male Vietnam veterans and their identical twins found that those with PTSD had higher scores on neurologic tests, indicating subtle brain abnormalities. These findings suggest a dysfunction in the cerebral cortex, which could increase PTSD risk or reduce recovery likelihood.
The study found that heritability of osteoporotic fractures is stronger than previously estimated, especially for early-occurring fractures. Genetic variation in liability to fracture differed considerably by type of fracture and age at fracture event.
A study of twins and their partners/friends reveals a strong genetic component to our tendency to seek out people like ourselves. The researchers found that 34% of preference for similar mates was due to shared genes, with the greatest self-similarity seen in more heritable items.
Identical twins who differed in social class had significantly higher blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels compared to their professional counterparts. In contrast, educational attainment differences did not impact health status. This study provides insight into the additional effect of adult experiences on adult health.
A Harvard study found that adult occupational class has a significant impact on health outcomes, even after accounting for early childhood conditions and education level. Working-class twins were more likely to experience high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and lower self-rated health compared to their professional counterparts.
Researchers analyzed identical male twin pairs with differing lifestyles to study the impact of diet and exercise on LDL cholesterol. The study found a strong correlation between twins' responses to diet changes, highlighting the importance of genes in determining individual responses to dietary fat.
Identical twins who communicated once a month or more lived significantly longer than those with less frequent contact, outliving fraternal twins by nearly two years. Frequent social interaction among identical twins appears to contribute to their longevity.
Monoamniotic twins shared the same amniotic sac and were found to have comparable rates of preterm labor and complications. In contrast, they had a significantly lower mean gestational age at admission and improved neonatal survival rates compared to dichorionic diamniotic twins.
A recent study of 289 identical twin pairs reveals that twins differ in their feelings of emotional distress, despite being genetically identical. The twin who was less distressed tended to have closer relationships with their mother and teachers, attend church more often, or had parents granting them more autonomy.
A study of 45 male identical twin pairs found no difference in disc degeneration between occupational drivers and their non-driving twin brothers. The researchers suggest shifting attention from degenerative changes to other explanations for the link between driving and back problems.
A quadruplet pregnancy resulted from IVF and spontaneous conception, highlighting the risks associated with unprotected intercourse during ovarian stimulation. The woman gave birth to a boy and two girls with separate placentas and another girl with fused placenta after undergoing multiple pregnancies were deemed medically undesirable.
A new study on identical twins found that genetics plays a predominant role in differences in cholesterol levels, but diet also significantly contributes to variations in cholesterol levels. The researchers controlled for genetic factors and found an environmental association between diet and cholesterol levels.
A study of identical twins found a significant association between chronic fatigue syndrome and an increased incidence of fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome. The researchers suggest that physicians should assess CFS patients for other clinical conditions, as these illnesses can compound the condition's high costs.
Researchers are studying reading development in young twins to understand the environmental and genetic influences on early reading skills. The CU-Boulder portion of the project aims to identify factors that contribute to reading difficulties in preschool children.
A twin study found that genetic factors contribute more to women's depression, even in mild cases. The research suggests that genes, not family environment, are the primary cause of depression in women.
A recent study examining 19,842 white male twins found that genetic factors do not play a significant role in causing the most common form of Parkinson's disease. Instead, undetermined environmental factors are believed to trigger typical PD, particularly among those diagnosed after age 50.
A study of 3359 twin pairs found that genes play a significant role in two behaviors contributing to compulsive gambling, with familial factors explaining 62% of the behavior. The researchers estimate that about half of these behaviors are genetically mediated, highlighting the importance of inherited factors in vulnerability to gambling.
Researchers found that identical twins are twice as likely to share nightmare frequency as nonidentical twins, with a 45% chance of one twin experiencing frequent nightmares if the other does.
Researchers have found that stunted brain regions may cause severe autism symptoms, while smaller regions may lead to milder symptoms in close relatives. The study used magnetic resonance imaging to compare the brains of identical twins with and without autism.
A twin study found that genetic factors play a significant role in determining alcohol dependence risk in women, contradicting the long-held assumption that environment influences alcoholism more in women. Women with an alcoholic identical twin sister are six times more likely to be alcohol dependent.
The study used identical twins to investigate the role of genes in individual differences in response to chronic overfeeding. The results showed significant similarity within pairs for body weight, fat distribution, and insulin levels, but reduced similarity when accounting for total body fat.