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Humans may have acquired certain immune system genes by breeding with Neanderthals. And while these genes may have helped them avoid diseases, they might be the cause of others. More »
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Don't you wish there was a way to tell if your baby would grow up into a sports star, so that you could start pinning all your deferred dreams of athletic glory on her while she was still in her crib? Well, now there is — sort of. More »
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Two new studies show underlying biological differences between obese people and thinner folks — obesity may be linked to a gene that affects appetite, and, more surprisingly, to a person's sense of smell. More »
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Inspired by the "sweaty T-shirt experiment," in which women found the sweat of genetically dissimilar men especially sexy, ScientificMatch.com will match singles based on DNA samples. Unfortunately the sample will come from a cheek swab, not sweat. [Washington Post] More »
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According to this week's Time cover story, the new thing in science is epigenetics, which is basically the study of how having a cigarette will destroy your unborn children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. More »
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Researchers in the UK are hoping to isolate a recessive gene that they believe is linked with postpartum psychosis, a rare and extreme form of postnatal depression. By identifying the gene, experts hope that they can help doctors identify women likely to develop postpartum psychosis and offer effective treatment. A separate study also found that a quarter of women who experience mild euphoria after childbirth can develop late-onset postnatal depression within two months. [Guardian] More »
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A new study suggests that transsexualism and gender identity development may be ingrained in our genetic makeup. A DNA analysis of 112 male-to-female transsexuals found that most had a longer version of the androgen receptor gene—a genetic trait that is associated with "less efficient" testosterone signaling. Recently, studies have found a biological basis for transsexualism in some people, including a study that found male-to-female transsexuals have a more "female like" brain structure. [BBC] More »
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Good news for the shorties out there! Scientists have discovered a gene, which is associated with short stature in women, that is also linked to living a long life. The gene, called IGF1R, has been nicknamed the "Methuselah mutation," by Scientific American and was studied in Ashkenazi Jews aged 95-108 at the Institute for Aging Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. The Ashkenazi were the focus of the study because, according to Science Daily, they're more "genetically uniform than other groups, making it easier to spot gene differences that are present." This is especially excellent news for tiny, tiny Jew and Jezebel's personal sex guru Dr. Ruth, who is turning 80 this year. [Science Daily, Scientific American] More »
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