Twins News and Research

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Discovery of gene variant that raises autism risk

Scientists have found a variation in a gene that may raise the risk of developing autism, especially when the variant is inherited from mothers rather than fathers.

11 Jan 2008

Role of genetics in multiple sclerosis

New research announced this week has found an association between certain genes and the severity of multiple sclerosis (MS).

10 Dec 2007

UK fertility regulator wants fewer IVF twin births in order to save lives

The fertility regulator in the UK, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has called for a reduction in the number of twin births from IVF.

5 Dec 2007

Anorexia begins in the womb

New research is suggesting that a male twin who shares the womb with a female twin is almost as likely as twin girls to be diagnosed with anorexia.

5 Dec 2007

Males with a twin sister appear more likely to develop the eating disorder anorexia nervosa

Males who have a twin sister appear more likely to develop the eating disorder anorexia nervosa than other males, including those with a twin brother, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.

4 Dec 2007

Researchers transfer immune response to myeloma patient

Researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) have for the first time transferred an immune response in a healthy individual to a patient with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow, showing promise for cancer vaccination.

27 Nov 2007

Study links asthma with post-traumatic stress disorder

For the first time, a study has linked asthma with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among adults in the community. The study of male twins who were veterans of the Vietnam era suggests that the association between asthma and PTSD is not primarily explained by common genetic influences.

16 Nov 2007

Children's environment plays a major role in their readiness for school

Early school success seems to depend largely on children entering school ready to learn, and many policy initiatives have highlighted the importance of preparing children for school entry.

16 Nov 2007

Research confirms the importance of genetic factors in age-associated hearing loss

A new Brandeis University study of twins shows that genes play a significant role in the level of hearing loss that often appears in late middle age. The research, in the Journal of Gerontology Medical Sciences, examined genetic and environmental factors affecting hearing loss in the frequency range of speech recognition.

15 Nov 2007

Babies born a few weeks too soon six times more likely to die

Researchers in the United States say babies born just a few weeks too soon are six times more likely to die in their first week of life than full-term babies and are also three times more likely to die before their first birthday.

14 Nov 2007

Is the inability to express emotions hereditary?

The inability to express emotions (alexithymia) is thought to be hereditary. The largest study so far has provided new data in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics.

13 Nov 2007

Early teen sex may play role in helping some develop better social relationships in early adulthood

A new study by University of Virginia clinical psychologists has found that teens who have sex at an early age may be less inclined to exhibit delinquent behavior in early adulthood than their peers who waited until they were older to have sex.

13 Nov 2007

EU project confirms Europe's excellence in migraine research

An EU-funded project on migraines has not only taken researchers a step closer to understanding the causes of these incapacitating attacks, but has created a critical mass, reinforcing Europe's reputation of excellence in this field, and reassuring migraine sufferers that their condition is being taken seriously.

6 Nov 2007

Genes play important role in risk for dependence on illicit and licit drugs

The genes that play a role in illegal drug abuse are not entirely the same as those involved in dependence on legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, and caffeine addiction appears to be genetically independent of all the others, according to a study led by Virginia Commonwealth University researchers.

6 Nov 2007

Breastfeeding boosts infants' IQs, but only if the babies have a specific genetic variant

This study looked at how long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAS), which are present in human milk but not in cow's milk or most infant formulas, are metabolized. LC-PUFAS in breast milk, the authors said, is believed to enhance cognitive development because the fatty acids are required for efficient neurotransmission and are involved in neuronal growth and regeneration.

6 Nov 2007