Tag

Heritability

All articles tagged with #heritability

science4 hours ago•5 min saved

Lifespan More Genetically Wired Than We Realized, New Study Finds

A new Science study estimates that about 55% of human lifespan is heritable, roughly double previous estimates, after carefully separating intrinsic genetic factors from extrinsic causes of death. By analyzing twin data, varying age cutoffs, and corroborating with Scandinavian twins and American centenarian siblings, researchers show that reducing extrinsic mortality reveals the stronger genetic signal and that aging-related frailty can blur it. The finding reshapes how aging research is funded and pursued, and points to the search for specific genetic variants that govern intrinsic aging.

via Indian Defence Review|

#aging #genetics #heritability

science25 days ago•18 min saved

The Complex Recipe of Personality: Genes Meet Life Experience

New genetic research shows personality is not fixed at birth. Twin studies once suggested substantial heritability, but genome-wide studies now estimate that only about 9–18% of personality variation is explained by common genetic variants, with the rest arising from environmental factors and gene–environment interactions. The idea of a simple “warrior gene” predictor has not held up, and personality appears to be polygenic and poly-environmental, influenced by many small effects across life experiences, including limited impact from major adulthood traumas but possible subtle effects from prenatal stress and foetal programming. Researchers emphasize very large, diverse datasets to uncover the tiny genetic contributions across the Big Five traits.

via BBC|

#genetics #heritability #personality

science28 days ago•29 min saved

Narcissism Largely Genetic: Family Similarities Rooted in DNA

A large German twin-family study (6,715 participants) finds that about 50% of the variation in narcissism is due to genetics, with the other 50% from nonshared environmental factors; the shared family environment and parenting contribute virtually nothing. The resemblance between parents and children is driven by biology, not parenting behavior, and assortative mating also plays a role in transmitting biological markers. The study challenges the idea that parenting styles mold narcissism and suggests future work should focus on nonshared experiences and underlying biological mechanisms like hormones and neural reward systems.

via PsyPost|

#genetics #heritability #narcissism

science2 months ago•7 min saved

Genes Take the Lead on Longevity, Twin Study Shows

A twin-registry analysis that accounts for extrinsic mortality finds genetics account for about 50% of variation in human lifespan, more than double previous estimates, reshaping how scientists study aging and search for longevity genes.

via SciTechDaily|

#aging #genetics #heritability

cognitive-science-evolutionary-psychology2 months ago•24 min saved

Genetic roots of IQ and socioeconomic success revealed

A twin-based analysis from the TwinLife project finds that genetic factors largely explain the link between cognitive ability and future SES. Cognitive ability is about 75% heritable; genetic factors account for roughly 49–66% of educational attainment and 32–71% of occupational status. The association between early cognitive ability and later SES is predominantly driven by shared genetics (69–81% for education, up to 98% for occupation). Environmental factors overlap far less. The results imply biology heavily shapes life outcomes, though heritability is not destiny, and the study’s four-year window and simplified models warrant cautious interpretation. Policymakers should consider genetic influences when designing interventions to reduce inequality.

via PsyPost|

#cognitive-ability #cognitive-science-evolutionary-psychology #genetics

science3 months ago•6 min saved

When External Deaths Decline, Genes Take a Bigger Share of Lifespan

A twin-based study shows that removing deaths from accidents and infections raises the estimated genetic contribution to lifespan from about 20–25% to roughly 50–55%. This higher heritability reflects context and population, not stronger genes: as external threats decline, environmental and lifestyle factors still shape outcomes, and half of lifespan variation remains due to environment. The finding emphasizes that genes and environment interact, and aging genetics requires considering different contexts.

via ScienceAlert|

#aging #environment #genetics

health3 months ago•57 min saved

Lifespan may be half-genetic, new study suggests

A new analysis published in Science estimates that intrinsic lifespan is about 50% heritable after accounting for extrinsic death causes like accidents and infections, using twin data from Sweden, Denmark, and the U.S. This method contrasts with older estimates (6–25%) and suggests genetics play a larger role than previously thought, though environment and lifestyle remain crucial. The research was limited mainly to Northern European populations, and further work is needed to confirm applicability across diverse groups and to translate findings into aging interventions aimed at extending healthspan.

via Live Science|

#aging #genetics #health

science3 months ago•3 min saved

Genes Drive About Half of Human Lifespan, New Study Finds

A study in Science argues that genetics accounts for roughly 50% of variation in human lifespan after removing the masking effect of extrinsic mortality (accidents, disease, etc.), suggesting genes governing ageing are substantial contributors. Using a math model and twin data from Denmark and Sweden, the researchers found heritability around 50% and noted that as environmental risks declined over the 20th century, genetic influence becomes more evident. The work implies future therapies could target ageing mechanisms, though lifestyle and environment still play a major role, varying by cause of death and age.

via The Guardian|

#aging #extrinsic-mortality #genetics

health-and-science2 years ago•3 min saved

"Study Reveals Genetic Influence on ADHD"

A study of a large number of twins suggests that ADHD behaviors exhibit a notable degree of heritability, with 11% of the variation in children's ADHD behaviors attributed to shared genetic factors between generations. The study indicates that children tend to resemble their parents in levels of impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and inattention due to shared genetic influences rather than shared home environments or effects of parental ADHD on child ADHD. While genetic factors play a significant role, the main cause of ADHD is likely an interplay of unique environmental factors for each child.

via PsyPost|

#adhd #genetics #health-and-science

health2 years ago•3 min saved

Comparing Genetic Risk and Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis in Different Populations

A Swedish study found that the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) is similar between first- and second-degree family members of people with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS). The study suggests that genetics and environment contribute equally to disease risk and that the likelihood of developing a particular MS type may be independent of genetics. The heritability of MS overall was estimated to be about 51%, with RRMS having a heritability of 55%. The study highlights the need for further research to explore other genetic and environmental risk factors that contribute to disease expression.

via Multiple Sclerosis News Today|

#genetic-risk #health #heritability