Tag

Heritability

All articles tagged with #heritability

science1 month ago•53 min saved

Your DNA helps shape personality, but life writes most of the score

A massive study of genetic and personality data from more than a million people finds that DNA accounts for up to about 13% of differences in personality. Thousands of genetic variants each have tiny effects on the Big Five traits (extraversion, openness, conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism). The results show personality is shaped by many genes interacting with environment rather than a single gene, and even link genetic profiles to real-world behaviors like where people live and their COVID-era activity, while non-genetic factors still play a large role.

via Yahoo|

#big-five #dna #genetics

science1 month ago•7 min saved

Genome-wide Study Discovers Thousands of Variants Tied to Personality, But DNA Isn’t Destiny

A large-scale GWAS across about 1.14 million people identified roughly 1,260 genetic variants linked to the Big Five personality traits, but these variants collectively explain only about 7.4–10.6% of individual differences and predict less than 4% in new groups, underscoring that genetics influence personality at the population level while environmental factors largely shape individual differences.

via ScienceAlert|

#big-five #genetics #gwas

science2 months ago•6 min saved

Largest GWAS uncovers first genetic risk clues for borderline personality disorder

A large, multi-study genome-wide association analysis of European- ancestry participants identified 11 genomic loci linked to borderline personality disorder, with nine nearby functional genes. Replication supported five additional loci, bringing the total to 11. The newly identified variants account for about 17% of inherited risk, indicating genetics play a meaningful but partial role in BPD.

via Nature|

#borderline-personality-disorder #genetics #gwas

cognitive-science3 months ago•28 min saved

Specific cognitive skills show strong, independent genetic influence beyond general intelligence

A large meta-analysis of 747,567 twin comparisons across 11 cognitive domains finds the average heritability of specific cognitive abilities is about 56%, slightly higher than general intelligence, with some domains above 60% (e.g., quantitative knowledge, reading/writing, processing speed) and others around 40% (e.g., fluid reasoning, short-term memory). After accounting for general intelligence, these specific abilities remain highly heritable, averaging about 53%, indicating distinct genetic influences beyond IQ. Development shows general intelligence heritability rises with age, while specific abilities follow a flatter trajectory; the study notes data gaps and measurement noise but envisions DNA-based profiling to tailor education and interventions.

via PsyPost|

#cognition #cognitive-science #education

genomics4 months ago•11 min saved

Parental Genes Leave a Lasting Imprint Beyond Inherited DNA

A large international study analyzing over 30,000 families shows that a child’s traits—height, BMI, and school test scores—are shaped not only by their own DNA but also by the environment created by parents’ genes and by parent-of-origin effects. Researchers developed a method to separate direct genetic effects from indirect (genetic nurture) and parent-of-origin effects, finding that parental influences are substantial and that the same genetic regions can influence traits through both inheritance and environment. The findings have broad implications for interpreting genetic studies and shaping policy, suggesting that family environment plays a powerful role and that only direct genetic effects may be ideal drug targets.

via News-Medical|

#genetic-nurture #genetics #genomics

science4 months 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

science5 months 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

science5 months 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

science6 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-psychology7 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

science8 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

health8 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

science8 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

health3 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