How much of your future life is decided before you are born? A new analysis of more than a hundred records of twins suggests that genetics could halve people’s lifespans once death from accidents, infections and violence are removed. The work, carried out at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel and published in the … Read more
A large-scale genetic analysis reveals that genetic factors that cause autism risk are similar in people of different ancestral backgrounds. By examining the DNA of thousands of people in Latin America, researchers have shown that rare genetic mutations associated with autism occur in the same genes across different populations. The results, published in the journal … Read more
Lifestyle and economic conditions play an important role in shaping healthy ageing, but their effects may vary depending on your DNA, according to a new international study led by researchers at Adelaide University. The study is the first of its kind to show that diet, exercise, sleep, smoking, education, work and social interactions all influence … Read more
Last week, the International Olympic Committee announced that it will determine whether athletes are eligible for women’s events by ordering an immediate lifetime test for the male-determining gene, SRY. But this new law raises many questions – about why “woman” is defined in this way, whether there is evidence that trans women have a chance, … Read more
April 2nd is Autism Awareness Day, and ahead of the 2026 annual recognition, a group of scientists has been praised for a breakthrough in the field of genetics and autism risk. Over the past decade, researchers have been able to identify a series of rare genetic variants associated with an increased risk of autism and … Read more
The transition from water to land is a question that still puzzles scientists. Those ancient organisms would need to adapt to the many new challenges of life outside of water. So, how did they do that? In the 2025 study, my colleagues and I tried to understand the genetic basis of adaptation to life on … Read more