Author: Cindy Mui

How it works While scientists are still researching the many genes that determine hair texture, they believe the shape of our hair follicles creates the texture of our tresses. The curvier the follicle, the curlier the strand. The genetic link 23andMe researchers have identified 75 places in our DNA—also called genetic variants- that influence hair… Continue reading Hair Texture & Genetics

How it works Not only do the sun’s ultraviolet rays cause our skin to tan, freckle, and (ouch) burn, UV rays also break down the hair’s pigment molecules. Researchers have studied UV exposure across a diversity of hair colors and textures and found that the sun breaks down proteins in all hair types. While some… Continue reading Hair Photobleaching & Genetics

How it works When we’re outside in the sun, specialized skin cells called melanocytes go to work producing pigment to protect our skin. If the pigment is produced evenly across your skin, you end up with a tan. But if pigment is produced in some areas more than others, you get freckles. Scientists aren’t quite… Continue reading Freckles & Genetics

How it works Mosquitoes are drawn to breath and the body odor we emit from our sweat glands. It might make your skin crawl, but 23andMe researchers believe that mosquito bite frequency, as well as sensitivity to bites, is partly heritable. The genetic link 23andMe researchers have identified 285 genetic markers associated with mosquito bite… Continue reading Mosquito Bite Frequency & Genetics

Say what?

Misophonia

Misophonia: when certain sounds may provoke strong emotional reactions in an individual (e.g. if the sound of somebody chewing may cause someone to feel enraged).

How it works Our bodies produce a substance called pigment, and pigments are responsible for the colorof our skin, hair, and eyes. When scientists talk about the pigments people produce, they’re typically referring to melanin. There are two types of melanin you should remember: eumelanin, which is brown/black, and pheomelanin, which is red/yellow.The lightness or… Continue reading Hair Color & Genetics

How it works Babies are born with all the hair follicles they’ll need in their lifetimes. On average, people come into this world with about five million hair follicles. Around week 10 of pregnancy, those follicles start growing tiny strands of hair called lanugo. By week 20, the scalp is covered with hair.But lanugo isn’t… Continue reading Newborn Hair & Genetics

How it works To maintain your balance, your brain relies on signals from multiple sources: your eyes, your muscles and joints, and the vestibular system in your inner ear. Most scientists think that motion sickness occurs due to “sensory conflict” — when your vestibular system and muscles tell your brain that you’re moving but your… Continue reading Motion Sickness & Genetics

How it works Hair color comes from melanin, a pigment in your skin, hair, and eyes. If you produce a lot of the melanin type eumelanin, you probably have black or brown hair. If you don’t produce much eumelanin, your hair is probably blond. And, if you have low levels of eumelanin plus high levels… Continue reading Red Hair & Genetics

How it works Exposure to bright sunlight causes some people to sneeze. Scientists are still trying to understand this reflex. In the meantime, they’ve come up with a couple of theories, as well as a clever name: “Autosomal Dominant Compelling Helio-Ophthalmic Outburst,” or “ACHOO Syndrome.” The genetic link Scientists originally thought this reflex was probably… Continue reading Photic Sneeze Reflex & Genetics