How it works People with darker skin generally make more eumelanin, a type of black or brown-colored pigment. Lighter-skinned people tend to make less of this pigment. Scientists generally believe that eumelanin does a better job blocking the sun’s UV rays compared to the yellow-red pigment pheomelanin. The genetic link Two genes, called SLC45A2 and… Continue reading Skin Pigmentation & Genetics
Sleep Movement & Genetics
The science of sleep movement Did you know that many people twitch multiple times throughout the night while they’re asleep? These involuntary twitches are called periodic limb movements, or PLMs. During sleep studies, researchers measure PLMs by placing electrodes on the arms and legs of a sleeping person. The genetic link Scientists have identified a… Continue reading Sleep Movement & Genetics
Muscle Composition & Genetics
How it works Our muscles are made of two main types of fibers: slow-twitch and fast-twitch. We move our bodies by contracting and releasing our muscles, and fiber types play a role how a muscle contracts. While slow-twitch fibers contract slowly, they tire less easily. Fast twitch fibers contract quickly, offering short bursts of powerful… Continue reading Muscle Composition & Genetics
Lactose Intolerance & Genetics
How it works Lactose is a type of sugar found in dairy products. Most babies are born with the ability to digest lactose, which helps them process their mother’s breast milk. But as children grow older and begin to eat different foods, their bodies can stop producing lactase, the enzyme that digests lactose. In most… Continue reading Lactose Intolerance & Genetics
Caffeine Consumption & Genetics
How it works When it’s time to hit the sack (or just take a nap) our bodies let us know by firing off a molecule called adenosine. Caffeine helps perk us back up by blocking adenosine’s signals. The genetic link Scientists have identified genetic variants that influence how your body handles caffeine. These variants are… Continue reading Caffeine Consumption & Genetics
Alcohol Flush Reaction & Genetics
How it works When we drink alcohol, a toxin called acetaldehyde is produced as the body breaks down the alcohol. The body then clears out this harmful toxin by breaking it down further. In people who experience the alcohol flush reaction, their bodies have a harder time clearing out the acetaldehyde, so it builds up.… Continue reading Alcohol Flush Reaction & Genetics
