Twin studies suggest celiac disease is among the more genetically-linked disorders

The sibling of someone with autism has a 20% chance of developing ASD

The disorder is strongly linked with inheritance, and research suggests that if one child has ASD, there's a one in 5 chance the next child will develop autism, which is seven times more likely than the general population.

Common genetic disorders

As research continues, it's clear that disease and genetics go hand in hand. Here's a selection of 50 National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) articles providing basic information on genetic, orphan, and rare diseases caused by mutations in DNA sequences, whether inherited from parents or brought about by outside factors.

Why are women more likely to suffer autoimmune diseases than men?

A majority of Americans with autoimmune diseases have more than one X chromosome, a typical marker of the female biological sex, according to a study published in February of 2024. During fetal development, cells side with one X chromosome over the other, preventing the overproduction of X-chromosome-specific proteins and shutting down the twin chromosome. This article explores how this X-chromosome inactivation can lead to autoimmune disorders by generating antibodies to the body's own tissues.

80% of schizophrenia cases may be inherited

Some research suggests that anywhere between 60% and 80% of people with schizophrenia had genes that predisposed them to the syndrome. That high rate has fueled interest in further exploration of what environmental and lifestyle factors cause some people with that genetic risk to develop the disease when others with the same genetic risks do not.

Carrier screening enables individuals without symptoms to see if they carry a gene for disease

Some conditions are autosomal recessive—meaning a person may carry a gene for that condition, but not have symptoms. Cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and Tay-Sachs disease are examples of autosomal recessive diseases in which a person must inherit two copies of a nonfunctioning gene—one from each parent—to develop disease.

Here’s why genetically identical sisters can have different colored eyes

The sequence of DNA that we inherit from our parents encodes directions for making our cells and giving us specific traits. Identical twins have the same DNA sequence, so how can one twin end up with a genetic disorder while the other twin does not? Robin Ball explains how the secret lies in X chromosome inactivation.

The gut microbiome may play a major role in autoimmune disease and symptom flare-ups

Certain unhealthy foods can promote gut bacterial growth and inflammation in the lining of the gut, potentially disrupting its lining—leading to a leaky gut that may allow pathogens to dribble out into the bloodstream, fueling further inflammation that can both cause disease flare-ups and set the stage for future disease development.

Many patients with psoriasis develop other autoimmune diseases, too

A small study published in 2024 found that nearly three-quarters of patients with psoriasis—a condition in which the body attacks healthy skin cells—also developed autoimmune disorders including thyroid diseases, connective tissue diseases, and more, suggesting such connections between these autoimmune disorders warrant further exploration.

Many cancers arise from genetic mutations inherited from your parents

These mutations may happen in response to environmental or lifestyle factors, or may be passed down through family members. Genetic testing can be important in catching certain family cancers early and ensuring patients receive the right treatment for their disease.

Lactose intolerance is not the same as a dairy allergy

Lactose intolerance can develop in adulthood and can be influenced by genetic factors, culture, and dietary practices. Times of famine may have favored those who could digest dairy, naturally selecting them more, resulting in lactase persistence.

Genetics may account for nearly 67% of mosquito attractiveness

In a mosquito attraction study published in 2015, identical twins appeared equally attractive to mosquitoes in lab tests, whereas some nonidentical twins were far less likely to be bitten than their siblings. Other work related showed that body odor is also more similar between identical twins.

Some men may be at elevated risk of inheriting tinnitus

A 2017 Swedish Twin Registry study suggests that bilateral tinnitus—when tinnitus occurs in both ears instead of just one—appears to be heritable, at least in men.

Researchers are exploring neural links between Alzheimer's and autism

Recent DNA sequencing and molecular biology studies suggest that similarities in genes, neural circuitry and patterns of disease warrant further exploration to potentially better understand both conditions and how to treat them. (Some users may encounter a paywall.)

Polygenic scores aim to predict traits based on the contributions of many genes

These novel tests for multifactorial conditions evaluate the probability of traits like elevated blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol based on what researchers currently know about different gene variants and their links to various traits. The tests are predictive, not definitive, partly because environmental factors influence the expression of genes. What's more, knowledge about cumulative effects from individual genes continues to evolve. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine states that these tests are too unreliable and nascent for clinical use.

Listen to how one gene affects Alzheimer's risk

Multiple genes are associated with Alzheimer's risk, but one well-known disease-associated gene is the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene, which is typically involved in making a protein that helps carry cholesterol and other fats in the bloodstream. Specific variants of this gene are associated with elevated disease risk, though even if someone has two copies of the disease, that doesn't mean they will definitely develop Alzheimer's.

Humans are more genetically similar to cats than to dogs

While humans are not closely related to either cats or dogs from an evolutionary standpoint, scientists find that human and cat chromosomes are organized more similarly to each other than human and dog chromosomes, making cats a better model for studying human diseases.

People with schizophrenia have triple the risk of developing diabetes

It remains contentious if something inherent about the disease or antipsychotics' side effects (weight gain) are mostly to blame. Some newly diagnosed schizophrenia patients already have insulin resistance, raising questions about if patients' brains are getting enough energy from glucose, and if dietary changes—like a high-fat, low-carbohydrate, moderate-protein diet—may help alleviate symptoms.

Caucasians are at the greatest risk of developing macular degeneration

A 2016 analysis across ethnic groups found, among other things, that white participants had the highest incidence of the disease, followed by Chinese, Hispanic, and Black participants. This study did not answer why that may be the case.

Why kids are picky eaters

Parents who are stressed about their child repeatedly refusing vegetables: It may not be your fault. Rather than being a result of nurture, it appears that nature decides whether a kid is more adventurous with their appetite. Researchers tracked more than 2,400 sets of twins and found how genetics may actually be a major contributor to children's finicky eating habits.

Hookworm infection, though risky, may help fight certain autoimmune conditions by tamping down the immune system's inflammatory response.

CRISPR technology is removing allergens from common foods

Proteins responsible for allergies to eggs, milk, wheat, peanuts, and other foods can be genetically edited out of foods to reduce the risk of life-threatening reactions. The technique has also been used to produce caffeine-free coffee beans, spicier tomatoes, allergen-free pets, and more nutritious fish.

Your DNA may determine whether you like coffee or tea

Whether people prefer coffee or tea may boil down to a matter of taste genetics. People with a version of a gene that increases sensitivity to the bitter flavor of caffeine tend to be coffee drinkers, according to a report. Read on for more.

A man’s genes can predict his hairline

There’s actually some truth to the idea that you should look at your mother’s father. But genetic research tells us that the full picture is somewhat more complicated. An interesting read on how to use genetics to figure out if you'll go bald (with illustrations).

Sickle cell trait can put people at elevated risk of heat-related illness

This hereditary blood disorder affects the shape and function of red blood cells. A US military study found that among recruits the incidence rate of exertional heat-related illness was 48% higher among those who had sickle cell trait as compared to those without. Easing into intense exercise and gradually increasing exertional frequency and intensity is recommended.

These cells 'taste' danger, trigger immune responses

Taste receptor-coated tuft cells are found throughout the body, where they communicate with and take part in a growing list of biological processes. In the intestines, these taste receptor-studded cells can sense byproducts of parasite metabolisms. This causes the taste receptors to release chemicals that alert the immune system, order nearby goblet cells to produce mucus, and trigger muscle contractions in attempts to launch the parasites from the intestines.

Fertility treatments linked to increased risk of cancer among offspring

Recent research has explored potential links between increased childhood cancer occurrence, particularly leukemia, and assisted reproductive technology (ART). Though some studies have detected this type of association, researchers caution that it remains unclear if ART itself, fertility drugs, underlying infertility of the parents, or other unknown factors may explain any increased cancer numbers among ART-conceived children. Overall, the incidence of cancer in children, regardless of conception method, is very low.

Visualize how CRISPR-Cas9—a type of immune system used by single-celled organisms to attack invasive viruses—targets and makes precise changes to a gene's DNA.

Larger animals like giraffes, elephants, and blue whales have developed a unique defense against cancer, a phenomenon known as Peto's Paradox

In 1939, baseball star Lou Gehrig delivered his inspirational 'Luckiest Man' speech after retiring due to the health condition that now bears his name.

Salvador Dalí believed he was his own dead brother, who had died nine months before he was born

About 12.5% of US adults experience a phobia in their lifetime, a diagnosis that hinges on the intense fear interfering with daily life and persisting for at least six months.

Louisiana's 'Cancer Alley' is infamous for having some of the highest industrial pollution, toxic air emissions, and cancer risks in the US.

Bone marrow (soft tissue found inside certain bones) generates roughly 500 billion new blood cells each day

Volcanic activity may have triggered the Black Death by spewing gases that led to crop failures in Europe, thus forcing the import of grain ships with plague-infested fleas.

Poison ivy is in the same family as mangoes, cashews, and pistachios—and they all produce oily urushiol in their raw, unprocessed state—but they are typically prepared in ways to avoid causing human discomfort.

Telehealth demand for GLP-1s for weight loss is booming as consumers seek easier access.

Listen to an in-depth conversation on the links between Parkinson's disease and herbicide exposure and the challenging pace of scientific investigation.

Alzheimer's can lead to brain shrinkage, with an average of around 2% of volume reduction per year

At the beginning of the 20th century, a group of young men ate standard American food—replete with food additives like borax and formaldehyde—as part of government research to better understand food safety.

As of 2025, the most cited papers in science include a review of graphene, methods to improve image recognition, streamlining electron density calculations, and optimizing protein studies.

The Brothers Grimm were lawyers before they were storytellers, and became interested in fairy tales as they began investigating how rules and customs had been passed down through cultures.

Sunflowers have long been a symbol of nuclear disarmament because they can extract large amounts of radioactive cesium from soil.

Chaos theory—informally known as the butterfly effect—is the reason why weather forecasts are presented with probabilities rather than certainties.

The United States is one of only around two dozen countries with a fully federal system of government, in which power is divided between national and state governments.

Up to a million Girl Scouts sell about 200 million cookie boxes every spring, generating $800 million, largely because refusing a child is frowned upon

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is the largest ground war in Europe since World War II in casualties, forces mobilized, and displacement of civilians.

The Great Salt Lake's distinct dual coloration results from high-salinity organisms that only live in the northern portion and produce a purple protein.

To reduce wrinkles in clothing, research recommends gentle wash cycles with more water and tumble drying with smaller loads and longer times.

In preparation for this weekend's Eurovision finale, which is something like the World Cup of pop music, here's a young Céline Dion performing (for Switzerland?) at the 1988 competition.

The Nasdaq's 'Magnificent 7' companies are responsible for roughly 40% of the Nasdaq 100 index's gains, while the remaining 93 companies account for the other 60%.