genetics

We could debate why people cheat longer than we dissected what exactly counts as cheating, and now a new study has added another lame excuse: the tendency to cheat is genetically predetermined.

The same gene linked to alcoholism, gambling, and thrill-seeking makes people more likely to cheat and have one-night stands. It's all related to a system of pleasure and reward that releases the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine. Essentially, the higher the risk, the greater the reward, which in this case is pleasure.

But as the New York Times point outed earlier this year, fidelity takes work whether you're prone to straying or not. In fact, practice even makes faithful. Another study found men who practiced resisting temptations in virtual reality were better at resisting it in real life.

Weight gain is sure a hot topic these days — check out what the latest studies say about how we gain weight and what might be the next fix for managing excessive eating.

• Genetics linked to body shape and weight gain. As part of a new study, researchers looked at the DNA of 250,000 individuals and found genetic variations related to body shape and how the body stores fat. The findings scientifically explain what's been physically obvious for some time: people have distinct body shapes (hourglass, pear, apple, ruler, etc.). The study also found that apple shapes are more susceptible to health risks like heart disease or diabetes. With these new findings, doctors may be able to direct new ways that the body stores fat. Genetics isn't everything though — continue to be good to yourself by eating right and exercising.
• Fake food capsules may help with weight loss. Tired of overeating and the weight gain that comes with it? Well, researchers in Canada are currently working on a capsule that will help takers feel full, which will help them eat less. The gelatin capsule is filled with biodegradable materials that work by expanding in the stomach. During a one-month study, four individuals took the capsules without reporting any issues. The participants also lost weight and felt less hungry throughout the day.

Source: A.D.A.M.

What sounds like a BS excuse — that some men "just can't help it" when it comes to cheating — may have a basis in reality. Recent research suggests that a so-called "fidelity gene" might determine whether men are likely to get married or have marital problems.

But the wandering eye isn't as predetermined as eye color: science is also uncovering proof that men and women can fine-tune their fidelity skills, strengthen their commitments, and have happier relationships as a result.

A story in Tuesday's New York Times examines several scientific studies that challenge our preconceived notions about what it takes to be faithful. In one, scientists studied more than 500 sets of male twins and how they reacted to the bonding hormone vasopressin:

[M]en who carried a variation in the gene were less likely to be married, and those who had wed were more likely to have had serious marital problems and unhappy wives.

Of course, the research focused only on marital stability, not fidelity, so the "fidelity gene" idea isn't fully formed. Plus there's a separate raft of research that suggests that people can change. For all the proof, read more

Like mother, like daughter, right? When I look at old photos of my mom at my age, we look exactly alike. Some children resemble their parents so closely that there's no doubt in your mind that they're related. So does that mean a woman is destined to grow up to look like her mom, and inherit the same body type, whether it be wide hips, large thighs, or a flat tush?

One finding proved that apple-shaped bodies are more likely to be seen passed down through family trees than pear-shaped and thin frames. That's because it's not just your mother's genes you inherit, but also your father's. Since men usually store fat in their bellies, this body shape can often be passed on to his children.

Don't worry just yet if you're not too psyched about growing up to look like your parents. The good news is that although your inherited genes may determine up to 80 percent of your weight and shape, you're not destined to have a tire around your waist just because your mom does. Your environment and personal choices also play a major role. Another good point to bring up is that your mother's generation wasn't encouraged to exercise like women are today, so a regular exercise routine can make a huge difference in what your body looks like when you reach your mother's age.

Tell me, do you already see your mother or father's shape when you look in the mirror?

The age at which you lost your virginity could be programmed in your genes. Though researchers have often suspected that having an absent father, a single mom, or sexually active single parents could lead teens to have sex earlier, genetics seem to play a larger role than previously thought.

According a new study published in Child Development, the average age at which teens with absent fathers lost their virginity was 15.28, compared to age 16.11 for kids whose fathers were always around. Children whose fathers were sometimes absent lost their virginity at an average age of 15.36.

The findings are based on a study of 1,000 cousins at the University of Oregon, and the familial relations of the subjects led to some other interesting conclusions. Namely:

The more genes the children shared, the more similar their ages of first intercourse, regardless of whether or not the children had an absent father.

This doesn't mean there is an "absent father gene," says University of Oregon's Jane Mendle. But the researchers did observe parental traits — such as impulsiveness, addiction, and "sensation seeking" — that led to earlier sexual activity in teens.

At what age did you lose it? And do you think your early sexual urges were genetically predetermined?

Part of the fun of making a baby is the surprise of it all. Expectant parents become giddy over the suspense — will it have his eyes or hers, be a boy or girl, have curly or straight hair? Some people find out the answers to the big questions around the 18-week ultrasound reveal while others keep it a mystery. For those who don't want to leave anything in question, there is the $399 23andMe genetic testing kit.

The simple spit test can reveal the genetic likelihood of hazel eyes versus blue or brown. For nearly that price, I think I'd want a portrait of the child. Oh wait, I already get some of those. I can think of a few better ways to spend that kind of dough and think the health benefits of the test (predicting diabetes, downs, etc.) would be discovered with traditional genetic testing, which is typically covered, at least partially, by one's insurance. To be fair, the test can tell someone details about the baby's ancestry which could be enlightening, interesting or even lifesaving. But to many, ignorance is bliss. Would you spend that kind of cash to determine your offspring's hypothetical genetic makeup or your own background?