The Genetic Reason Mosquitoes Prefer Some People Over Others
Every outdoor gathering seems to have one. The person who’s covered in bites by the end of the night while everyone else walks away completely untouched, despite sitting at the …
The Genetic Basis of Perfect Pitch
Perfect pitch has a reputation as this almost mythical musical gift, the ability to hear a random note and instantly name it, no reference tone required. It shows up in …
The Genetic Link to Being Highly Sensitive to Criticism
Some people can hear a piece of critical feedback, nod, adjust course, and move on within minutes. Others replay the same comment for the rest of the day, or even …
The Genetic Roots of Being a Natural Optimist (or Pessimist)
Some people wake up expecting the day to go reasonably well, and when something goes wrong, they treat it as a temporary bump rather than a sign of things to …
Why Some People Sneeze When They Look at the Sun (Photic Sneeze Reflex)
You step outside on a bright day, look up for a second, and before you know it, you’ve sneezed, sometimes twice in a row, for no obvious reason. No dust, …
The Genetics of Novelty-Seeking: Why Some People Crave New Experiences
Some people can’t walk past a new restaurant without wanting to try it, book a trip somewhere they’ve never been just because they haven’t been there, or say yes to …
The Genetic Link Between Sleep Talking and Family History
Somebody in your life has probably told you that you said something completely bizarre in your sleep, or maybe you’re the one who’s caught a family member holding a full …
The Genetic Reason Some People Wake Up at the Same Time Every Day, No Alarm Needed
You’ve probably met someone who insists they haven’t used an alarm clock in years. Every morning, like clockwork, their eyes open at almost exactly the same time, whether it’s a …
The Genetic Reason Some People Need Total Darkness to Sleep
Some people can fall asleep in front of a TV that’s still playing, lights on, no problem at all. Others need blackout curtains, the alarm clock display taped over, and …
The Genetics of “Short Sleepers” Who Thrive on 5 Hours a Night
You probably know someone who claims they only need five hours of sleep, bounces out of bed energized, and somehow never seems to crash by mid-afternoon. Most of the time, …