The Genetics of Straight vs. Curly Eyelashes
Some people wake up with lashes that curl up and out on their own, no mascara or eyelash curler required. Others have naturally straight lashes that point almost directly forward …
Why Spicy Food Doesn’t Bother Some People at All
At every wing night, there’s always one person calmly working through the “extra hot” tray while everyone else is sweating, coughing, and reaching for milk after a single bite. It’s …
The Genetics of Male Pattern Baldness (Yes, It’s Mostly From Mom)
Guys tend to eye their fathers nervously, watching the hairline for clues about their own future. If Dad’s still got a full head of hair at sixty, that feels like …
The Genetics of Why Some People Build Muscle Faster Than Others
Walk into any gym and you’ll spot them: the person who started lifting three months ago and already looks noticeably more built, standing next to someone who’s been training consistently …
The Genetic Reason Some People Are More Ticklish Than Others
You’ve probably met both kinds of people: the ones who can’t have their feet touched without dissolving into laughter, and the ones who seem almost immune, barely reacting no matter …
Why Some People Get Goosebumps From Music
A song builds to just the right moment, a voice cracks with emotion, or an orchestra swells at exactly the right second, and suddenly your arms are covered in goosebumps, …
The Genetics of Why Some People Cramp Up More Easily
You’ve probably heard the standard advice for muscle cramps: drink more water, eat a banana, stretch it out. And sometimes that advice works. But if you’re someone who cramps up …
The Genetics of Hair Whorl Direction (Clockwise or Counterclockwise?)
Look at the top of almost anyone’s head, and you’ll notice their hair spirals outward from a single point, called a whorl, in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Most …
Why Some People Metabolize Sugar Faster Than Others
Two people can eat the exact same slice of cake, and an hour later, one of them feels completely normal while the other is hit with a noticeable energy crash, …
Why Some People Can’t Smell Their Own Body Odor
You’ve probably had the experience of catching a whiff of someone else’s perfume, laundry detergent, or, less pleasantly, body odor, from across a room, while remaining completely unaware of your …