Stress Alters Genes?

In an article from the Science News, it tries to explain why police dogs might have trouble finding victims. It stays how during drills police K9s can find the "victim" easily but under the circumstances like kidnapping it harder for them to pick up their scent. A geneticist, Francesco Sessa, and his colleagues point out that perhaps the victim's scent is thrown off because of stress. They conducted a study with this information and previous information about how a victim with a long version of the serotonin transporter gene handles stress better than one with a short version of this gene.

When they conducted their study with about ten people, they found out that the dogs found all the "victims" in multiple trials when none of them were under stress. It also showed that the "victims" with the long version of that gene were also found for most of the trials conducted unlike the short version "victims"; the short version of the gene was not found during the trials.

Sessa and his colleagues found that the victim's scent must have changed when under stress caused by this gene and it confused the dogs in the search. I agree with what Sessa and his team found in their study. It showed that the people with the short version of this gene made it harder, almost impossible for the dogs to find them when they are under stress. Although, a bigger study is needed to confirm their findings of whether being stressed out or scared changes their body scent, they seem to be on the right track with the serotonin transporter gene.

Do Mosquitos Love You? Blame Your Genes

Ever wonder why you are the only one ever being eaten up by mosquitos while others don't? Why are these mosquitos circling you but not the person next to you? In a recent study, researchers found that mosquitos are attracted to body odors, which are influenced by your genetic make up.

The study consisted of 8 pairs of female identical twins and 19 pairs of female fraternal twins. They found that expert sniffers were able to match the scents to the identical twins and then tested the identical and fraternal twins to see which were more attractive to the mosquitoes.The research revealed that the participants' attractiveness to mosquitoes was more similar in identical twins than the fraternal twins, hence the idea that your genetic makeup influences the odor that attracts mosquitoes.
Much more research must be done to further prove the idea. This type of research is extremely important because this could help fight against mosquito transmitted diseases like Malaria, West Nile Virus, Elephantiasis, Dengue Fever, and Yellow Fever.
I personally believe more research should be done because the repellents that we use for the mosquitos in the long run will start hurting humans. Mosquitos are evolving more and more and are beginning to be immune to the repellents, meaning we have to make stronger ones ver time. The stronger the repellent odors, the more harmful on humans.

Original Article

Summer Bites

Summer is just around the corner and most of us cannot wait! All that awaits us is days of sun, sand, and fun! But as you lay there enjoy the setting sun something bites you. With summer comes those pesky bugs and one of those bugs are mosquitoes. Your genes may affect whether or not mosquitoes want to bite you or someone else.

In a new study, a group of researcher from London did an experiment on identical and fraternal twins. They discovered that genes actually do influence whether a mosquitoes are attracted to you or not. The genes that are responsible for this natural deterrent are the genes in control of body odor. Th people who mosquitoes find less attractive have basically a natural repellent. These natural replants are control strictly by genetics.

During the study a team studied eighteen identical twins and nineteen fraternal female twins. The result were that the identical twins were more similar in their appeal to mosquitoes than the fraternal twins were. The data collected from this experiment can be used to help us to prevent bites and can help stop the spread of diseases through bites. The lead researcher stated that he thinks one day in the future people could a pill which could enhance the production of natural repellents.

Everyone always has that one friend that just attracts all the mosquitoes and now there is a reason why. This study could help stop the spread of diseases like malaria.

Scientists Sniff Out Origins of Body Odor

Researchers have pinpointed the genes that play a major role in the pungent scent of body odor. Researchers determined the DNA in Staphylococcus hominis bacteria that produce the proteins that break down sweat molecules during sweat. These proteins are responsible for breaking the sweat molecules into compounds that play a major role in body odor. The compounds are pungent in tiny amounts. As little as one part per trillion, the article says. The work done here can lead to a better scientific understanding of body odor and can lead to better preventative methods. 

            I found this article to be interesting, because I didn't know that it was bacteria that causes that horrible stench we've smelled - whether it be on ourselves, or the person sitting next to us. I'm curious as to where does the bacteria come from? Or is it naturally found on the human body?  I wonder how this finding will transform the methods of antiperspirant and deodorant production over time.