Link between Brain and Face Shape

    3D images of faces were analyzed and linked several data points on them to their genetic information. This was done to find a correlation. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) were obtained from 19,644 healthy people; this information was found in the UK Biobank. 472 genomic regions that influences brain shape were discovered. Out of the 472, 76 are also associated with face shape; this large overlap indicated the correlation between face and brain shape. Also, 351 of those regions were never reported before.

    The development of the face and brain are coordinated during embryogenesis; According to the study, "genetic signals that influence both brain and face shape are enriched in the regions of the genome that regulate gene activity during embryogenesis, either in facial progenitor cells or in the developing brain."




https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-021-00827-w

http://www.sci-news.com/genetics/brain-face-shape-genetic-link-09525.html

Genetic Link Discovered Between Face and Brain Shape

 Ku Leuven writes how a team bed by KU Leuven has identified 76 overlapping genetic location that shape both the face and the brain. The team relied on a previous study that analyzed 3D images of faces and linked several data points on faces to genetic information to find any similarities. They also used data from the UK Biobank which hold MRI brain scans and genetic information. The team took 20,000 individuals information from the Biobank for their study. The specific focus the team had was on variations in the folded external surface of the brain which usually have a walnut shape. 

From this the identified 472 genomic location that have an impact on the shape of the brain. surprisingly they found 76 genomic location predictive of brain shape which had previously been found for face shape, this could be evidence that there is a genetic link between face and brain shape. Another piece of evidence they found was that genetic signal that influence both brain and face shape are enriched in the regions of the genome that regulate gene activity during embryogenesis, either in facial progenitor cells or in the developing brain. I think this research is important because in the article it mention that this study debunks that genetic overlap can also predicts someone cognitive traits and risks of conditions like Alzheimer's disease that pseudoscientific claims made it out to be. Which can also stop unethical projects made by some people to try to support their claims. 

Picture from article. 

Link to scientific journal for more information. 

Is you brain controlling your face shape and behavior?

Turns out our brains might have even more control over us than we think. Based on a study led by LU Leuven and Stanford, our brain might be controlling more than our movements but our personalities and behaviors. They identified over 76 overlapping genetic locations that shape both our faces and brain, which can easily debunk several persistent pseudoscientific claims related to our face and what it says about us. Although there were already suspicions of this link, this thought was purely based on model organism researches and clinical knowledge of extremely rare conditions. Joint senior for this study, Professor Peter Claes said it all began when they, “set out to map the genetic link between individuals’ face and brain shape much more broadly, and for commonly occurring genetic variation in the larger, non-clinical population. In these previous studies, we analyzed 3D images of faces and linked several data points on these faces to genetic information to find correlations.”

For this newfound discovery, they relied on previous studies that provided them with 20,000 MRI brain scans and genetic information. The focus was placed "on variations in the folded external surface of the brain," this allowed for the identification of 472 genomic locations that have shaped our brains; meanwhile, 76 of these genomic locations are linked to the face shape.

Fortunately, by them doing further research on this genetic link, they discovered there was no genetic link with behavior or neuropsychiatric disorders. "Our results confirm that there is no genetic evidence for a link between someone’s face and that individual’s behavior. Therefore, we explicitly dissociate ourselves from pseudoscientific claims to the contrary. For instance, some people claim that they can detect aggressive tendencies in faces by means of artificial intelligence. Not only are such projects completely unethical, but they also lack a scientific foundation," Professor Claes clarifies. This is a very interesting study. Our brain is already so powerful, to think that it'll be strong enough to have such a genetic hold on us would honestly be very surprising.

Links:

https://scitechdaily.com/genetic-link-discovered-between-face-and-brain-shape/

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-021-00827-w

We Evolved from Neanderthals

A study has shown that Developmental cells are the cause for the Domestication and Change in Facial Structure between the once Neanderthals and today's "normal" facial structured Humans, as well as some Humans who have rare genetic disorders from prenatal and postnatal growth. It’s all tied around this one gene that goes by the name of BAZ1B. A scientist has concluded that the lack of this "boss-like" cell to be the main reason for the "Williams-Beuren syndrome". The Neural crest cells show up upon the elemental stage of birth as they migrate into different placements throughout the body.  Rising tissues, altering bone and cartilage placements, pigment cells, and other actions take place when these neural crest cells present there presents.

People who have Williams-Beuren syndrome are known to be more talkative, outgoing and not aggressive in any manner. But on the flip side, there is a disorder that includes that extra BAZ1B crest cell that results in the person having difficulty speaking and tend to come off more aggressive than the norm. They also have a different facial structure, more narrow opposed to the Williams-Beuren syndrome. This disorder is formally known as 7q11.23 Duplication syndrome.  All in all, evolution has allowed us to change in appearance, giving rise to less harsh facial features. Imagine how different human beings would look in the next hundred years compared to how we appear today!

Original link: Gene Tied to Facial Development

Should you let your dog lick your face?

It may seem harmless to let your dog greet you by licking your face, but experts say that dogs' mouths contain bacteria that can be very harmful to humans. Dr. Neilanjan Nandi from Drexel University College of Medicine explains how there are bacteria, viruses, and yeast in a dog's saliva, some of which help it clean and heal its own wounds, but many can prove dangerous to us. Our bodies are simply not made to combat or come in contact with these bacteria. Some of the bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella, and clostridium, are zoonotic, meaning they can be transferred to humans and cause disease. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that you can never let your dog lick your face. Dr. Leni K. Kaplan of Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine explains that it is highly unlikely that dog saliva will cause any problems when it comes in contact with a healthy person's skin, as there will be little absorption through the skin, however, pathogens are much more easily absorbed through the membranes of a person's eyes, mouth, and nose, so it is best to avoid letting your dog lick those areas of the face.

Infections like hookworm and roundworm can also be transmitted by coprophagia. A puppy can have as many as 20 to 30 million roundworm eggs in its intestinal tract in one week. Although rare, it is possible for a dog to transmit an intestinal parasite to a human through its saliva. These parasites are most usually contracted by a dog licking fecal matter, but they can also come from things like contaminated soil.
Most people are unaware of the bacteria that is in their dog's mouth, and think it's harmless to let their dog lick their face, myself included, but we must start being more cautious in order to avoid serious disease. If people really thought about where their dog's tongues have been, they would think twice before letting them lick their mouth and eye areas.