Daily briefing: This Utah family line might be evidence of 'selfish genes' in humans

"Researchers have found the first clear evidence that humans might have genes that distort the sex ratio of offspring from roughly 50:50. By scouring an anonymized genealogy database, researchers have discovered a family in Utah that has had twice as many boys as girls for seven generations, which suggests the presence of genes that skew the odds."

"Stem cells applied to the exposed spinal cords of fetuses in utero could treat infants with spina bifida - a severe birth complication in which the spinal cord is not properly enclosed during gestation. A small trial including six pregnant women showed that the treatment is safe, and can reverse a complication of spina bifida that blocks the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid."

"Adults whose brains still produce neurons at high levels seem to have better memory and cognitive function than do those in whom neuron production has tailed off. In particular, researchers found that 'super agers' - people older than 80 with exceptional memory - had a higher number of new neurons than did other groups, and significantly more than did those with Alzheimer's disease."

Researchers discovered the first conclusive evidence of sex-ratio distortion genes in humans by analyzing a Utah family genealogy spanning seven generations with approximately twice as many boys as girls. This finding suggests genetic mechanisms can skew offspring sex ratios from the typical 50:50 distribution. Additionally, stem cell treatments applied to exposed fetal spinal cords show promise for treating spina bifida, with early trials demonstrating safety and reversal of cerebrospinal fluid circulation complications. Research also reveals that adults maintaining high levels of neurogenesis demonstrate superior memory and cognitive function, with 'super agers' over 80 showing elevated new neuron production compared to typical aging populations and those with Alzheimer's disease.

Read at Nature