Genes which play a role in controlling the shape of specific facial features - DCHS2, RUNX2, GLI3 and PAX1 affect the width and pointiness of the nose.
Why Some People are Unable to Use Facial Features to Recognize a Person
The earliest face-selective responses, those recorded approximately 170 milliseconds after seeing a face, are altered in people with congenital prosopagnosia.
The earliest face-selective responses, those recorded approximately 170 milliseconds after seeing a face, are altered in people with congenital prosopagnosia.
‘Adding to our understanding of how the human face evolved, a UCL-led study has identified genes that drive the shape of human noses.’
The study, published today in Nature Communications, analyzed a population of over 6,000 people with varied ancestry across Latin America to study the differences in normal facial features and identify the genes which control the shape of the nose and chin. The researchers identified five genes which play a role in controlling the shape of specific facial features. DCHS2, RUNX2, GLI3 and PAX1 affect the width and pointiness of the nose and another gene - EDAR - affects chin protrusion.
"Few studies have looked at how normal facial features develop and those that have only looked at European populations, which show less diversity than the group we studied. What we've found are specific genes which influence the shape and size of individual features, which hasn't been seen before.
Men With Hint of Redness on Facial Features Appear More Attractive to Women
Men who have a hint of redness on their facial features are more likely to be found attractive by women as they are seen as dominant alpha males.
Men who have a hint of redness on their facial features are more likely to be found attractive by women as they are seen as dominant alpha males.
"It has long been speculated that the shape of the nose reflects the environment in which humans evolved. For example, the comparatively narrower nose of Europeans has been proposed to represent an adaptation to a cold, dry climate. Identifying genes affecting nose shape provides us with new tools to examine this question, as well as the evolution of the face in other species. It may also help us understand what goes wrong in genetic disorders involving facial abnormalities," explained Professor Andre Ruiz-Linares UCL Biosciences, who led the study.
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Down Syndrome Kids Confront Facial Features Stereotyping
Down syndrome kids` photographs evoke less positive attitudes than photographs of usually developing children do, reports new research in the open access journal PLoS ONE.
Down syndrome kids` photographs evoke less positive attitudes than photographs of usually developing children do, reports new research in the open access journal PLoS ONE.
Both men and women were assessed for 14 different facial features and whole genome analysis identified the genes driving differences in appearance. A subgroup of 3,000 individuals had their features assessed using a 3D reconstruction of the face in order to obtain exact measurements of facial features and the results identified the same genes.
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Study Finds That Sleep Deprivation Affects Facial Features Like Eyes, Mouth and Skin
Facial features like eyes, mouth and skin are affected by sleep deprivation. A new study has found that these features function as signs of sleep loss to other people.
Facial features like eyes, mouth and skin are affected by sleep deprivation. A new study has found that these features function as signs of sleep loss to other people.
The genes GLI3, DCHS2 and RUNX2 are known to show strong signals of recent selection in modern humans compared to archaic humans such as Neanderthals and Denisovans; GLI3 in particular undergoing rapid evolution.
Source-Eurekalert
