Lessons from the longest study on human development - Helen Pearson
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For the past 70 years, scientists in Britain have been studying thousands of children through their lives to find out why some end up happy and healthy while others struggle - in fact, it's the longest-running study of human development in the world. Reviewing this remarkable research, science journalist Helen Pearson shares some important findings and simple truths about life and good parenting.
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Additional reference
The Life Project: The Extraordinary Story of 70,000 Ordinary Lives - Helen Pearson
In March 1946, scientists began to track thousands of children born in one cold week. No one imagined that this would become the longest-running study of human development in the world, growing to encompass five generations of children. Today, they are some of the best-studied people on the planet, and the simple act of observing human life has changed the way we are born, schooled, parent and die. This is the tale of these studies and the remarkable discoveries that have come from them. Touching people across the globe, they are one of the world's best-kept secrets.
Birth cohort studies - University College London
The website for each cohort study is a great starting point to learn more. They provide an overview of the studies, a more comprehensive bibliography and, in some cases, details of questionnaires and other data collected. They also give a flavor of the enormous breadth of these studies and feature the most recent publications.
Secrets of the X chromosome
The sequence of DNA that we inherit from our parents encodes directions for making our cells and giving us specific traits. Identical twins have the same DNA sequence, so how can one twin end up with a genetic disorder while the other twin does not? Robin Ball explains how the secret lies in X chromosome inactivation.
Your genes are not your fateDean Ornish shares new research that shows how adopting healthy lifestyle habits can affect a person at a genetic level. For instance, he says, when you live healthier, eat better, exercise, and love more, your brain cells actually increase.
Additional reference
The Life Project: The Extraordinary Story of 70,000 Ordinary Lives - Helen Pearson
In March 1946, scientists began to track thousands of children born in one cold week. No one imagined that this would become the longest-running study of human development in the world, growing to encompass five generations of children. Today, they are some of the best-studied people on the planet, and the simple act of observing human life has changed the way we are born, schooled, parent and die. This is the tale of these studies and the remarkable discoveries that have come from them. Touching people across the globe, they are one of the world's best-kept secrets.
Birth cohort studies - University College London
The website for each cohort study is a great starting point to learn more. They provide an overview of the studies, a more comprehensive bibliography and, in some cases, details of questionnaires and other data collected. They also give a flavor of the enormous breadth of these studies and feature the most recent publications.
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