Episode 12: Science News

Depressed about not fitting into your genes
The University of WA claim to have found a gene that increases a man’s risk of depression. Results were published in the May issue of the International Journal of Epidemiology. The gene is a version of the C-reactive protein (CRP) gene and surprisingly it is not linked to increased levels of CRP, which is a protein found in the blood in response to inflammation. Why would the gene variation lead to depression? Researchers believe it might lead to a deficiency in individuals’ ability to address physical changes that happen to the body as a response to a stressful event. So, takes the body longer to be restored into full health. Researchers tested blood samples of 3,700 men over 65. 4.9 per cent of the sampled men showed clinically significant symptoms of depression.

Reaching new heights
New research from ANU says that tall people earn more. Five centimeters of height increases your salary $950 per year. Contrary to popular belief and studies from the US and Germany, being overweight or obese does not affect salary.

Attachments of the sex offenders
New Australian research is breaking stereotypes about the personality of sex offenders. Researchers from the University of NSW compared a sample of sex and non-sex offenders. The research found that sex offenders often displayed attachment styles just as secure as the non-offenders. In the past it was believed that sex offenders had insecure attachments when they were growing up – and this lead to poor intimacy skills.