Dispositions of Children may be Influenced by the Season of Their Birth

A new study has outlined that the function of biological clocks of babies could be influenced by the season in which they are born.

The study conducted on mice might explain why people born in winter months have a higher risk of a number of neurological disorders including seasonal affective disorder (winter depression), bipolar depression and schizophrenia.

The Mystery Behind the Continuously Ticking Biological Clock
The mystery behind the continuously ticking human biological clock seems to have been solved by biologists from the University of Pennsylvania.

"Our biological clocks measure the day length and change our behaviour according to the seasons. We were curious to see if light signals could shape the development of the biological clock," said Vanderbilt University Professor of Biological Sciences Douglas McMahon.

The team found slowing of the gene clocks in winter-born mice compared to those born on a summer light cycle. They also discovered that the biological clocks and behaviour of summer-born mice remain stable and aligned with the time of dusk while that of the winter-born mice varied widely when they were placed in a summer light cycle.

"The mice raised in the winter cycle show an exaggerated response to a change in season that is strikingly similar to that of human patients suffering from seasonal affective disorder," McMahon commented.

Biological Clocks Linked to Diabetes, Obesity
Failure in biological clocks inherent in mammals lead to the development of obesity and diabetes, claim UC San Diego biologists.

The new study raises the possibility that seasonal variations in the day/night cycle may affect personalities in humans.

"It's important to emphasize that, even though this sounds a bit like astrology, it is not: it's seasonal biology!" McMahon added.

Genetic Test to Predict Woman's Biological Clock Timeline
A new genetic test that claims to predict the timeline of a woman's biological clock might go on sale as early as next year, scientists have revealed.

The study was published online on Dec. 5 by the journal Nature Neuroscience.

Source-ANI

Scientists Finger Chemical Switch That Reverses Biological Clock
Scientists have identified a chemical 'switch' that can reverse the biological clock by making human muscles younger and stronger.