BEAUTIFUL SIMILARITIES & DIFFERENCES IN TWINS NOW

Twins are beautiful pairs, not only because of their similarities, but also because of their differences. Both are illuminating.

Identical twins are the most fascinating to consider. Genetics and environment are the two factors attributed determining just how much alike twin siblings are. However new research findings show that there is another important factor to consider: Noise.

When studying genetically identical twins, raised in the same environment in the same way, they found interesting differences: fingerprints, freckles IQ, EQ, and health are all variable, for example.

Human twins begin at conception with identical fingerprints but then their patterns are further formed through movement in utero. Variations like this can happen in all species.

Scientists have found that cellular processes are inherently “noisy.” Cell molecules move around with a degree of randomness. This means that two genetically identical cells in the exact same environment can sometimes behave differently.

The aberrations could be subtle, or they could be dramatic. For example, one cell might lie dormant while another is triggered into action. One cell might produce more or less of a chemical compound than another identical cell. One cell might live, while its twin might die.

Noise can be an important life-saver for uniform populations, including twins, because it adds a variant that helps living organisms to survive environmental threats, the same way genetic variation can.

NASA is now conducting a study to help determine the effects of long-term space travel with twin astronaut subjects. In March of 2015, NASA astronaut Scott Kelly will embark on a one-year mission to the International Space Station. Scott’s twin brother Mark, who is also an astronaut, will remain behind on Earth, serving as a control.

NASA's Human Research Program recently announced the selection of 10 research proposals to study the twins' genetics, biochemistry, vision, cognition and much more.

Read more about Beautiful Pairs, as it relates to Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact including 10 Extraordinary Pairs to Embellish Your Space Now.

Enter your own images and ideas about Beautiful Pairs in this week’s creative Photo Competition. Open for entries now until 11:59 p.m. PT on 11.16.14. If you are reading this after that date, check out the current BN Creative Competition, and enter!

PHOTO CREDITS:

1. Photo: Courtesy of Duskys Wonder Site. Pair of Hedgehogs.
2. Photo: by Larry Jacobson. Annie & Matthew.
3. Photo: Courtesy of Sabi Sabi. Twin Elephants.
4. Photo: Courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service. Polar Bear Pair.
5. Photo: by Parshotam Lal Tandon. Macaca mulatta twins.
6. Photo: by Matt Taylor. Twin Zebras.
7. Photo: by Steve Garvie. Pair of Giraffes.
8. Photo: by Michael Welsh. Twin Ducklings.
9. Photo: by Marie and Alistair Knock. Twinned.
10. Photo: by catnthehat. Pair of tigers.