Identical and non-identical twins are urgently needed to join new health studies commencing around Australia. Please join in and help in research that benefits everyone at www.twins.org.au, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or freecall 1800-037-021.

Speech and language study
Speech and language disorders disrupt the natural flow of communication and can impact on self-esteem, school, work and general well-being – not to mention the effect they can have on relationships with friends and family. The researchers aim to use new genetic techniques to search for genes related to speech difficulty. Open to Melbourne based twins aged 4-11, where one has a speech disorder and the other doesn’t.

A twin study of Naplan
Researchers are involving twins, other multiples, and siblings to help identify the genetic and environmental factors that influence how well a child performs in these tests. This information is vital to parents and educational authorities to help all children reach their full potential in school. All twins who have sat the Naplan in the past or will do so in 2015 are eligible.

A twin study of breast cancer and epigenetics
There is some scientific evidence that growth in early life, and especially during adolescence when breasts develop, could be playing a role in determining a woman’s risk of breast cancer later in life. Research has found the twin who developed her breasts earlier had greater mammographic density. This suggests that the timing of breast development could be influenced by factors that have a role in causing breast cancer. The new research will build on these findings, and also study genetic and epigenetic factors on breast cancer risk by studying twin pairs in which one or both have had breast cancer.

Why do some people consume excess fat?
Researchers from Deakin University are interested in whether genetics play a role in how much fat one consumes. This study, which is about taste not weight change, is asking twin pairs to take part in an eight-week program where each twin pair will be randomly placed on either a high or low fat food program. All twins aged 16-years-plus, and able to attend Deakin University Sensory Lab in Melbourne, are eligible to participate.

Type-2 diabetes and brain function
This study is exploring how type-2 diabetes contributes to the risk of dementia. It is open to twin pairs aged 50 years and over, where only one twin has type-2 diabetes.