If you exercise regularly and are still not losing weight, it could be because you do not have 'skinny genes'.

According to a new study, some so-called skinny genes are responsible for how our bodies respond to exercise.

The researchers from the University of Essex and Anglia Ruskin University found that there are 14 skinny genes that influence weight loss.

"We hypothesised that eight weeks of endurance training could reduce body mass, but participants would improve at different rates, and that this could be explained, in part, by their genetic differences," wrote the researchers in the study.

Watch:&nbsp;The right reasons to exercise: Decoding health and fitness myths

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They examined 38 subjects aged 23 to 40. The volunteers were divided into an exercise group and a control group.

Their exercise regimen&nbsp;was monitored for eight weeks, during which one group completed a running programme of 20 to 30 minutes per week while the control group remained inactive.

The results made the researchers posit that genetic differences were behind the difference in the weight loss, though all followed the same training regimen.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/exercise-drug-will-deliver-the-benefits-of-working-out-minus-the-work-766367">Also read: 'Exercise drug' will deliver the benefits of working out minus the work</a>

Those with some specific gene variants lost an average of five kilogrammes as opposed to two kg weight loss for those without these variants.

The gene PPARGC1A, which is linked to energy metabolism, was present in those who lost the most weight, found the study published in the Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport.

PPARGC1A is associated with the way our cells process and manage energy.&nbsp;

DNA analysis showed that 17 specific single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs were linked to the differences in weight loss.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/sit-stand-exercise-and-sleep-this-much-every-day-for-tip-top-health-717985">Also read: Sit, stand, exercise and sleep this much every day for tip-top health</a>

This led the researchers to suggest that people with these genetic variants are capable of better weight management through exercise.

Significantly, they also found that five skinny genes affect mental health, such as depression and intelligence.

<h2>Does it mean you can't lose weight? No. </h2>

What the researchers are suggesting is that 'one size fits all' approach will not work when trying to lose weight through fitness regimens.

Our bodies are unique, and personalised approaches are needed for each of us for seeing benefits of excercise, as genetics can affect its effectiveness. 
 
"This study highlighted some important genes associated with taking inches off the jeans, but it's important to remember that the genes will do nothing without exercise and lifestyle changes as they are all interlinked," exercise scientist Henry Chung from the University of Essex said.

"Without intervention, they won't show their true potential and then it doesn't matter what genes you have," he was quoted as saying in ScienceAlert.

(With inputs from agencies)

If you exercise regularly and are still not losing weight, it could be because you do not have 'skinny genes'. According to a new study, some so-called skinny genes are responsible for how our bodies respond to exercise.

If you exercise regularly and are still not losing weight, it could be because you do not have 'skinny genes'. According to a new study, some so-called skinny genes are responsible for how our bodies respond to exercise. The researchers from the University of Essex and Anglia Ruskin University found that there are 14 skinny genes that influence weight loss. "We hypothesised that eight weeks of endurance training could reduce body mass, but participants would improve at different rates, and that this could be explained, in part, by their genetic differences," wrote the researchers in the study. Watch: The right reasons to exercise: Decoding health and fitness myths × They examined 38 subjects aged 23 to 40. The volunteers were divided into an exercise group and a control group. Their exercise regimen was monitored for eight weeks, during which one group completed a running programme of 20 to 30 minutes per week while the control group remained inactive. The results made the researchers posit that genetic differences were behind the difference in the weight loss, though all followed the same training regimen. Also read: 'Exercise drug' will deliver the benefits of working out minus the work Those with some specific gene variants lost an average of five kilogrammes as opposed to two kg weight loss for those without these variants. The gene PPARGC1A, which is linked to energy metabolism, was present in those who lost the most weight, found the study published in the Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. PPARGC1A is associated with the way our cells process and manage energy. DNA analysis showed that 17 specific single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs were linked to the differences in weight loss. Also read: Sit, stand, exercise and sleep this much every day for tip-top health This led the researchers to suggest that people with these genetic variants are capable of better weight management through exercise. Significantly, they also found that five skinny genes affect mental health, such as depression and intelligence. Does it mean you can't lose weight? No. What the researchers are suggesting is that 'one size fits all' approach will not work when trying to lose weight through fitness regimens. Our bodies are unique, and personalised approaches are needed for each of us for seeing benefits of excercise, as genetics can affect its effectiveness. "This study highlighted some important genes associated with taking inches off the jeans, but it's important to remember that the genes will do nothing without exercise and lifestyle changes as they are all interlinked," exercise scientist Henry Chung from the University of Essex said. "Without intervention, they won't show their true potential and then it doesn't matter what genes you have," he was quoted as saying in ScienceAlert. (With inputs from agencies)

Exercising but not losing weight? You may not have 'skinny genes', say scientists

The rampant misuse of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-governments-lifts-ban-on-social-media-platforms-214678">social media platforms</a> to spread fake news has been a global cause for concern, and now researchers are conducting a study in India to find out how misinformation shared through WhatsApp messages is influencing the voters in the country.

According to UK-based Indian researcher Sayan Banerjee, fake news does not change people's political opinions, but rather reinforces the existing beliefs and brings out the worst impulses within us. Various reports have suggested that fake news is used to create false perceptions about political candidates or specific groups of people -- manipulating the choices of the voters.&nbsp;

Banerjee and his team from the University of Essex in the UK want to understand how fake news spread through WhatsApp affects politics, ethnic violence and public policy choices in diverse and developing countries like India.&nbsp;The team is set to conduct a five-week long research study in 18 constituencies across four states -- UP, Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand.

"Political research in the US has already found that fake news only reinforces the existing political ideas and beliefs. Fake news does not make a person change his beliefs," Banerjee told PTI. "We have a tendency to see fake news as a disease. That is what the narrative is in the public and media. What we are trying to show is that fake news is only a catalyst, the demon is within ourselves," he said.&nbsp;

The experiments will be conducted in two stages. The first involves 3,500 voters across 18 constituencies. Researchers will establish their political preferences and recruit participants willing to share their phone numbers for the study.&nbsp;In the second stage, the researchers will share verified news with a control group and fake news regarding public goods and security issues to a treatment group.

"These are very innocuous fake news. It will be in the form of images and simple captions. It will not mention any political party or real candidates," said Banerjee. The study, which is being funded by Facebook, will then try to understand how the participant's opinions change as a result of the messages.&nbsp;

In his previous research, Banerjee found that three major factors drive political behaviour in India: security, public goods and economic patronage. "Security issues are not just threats of violence against your family or caste, but also about your civil rights, access to police and legal institutions," Banerjee said.

The lack of people from lower castes in courtrooms and police station has always been a significant barrier for Dalits to get justice, Banerjee said. However, affirmative action to protect the interests of the lower castes -- such as the caste reservations -- is causing a backlash from those who have always been on the top.

"There are a lot of poor, upper caste people who are not getting any govt benefits. They will feel aggrieved. That is where the fake news comes is," Banerjee said.&nbsp;He said that political parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are using this predisposed belief of being 'left out' to get people to vote for them.&nbsp;

"We see the BJP pushing extremely violent messages in their WhatsApp groups because those things work in getting their voters to the polling booth. They are targeting people who are going to vote for BJP anyway. I don't think it changes a lot of minds," Banerjee said.

"If you look at the numbers, the hate crimes and civil rights violations against caste are through the roof," he said. On the other hand, Congress and other parties, which are trying to stitch together much larger coalitions, have a much harder job.&nbsp;Banerjee expects that messages about public goods -- such as roads, electricity, drainage system etc -- work the best for bigger coalitions.

He also pointed out that fake news is not a new phenomenon. Misinformation has been used by governments for ages to control public opinions for generations. However, with increased accessibility to smartphones and the internet, the dissemination of such messages has become more decentralised and harder to monitor.&nbsp;

"The government is freaking out because they can no longer control it," Banerjee said. According to him, at present, the BJP has the first mover's advantage. "BJP has a more organised ground game where they can influence people -- at least motivate their own voter to go to the polls by sharing something racist or bigoted," Banerjee said.

However, every political party is trying to do the same thing. Once they catch up, Banerjee says the influence of fake news will wear out.&nbsp;The data from the study will not only be helpful for academics, but also for political parties, who will be able to better understand what their voters want.&nbsp;

"We want to let the data speak for itself. It will show what kind of messages work best for influences voters. It is then up to a political party to decide whether they want to be the bad guy -- whether they want to influence their voters with negative messages," Banerjee said.&nbsp;

The rampant misuse of social media platforms to spread fake news has been a global cause for concern, and now researchers are conducting a study in India to find out how misinformation shared through WhatsApp messages is influencing the voters in the country.

The rampant misuse of social media platforms to spread fake news has been a global cause for concern, and now researchers are conducting a study in India to find out how misinformation shared through WhatsApp messages is influencing the voters in the country. According to UK-based Indian researcher Sayan Banerjee, fake news does not change people's political opinions, but rather reinforces the existing beliefs and brings out the worst impulses within us. Various reports have suggested that fake news is used to create false perceptions about political candidates or specific groups of people -- manipulating the choices of the voters. Banerjee and his team from the University of Essex in the UK want to understand how fake news spread through WhatsApp affects politics, ethnic violence and public policy choices in diverse and developing countries like India. The team is set to conduct a five-week long research study in 18 constituencies across four states -- UP, Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand. "Political research in the US has already found that fake news only reinforces the existing political ideas and beliefs. Fake news does not make a person change his beliefs," Banerjee told PTI. "We have a tendency to see fake news as a disease. That is what the narrative is in the public and media. What we are trying to show is that fake news is only a catalyst, the demon is within ourselves," he said. The experiments will be conducted in two stages. The first involves 3,500 voters across 18 constituencies. Researchers will establish their political preferences and recruit participants willing to share their phone numbers for the study. In the second stage, the researchers will share verified news with a control group and fake news regarding public goods and security issues to a treatment group. "These are very innocuous fake news. It will be in the form of images and simple captions. It will not mention any political party or real candidates," said Banerjee. The study, which is being funded by Facebook, will then try to understand how the participant's opinions change as a result of the messages. In his previous research, Banerjee found that three major factors drive political behaviour in India: security, public goods and economic patronage. "Security issues are not just threats of violence against your family or caste, but also about your civil rights, access to police and legal institutions," Banerjee said. The lack of people from lower castes in courtrooms and police station has always been a significant barrier for Dalits to get justice, Banerjee said. However, affirmative action to protect the interests of the lower castes -- such as the caste reservations -- is causing a backlash from those who have always been on the top. "There are a lot of poor, upper caste people who are not getting any govt benefits. They will feel aggrieved. That is where the fake news comes is," Banerjee said. He said that political parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are using this predisposed belief of being 'left out' to get people to vote for them. "We see the BJP pushing extremely violent messages in their WhatsApp groups because those things work in getting their voters to the polling booth. They are targeting people who are going to vote for BJP anyway. I don't think it changes a lot of minds," Banerjee said. "If you look at the numbers, the hate crimes and civil rights violations against caste are through the roof," he said. On the other hand, Congress and other parties, which are trying to stitch together much larger coalitions, have a much harder job. Banerjee expects that messages about public goods -- such as roads, electricity, drainage system etc -- work the best for bigger coalitions. He also pointed out that fake news is not a new phenomenon. Misinformation has been used by governments for ages to control public opinions for generations. However, with increased accessibility to smartphones and the internet, the dissemination of such messages has become more decentralised and harder to monitor. "The government is freaking out because they can no longer control it," Banerjee said. According to him, at present, the BJP has the first mover's advantage. "BJP has a more organised ground game where they can influence people -- at least motivate their own voter to go to the polls by sharing something racist or bigoted," Banerjee said. However, every political party is trying to do the same thing. Once they catch up, Banerjee says the influence of fake news will wear out. The data from the study will not only be helpful for academics, but also for political parties, who will be able to better understand what their voters want. "We want to let the data speak for itself. It will show what kind of messages work best for influences voters. It is then up to a political party to decide whether they want to be the bad guy -- whether they want to influence their voters with negative messages," Banerjee said.

Study to decode how WhatsApp fake news is influencing Indian voters

Police evacuated buildings at two British universities on Wednesday after receiving <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-police-link-small-bombs-sent-to-london-airports-and-rail-hub-201409">reports of suspicious packages</a>, a day after parcel bombs were sent to two airports and London's busiest train station.

Police in eastern England said they had put a cordon in place at the University of Essex and evacuated some buildings after receiving a call about a suspect package. The bomb squad had been called in.

In Scotland, the University of Glasgow also said several buildings had been shut and classes cancelled after a suspicious package was found in the mailroom.

Police had advised the buildings should be closed for the rest of the day but no further information was available on the nature of the package.&nbsp;

Police blow up device sent to University of Glasgow

Scottish police said they had carried out a controlled explosion on a device sent to the University of Glasgow and were liaising with officers in London where parcel bombs were sent to major transport hubs.

"The package was not opened and no one was injured," Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said. "The emergency services were alerted and several buildings within the estate were evacuated as a precaution. A controlled explosion of the device was carried out this afternoon."

Three small parcel bombs were sent to two airports and London's busiest train station on Tuesday. "It is too early to say whether there is a link," Johnson said.

Police evacuated buildings at two British universities on Wednesday after receiving reports of suspicious packages, a day after parcel bombs were sent to two airports and London's busiest train station.

Police evacuated buildings at two British universities on Wednesday after receiving reports of suspicious packages, a day after parcel bombs were sent to two airports and London's busiest train station. Police in eastern England said they had put a cordon in place at the University of Essex and evacuated some buildings after receiving a call about a suspect package. The bomb squad had been called in. In Scotland, the University of Glasgow also said several buildings had been shut and classes cancelled after a suspicious package was found in the mailroom. Police had advised the buildings should be closed for the rest of the day but no further information was available on the nature of the package. Police blow up device sent to University of Glasgow Scottish police said they had carried out a controlled explosion on a device sent to the University of Glasgow and were liaising with officers in London where parcel bombs were sent to major transport hubs. "The package was not opened and no one was injured," Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said. "The emergency services were alerted and several buildings within the estate were evacuated as a precaution. A controlled explosion of the device was carried out this afternoon." Three small parcel bombs were sent to two airports and London's busiest train station on Tuesday. "It is too early to say whether there is a link," Johnson said.

UK Police evacuate two universities after bomb scares