This has been linked to the MC1R gene mutation, which affects pain receptors. Red hair in close-up. (credit: Wikimedia Commons) Redheads commonly have green or blue eyes—a rare and unique ...

The desert mule deer is a common sight in west Texas, but wildlife biologists in the area came across an extremely uncommon ...

The researchers found that people who carried the MC1R variant had about 42 percent more sun-associated mutations in their tumors. Ultraviolet (UV) light—like that from the sun—can damage DNA, and ...

Melanism is a rare, random genetic anomaly believed to be caused by mutations in the melanicortin 1 receptor gene (MC1R) which leads to an over production of the pigment melanin. It’s difficult ...