Gene 'that shows time we will die'
SCIENTISTS have discovered a "death gene" which pinpoints the hour when a person is most likely to die.
The common gene variation also determines what time a person gets up in the morning.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Centre, Boston, US, found the gene variation by accident when they were investigating whether there are identifiable precursors to the development of Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease.
They looked at the sleeping patterns of 1,200 65-year-olds.
The findings are published in the journal Annals of Neurology.