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Biologists explain earwax function and genetic variations

By PulseAugur Editorial · [1 sources] ·

Earwax, or cerumen, is a protective substance manufactured by glands in the ear canal, not a waste product. It serves to deter microbial growth, trap debris, and repel water, with jaw movements facilitating its natural expulsion. Genetic variations, primarily linked to the ABCC11 gene, determine whether an individual produces sticky, wet earwax or dry, flaky earwax, a trait with a distinct geographical distribution. AI

RANK_REASON Article explains biological functions and genetic variations of a common bodily substance, drawing on scientific studies.

Read on Forbes — Innovation →

AI-generated summary · Google Gemini · from 1 sources. How we write summaries →

Biologists explain earwax function and genetic variations

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Article explains biological functions and genetic variations of a common bodily substance, drawing on scientific studies.
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COVERAGE [1]

  1. Forbes — Innovation TIER_1 English(EN) · Scott Travers, Contributor ·

    A Biologist Explains Why Humans Have Earwax (Hint: Some People Can’t Make It)

    Earwax isn't dirt — it's an antimicrobial secretion split into two genetic types, tied to hearing loss risk, and able to flag a rare disease in newborns.

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