The heritability of suicide

Young kids who lose a parent to suicide (about 10,000 a year in the US) are 3 times more likely to commit suicide themselves than kids who lost a parent due to illness or accident, and they are also at risk for a bunch of other mental problems. By 12, the rate drops to twice normal, and 18, the issue vanishes. Kids who lost a parent due to illness are more likely to be hospitalized but not more likely to commit suicide.

I guess this isn't a surprise. The act of suicide is pretty good evidence of some sort of mental problem going on, such as depression, and lots of mental problems, including depression, have a genetic component. What's odd is that it doesn't affect adults. I guess the stress is greater on a younger person, and some sort of hormonal or epigenetic influence happens in the brain.

Infant game theorists

It as been shown in the past that babies and toddlers are eager to help, for example by picking up something someone has dropped, if they can't reach it, and handing it back to them. This research showed that 21-month olds would spontaneously help someone who had, the day before, tried to give the baby a toy but hadn't been able to, but they would not help someone who had showed them the toy but not given it to them. Kids help people who previously acted kindly toward them.

This is basic game theory, and it has been found, for example, in lots of birds. The first time you interact with someone (or some bird), you cooperate. The next time, you act however the other person or bird acted toward you the previous time. It seems to come naturally to babies.