Dr Steve Chenoweth, a geneticist at the University of Queensland, is investigating how almost identical genomes can produce such different forms - males and females - by analysing the genetic makeup of a native fruit fly.

"In birds, a gene that causes brightly coloured plumage in males may have advantages in terms of attracting a mate, whereas its effect in a female could be a distinct disadvantage, making her more noticeable to predators."

But Dr Chenoweth is not just interested in appearances and hopes his research will uncover why diseases favour men and women differently, such as heart disease which is more prevalent in men.

"Once we understand where these sex-specific triggers are and how they work, there is potential for developing intervention methods to controls sex differences in the development of certain diseases," he said.

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