Scientists identify gene that gives people an otherworldly sense of spatial awareness

The gene - known as PIEZO2 - is not a new discovery; it was first mentioned in medical journals years ago.

However, scientists were not aware how much we relied on it to control touch and proprioception, a 'sixth sense' describing awareness of one's body in space.

Now, scientists at the National Institute of Health are exploring how this gene could be stronger in some people than others.

Their research stems from a study of two unrelated patients - one aged nine, one aged 19 years old - who are lacking the gene.

Mutations in the gene caused the two to have movement and balance problems and the loss of some forms of touch.