The latest work revolves around two culprit proteins, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF).

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The "capital asset pricing model" identified one factor, beta, or a stock's volatility relative to the index, as pivotal to the stock's returns.

WSJ: Supercharging Your Investment Portfolio

One low-volatility stock is Fortune Brands (nyse: FO - news - people ), which has a 52-week beta of 0.52 and a Barra Risk Factor of only 5.

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