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Health Anthropology

All articles tagged with #health anthropology

health-anthropology1 year ago

"The Enigma of Kuru: Vanishing Women in Papua New Guinea"

Kuru, a mysterious disease that affected the Fore people in Papua New Guinea, was spread through mortuary feasts where the deceased were consumed, leading to a devastating impact on the community. New genetic research has revealed that the kuru epidemic did not halt migration or intermarriage, and female survivors carried genetic variants that likely made them resistant to the disease. The study also uncovered significant genetic differences between linguistic groups in the region, shedding light on the impact of pandemics and epidemics on a population's genetic makeup.

health-anthropology1 year ago

"Uncovering Ancient Cases of Down Syndrome Through DNA Analysis"

Researchers have identified cases of trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome) in ancient and prehistoric individuals through genetic analysis of 9,855 human genomes. The study reveals six cases of Down syndrome and one case of Edwards syndrome, with evidence of skeletal abnormalities consistent with these genetic disorders. The findings suggest that these individuals were cared for and buried with respect, indicating compassionate community attitudes towards those with genetic disorders in the past. The study highlights the potential of integrating genetic, anthropological, and archaeological data to gain insights into the prevalence and societal perceptions of genetic disorders in ancient populations.