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Neanderthal

All articles tagged with #neanderthal

science2 months ago

Neanderthal Footprints Discovered on Portugal’s Coast Challenge Human Origins

New discoveries along Portugal's Algarve coast have revealed the first fossilized Neanderthal footprints in the region, dating back around 78,000 to 82,000 years. These footprints provide direct evidence of Neanderthal behavior, movement, and social structure, indicating they explored coastal environments and had a diverse diet including deer, horses, and marine resources. This challenges previous ideas about Neanderthal ecology and highlights their adaptability to coastal habitats.

science2 months ago

Neanderthals Could Be Recreated in 20 Years: Should We?

Scientists are close to potentially bringing back Neanderthals within 20 years using advanced genetic technologies like CRISPR, but this raises significant ethical, legal, and practical concerns, including the feasibility of the process, the well-being of any resurrected individuals, and the moral implications of creating a new human-like species. Most experts agree that such efforts are currently unwise and ethically problematic, emphasizing the importance of preserving existing human and animal species instead.

science5 months ago

Neanderthal Gene Variant Lowers Muscle Enzyme Activity

A study found that a genetic variant inherited from Neanderthals reduces the activity of a key muscle enzyme, AMPD1, by up to 80% in mice and 25% in lab proteins. This variant, present in 2-8% of Europeans, impairs muscle performance but is generally tolerated, and carriers are less likely to reach elite athletic levels. The research highlights the impact of ancient DNA on modern human physiology and performance.