Tag: Neanderthal DNA
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More Neanderthal than human: How ancient DNA shapes our health today
The legacy of Neanderthal DNA Thousands of years ago, our ancestors interbred with Neanderthals as they spread across Eurasia. The result is a genomic mosaic still present in every modern human outside Africa. This Neanderthal DNA isn’t just a curiosity; scientists have shown that these ancient gene fragments can influence how our bodies function today,…
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How Neanderthal DNA Shapes Our Health Today
Introduction: Our Hidden Heritage Some of the most surprising culprits behind modern health aren’t new inventions but ancient legacies. About 1 to 2 percent of the DNA in non-African populations comes from Neanderthals, our long-vanished cousins. Far from being a guard of curiosities, these genes quietly influence how we respond to infections, metabolize fats, react…