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Indigenous Filipino Group Has Highest Known Denisovan Ancestry
Indigenous Filipino Group Has Highest Known Denisovan Ancestry
Researchers found the relatively high proportion of DNA from a hominin cousin—nearly 5 percent—when they scanned more than 1,000 genomes from 118 distinct ethnic groups.
Researchers found the relatively high proportion of DNA from a hominin cousin—nearly 5 percent—when they scanned more than 1,000 genomes from 118 distinct ethnic groups.
denisovan, genetics & genomics
“Dragon Man” May Replace Neanderthal as Our Closest Relative
Amanda Heidt | Jun 25, 2021 | 8 min read
A massive, well-preserved skull discovered in China in the 1930s belongs to a new species called Homo longi, researchers report, but experts remain skeptical about the evidence.
Gene-Edited Organoids Explore Neanderthal Brain Function
Jef Akst | Feb 12, 2021 | 3 min read
Using CRISPR to swap an archaic variant of the NOVA1 gene into human stem cells, researchers create organoids with neurodevelopmental differences from those carrying modern DNA.
Y Chromosome from Early Modern Humans Replaced Neanderthal Y
Jef Akst | Sep 24, 2020 | 5 min read
A selective advantage may have led the modern human Y chromosome to sweep through the Neanderthal population after it was introduced via interbreeding more than 100,000 years ago.
Genetics Steps In to Help Tell the Story of Human Origins
Katarina Zimmer | Sep 1, 2020 | 10+ min read
Africa’s sparse fossil record alone cannot reveal our species’ evolutionary history.
Remnants of Extinct Hominin Species Found in West African Genomes
Shawna Williams | Feb 13, 2020 | 2 min read
A study points to the existence of an ancient human relative that interbred with Homo sapiens.
Humans Made Tools Atop the Tibetan Plateau More than 30,000 Years Ago
Shawna Williams | Mar 1, 2019 | 5 min read
A finding pushes back the timeline on humankind’s conquest of one of Earth’s harshest environments, and may provide clues about interactions with their hominin relatives.
Human-Specific Genes Implicated in Brain Size
Abby Olena, PhD | May 31, 2018 | 5 min read
Three members of a gene family called NOTCH2NL may have been involved in the evolution of humans’ big cortex.
Clock Reset on Denisovan-Neanderthal Split
Kerry Grens | Mar 14, 2016 | 1 min read
Nuclear DNA from 430,000-year-old specimens indicates that Neanderthals had already diverged from their ancient-human predecessors.
Denisovan DNA Reveals Human Roots
Bob Grant | Nov 19, 2015 | 2 min read
The ancient genomes of 50,000-year-old Denisovan teeth suggest the extinct species lived alongside Neanderthals and modern humans.
An Ancient Evolutionary Advantage?
Emily Willingham | Apr 1, 2014 | 3 min read
Shared sequences within the brain lipid-metabolism pathway between Neanderthals and modern Europeans highlight questions about how these genetic similarities arose.
The Mating Habits of Early Hominins
Ruth Williams | Dec 18, 2013 | 3 min read
A newly sequenced Neanderthal genome provides insight into the sex lives of human ancestors.
Ancient Genomes Reveal Secrets
Abby Olena, PhD | Nov 19, 2013 | 1 min read
New Neanderthal and Denisovan genomes point to the existence of an unidentified early human.
Genome Digest
Cristina Luiggi | Mar 7, 2012 | 3 min read
Meet the species whose DNA has recently been sequenced.