neanderthal, genetics & genomics

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.

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.

Neanderthal DNA surprises in modern humans, the first blood test for Alzheimer’s, a discovery of new human salivary glands, and, oh yeah, a pandemic

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.

Africa’s sparse fossil record alone cannot reveal our species’ evolutionary history.

A study points to the existence of an ancient human relative that interbred with Homo sapiens.

A new analysis of more than 2,500 human genomes indicates that modern Eurasians who acquired Neanderthal DNA during past interbreeding migrated back to Africa and spread those sequences.

The findings of a new study contradict previous results from some of the same scientists that suggested Neanderthal DNA was gradually removed from modern human genomes.

Three members of a gene family called NOTCH2NL may have been involved in the evolution of humans’ big cortex.

Brain organoids engineered to carry the genetic material could reveal how our brains are similar to and different from those of our closest relatives.

A new study reveals how Neanderthal DNA in the genomes of present-day British people influences their traits.

Cross-species trysts likely spread human papillomavirus (HPV) to Homo sapiens, according to new research.

Meet some of the people featured in the August 2016 issue of The Scientist.

Nuclear DNA from 430,000-year-old specimens indicates that Neanderthals had already diverged from their ancient-human predecessors.

Ancient DNA in the genomes of modern humans influences a range of physiological traits.

The ancient genomes of 50,000-year-old Denisovan teeth suggest the extinct species lived alongside Neanderthals and modern humans.

DNA from the 40,000-year-old bones of a modern human found in Europe contains Neanderthal genes.

The oldest human genome to have been sequenced came from a leg bone preserved in Siberia.

Early Neanderthal evolution; developing antivirals to combat polio; the mouth and skin microbiomes; insect-inspired, flight-stabilizing sensors