Month: September 2020

Evolution is evolving: 13 ways we must rethink the theory of nature | New Scientist

Do species really exist? Are genes destiny? Do only the fittest survive? Can we shape or stop evolution? New insights into nature are providing surprising answers, and a glorious new picture of life’s complexity

Source: Evolution is evolving: 13 ways we must rethink the theory of nature | New Scientist

The evolutionary history of Neanderthal and Denisovan Y chromosomes | Science

The genomes of archaic hominins have been sequenced and compared with that of modern humans. However, most archaic individuals with high-quality sequences available have been female. Petr et al. performed targeted sequencing of the paternally inherited Y chromosomes from three Neanderthals and two Denisovans (see the Perspective by Schierup). Comparisons with available archaic and diverse modern human Y chromosomes indicated that, similar to the maternally inherited mitochondria, the human and Neanderthal Y chromosomes were more closely related to each other compared with the Denisovan Y chromosome. This result supports the conclusion that interbreeding between early humans and Neanderthals and selection replaced the more ancient Denisovian-like Y chromosome and mitochondria in Neanderthals.Science , this issue p. [1653][1]; see also p. [1565][2]Ancient DNA has provided new insights into many aspects of human history. However, we lack comprehensive studies of the Y chromosomes of Denisovans and Neanderthals because the majority of specimens that have been sequenced to sufficient coverage are female. Sequencing Y chromosomes from two Denisovans and three Neanderthals shows that the Y chromosomes of Denisovans split around 700 thousand years ago from a lineage shared by Neanderthals and modern human Y chromosomes, which diverged from each other around 370 thousand years ago. The phylogenetic relationships of archaic and modern human Y chromosomes differ from the population relationships inferred from the autosomal genomes and mirror mitochondrial DNA phylogenies, indicating replacement of both the mitochondrial and Y chromosomal gene pools in late Neanderthals. This replacement is plausible if the low effective population size of Neanderthals resulted in an increased genetic load in Neanderthals relative to modern humans. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.abb6460 [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.abe2766

Source: The evolutionary history of Neanderthal and Denisovan Y chromosomes | Science

Evolution is evolving: 13 ways we must rethink the theory of nature 

Do species really exist? Are genes destiny? Do only the fittest survive? Can we shape or stop evolution? New insights into nature are providing surprising answers, and a glorious new picture of life’s complexity

Source: Evolution is evolving: 13 ways we must rethink the theory of nature | New Scientist

Some severe COVID-19 cases linked to genetic mutations or antibodies that attack the body 

Two new studies offer an explanation for why COVID-19 cases can be so variable. A subset of patients has mutations in key immunity genes; other patients have auto-antibodies that target the same components of the immune system. Both circumstances could contribute to severe forms of the disease.

Source: Some severe COVID-19 cases linked to genetic mutations or antibodies that attack the body — ScienceDaily

Yih and Kulldorff’s “Radical” Covid Strategy – Spectre Journal

An epidemiologist responds to two Harvard researchers who called for socialists to oppose lockdowns in the name of workers’ lives. But their argument, Michael Friedman insists, puts us all at risk – above all, workers.

Source: Yih and Kulldorff’s “Radical” Covid Strategy – Spectre Journal