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Scientists prove humans bred with Neanderthals
The Local ^ | Thursday, May 6, 2010

Posted on 05/06/2010 1:42:51 PM PDT by Willie Green

For the first time ever, German scientists have drafted a genome sequence for the Neanderthal and believe their results show that the extinct hominid interbred with humans.

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig analysed some four billion base pairs of DNA from Neanderthals – a species which died out more than 30,000 years ago. Initial analysis of the resulting genome sequence draft show that Neanderthals left traces of themselves in the genomes of some modern humans, the study published in this month’s journal “Science” revealed.

"The comparison of these two genetic sequences enables us to find out where our genome differs from that of our closest relative," research team leader Svante Pääbo said in a statement.

The DNA fragments came from bones found in Croatia, Russia, Spain and the Neandertal region of Germany. But the scientists had to develop a new method of separating DNA microbes that had lived in the bones for some 40,000 years and the DNA of the Neanderthals themselves, the statement said.

“Over 95 percent of the DNA in one sample originated from bacteria and micro-organisms which colonised the Neanderthal after his death," Pääbo said.

Once they were able to compare the human and Neanderthal genome sequences, they discovered that contrary to the common belief that the two species are not related, it appears the two actually bred enough for traces to appear in between one and four percent of modern human DNA.

"Those of us who live outside Africa carry a little Neanderthal DNA in us," Pääbo said.

The scientists compared the genome sequences for European, Asian and Africans against the Neanderthal, and found that humans outside Africa show traces.

"Neanderthals probably mixed with early modern humans before Homo sapiens split into different groups in Europe and Asia," Pääbo said.

Now the group is working to determine which modern human genes may have come from Neanderthals and whether they provided an evolutionary advantage.

So far they have found genes related to cognitive function, metabolism and cranial features, the collar bone, and rib cage, the statement said.

"We will also decode the remaining parts of the Neanderthal genome and learn much more about ourselves and our closest relative," says Svante Pääbo.


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: godsgravesglyphs; helixmakemineadouble; neandertal; neandertals; neanderthal; neanderthals
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To: Willie Green

So sick of the template of “scientists prove”.


21 posted on 05/06/2010 1:51:56 PM PDT by backwoods-engineer ("It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself." --Jefferson)
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To: Willie Green

So you knew a HT photo would show up, didn't you....

22 posted on 05/06/2010 1:52:08 PM PDT by MarineBrat (Better dead than red!)
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To: OldDeckHand

The President.


23 posted on 05/06/2010 1:52:23 PM PDT by screaminsunshine (S)
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To: Willie Green
There was always evidence
24 posted on 05/06/2010 1:52:29 PM PDT by School of Rational Thought
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To: Willie Green
Scientists prove humans bred with Neanderthals

Exhibit a: Helen Thomas

Exhibit b: Janet Reno

Case closed

25 posted on 05/06/2010 1:52:49 PM PDT by NorCoGOP (Recession: friend loses his job. Depression: You lose your job. Recovery: Obama loses his job.)
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To: Willie Green

So, this is how that contest of who can bring the ugliest date to the ball staterd.


26 posted on 05/06/2010 1:52:49 PM PDT by occamrzr06
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To: davisfh

Neanderthals are still with us, I see them all the time at SEIU rallies . . . just saying.


27 posted on 05/06/2010 1:53:14 PM PDT by Sudetenland (Slow to anger but terrible in vengence...such is the character of the American people.)
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To: Willie Green
I would like to see the evidence for this. I would expect that the gene sequence between modern man and the Neanderthals to be 99% percent similar or more. The only way to prove that there is an actual interbreeding between the two is for junk DNA sequencing to be unique to both species. If Neanderthals and modern man could reproduce, then they would not be separate species.
28 posted on 05/06/2010 1:54:30 PM PDT by Nosterrex
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To: Willie Green
Family Guy Quagmire Pictures, Images and Photos
29 posted on 05/06/2010 1:54:53 PM PDT by Tallguy ("The sh- t's chess, it ain't checkers!" -- Alonzo (Denzel Washington) in "Training Day")
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To: OldDeckHand

Yep and they’re all in the White House.


30 posted on 05/06/2010 1:57:19 PM PDT by RC2
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To: Willie Green
Guess it was ‘bout 1977. I was in an alcohol fueled, drug haze, stumbling about a discotec in a small town in Texas and there she was........
31 posted on 05/06/2010 1:58:48 PM PDT by wolfcreek (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lsd7DGqVSIc)
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To: Willie Green

Hey, come on!

It was 2:00 am; they called last call, it was dark....


32 posted on 05/06/2010 1:59:28 PM PDT by Mikey_1962 (Obama: The Affirmative Action President)
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To: US Navy Vet

Janet Reno: the long hairy arm of the law.


33 posted on 05/06/2010 2:00:08 PM PDT by Mikey_1962 (Obama: The Affirmative Action President)
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To: davisfh

Hey, some of those Nenderthal females in front or a warm fire might build a fire of another kind. ummm ummm ummm :-)


34 posted on 05/06/2010 2:00:48 PM PDT by jesseam (Been there, done that)
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To: dragonblustar

She’s on another thread.


35 posted on 05/06/2010 2:00:57 PM PDT by FroggyTheGremlim (He promised hope; he gave us hype. He promised change; he gave us chains!)
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To: Willie Green

So Darwinists were wrong when they said Neanderthals were an evolutionary “dead end?” Wow, I wonder what else they could be wrong about...


36 posted on 05/06/2010 2:07:04 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
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To: Willie Green

So, my ex was right? Damn!


37 posted on 05/06/2010 2:08:03 PM PDT by Dr. Bogus Pachysandra ( Ya can't pick up a turd by the clean end!)
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To: xjcsa

“In other words, Neanderthals were humans.”

Zebras breed with donkies, but a zebra is not a donkey, nor a donkey a zebra. Cross-breeds are not always sterile.

Neanderthals were considerably stronger than Homo Sapien Sapiens and, despite Hollywood, there is nothing to indicate they were any less intelligent.

IMHO, their downfall was their women were almost as tough as the men — and participated in hunting — resulting in less children.

Homo Sapiens Sapiens specialized in having babies by keeping women to safer professsions.


38 posted on 05/06/2010 2:08:09 PM PDT by Jewbacca (The residents of Iroquois territory may not determine whether Jews may live in Jerusalem.)
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To: DUH

Democrats lack physical courage. Neaderthals did not.


39 posted on 05/06/2010 2:08:49 PM PDT by Jewbacca (The residents of Iroquois territory may not determine whether Jews may live in Jerusalem.)
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To: Dr. Bogus Pachysandra

Give ‘em the bum’s rush!


40 posted on 05/06/2010 2:09:21 PM PDT by Dr. Bogus Pachysandra ( Ya can't pick up a turd by the clean end!)
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