http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/11/08/neanderthals.brains.reut/index.html
"Neanderthals may have given the modern humans who replaced them a
priceless gift -- a gene that helped them develop superior brains, U.S.
researchers reported Tuesday....The researchers reached their
conclusions by doing a statistical analysis of the DNA sequence of
microcephalin, which is known to play a role in regulating brain size
in humans. Mutations in the human gene cause development of a much
smaller brain, a condition called microcephaly.
"By tracking smaller, more regular mutations, the researchers
could look at DNA's "genetic clock" and date the original genetic
variant to 37,000 years ago. They noted that this D allele is very
common in Europe, where Neanderthals lived, and more rare in Africa,
where they did not. Lahn said it is not yet clear what advantage the D
allele gives the human brain."
Budikka
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