Archaeologica.org

Nielsen and his colleagues investigated how Tibetans might have developed their adaptation. Frustratingly, the research team's computer models could not at first explain how Tibetans evolved their pattern of EPAS1 mutations as quickly as they apparently did.

Now, the scientists find Tibetans apparently inherited this pattern of mutations, or haplotype, from a recently discovered extinct lineage of humans known as the Denisovans.

Recent analysis of DNA from Denisovan fossils revealed the ancestors of modern humans apparently interbred with Denisovans, whose genetic footprint extended from Siberia to the Pacific Islands of Oceania. About 0.2 percent of DNA of mainland Asians and Native Americans is Denisovan in origin.

The researchers looked for the Tibetan pattern of EPAS1 mutations in 26 different modern human populations across the world, as well as in Neanderthal and Denisovan genomes. They found only Denisovans possessed this haplotype too, as did a small percentage of Han Chinese. This suggests the ancestors of Tibetans inherited this pattern of mutations either from Denisovans or relatives of Denisovans.

The researchers suggest this pattern of mutations might also exist in other Asian populations adapted to high altitudes. These include the Sherpas of Nepal and certain Mongolian populations. Nielsen and his colleagues detailed their findings in the July 3 issue of the journal Nature.

http://www.sott.net/article/281257-Tibe ... hal-cousin

Meanwhile...
In the Andes ?????

Perhaps, someday, someone will do a study just for you?

For "Denisovian" read "Heidelbergensis variant".

Ouch !

this is awesome. DNA rocks.

How many humans could there have been on earth c 40,000 BC? How easy would it have been for small groups to be isolated by rivers or glaciers? What would the resultant inbreeding do to the gene pool in short order?

Hi min -

It appears that Asteroid and Comet Impact Events are also capable of separating primate populations.

I'd think that such a strike would be more likely to blow them to smithereens.

Minimalist wrote:I'd think that such a strike would be more likely to blow them to smithereens.

Hi min -

Not all impacts are of the "dinosaur killer" class. The smaller ones do "blast to smithereens" or drown significant primate populations, thus leading to differentiation.

As is shown by the data from South East Asia, hominids dispersed from Africa fairly early on.

Geologically known and fairly well dated impacts occurred within their range.

If you were close enough to Tunguska or Meteor Crater here in Arizona would you really need a dinosaur-killer type asteroid?

And...if you were far enough away...would you even know what happened?

Minimalist wrote: If you were close enough to Tunguska or Meteor Crater here in Arizona would you really need a dinosaur-killer type asteroid?

No

Minimalist wrote: And...if you were far enough away...would you even know what happened?

Yes

I don't give primitive man that much credit. More likely to blame any observable residual effects on some pissed-off god.

Or, as the saying goes "that which does not kill me means god is pissed about something."

Only in the contemptible parody of him necessary for True Believers in the Darwinian Cave Man to continue feeling superior to him on the basis of "modernity."

Belief in God = BAD.
Belief in no God = GOOD.

It's all belief either way, Bro. Dance around it all you want.

THEIR faith = BAD
YOUR faith = GOOD.

OK . . .

Where have I heard that before ?

All you need is evidence for your god, uni.

I'm still waiting. I spend much time at Atheistforums.org and there are always some jesus freaks - or even worse, allah-freaks - who drop by insisting that their particular invisible sky daddy is the real one.

The evidence card messes them up every time.

You see, they believe much but they know little.