Neanderthals May Have Been More Sensitive to Pain Than Most Humans
by Alex Fox/Smithsonianmag.com
A new study of Neanderthal DNA suggests our species’ extinct relatives may have been particularly sensitive to pain, reports Ewen Callaway for Nature.
Neanderthals disappeared some 40,000 years ago, but some humans living today retain bits of Neanderthal DNA—evidence that our species once interbred. Though they hunted large, dangerous animals—including bison, mammoths and cave bears—in frigid climes, Neanderthals may be the source of a genetic variant associated with increased sensitivity to pain in modern humans, according to the new research published last week in the journal Current Biology.
Researchers looking to compare Neanderthals’ DNA to modern humans have historically only had a few low resolution genomes to choose from. But the team behind the new paper were able to produce three high-quality Neanderthal genomes from genetic material recovered from caves in Croatia and Russia, per Nature.
Researchers found a mutation to a gene called SCN9A that encodes a protein involved in sending pain signals to the spinal cord and brain on both chromosomes of all the Neanderthal genomes. Its presence on both chromosomes of all three genomes suggests it was common in the Neanderthal population, according to Nature.
Carol graduated from Riverside White Cross School of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio and received her diploma as a registered nurse. She attended Bowling Green State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Literature. She attended the University of Toledo, College of Nursing, and received a Master’s of Nursing Science Degree as an Educator.
She has traveled extensively, is a photographer, and writes on medical issues. Carol has three children RJ, Katherine, and Stephen – one daughter-in-law; Katie – two granddaughters; Isabella Marianna and Zoe Olivia – and one grandson, Alexander Paul. She also shares her life with her husband Gordon Duff, many cats, and two rescues.
ATTENTION READERS
We See The World From All Sides and Want YOU To Be Fully InformedIn fact, intentional disinformation is a disgraceful scourge in media today. So to assuage any possible errant incorrect information posted herein, we strongly encourage you to seek corroboration from other non-VT sources before forming an educated opinion.
About VT - Policies & Disclosures - Comment Policy
