Neanderthal sex boosted immunity in modern humans
 

Sexual relations between ancient humans and their evolutionary cousins are critical for our modern immune systems, researchers report in Science journal.

Mating with Neanderthals and another ancient group called Denisovans introduced genes that help us cope with viruses to this day, they conclude.

Previous research had indicated that prehistoric interbreeding led to up to 4% of the modern human genome.

The new work identifies stretches of DNA derived from our distant relatives.

In the human immune system, the HLA (human leucocyte antigen) family of genes plays an important role in defending against foreign invaders such as viruses.

The authors say that the origins of some HLA class 1 genes are proof that our ancient relatives interbred with Neanderthals and Denisovans for a period.

At least one variety of HLA gene occurs frequently in present day populations from West Asia, but is rare in Africans.

The researchers say that is because after ancient humans left Africa some 65,000 years ago, they started breeding with their more primitive relations in Europe, while those who stayed in Africa did not.

"The HLA genes that the Neanderthals and Denisovans had, had been adapted to life in Europe and Asia for several hundred thousand years, whereas the recent migrants from Africa wouldn't have had these genes," said study leader Peter Parham from Stanford University School of Medicine in California.

"So getting these genes by mating would have given an advantage to populations that acquired them."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14673047


Note: 26 August 2011 Last updated at 11:15 GMT

Things I didn't need to know... Lol

I call bull chips on this...
If neaderthals possessed increased immunity, then alot of people I work with would not be nearly as sick as they are.....

....A bit like the subconscious sick of this song,

http://youtu.be/ntLsElbW9Xo

This explanes why the Human Race has no Moon base or a man landing on Mars. Our evolution progress was slowly down by a load of randy Neanderthal's going at it like the clappers. :rolleyes:

Personally, I am against allowing marriages between Neanderthals and Denisovans.

If they want to live together, then they should have that right. But Marriage should be between two homo sapiens.

This is just another attack on the sanctity of marriage. :stare:

Next thing will be equal rights for Australopithecus!!!! :stare::stare::stare:

A line has to be drawn. :yep:

:rotfl2:

I would support you on that, but I'm too lazy to go look up the big words.

http://chzsomuchpun.files.wordpress....if?w=316&h=338

I'm all for equal rights!

You should be able to marry what ever you want whenever you want.

http://www.wearysloth.com/Gallery/Ac...70633-1934.gif

This explains how many hot women choose their boyfriends. Arrgh!

But... I thought the Christian God created humans thousands of years after the Neanderthals... are you saying that Neanderthals time traveled into the future to steal our womenfolk? :rotfl2:

Sounds like the only reasonable explanation.

Amazing how everything has to be turned into an attack on Christianity....

No no no. god made them all one day, the DNA isn't really from neanderthals as they were animals under man and that would be bestiality and god says no sex with animals OK.
This rogue DNA is obviously from the unearthly giants who used to come and have sex with human women and eat all the food until the humans in gods other wisdom got angry about the food and rose up against them ....apart from those human women who liked it with giants so much they didn't reallly care about the food issue.

More like an attack on ignorance, which is really what creationism is.

This would explain Carrot Top.
http://www.gamblersdata.info/wp-cont...carrot_top.jpg