A genetic variant that protects the heart against cardiovascular disease has been discovered by researchers at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and their collaborators. Reported today (26th May 2017) in Nature Communications, the cardioprotective variant was found in an isolated Greek population, who are known to live long and healthy lives despite having a diet rich in animal fat. Continue reading “Isolated Greek villages reveal genetic secrets that protect against heart disease”
Chinese villagers ‘descended from Roman soldiers’?
Genetic testing of villagers in a remote part of China has shown that nearly two thirds of their DNA is of Caucasian origin, lending support to the theory that they may be descended from a ‘lost legion’ of Roman soldiers. Continue reading “Chinese villagers ‘descended from Roman soldiers’?”
The coming of the Greeks to Provence and Corsica: Y-chromosome models of archaic Greek colonization of the western Mediterranean
Here we present the ‘Abstract‘ of the corresponding paper by Roy J King, Julie Di Cristofaro, Anastasia Kouvatsi, Costas Triantaphyllidis, Walter Scheidel, Natalie M Myres, Alice A Lin, Alexandre Eissautier, Michael Mitchell, Didier Binder, Ornella Semino, Andrea Novelletto, Peter A Underhill and Jacques Chiaroni, and, as always in NovoScriptorium, a link for it, for anyone more interested in the subject. Continue reading “The coming of the Greeks to Provence and Corsica: Y-chromosome models of archaic Greek colonization of the western Mediterranean”
Drinking during adolescence can alter brain cell nerve growth
The developmental period from adolescence to adulthood is accompanied by a greater vulnerability to addictions — including alcohol use disorders — than is seen in other periods of life.
Continue reading “Drinking during adolescence can alter brain cell nerve growth”
Egyptian, Greek, Phoenician and Hebrew Origins of Cherokee?
Here we partially present the corresponding publication by Donald N. Yates:
ABSTRACT
A sample of 52 individuals who purchased mitochondrial DNA testing to determine their female lineage was assembled after the fact from the customer files of DNA Consultants. All claim matrilineal descent from a Native American woman, usually named as Cherokee. The main criterion for inclusion in the study is that test subjects must have obtained results not placing them in the standard Native American haplogroups A, B, C or D. Hence the use of the word “anomalous” in the title of a paper prepared by chief investigator Donald N. Yates, “Anomalous Mitochondrial DNA Lineages in the Cherokee.”
Continue reading “Egyptian, Greek, Phoenician and Hebrew Origins of Cherokee?”
Get moving to get happier, study finds
Physical activity has long been known to reduce depression and anxiety, and is commonly prescribed to prevent or cure negative mental health conditions. Continue reading “Get moving to get happier, study finds”
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