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Neanderthals could have died out because their bodies overheated
Telegraph ^ | 20 Dec 2008 | Richard Gray

Posted on 12/21/2008 9:45:20 AM PST by BGHater

Neanderthals may have died out because their bodies overheated as the Earth grew warmer, according to new research.

Analysis of DNA obtained from Neanderthal remains has revealed key differences from modern humans that suggest their bodies produced excess heat.

While in the cold climate of an ice age this would have provided the species with an advantage, as the earth warmed they would have been less able to cope. Ultimately this would have caused their extinction around 24,000 years ago.

Scientists at Newcastle University have put forward the theory after examining a particular form of genetic material which was obtained from the fossilised bones of Neanderthals.

By comparing it with that found in modern humans, they discovered that Neanderthals had key differences in the sections responsible for producing energy in all living cells.

Professor Patrick Chinnery, a neurogeneticist at Newcastle University, believes the differences in this mitochondrial DNA could have caused Neanderthals to be inefficient at producing energy, meaning their cells leaked heat.

He said: "The question is why did Neanderthals disappear? There are lots of explanations to do with changes in climate and the food supply.

"Differences in these mitochondrial DNA sequences might explain why modern humans were able to survive while Neanderthals were not.

"We compared mitochondrial DNA sequences from Neanderthals that have been obtained by other researchers with a huge database of human sequences from around the world to see how different it was from modern humans.

"We found a number of differences within a certain part of the mitochondrial DNA that were quite unlike anything we see in modern humans.

"It is difficult to get a definitive answer, as it is rather like looking through a misty window. We can only get clues to what went on."

(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...


TOPICS: History
KEYWORDS: dna; globalwarming; godsgravesglyphs; neandertal; neanderthal; neanderthals
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1 posted on 12/21/2008 9:45:21 AM PST by BGHater
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To: SunkenCiv

Nair, Neanderthals, and Global Warming ping.


2 posted on 12/21/2008 9:45:48 AM PST by BGHater (Obama is a Neocon.)
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To: BGHater

Did they have SUVs then and gas guzzlers ?


3 posted on 12/21/2008 9:47:10 AM PST by JoanneSD (illegals represented without taxation.. Americans taxed without representation)
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To: BGHater

Neanderthals are still alive today. As proof I offer the Geico commercials, the reality show they had on ABC (somewhat disrespectfully called ‘Cavemen’), as well as the large number of votes democrats got this last election.


4 posted on 12/21/2008 9:48:08 AM PST by EscapedDutch (Counting down to 01-20-2013.)
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To: BGHater

Aaa hmmmmmmm. Neanderthal remains? ROTFLMAO


5 posted on 12/21/2008 9:48:51 AM PST by The Anti-One (So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.)
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To: BGHater

This type of study is called “academic political opportunism” aimed at getting more grant money, paid research from government, etc. It is the worst kind of academic fraud.


6 posted on 12/21/2008 9:50:11 AM PST by Gaffer
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To: BGHater

Prayers up. May they rest in peace.


7 posted on 12/21/2008 9:50:24 AM PST by BlueStateBlues (Blue State for business, Red State at heart..)
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To: BGHater

Neanderthals are not extinct. Today they’re known as “Muslims”.


8 posted on 12/21/2008 9:50:35 AM PST by LiberConservative (Stop climate change! I want a spring day, 70 degrees and sunny, 24/7 and 365)
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To: BGHater
Humans fault...America's fault...Bush's fault. No doubt about it.

American greed caused the decline of the Neanderthals. [/sarcasm]

Hopefully, American conservatism will cause the downfall of the Neanderthal marxist, MSM, liberals and RINOs in this country starting in 2010.

9 posted on 12/21/2008 9:50:37 AM PST by Jeff Head (Freedom is not free...never has been, never will be. (www.dragonsfuryseries.com))
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To: BGHater

You have a neanderthal ping list? Can I join?


10 posted on 12/21/2008 9:50:42 AM PST by autumnraine
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To: BGHater

*IBTGCPs!! :-)

*In before the Geico Caveman pics!)


11 posted on 12/21/2008 9:51:17 AM PST by pillut48 (CJ in TX --"God help us all, and God help America!!" --my new mantra for the next 4 years)
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To: EscapedDutch

Hey, that Caveman show was pretty funny. I wish it hadn’t gotten such a bad rap from the commercials. It had a dry humor about it that was hilarious in so many ways.


12 posted on 12/21/2008 9:51:31 AM PST by autumnraine
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To: autumnraine
Lol. I don't have a list. I usually grunt though.
13 posted on 12/21/2008 9:52:02 AM PST by BGHater (Obama is a Neocon.)
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To: EscapedDutch
Neanderthals are still alive today.

As proof, I offer you Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria, Pakistan, etc., etc., etc.

14 posted on 12/21/2008 9:52:07 AM PST by rickmichaels (WHATCHA GONNA DO WHEN OBAMA'S TRUTH SQUADS RUN WILD ON YOU???)
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To: BGHater

oh Noz!


15 posted on 12/21/2008 9:52:32 AM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: BGHater

What a load of horse$h!+


16 posted on 12/21/2008 9:52:33 AM PST by yooling (Dude, where's my party?)
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To: BGHater; WL-law; Genesis defender; proud_yank; FrPR; enough_idiocy; Desdemona; rdl6989; ...

 


Beam me to Planet Gore !

17 posted on 12/21/2008 9:53:19 AM PST by steelyourfaith
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To: Gaffer

Its called academic mental masturbation.


18 posted on 12/21/2008 9:53:55 AM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: BGHater
The research by Professor Chinnery...

"Chin Chinnery, Chin Chinnery, Chin Chin Cheroo

Neanderthals blew and we will, too.

Chin Chinnery, Chin Chinnery, Chin Chin Cheree

We're all gonna burn - just wait and see.

19 posted on 12/21/2008 9:54:04 AM PST by raybbr (It's going to get a lot worse now that the anchor babies are voting!)
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To: raybbr
The research by Professor Chinnery...

"Chin Chinnery, Chin Chinnery, Chin Chin Cheroo

Neanderthals blew up and we will, too.

Chin Chinnery, Chin Chinnery, Chin Chin Cheree

We're all gonna burn - just wait and see.

20 posted on 12/21/2008 9:54:48 AM PST by raybbr (It's going to get a lot worse now that the anchor babies are voting!)
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