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Human Brain Still Evolving
Forbes.com ^
| 9/8/2005
| Alan Mozes
Posted on 09/08/2005 5:16:56 PM PDT by Mike Bates
The evolution of the human brain is not quite a done deal, say researchers who've uncovered genetic evidence that man's mysterious gray matter is still undergoing beneficial change.
The scientists make their claim based on the recent evolutionary history of two genes -- microcephalin and abnormal spindle-like microcephaly-associated (ASPM) -- which appear to regulate brain size.
Over thousands of years, both genes seem to be generating new and improved versions of themselves -- beneficial mutations that are spreading rapidly among the human population to reshape and strengthen brain capacity.
"I think a lot of people might consider humans to be at the pinnacle of evolutionary lineage -- that we have achieved an advanced state as a species, and we have basically become the end-game," said study co-author Bruce T. Lahn, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator and assistant professor of human genetics at the University of Chicago. "But what we found indicates that the species -- particularly when it comes to the brain, which is perhaps our most defining feature -- is still evolving."
In the Sept. 9 issue of Science, Lahn and his colleagues report on the results of two genetic analyses -- the first conducted among 90 men and women and a chimpanzee, and the second among almost 1,200 men and women. The participant pools were drawn from 59 ethnic groups from all over the world.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: crevolist
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To: Mike Bates
Hope for Democrats? Considering the latest medical evidence, I doubt it.
2
posted on
09/08/2005 5:19:12 PM PDT
by
Prime Choice
(E=mc^3. Don't drink and derive.)
To: Mike Bates
Democrats - evolutionarily challenged?
3
posted on
09/08/2005 5:19:31 PM PDT
by
thoughtomator
(Gentlemen may cry, "Peace! Peace!" -- but there is no peace. - Patrick Henry)
To: KevinDavis
"Sixth Finger" Old "Outer Limits" TV series Ping
4
posted on
09/08/2005 5:21:14 PM PDT
by
skinkinthegrass
(Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you :^)
To: Mike Bates
"beneficial mutations that are spreading rapidly among the human population to reshape and strengthen brain capacity." Oooooh, I can hardly wait until it spreads to me.
To: Mike Bates
My concern when talking to some people is that there is reverse-evolution.
6
posted on
09/08/2005 5:21:29 PM PDT
by
Lorianne
To: Mike Bates
Quite to the contrary, I believe dementacrat's brains have actually de-volved back to a level even with Australopithecus
7
posted on
09/08/2005 5:21:46 PM PDT
by
stm
To: Jim Robinson
8
posted on
09/08/2005 5:22:17 PM PDT
by
Mike Bates
(Irish Alzheimer's victim: I only remember the grudges.)
To: Mike Bates
"...the first conducted among 90 men and women and a chimpanzee, and the second among almost 1,200 men and women. The participant pools were drawn from 59 ethnic groups from all over the world."
The chimpanzee scored squarely in the middle of its test group, significantly outclassing both LA Governor and NO mayor...
9
posted on
09/08/2005 5:22:53 PM PDT
by
GSlob
To: GSlob
To: Mike Bates
Hope for Democrats? Nah. They are devolving.
11
posted on
09/08/2005 5:24:18 PM PDT
by
Harmless Teddy Bear
(Vote for the Constipation Party! They will never pass anything)
To: Mike Bates
Hope for Democrats? Good question
But.....
Is there hope for the MuzSlimes?
12
posted on
09/08/2005 5:25:30 PM PDT
by
Fiddlstix
(This Tagline for sale. (Presented by TagLines R US))
To: Mike Bates
To: All
To: Mike Bates
Human Brain Still Evolving.
Some brains anyways. Evolve or die Democrats.
15
posted on
09/08/2005 5:27:41 PM PDT
by
MNJohnnie
(Professional Journalism- the Buggy Whip makers of the 21st century)
To: Mike Bates
DUmmucrats are out on a limb when it comes to the tree of evolution, right there alongside the Lesser Stick-nest Rat and the giant sloth.
16
posted on
09/08/2005 5:29:39 PM PDT
by
Cautor
To: The Ghost of FReepers Past; ohioWfan; Tribune7; Tolkien; GrandEagle; Right in Wisconsin; Dataman; ..
ping
![](http://www.boomspeed.com/wallcrawlr/darwin_apeman.jpg)
Revelation 4:11Intelligent Design
See my profile for info
17
posted on
09/08/2005 5:30:31 PM PDT
by
wallcrawlr
(http://www.bionicear.com)
To: Lorianne
My concern when talking to some people is that there is reverse-evolution.It's called de-evolution. Devo preached it back in the 70's.
To: Fitzcarraldo
A classic look inside a dementacrats head. A micro-brain suspended in sinovial fluid
19
posted on
09/08/2005 5:33:10 PM PDT
by
stm
To: Jim Robinson
Oooooh, I can hardly wait until it spreads to me. "It's spreading the mutation HERE, Jim...
![](http://www.wijfzonderlijf.be/users/moesjemarremarre/images/thumbs/pinky%20brain.jpg)
Get there now and you can TAKE OVER THE WORLD!"
20
posted on
09/08/2005 5:34:01 PM PDT
by
humblegunner
(If you're gonna die, die with your boots on.)
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