14 DAY TRIAL // In a paper published in this week's issue of the top scientific journal Nature, researchers at the Harvard Medical School show how genes preserved in the modern human genome from Neanderthals influence our risks of developing diseases such as lupus, type II diabetes, Crohn's disease, and others.
The work also sheds some light on the positive consequences of retaining genetic material from Neanderthals – through crossbreeding between the ancient hominids and early Homo sapiens – including our ability to be more resilient to cold. The study was conducted with support from the US National Science Foundation (NSF).
Neanderthal genes were also found to be involved with the production of a fibrous protein called keratin, which is known for making hair, nails and skin tougher, and better able to handle the elements.
"Now that we can estimate the probability that a particular genetic variant arose from Neanderthals, we can begin to understand how that inherited DNA affects us," said Reich. "We may also learn more about what Neanderthals themselves were like," says HMS geneticist David Reich, the senior author of the new study.