A recent study found that the shape of our noses is determined by genetic material inherited from “Neanderthals”, specifically people who migrated from Africa to northern Europe.
A study led by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, has found that a specific gene leads to longer noses (from top to bottom), possibly as a result of natural selection as ancient humans adapted to colder climates. Leaving Africa.
“Since sequencing the Neanderthal genome in the last 15 years, we’ve been able to learn that our ancestors interbred with Neanderthals, leaving behind small pieces of their DNA,” said study co-author Dr.
To see how different facial features correlated with the presence of different genetic markers, the researchers looked specifically at the gaps between points on the face, such as the tip of the nose or the edge of the lips.
According to the study, researchers have recently identified 33 regions of the gene associated with facial shape. They were able to replicate this 26 times compared to data from other races using people from East Asia, Europe or Africa.
Especially in a part of the genome, called
(ATF3), in a study of Native American ancestry, researchers found genetic material in this gene derived from Neanderthals (another group of East Asian ancestry).
They found that this contributed to increasing the height of the nose. The researchers say that this genetic region bears signs of natural selection, suggesting that it confers an advantage on those who carry the genetic material.
“Most genetic studies of human diversity have examined the genomes of Europeans,” said co-author Professor Andres Ruiz Linares, a UCLA genetics, evolution and ecology expert.
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