February 15, 2013 at 10:58am 30 notes
sciencegeneticshistorydnagenesharvardnews
Source: Los Angeles Times
The little mutation that could: Studies conducted on mice may have revealed just why an incremental mutation in the so-called EDAR gene eventually spread across the globe. The small change, substituting one chemical letter of DNA for another, may have helped humans in Asia survive crippling heat and humidity by endowing them with extra sweat glands. Harvard scientists said that their findings aren’t just limited to sweat glands, and that further research may provide insight as to how genetics impacted bone density, immune systems and beyond. Read more about the wide-ranging study here. Photo: Stephen Sedam / Los Angeles Times

The little mutation that could: Studies conducted on mice may have revealed just why an incremental mutation in the so-called EDAR gene eventually spread across the globe.

The small change, substituting one chemical letter of DNA for another, may have helped humans in Asia survive crippling heat and humidity by endowing them with extra sweat glands.

Harvard scientists said that their findings aren’t just limited to sweat glands, and that further research may provide insight as to how genetics impacted bone density, immune systems and beyond.

Read more about the wide-ranging study here.

Photo: Stephen Sedam / Los Angeles Times

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