VOA科学技术2025--Scientists Use Ancient Genes to Estimate Contact Between Humans, Neanderthals

Scientists have used ancient genes¹ to learn more details about contact between Neanderthals and humans tens of thousands of years ago.

Results of two recent studies estimate the two groups likely met and began mating about 45,000 years ago.

Modern humans - also known as Homo sapiens - began in Africa hundreds of thousands of years ago and later started spreading to Europe, Asia and other places. Scientists believe that at some point, they met and mated with Neanderthals. The mixing of these groups had a major influence on humans' genetic² code.

However, scientists do not know exactly when or how the two groups interacted. But the two new studies provide some additional details about the timing³ of this contact.

One group of scientists examined genetic material from three female and three male Homo sapien individuals who lived around 45,000 years ago. Reuters news agency reported that research involved the oldest genes from Homo sapiens ever examined, or sequenced.

Some of the genes came from bones found in a cave in the central German village of Ranis. Other material came from a woman believed to have lived at around the same time in a cave in a mountainous area of what is now the Czech Republic.

Researchers estimated the period of mixing between Neanderthals and humans at about 49,000 to 45,000 years ago. The findings were recently published in a study in Nature.

A second group of researchers examined genetic material from 300 present-day and ancient Homo sapiens. This included 59 individuals who lived between 2,000 and 45,000 years ago. That study, published in the journal Science, estimated the period of mixing at about 50,500 to 43,500 years ago.

The scientists said their new findings on the mixing and mating of the groups suggested the activities happened a little more recently than thought in the past. They believe the contact continued over many generations.

Priya Moorjani was co-writer of the study appearing in Science. She is an assistant professor of molecular⁴ and cell biology at the University of California, Berkeley. She told Reuters, "Genetic data from these samples really helps us paint a picture in more and more detail."

The team noted⁵ that it is difficult to know the exact nature of the interactions between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals based on the examined data. The researchers also could not confirm exactly where the mixing and mating happened. However, they believe it was most likely somewhere in the Middle East.

The researchers noted most modern humans still have genetic material from Neanderthals that accounts for an estimated one to two percent of their DNA⁶. They said modern-day genetic traits linked to skin color, hair color and even nose shape can relate back to the Neanderthals. Our genetic makeup⁷ also includes links to another group of human ancestors called Denisovans.

Moorjani noted that the history of Neanderthals living outside Africa for thousands of years likely gave them a greater ability to deal with climate and diseases in new environments. "Some of their genes may have been beneficial to modern humans," she added.

Rick Potts is director of the Smithsonian Institution's Human Origins program. He was not involved in the new research. Potts told The Associated Press he hopes future genetic studies can help scientists learn even more details about the interactions of Neanderthals and modern humans.

He said, "Out of many really compelling areas of scientific investigation⁸, one of them is: well, who are we?"

Words in This Story

genetic code - n. information from DNA or RNA that is used to create an organism's proteins

cave - n. a large hole in the side of a mountain or underground

sample - n. a small amount of something that gives you information about the thing it was taken from

trait - n. a quality, good or bad, in someone's character

beneficial - adj. helpful or useful

compelling - adj. demanding attention

 

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1 genes   

n.基因( gene的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• You have good genes from your parents, so you should live a long time. 你从父母那儿获得优良的基因，所以能够活得很长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Differences will help to reveal the functions of the genes. 它们间的差异将会帮助我们揭开基因多种功能。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 生物技术的世纪

2 genetic   

adj.遗传的，遗传学的

参考例句：

• It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
• Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

3 timing   

n.时间安排，时间选择

参考例句：

• The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

4 molecular   

adj.分子的；克分子的

参考例句：

• The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms.这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。
• For the pressure to become zero, molecular bombardment must cease.当压强趋近于零时，分子的碰撞就停止了。

5 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

6 DNA   

(缩)deoxyribonucleic acid 脱氧核糖核酸

参考例句：

• DNA is stored in the nucleus of a cell.脱氧核糖核酸储存于细胞的细胞核里。
• Gene mutations are alterations in the DNA code.基因突变是指DNA密码的改变。

7 makeup   

n.组织；性格；化装品

参考例句：

• Those who failed the exam take a makeup exam.这次考试不及格的人必须参加补考。
• Do you think her beauty could makeup for her stupidity?你认为她的美丽能弥补她的愚蠢吗？

8 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。