Science and Genetics
Study: Humans’ DNA Not Quite So Similar, September 5, 2007, AP
There is more room for genetic variance in DNA than previously thought.
Experts: U.S. Childbirth Deaths On Rise, August 29, 2007, AP
Black women die in childbirth more than three times as often as white women.
Black Women And Breast Cancer, August 27, 2007, CBS News
Doctor fears genetic basis for cancer may revive “racist” ideas.
Gingers Extinct In 100 Years, Say Scientists, August 24, 2007, News Digital Media (Sydney)
A world without redheads? Let it not be!
Blue-Eyed People Are More Successful, August 20, 2007, Times of India
Brown-eyed people have faster reaction time; blue-eyed people better at strategic thinking.
Let’s Not Cower From The Hard Truth About Race And IQ, August 16, 2007, London Times
But let’s still look for environmental explanations.
Early Humans Came from Asia Too, August 7, 2007, AP
Early Europeans were more closely related to Asians than Africans, research shows.
Genetic Diversity Shrinks In UK: Study, August 3, 2007, Reuters
Scientists find far less genetic diversity than they expected.
The Genes That Build America, July 25, 2007, Manchester Observer
One-third of white Americans have between two and 20 per cent African genes.
Jews & IQ—An Exchange, July 12, 2007, Commentary
IQs of both Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews are higher than those of surrounding populations.
CU Researchers Discover Evidence Of Very Recent Human Adaptation, July 12, 2007, EurekaAlert
Researchers identify 101 regions of the human genome with evidence of recent selection.
Mutations In Moms’ Genes Reveal Human Migration Through The Ages, June 29, 2007, Wired
DNA data to yield detailed history of migration in Europe.
Firstborn Sons Have Higher IQs, Norway Study Finds, June 22, 2007, Reuters
Study claims that social rank in family and not birth order is determinative.
Race, Family History Are Risk Factors, June 20, 2007, Chicago Sun-Times
Blacks are more likely to carry genes that cause prostate cancer.
Chimps Gain Smarts From Hanging With Humans, June 20, 2007, MSNBC
Chimps with long-term human contact were more adept at learning to use tools.
Press Release: Plants Recognize Their Siblings, Biologists Discover, June 18, 2007, eurekalert.org
Plants get competitive when forced to share a pot with strangers.
Landmark Genome Study Shows Complexity Of Human ‘Code’, June 14, 2007, ABC
“Superfluous genes” may play a major role in how DNA expresses itself.
Slow Wave Activity During Sleep Is Lower In African-Americans Than Caucasians, June 13, 2007, American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Yet another racial difference that affects behavior and emotional well-being.
DNA Mutation Boosts Heart Disease Risk In Whites, May 7, 2007, Reuters
And yet race is still a “social construct.”
USDA: Tree Beetle May Spread Across U.S., May 2, 2007, Todd Richmond, AP, May 2, 2007
Another immigrant we can do without.
Modern Man, Neanderthals Seen As Kindred Spirits, April 30, 2007, Washington Post
New research suggests Neanderthals interbred with “modern humans.”
Intelligence Not Linked To Wealth, According To US Study, April 26, 2007, AFP
Finally, an answer to the question “If you’re so smart, how come you’re not rich?”
Early Tests Predict Adult IQ, April 17, 2007, LiveScience
Findings suggest that IQ remains consistent over time.
Minorities More Likely To Develop Cancer, April 16, 2007, Reuters
Breast and colon cancers associated with genes more active in blacks than whites.
The Prospect Of All-Female Conception, April 13, 2007, Independent (London)
Professor sees “no ethical barrier.”
Report Puts A Pacifier On ‘Smarter Baby’ Debate, April 4, 2007, USA TODAY
Many efforts to make babies smarter are based on missapplications of brain research.
Humans Can See Race And Sex Even In Simple Outlines, April 2, 2007, LiveScience
People are 85 percent accurate in identifying a person’s race from very little information.
Day Care Linked To Rise In Behavior Issues, March 26, 2007, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Strongest influence on children is genes and parental guidance, says study.
Island Leopard Deemed New Species, March 23, 2007, BBC News
Spots change the leopard.
A Visionary Who Led A Genetic Revolution, March 22, 2007, Los Angeles Times
Finder of the genetic marker for Huntington’s disease dies.
Race Affects Tobacco Absorption In Children, March 16, 2007, Medical News Today (Cancun)
Blacks and whites metabolize nicotine differently.
Study Challenges Theories On Species, March 16, 2007, Star Tribune (Caspar, Wyoming)
Cold climes are more conducive to speciation.
MDD More Severe In Black Than White Patients, March 15, 2007, PsychiatryMatters.md News Watch
Black less likely to suffer major depression than whites, but more severely when they do.
Link Found Between Genetics And IQ, February 28, 2007, UPI
Gene activates pathways in the brain and influences performance IQ.
Pacific Islanders World’s Fattest People, February 22, 2007, Telegraph (London)
They are genetically ill-fitted to deal with processed food.
Genes May Play Bigger Preemie Birth Role, February 12, 2007, AP
Higher black premature birth rates probably due to genes, not environment.
Unsettled Scores: Has the Black-White IQ Gap Narrowed?, February 1, 2007, Scientific American
Remarkably balanced reporting for Scientific American.
Scientists Discover The ‘Kind’ Part Of The Brain, January 24, 2007, Daily Mail (London)
Research may give clues to the origins of altruistic behavior.
Yorkshire Clan Linked To Africa, January 24, 2007, BBC News
Seven men in Yorkshire carry rare West African genetic signature.
Skull Shows Possible Human/Neanderthal Breeding, January 16, 2007, Reuters
DNA samples suggest otherwise.
For Bird Brains, Bigger Is Better, January 10, 2007, Reuters
The larger an animal’s brain, the better it adapts to its environment.
Blonds Finally Taken Off The Endangered Species List, January 9, 2007, Los Angeles Times
“Blondes going extinct” study found to be a hoax.
1 In 3 Low-Income Preschoolers Obese, December 29, 2006, AP
Hispanic children more likely to be obese or overweight.
Genetics Of Eye Colour Unlocked, December 20, 2006, BBC News
Single letter changes account for 74 percent of total variation.
Mind Matters: Kids Who Lack Compassion, December 20, 2006, Newsweek
Children are extremely group conscious.
Charles Murray Reenters the IQ Debate, December 18, 2006, Special to AR News
Bell Curve author debates black-white IQ gap with egalitarian.
We Are About As Smart As We’re Going To Get, Says IQ Pioneer, December 18, 2006, London Times
IQ gains have stopped rising, especially in Scandinavia.
Dr Paul Irwing: ‘There Are Twice As Many Men As Women With An IQ Of 120-Plus’, November 30, 2006, Independent (UK)
“Only people who know virtually nothing about IQ tests claim they have a cultural bias.”
Genetic Breakthrough That Reveals the Differences Between Humans, November 27, 2006, Independent (UK)
Humans are genetically much more different than previously thought.
What Happened To The Neanderthals? Check Their DNA., November 20, 2006, Christian Science Monitor
Whether interbreeding took place is a contentious issue.