Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.
EVOLUTION: Are Human Brains Still Evolving? Brain Genes Show Signs of Selection
Michael Balter
Two reports on pages 1717 and 1720 of this issue conclude that two genes thought to regulate human brain growth have continued to evolve under natural selection until recently--and perhaps are doing so today. And on page 1693, another team reports further evidence of the action of natural selection in people: A gene expressed in microglia, immune cells of the nervous system, produces a protein found only in humans.
The editors suggest the following Related Resources on Science sites:
In Science Magazine
BREVIA
Toshiyuki Hayakawa, Takashi Angata, Amanda L. Lewis, Tarjei S. Mikkelsen, Nissi M. Varki, and Ajit Varki (9 September 2005) Science309 (5741), 1693.
[DOI: 10.1126/science.1114321] |Abstract »|Full Text »|PDF »|Supporting Online Material »
REPORTS
Patrick D. Evans, Sandra L. Gilbert, Nitzan Mekel-Bobrov, Eric J. Vallender, Jeffrey R. Anderson, Leila M. Vaez-Azizi, Sarah A. Tishkoff, Richard R. Hudson, and Bruce T. Lahn (9 September 2005) Science309 (5741), 1717.
[DOI: 10.1126/science.1113722] |Abstract »|Full Text »|PDF »|Supporting Online Material »
REPORTS
Nitzan Mekel-Bobrov, Sandra L. Gilbert, Patrick D. Evans, Eric J. Vallender, Jeffrey R. Anderson, Richard R. Hudson, Sarah A. Tishkoff, and Bruce T. Lahn (9 September 2005) Science309 (5741), 1720.
[DOI: 10.1126/science.1116815] |Abstract »|Full Text »|PDF »|Supporting Online Material »
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Why did modern human populations disperse from Africa ca. 60,000 years ago? A new model.
