272: Neanderthal Grabby Hands

July 18, 2023 00:14:12
272: Neanderthal Grabby Hands
Brain Junk
272: Neanderthal Grabby Hands

Jul 18 2023 | 00:14:12

/

Hosted By

Trace Kerr Amy Barton

Show Notes

In Northern Europe, up to 30% of men over the age of 60 can be affected by Dupuytren's Disease. Hand and finger tendons thicken and contract causing permanent loss of mobility. Turns out this disease is a leftover from Neanderthal genes.

Show notes:

Molecular Biology and Evolution article: Major Genetic Risk Factors for Dupuytren's Disease Are Inherited From Neandertals June 2023

Dupuytren Contracture: what exactly is it and how does it affect a person's hands

Nature Ecology and Evolution article: Encounters with archaic hominins Nov 2018

The sailor's handshake and syphilis

Amy mentioned the book The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels and how it led her on a deep dive into handshakes

Other Episodes

Episode 0

August 20, 2019 00:05:14
Episode Cover

73: Bridget “Biddy” Mason

At the age of 42, Bridget Mason won a court case in California that freed her and her daughters from slavery. She went on...

Listen

Episode 0

November 08, 2022 00:09:11
Episode Cover

236: Hangry

Grab a snack and listen to how sneaky research was done on hungry people. It's devious and a great example of how being hungry...

Listen

Episode

December 17, 2019 00:06:14
Episode Cover

90: Full Moon Killers

Barn owls come in three colors, a tawny brown, a mix of brown a white, and all white. It didn’t make sense to researchers...

Listen