Tag Archive for 'SCN9A'

Analyzing high-density genotype data from 7,594 Latin Americans, Faux et al. characterized Neanderthal introgression in the SCN9A gene. Image credit: Holger Neumann / Neanderthal Museum.

Study: Neanderthals May Have Been More Sensitive to Mechanical Pain than Most Humans

Oct 12, 2023 by News Staff

People carrying three Neanderthal variants — known as M932L, V991L, and D1908G — in the gene SCN9A are more sensitive to pain from skin pricking...

Neanderthals are commonly thought to have relied on dangerous close range hunting techniques, using non-projectile weapons like the thrusting spears depicted here; this hunting approach is thought to have brought them into violent contact with large mammals, resulting in high levels of injury especially to the head and neck when compared to modern humans; Beier et al found similar head injury levels in both Neanderthals and Upper Paleolithic humans, casting doubt on this hypothesis. Image credit: Gleiver Prieto.

Neanderthals May Have Had Heightened Sensitivity to Pain

Jul 27, 2020 by News Staff

Neanderthals may have experienced more pain than average modern humans do, according to new research led by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for...