Miscellaneous links

HapMap 3 Consortium: Integrating common and rare genetic variation in diverse human populations

African signatures of recent positive selection in human FOXI1:

Conclusions: We present evidence for recent positive selection in the FOXI1 gene region in Africa. Climate might be related to this recent adaptive event in humans. Of the multiple functions of FOXI1, its role in kidney-mediated water-electrolyte homeostasis is the most obvious candidate for explaining a climate-related adaptation.

Y Chromosomal Variation Tracks the Evolution of Mating Systems in Chimpanzee and Bonobo

Distinct patterns of mitochondrial genome diversity in bonobos (Pan paniscus) and humans:

Conclusions: Some variants of mitochondrially encoded subunits of the ATPase complex in humans very likely decrease the efficiency of energy conversion leading to production of extra heat.

Evolution Theory as the “Consilience” Ingredient of the Humanities:

The Humanities are awash with conflicting, baseless explanations of Human Nature. Sociology, Psychology, Rational Choice theory, Religion, Marxism, Feminisim–all fail in their EXPLANATORY power when tested for consistency when they butt up against the observable actions of real human beings on the Planet. [. . .] In his article Take The Evolution Challenge, David Sloan Wilson eloquently proposes that Evolution Theory be used as a Universal Solvent for all of these competing theories, burning away the accretions of years of constructivist and ideological fat and uncovering the truth.

How do we choose a mate? What scientists are learning from online dating.

Distinct genomic alterations in prostate cancers in Chinese and Western populations suggest alternative pathways of prostate carcinogenesis

How many journal articles have been published (ever)? / Twenty million papers in PubMed: a triumph or a tragedy?

Ancestral Health Symposium (August 5-6, 2011)