Neanderthal Gene Still Shapes Muscle and Jaws in Some Living Humans

7 August 2026 at 19:44

Velazquez-Arcelay et al. found that genetic material from Neanderthal ancestors may have contributed to the propensity of some people today to be early risers, the sort of people who are more comfortable getting up and going to bed earlier. Image credit: Holger Neumann / Neanderthal Museum.

Neanderthals vanished roughly 42,000 years ago, but a piece of their biology appears to be quietly at work in some people today, according to a new study led by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.

The post Neanderthal Gene Still Shapes Muscle and Jaws in Some Living Humans appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.

A Neanderthal Gene Variant May Make Some People More Muscular

ZME Science

By: Tudor Tarita

7 August 2026 at 11:50

Ancient DNA may give some slightly more muscles today.

Moths Can Smell With Their Wings, Researchers Say

Sci.News

By: News Staff

30 July 2026 at 21:46

Reda Ismaieel et al. examined the olfactory capabilities of the wings of the tobacco hawkmoth (Manduca sexta). Image credit: Reda Ismaieel et al., doi: 10.1242/jeb.252047.

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology have found that moth wings are equipped with odor-detecting receptors, suggesting the insects use their wings -- not just their antennae -- to sense chemical cues in the air while flying.

The post Moths Can Smell With Their Wings, Researchers Say appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.

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