The Neanderthal Genome

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Neanderthal remains found in Chagraskaya cave and Ocladnikov cave about 50 kilometres away. DNA from 17 partially preserved bones and teeth was used to analyse the relationships between individual Neanderthals. Two Neanderthals that were related to each other, so a father and his daughter appears must have existed in the Altai Mountains.

In this episode:

00:54 Siberian cave offers first-ever glimpse into Neanderthal family

By analysing ancient DNA recovered from bone fragments found in two Siberian caves, researchers have identified a set of closely related Neanderthals: a father and daughter, as well as several other more-distant relatives. The work suggests that Neanderthal communities were small, and that females may have left their families to join other groups.

Research article: Skov et al.

News and Views: The first genomic portrait of a Neanderthal family

09:14 Research Highlights

The robotic falcon that frightens nuisance flocks, and how climate change could lead to power loss in low-income households.

Research Highlight: Plagued by problem birds? Call RobotFalcon!

Research Highlight: Loss of power looms for some families as climate changes

12:32 Briefing Chat

We discuss some highlights from the Nature Briefing. This time, assessing why women are cited less often than men in physics, and uncovering a long-lost star-map from ancient Greece.

Science: Women researchers are cited less than men. Here’s why—and what can be done about it

Nature News: First known map of night sky found hidden in Medieval parchment

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