Category Archives: Transhuman News

By analysing DNA extracted from the petrous bones of skulls of ancient Europeans, scientists have identified that these peoples remained intolerant to lactose (natural sugar in the milk of mammals) for 5,000 years after they adopted agricultural practices and 4,000 years after the onset of cheese-making among Central European Neolithic farmers.

The findings published online in the scientific journal Nature Communications (21 Oct) also suggest that major technological transitions in Central Europe between the Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age were also associated with major changes in the genetics of these populations.

For the study, the international team of scientists examined nuclear ancient DNA extracted from thirteen individuals from burials from archaeological sites located in the Great Hungarian Plain, an area known to have been at the crossroads of major cultural transformations that shaped European prehistory. The skeletons sampled date from 5,700 BC (Early Neolithic) to 800 BC (Iron Age).

It took several years of experimentation with different bones of varying density and DNA preservation for the scientists to discover that the inner ear region of the petrous bone in the skull, which is the hardest bone and well protected from damage, is ideal for ancient DNA analysis in humans and any other mammals.

According to Professor Ron Pinhasi from the UCD Earth Institute and UCD School of Archaeology, University College Dublin, the joint senior author on the paper, "the high percentage DNA yield from the petrous bones exceeded those from other bones by up to 183-fold. This gave us anywhere between 12% and almost 90% human DNA in our samples compared to somewhere between 0% and 20% obtained from teeth, fingers and rib bones."

For the first time, these exceptionally high percentage DNA yields from ancient remains made it possible for scientists to systematically analyse a series of skeletons from the same region and check for known genetic markers including lactose intolerance.

"Our findings show progression towards lighter skin pigmentation as hunter and gatherers and non-local farmers intermarried, but surprisingly no presence of increased lactose persistence or tolerance to lactose" adds Professor Pinhasi.

"This means that these ancient Europeans would have had domesticated animals like cows, goats and sheep, but they would not yet have genetically developed a tolerance for drinking large quantities of milk from mammals," he says.

According to Professor Dan Bradley from the Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, co-senior author on the paper, "our results also imply that the great changes in prehistoric technology including the adoption of farming, followed by the first use of the hard metals, bronze and then iron, were each associated with the substantial influx of new people. We can no longer believe these fundamental innovations were simply absorbed by existing populations in a sort of cultural osmosis."

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Ancient Europeans intolerant to lactose for 5,000 years after they adopted agriculture

Green Bay (WFRV) The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resouces (DNR) reports Asian Carp DNA has been found in the Fox River in Green Bay. Even though the DNA was found in the river, that does not mean the invasive species is in the river.

Here is the news release from the WI DNR:

State pursues additional testing after silver carp environmental DNA detected in Lower Fox River

Weekly News Article Published: October 21, 2014 by the Central Office MADISON -- Continued surveillance to protect Wisconsin waters against invasive species has turned up a single positive environmental DNA, or eDNA, sample for silver carp in the Lower Fox River.

The sample, among hundreds taken statewide in recent months, does not necessarily signal the presence of live fish. To determine the source of the eDNA found in the river, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is collaborating with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and has asked the federal agency for its help to collect additional samples from the Fox River in the next two weeks.

Asian carp pose significant ecological and economic threats to the Great Lakes region and its fishery because they eat voraciously and compete directly with valuable native fish for food.

"The tests for environmental DNA are extremely sensitive and can detect genetic material shed in mucus or excrement from fish as well as from birds that have eaten the fish elsewhere," said Bob Wakeman, aquatic invasive species coordinator for DNR. "Bilge water from boats also can carry traces of the fish. While these genetic fingerprints are clear enough to help us identify specific invasive carp species, the eDNA testing program relies on multiple positive samples over time to indicate the likelihood of live fish." For example, more than 100 additional samples following a single positive detection for silver carp DNA in Sturgeon Bay in late 2013 did not turn up further evidence of the fish. In the latest case, the single positive sample from the Lower Fox River was among 200 samples collected from the river in June and July. The monitoring was part of a coordinated program that included drawing some 1,950 samples from tributaries to Lake Michigan during the summer months.

In addition to the federal eDNA monitoring, DNR fisheries team members conduct a variety of netting, electroshocking and trawling operations in state waters as part of the ongoing monitoring effort. To date, these efforts have not captured any Asian carp in any waters of the Lower Fox River, Green Bay or Lake Michigan. "The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service appreciates Wisconsin's commitment to our shared fight against these invaders," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Deputy Regional Director Charlie Wooley. "At the state's request, we are providing all the resources and technical expertise we have available as part of a multistate effort to prevent the establishment of self-sustaining populations of Asian carp in the Great Lakes."

Asian carp species including bighead and silver carp were introduced into the southern United States in the 1970s and eDNA has been found upstream of the electric dispersal barriers in Lake Calumet, seven miles from Lake Michigan on the Indiana-Illinois border as well as in Lake Erie. DNR encourages anglers and others to review Asian carp identification materials, to report any sightings of Asian carp and to make sure that bait buckets don't inadvertently contain the fish because young Asian carp resemble popular bait species. Photo identification tools and more information on Asian carp can be found on DNR's website, dnr.wi.gov, by searching "Asian carp."

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Asian Carp DNA Found in the Fox River

Green Bay (WFRV) The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resouces (DNR) reports Asian Carp DNA has been found in the Fox River in Green Bay. Even though the DNA was found in the river, that does not mean the invasive species is in the river.

Here is the news release from the WI DNR:

State pursues additional testing after silver carp environmental DNA detected in Lower Fox River

Weekly News Article Published: October 21, 2014 by the Central Office MADISON -- Continued surveillance to protect Wisconsin waters against invasive species has turned up a single positive environmental DNA, or eDNA, sample for silver carp in the Lower Fox River.

The sample, among hundreds taken statewide in recent months, does not necessarily signal the presence of live fish. To determine the source of the eDNA found in the river, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is collaborating with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and has asked the federal agency for its help to collect additional samples from the Fox River in the next two weeks.

Asian carp pose significant ecological and economic threats to the Great Lakes region and its fishery because they eat voraciously and compete directly with valuable native fish for food.

"The tests for environmental DNA are extremely sensitive and can detect genetic material shed in mucus or excrement from fish as well as from birds that have eaten the fish elsewhere," said Bob Wakeman, aquatic invasive species coordinator for DNR. "Bilge water from boats also can carry traces of the fish. While these genetic fingerprints are clear enough to help us identify specific invasive carp species, the eDNA testing program relies on multiple positive samples over time to indicate the likelihood of live fish." For example, more than 100 additional samples following a single positive detection for silver carp DNA in Sturgeon Bay in late 2013 did not turn up further evidence of the fish. In the latest case, the single positive sample from the Lower Fox River was among 200 samples collected from the river in June and July. The monitoring was part of a coordinated program that included drawing some 1,950 samples from tributaries to Lake Michigan during the summer months.

In addition to the federal eDNA monitoring, DNR fisheries team members conduct a variety of netting, electroshocking and trawling operations in state waters as part of the ongoing monitoring effort. To date, these efforts have not captured any Asian carp in any waters of the Lower Fox River, Green Bay or Lake Michigan. "The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service appreciates Wisconsin's commitment to our shared fight against these invaders," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Deputy Regional Director Charlie Wooley. "At the state's request, we are providing all the resources and technical expertise we have available as part of a multistate effort to prevent the establishment of self-sustaining populations of Asian carp in the Great Lakes."

Asian carp species including bighead and silver carp were introduced into the southern United States in the 1970s and eDNA has been found upstream of the electric dispersal barriers in Lake Calumet, seven miles from Lake Michigan on the Indiana-Illinois border as well as in Lake Erie. DNR encourages anglers and others to review Asian carp identification materials, to report any sightings of Asian carp and to make sure that bait buckets don't inadvertently contain the fish because young Asian carp resemble popular bait species. Photo identification tools and more information on Asian carp can be found on DNR's website, dnr.wi.gov, by searching "Asian carp."

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Asian Carp DNA found in Fox River