Tag

Cold Adaptation

All articles tagged with #cold adaptation

science9 days ago•7 min saved

Jomon Genomes Reveal Stepwise Cold-Weather Adaptations in Ice-Age Humans

Scientists analyzed genomes from 42 Jomon individuals and used imputation to infer missing data, uncovering genetic adaptations linked to cold tolerance—such as nonshivering thermogenesis in brown fat and fatty‑acid metabolism—that likely helped these ancient populations survive icy climates. The findings suggest incremental, region‑specific adaptations during the last glacial period, with some variants showing Inuit-like convergence, highlighting a paleogenomic legacy that may continue to influence modern human variation and health.

via ScienceAlert|

#brown-fat #cold-adaptation #convergent-evolution

science2 years ago•2 min saved

"Unfreezing the Mystery: How Antarctic Octopuses Brave Earth's Coldest Ocean"

Antarctic octopuses, specifically of the genus Pareledone, have been found to survive in the coldest waters on Earth by using their three hearts to pump a special type of blue blood around their bodies, supplying oxygen to tissues even in super-cold environments. These octopuses also possess "cold-adapted" enzymes that allow them to function at lower temperatures. Researchers have discovered that mutations in the amino acid sequence of a specific enzyme, the sodium-potassium pump, provide resistance to the cold and enable the pump to continue working at near-freezing temperatures. Further research is needed to understand the exact mechanisms behind these adaptations.

via ScienceAlert|

#antarctic-octopuses #cell-membrane #cold-adaptation