Post AcfzaeR59epsPovVke by cyrilpedia@qoto.org
 (DIR) More posts by cyrilpedia@qoto.org
 (DIR) Post #AcfzaeR59epsPovVke by cyrilpedia@qoto.org
       2023-12-10T08:21:11Z
       
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       'Another implication of their study is that our ancestors enjoyed a malaria-free existence right up until the neolithic transition 10,000 years ago when, coincident with the shift from nomadic to agrarian lifestyles, Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite responsible for the deadliest form of human malaria, mutated to target Neu5Ac so abundantly present on human cells. It is thought that our more agricultural lifestyle made humans more vulnerable to the malaria-carrying mosquitoes that bred in stagnant pools near settlements.'https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/dec/10/sugar-coating-cells-illness-pathogens-evolutions-glycans-sialic-acids
       
 (DIR) Post #AcfzafW58YQflcH1BQ by RadicalAnthro@c.im
       2023-12-10T19:06:44Z
       
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       @cyrilpedia Sialic acids also implicated in survival of grandmothers: "humans have picked up a mutated form of CD33 that is missing this sugar-binding site. The mutated receptor no longer reacts to sialic acids on damaged cells and plaques, allowing the microglia to break them down...."This mutated form of CD33 is not only missing in chimps, but also absent from the genomes of Neanderthals or Denisovans, our closest evolutionary relatives.“This suggests that the wisdom and care of healthy grandparents may have been an important evolutionary advantage that we had over other ancient hominin species,” says Varki. “Grandmothers are so important, we even evolved genes to protect their minds.”
       
 (DIR) Post #AcfzagJ0CfYqDLA5R2 by Aviva_Gary@noc.social
       2023-12-10T19:35:52Z
       
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       @RadicalAnthro @cyrilpedia This is so cool