Scientists from Columbia University have found what genetic changes allowed large primates to move upright. The research was published in the journal Science.
The study’s authors used deep learning (a type of artificial intelligence) to analyze genetic data from ancient primates and more than 30,000 body images of modern humans from the British Biobank. This provided the first map of 145 DNA regions responsible for skeletal changes such as shoulder width, trunk length and tibia-thigh angle that lead to upright posture in primates.
The analysis showed that primitive humans who switched to walking upright had a significant evolutionary advantage. This has led to the rapid spread of genetic variants associated with upright posture.
On a more practical note, we also identified genetic and skeletal variants associated with hip, knee and back arthritis, which are the leading causes of disability among adults in the United States.
Therefore, small deviations from the mean hip width-to-height ratio were associated with an increased risk of hip osteoarthritis, while small deviations in the tibiofemoral angle were associated with an increased risk of knee osteoarthritis. This will help researchers develop new ways to prevent and treat joint diseases.
Deep learning is a technology modeled after the brain’s neural networks that allows computers to do things that are natural to humans, such as driving a car or translating text. The study used the method to standardize x-rays, remove all images with quality issues, and accurately measure dozens of skeletal features. Without deep learning, these tasks could take researchers months or years to complete.
The transition to upright posture is one of the most important events in the evolution of primates, which took place about 6 million years ago. The gradual shift to bipedal movement is believed to have made primates more adaptable to different environments and freeing their hands to use tools, which in turn accelerates brain development.
ancient scientists to create Boomerang is 300,000 years old.
Source: Gazeta
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