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Humans

Denisovan DNA may help modern humans adapt to different environments

Highland and lowland populations in Papua New Guinea have different gene variants derived from Denisovan archaic humans, indicating possible adaptations for lower oxygen levels and higher malaria risk

By Sophie Berdugo

12 July 2024

Those living in Papua New Guinea’s highlands may benefit from having Denisovan DNA

Michael Runkel/Danita Delimont/Getty Images/Gallo Images ROOTS

People living in the highlands and lowlands of Papua New Guinea have different frequencies of several Denisovan genetic variants, which may help them adapt to their local environmental conditions.

The Denisovans were hominins that lived across eastern Eurasia for hundreds of thousands of years, giving them plenty of time to adapt to a variety of environments.

After leaving Africa, Homo sapiens interbred with other human species, including Denisovans,…

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