The hottest Human biology Substack posts right now

Genetic and environmental interactions matter a lot in understanding traits. Some traits are influenced by how genes work together with the environment, which makes it tricky to measure their heritability accurately.
Using genetic scores from one population in another can lead to incorrect conclusions about intelligence differences. This happens because different groups might have different gene structures affecting traits, leading to wrong assumptions about genetic causes of observed differences.
Research methods like twin studies and adoption studies can show different heritability estimates. It's important to carefully consider the assumptions behind these studies, as biases can impact results significantly.

200 thousand years of isolation may not be enough for genetic incompatibilities to develop
Genomics has revolutionized evolutionary biology by providing precise insights with massive amounts of data
The mixing of Neanderthal and modern human lineages led to genetic incompatibilities and selection against Neanderthal-origin DNA in modern humans

The pursuit of wealth, power, and fame can lead some individuals into harmful and dangerous situations.
The book 'Feminism Against Progress' explores the challenges faced by those who try to defy nature in pursuits like career success and family-building.
Gen Z is showing a trend of rejecting societal norms around sex, birth control, and identity, signaling a shift in values.

The risk of producing abnormal embryos is highest in siblings, lower in first cousins, and lowest in third or fourth cousins.
Inbreeding can lead to shared defective alleles and recessive disorders, causing inbreeding depression.
Outbreeding can lead to genetic incompatibilities and higher rates of miscarriage, causing outbreeding depression.

In 1862, two balloonists faced a terrifying situation when their balloon wouldn't come down, and they were rising to dangerous altitudes. They had to work hard to figure out how to descend safely without the proper equipment.
Early ballooning was risky, but the people doing it were often well-prepared and knowledgeable. Their courage and resourcefulness in the face of danger helped advance the field of aeronautics.
Even today, the sky is both common and mysterious to us. It's a reminder of how our atmosphere keeps us alive, and we should be curious about the science behind it.

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The study looks at how many new mutations each person has that are different from their parents. These mutations happen in our DNA over generations.
Mutations in our genetic code can impact traits and diseases. Some mutations are common, while others are rare and can lead to various health problems.
Advancements in technology have made it easier to study our DNA. We can now look at thousands of genetic markers that help us understand human history and evolution.

Fertility rates are dropping globally, with India being the only top 20 GDP country above 2.05 and potentially falling below 2 as wealth increases.
Energy consumption is crucial for quality of life and sustainability. Clean, portable energy sources are needed for a better future.
Humans consume around 100 watts of energy daily, with comparisons to common energy uses like electricity, gasoline, and jet fuel. Understanding energy consumption per capita highlights the disparity in energy usage between countries like the United States and Somalia.