Study expands understanding of Neanderthal DNA in Eurasian populations

admin 2023年12月23日

Beginner

science & technology, science & technology - beginner

©JOE MCNALLY, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。

Are you curious about people who lived in ancient times, similar to early humans?
Do you know about DNA and its significance in genetic research?

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。

discover /dih-SKUHV-er/

[verb] – to find information, a place, or an object, especially for the first time
After years of dedicated research, the archaeologist finally discovered the hidden tomb of an ancient pharaoh.

ancient /EYN-shuhnt /

[adjective] – of or from a long time ago, having lasted for a very long time
The ancient ruins of the temple provided a glimpse into the rich history and architecture of the civilization that once thrived there.

exchange /iks-CHEYNJ/

[verb] – the act of giving something to someone and them giving you something else
The travelers decided to exchange local delicacies, allowing them to experience a taste of each other’s cultures.

region /REE-juhn/

[noun] – a particular area or part of the world, or any of the large official areas into which a country is divided
The mountainous region was known for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife.

research /REE-srch/

[noun] – a detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding
The research conducted on marine ecosystems unveiled previously unknown species thriving in the depths of the ocean.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。

Scientists have discovered that some genes in humans originate from Neanderthals, an ancient civilization. These genes make up a small portion of humans’ genetic makeup, with most people having some Neanderthal influence. However, people from East Asia have more, with about 2% in Europe and Asia and 4% in East Asia.

A study reveals that ancient humans migrated from Africa and encountered ancient hominins like Neanderthals in Europe and the Middle East and Denisovans in Asia. These groups exchanged genetic material, resulting in the presence of Neanderthal genes in some Europeans and Asians, constituting about 2% of their genetic makeup. Asians also possess Denisovan genes, reaching up to 6% in certain regions. Recent research shows that people in Africa today have more Neanderthal genes than we thought. This helps us learn more about the first people and where our genes come from.

True or False:

Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.

文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。

People from East Asia have less Neanderthal influence compared to Europe and Asia.
Most people have some Neanderthal influence in their genetic makeup.
Denisovans were encountered by ancient humans in Europe and the Middle East.
Ancient humans migrated from Africa and encountered ancient hominins like Neanderthals in Europe and the Middle East.
Neanderthal genes make up the majority of genetic material in humans.

Fill in the blanks:

Choose the correct word from the table then fill in the blanks.

適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。

discover

ancient

exchange

region

research

The company expanded its operations to the Asia-Pacific __________, aiming to tap into emerging markets.
Her groundbreaking __________ in the field of medicine led to the development of innovative treatments for previously incurable diseases.
The explorers embarked on a journey to __________ new species in the unexplored rainforest, documenting their findings for scientific research.
They agreed to __________ ideas and expertise, fostering a collaborative environment for their joint research project.
The __________ manuscript, written over a thousand years ago, offered valuable insights into the beliefs and customs of the society of that era.