Brit-Am Anthropology and DNA Update (1 June, 2015, 14 Sivan, 5775)
1. Britons still live in Anglo-Saxon tribal kingdoms, Oxford University finds By Sarah Knapton, Science Editor
2. When the Weather Changes, So Does Your DNA
By Annie Hauser
3. Mitochondrial DNA Suggests a Western Eurasian origin for Ancient (Proto-) Bulgarians
4. Ancient DNA may provide clues into how past environments affected ancient populations
5. Brit-Am Reply to Query About Possible Jewish DNA in an Individual Case
===============================
===============================
1. Britons still live in Anglo-Saxon tribal kingdoms, Oxford University finds (brought to our attention by Charlene Mathe)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11480732/Britons-still-live-in-Anglo-Saxon-tribal-kingdoms-Oxford-University-finds.html
A new genetic map of Britain shows that there has been little movement between areas of Britain which were former tribal kingoms in Anglo-Saxon England
Britons still live communities inspired by old boundaries from Anglo-Saxon England, and the Vikings, pictured below had little impact Photo: David Cheskin/PA
By Sarah Knapton, Science Editor
Extracts:
Britons are still living in the same 'tribes' that they did in the 7th Century, Oxford University has found after an astonishing study into our genetic make-up.
Archaeologists and geneticists were amazed to find that genetically similar individuals inhabit the same areas they did following the Anglo-Saxon invasion, following the fall of the Roman Empire.
In fact, a map showing tribes of Britain in 600AD is almost identical to a new chart showing genetic variability throughout the UK, suggesting that local communities have stayed put for the past 1415 years.
Many people in Britain claim to feel a strong sense of regional identity and scientists say they the new study proves that the link to birthplace is DNA deep.
The most striking genetic split can be seen between people living in Cornwall and Devon, where the division lies exactly along the county border. It means that people living on either side of the River Tamar, which separates the two counties, have different DNA.
![[]](http://s.telegraph.co.uk/graphics/MobileSwitcher/v2/images/816-14267045631796800873.png)
Similarly there is a large area in southern and central England with a shared genetic heritage which coincides with the boundaries of Anglo-Saxon England. Likewise, separate genetic groups can be found in areas of North and South Wales corresponding to the ancient kingdoms of Gwynedd and Dyfed.
In the North, specific groups were found in the North East, tallying with the area of Bernicia which was colonised by the Angles from Southern Denmark. And, intriguingly, a small genetic cluster was spotted in the West Riding of Yorkshire, which coincides with the former small kingdom of Elmet, one of the last strongholds of the ancient Britons.
Geneticist Professor Sir Walter Bodmer of Oxford University said: 'What it shows is the extraordinary stability of the British population. Britain hasn't changed much since 600AD.
'When we plotted the genetics on a map we got this fantastic parallel between areas and genetic similarity.
Professor Peter Donnelly, Director of the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics said: 'It has long been known that human populations differ genetically but never before have we been able to observe such exquisite and fascinating detail.
'In a certain sense there are more genetic differences between North and South Wales than between Kent and Scotland.
'And in a certain sense there is more similarity between people in the North of England and Scotland than people in the south of England.'
The findings also showed that there is not a single 'Celtic' genetic group. In fact the Celtic parts of the UK (Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Cornwall) are among the most different from each other genetically.
And the research has finally answered the question of whether the Romans, Vikings and Anglo-Saxons interbred with the Brits or wiped out communities.
The team found that people in central and southern England have a significant DNA contribution from the Anglo-Saxons showing that the invaders intermarried with, rather than replaced, the existing population.
But there is no genetic signature from the Danish Vikings even though they controlled large parts of England, The Danelaw, from the 9th century, suggesting they conquered, kept largely to themselves, and then left. Only Orkney residents were found to have Viking DNA.
'We found that 25 per cent of the DNA of someone living in Orkney is from Norse ancestry which suggests that when the Vikings arrived the intermingled with the local population rather than wiping them out,' added Prof Peter Donnelly.
There is also little Roman DNA in the British genetic make-up.
The research, which was also carried out by University College London and the Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Australia, was published in the journal Nature.
==============================
===============================
2. When the Weather Changes, So Does Your DNA
By Annie Hauser
Published May 14 2015 10:11 AM EDT
weather.com
Extracts:
Why cold weather makes so many health conditions worse might come down to DNA, according to new research.
Why winter adds "ouch" to some health conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, might come down to our DNA.
Gene expression shifts seasonally, changing the way our immune system might react to stressors, such as inflammation, that silent-but-painful bodily process that contributes arthritis, heart disease and a host of other ills, University of Cambridge researchers say in a new study.
The seasons also affect our blood's fat composition, as well as autoimmune conditions such as type 2 diabetes, mood and psychiatric conditions, and even vitamin D metabolism, the study authors continued.
Why this occurs might be evolutionary, immunologist and study author Chris Wallace, Ph.D., explained to Wired.
'Inflammation is the body's response to harm, and in the winter we are more susceptible to harm,' she said.'...
But in our climate-controlled world, inflammatory responses can lead to harm.
What triggers the shift is still unknown. Researchers hypothesize in the study that it could be daylight length, which shifts seasonally and has a surprisingly profound impact on our health, even in the world of artificial light and smartphones.
 ==============================
===============================
3. Mitochondrial DNA Suggests a Western Eurasian origin for Ancient (Proto-) Bulgarians
http://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol_preprints/69/
Authors
D V. Nesheva, Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Sofia
S Karachanak-Yankova, Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Sofia
M Lari, Department of Evolutionary Biology,Laboratory of Anthropology,Molecular Anthropology/Paleogenetics Unit,University of Florence, Florence, Italy
Y Yordanov, Institute of Experimental Morphology, Pathology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
A Galabov, The Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
David Caramelli, Department of Evolutionary Biology,Laboratory of Anthropology,Molecular Anthropology/Paleogenetics Unit,University of Florence, Florence, ItalyFollow
Draga Toncheva, Department of Medical Genetics, Medical Faculty, Medical University of SofiaFollow
Anticipated Volume
87
Anticipated Issue
1
Abstract
Ancient (proto-) Bulgarians have long been thought to as a Turkic population. However, evidence found in the past three decades show that this is not the case. Until now, this evidence does not include ancient mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. In order to fill this void, we have collected human remains from the VIII-X century AD located in three necropolises in Bulgaria: Nojarevo (Silistra region) and Monastery of Mostich (Shumen region), both in Northeast Bulgaria and Tuhovishte (Satovcha region) in Southwest Bulgaria. The phylogenetic analysis of 13 ancient DNA samples (extracted from teeth) identified 12 independent haplotypes, which we further classified into mtDNA haplogroups found in present-day European and Western Eurasian populations. Our results suggest a Western Eurasian matrilineal origin for proto-Bulgarians as well as a genetic similarity between proto- and modern Bulgarians. Our future work will provide additional data which will further clarify proto-Bulgarian origins; thereby adding new clues to current understanding of European genetic evolution.
==============================
===============================
4. Ancient DNA may provide clues into how past environments affected ancient populations
http://phys.org/news/2015-05-ancient-dna-clues-environments-affected.html
Extract:
The field of epigenetics looks at chemical modifications to DNA, known as epigenetic marks, that influence which genes are expressed, or turned on or off. Some epigenetic marks stay in place throughout a person's life, but others may be added or removed in response to environmental factors such as diet, disease and climate. If the modification is made to sperm or egg DNA, the changes could be inherited.
==============================
===============================
5. Brit-Am Reply to Query About Possible Jewish DNA in an Individual Case
Â
N said:
I am a bit confused.
Â
On my moms side I am K1a. Some websites say K1a are probably not Jews and your site says "K is mostly K1a which is almost unique to Jews. My mom always had love for the Jews people and I think I feel the same way. but feelings do not prove your background or ethnicity, so I took a DNA test and that's the result. But with so many differents views on the K1a, what should I believe??
Â
Any input I would appreciate it.
Thanks.
 ===============================
Brit-Am Reply:
Â
We were discussing mtDNA which is transmitted by the female.
http://www.britam.org/DNAtentribes.html
Â
What I said is what I saw on the web.
I know about as much (or less) than you on the subject.
Continue your search BUT this is not something you can take to the bank.
Whatever you find concerning DNA you will need more.
Nevertheless the Almighty seems to be calling the Descendants of Israel in many ways and DNA findings may be one of them.
God bless you
Yair