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Scientists Link a Prolific Gene Tree to the Manchu Conquerors of China
By NICHOLAS WADE, The New York Times, November 1, 2005
Geneticists have identified a major lineage of Y chromosomes in populations of northern China that they believe may mark the bearers as descendants of one of the Manchu conquerors who founded the Qing dynasty and ruled China from 1644 to 1911.
Because the founder of the lineage lived some 500 years ago, according to calculations based on the rate of genetic change, he may have been Giocangga, who died in 1582, the grandfather of the Manchu leader Nurhaci. At least 1.6 million men now carry this Manchu Y chromosome, says Chris Tyler-Smith, the leader of a team of English and Chinese geneticists.
Several historians, however, expressed reservations and said they would like to see more evidence, including testing of present-day descendants of the Qing nobility.
This is not the first instance of extraordinary male procreation that Dr. Tyler-Smith has brought to light. Two years ago, after a survey of Y chromosomes across East Asia, he identified a lineage that he was able to associate with the Mongol royal house and Genghis Khan.
Some 16 million men who live within the boundaries of the former Mongol empire now carry Genghis's Y chromosome, according to Dr. Tyler-Smith's calculations.
( Read More )
Ginseng May Reduce Number and Severity of Colds
By NICHOLAS BAKALAR, The New York Times, November 1, 2005
Ginseng, long recommended as a treatment for colds by proponents of herbal medicine, has gained some support in a controlled scientific experiment. Canadian researchers tested North American ginseng extract against a placebo and found that it had a small but significant effect in reducing the number and intensity of colds.
( Read More )
Q & A: A Low Roar
By C. CLAIBORNE RAY, The New York Times, November 1, 2005
Q. I often wear earplugs to sleep or at loud concerts. Could I hurt my ears by wearing them so much?
A. Earplugs pushed too far into the ear can pack wax painfully deep into the ear canal, and they can cause irritations, abrasions and infections of the skin that they touch. But if you haven't experienced this after prolonged use, you probably have nothing to worry about and are very likely protecting your hearing.
Some authorities recommend earphone-style protection or specially fitted earplugs instead of commercial sponge or wax plugs, but in general the problem with earplugs is that too few people wear them.
( Read More )
Persistent Astronomers Find Pluto Has Two More Moons
By KENNETH CHANG, The New York Times, November 1, 2005
And then there were three.
Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope announced yesterday that they had spotted two small moons circling Pluto. That gives Pluto, the smallest of the nine planets, a total of three moons, or more than four of the other planets.
( Read More )
By NICHOLAS WADE, The New York Times, November 1, 2005
Geneticists have identified a major lineage of Y chromosomes in populations of northern China that they believe may mark the bearers as descendants of one of the Manchu conquerors who founded the Qing dynasty and ruled China from 1644 to 1911.
Because the founder of the lineage lived some 500 years ago, according to calculations based on the rate of genetic change, he may have been Giocangga, who died in 1582, the grandfather of the Manchu leader Nurhaci. At least 1.6 million men now carry this Manchu Y chromosome, says Chris Tyler-Smith, the leader of a team of English and Chinese geneticists.
Several historians, however, expressed reservations and said they would like to see more evidence, including testing of present-day descendants of the Qing nobility.
This is not the first instance of extraordinary male procreation that Dr. Tyler-Smith has brought to light. Two years ago, after a survey of Y chromosomes across East Asia, he identified a lineage that he was able to associate with the Mongol royal house and Genghis Khan.
Some 16 million men who live within the boundaries of the former Mongol empire now carry Genghis's Y chromosome, according to Dr. Tyler-Smith's calculations.
( Read More )
Ginseng May Reduce Number and Severity of Colds
By NICHOLAS BAKALAR, The New York Times, November 1, 2005
Ginseng, long recommended as a treatment for colds by proponents of herbal medicine, has gained some support in a controlled scientific experiment. Canadian researchers tested North American ginseng extract against a placebo and found that it had a small but significant effect in reducing the number and intensity of colds.
( Read More )
Q & A: A Low Roar
By C. CLAIBORNE RAY, The New York Times, November 1, 2005
Q. I often wear earplugs to sleep or at loud concerts. Could I hurt my ears by wearing them so much?
A. Earplugs pushed too far into the ear can pack wax painfully deep into the ear canal, and they can cause irritations, abrasions and infections of the skin that they touch. But if you haven't experienced this after prolonged use, you probably have nothing to worry about and are very likely protecting your hearing.
Some authorities recommend earphone-style protection or specially fitted earplugs instead of commercial sponge or wax plugs, but in general the problem with earplugs is that too few people wear them.
( Read More )
Persistent Astronomers Find Pluto Has Two More Moons
By KENNETH CHANG, The New York Times, November 1, 2005
And then there were three.
Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope announced yesterday that they had spotted two small moons circling Pluto. That gives Pluto, the smallest of the nine planets, a total of three moons, or more than four of the other planets.
( Read More )
