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'Sea Nomads' Are First Known Humans Genetically Adapted To Diving (nationalgeographic.com)

schwit1 shares a report from National Geographic: Most people can hold their breath underwater for a few seconds, some for a few minutes. But a group of people called the Bajau takes free diving to the extreme, staying underwater for as long as 13 minutes at depths of around 200 feet. These nomadic people live in waters winding through the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia, where they dive to hunt for fish or search for natural elements that can be used in crafts. Now, a study in the journal Cell offers the first clues that a DNA mutation for larger spleens gives the Bajau a genetic advantage for life in the deep.

2 of 111 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Evolution Continues by Camel+Pilot · · Score: 1, Troll

    Evolution involves a lot of failures... you first.

  2. Re:Are we sure it’s genetic by fafalone · · Score: 1, Troll

    It's not racist because genetics stops at the neck. Claiming that somehow genes might influence how brains work, now that's just racist. And sexist. Any science that says any group might have a genetic variation resulting in a cognitive difference is racist and sexist, and any evidence saying that is just white male supremacy. But of course genetics influences physical differences.

    (This stupidity is really what some people think, even some people here)