November 2025 in “animal” In this study, researchers analyzed 24 European Merino sheep populations to investigate genetic adaptations to climate, identifying 168 significant SNPs and related genes associated with temperature variation and environmental adaptation, focusing on traits like isothermality and pathways related to immune response and system development.
26 citations
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February 2020 in “Frontiers in genetics” This study identified three candidate genes (CORT, FGF5, and CD36) associated with cold climate adaptation in Yanbian cattle through genome resequencing and comparison with African tropical cattle.
December 2019 in “bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)” This study found that redhaired individuals consistently had higher calcidiol levels compared to non-redhaired subjects, suggesting a physiological adaptation for vitamin D synthesis in low UV-B conditions.
5 citations
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June 2020 in “Experimental dermatology” This study found that redheaded individuals had higher levels of vitamin D precursor 25(OH)D3 compared to non-redheaded individuals, suggesting a physiological adaptation to low UVB radiation in Europe.
January 2019 in “Figshare” This study found that redhaired individuals exhibit higher calcidiol levels compared to non-redhaired individuals, suggesting a possible evolutionary adaptation for vitamin D photosynthesis in low UV-B environments in Europe.