現代人の脳と古代人の違い:新しい酵素がもたらした進化

Modern human brains and our ancestors brains are different; Progress made from the discovery of a new enzyme

Modern human brains and our ancestors brains are different; Progress made from the discovery of a new enzyme
現代の人間(ホモ・サピエンス)は、昔の人間の親戚であるネアンデルタール人やデニソワ人と違い、今も生き残っています

Unlike our related ancestors, the neanderthal and denisovan, modern humans (homo sapiens) continue to survive until today.

Unlike our related ancestors, the neanderthal and denisovan, modern humans (homo sapiens) continue to survive until today.
最近の研究で、現代人だけが持つ特別な酵素(ADSL)が、私たちの脳に大きな影響を与えていることが分かりました

Through recent research, it has been understood that only modern day humans hold a special enzyme that has a large impact on our brains

Through recent research, it has been understood that only modern day humans hold a special enzyme that has a large impact on our brains
この酵素は、DNAやRNAを作るために必要なものです

This enzyme is needed to make DNA and RNA.

This enzyme is needed to make DNA and RNA.
約60万年前、現代人は他の人類と分かれました

Around 60 million years ago, modern humans separated from other human species.

Around 60 million years ago, modern humans separated from other human species.
その後、ADSLという酵素の中のアミノ酸が一つだけ変わりました

Additionally, inside the amino acid that is within the ADSL enzyme only one thing has change.

Additionally, inside the amino acid that is within the ADSL enzyme only one thing has change.
この小さな変化が、現代人の脳の働きに関係していると考えられています

It is thought that this one small change has a relationship with how modern day humans brains work.

It is thought that this one small change has a relationship with how modern day humans brains work.
研究では、マウスを使って実験が行われました

They conducted the experiment on mice.

They conducted the experiment on mice.
人間のADSLを持つマウスは、水を探すときに、普通のマウスよりも水の場所をよく覚えていました

When having to find water, mice that held the human ADSL enzyme learned the place where the water was faster than regular mice.

When having to find water, mice that held the human ADSL enzyme learned the place where the water was faster than regular mice.
これにより、現代人は水などの大切な資源を見つけやすくなったかもしれません

From this, perhaps modern humans could find water and other important resources easier.

From this, perhaps modern humans could find water and other important resources easier.
また、現代人のほとんどがこの特別なADSLの遺伝子を持っています

and so most modern humans are now holding the special gene of ADSL.

and so most modern humans are now holding the special gene of ADSL.
科学者たちは、この遺伝子が現代人の生き残りやすさに関係していると考えています

Modern scientists think that this gene allowed for modern humans to easily survive.

Modern scientists think that this gene allowed for modern humans to easily survive.
この研究は、私たちの脳や行動がどのように進化したのかを知るための大切な一歩です

This research is an important step to be able to understand the evolution of our brains and our activity.

This research is an important step to be able to understand the evolution of our brains and our activity.